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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

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Original poster

Best bottle for greedy newborn that keeps choking!?

34 replies

MoominAndMiniMoom · 18/04/2014 19:43

My daughter is a week old and on formula (tried breastfeeding but she wouldn't latch, even with nipple shields, and wasn't getting the nutrition she needed). One week on and she's making up for lost time and has her formula like there's no tomorrow, she just gulps it down - she's having 40-50ml every 3-4 hours on average - and ends up choking every feed, and it takes her a while to be able to breathe.

We're using the Tommee Tippee closer to nature bottles at the moment, just the normal coloured bottles, so we think we're going to have to change the type of bottles we're using. Any tips on which are best for babies who need slow flow teats (I'm guessing this is what she needs?), which brands etc we should go for? And will we be able to sterilise them in the Tommee Tippee steriliser we have? (complete newbie alert).

OP posts:

Poppet45 · 19/04/2014 00:58

I dont think I'd call her greedy. It sounds more like she's being overwhelmed by the fast flow and has to swallow or choke on it. Alter your technique and the minute she's having difficulties stop feeding and let her catch her breath. Poor little thing. Ffs.

Poppet45 · 19/04/2014 01:03

Do u know how bottle feeding works btw? Breast fed babies have to work to feed, but bottle fed babies have to work to block the holes in the teat with their tongues to stop the flow of milk or else risk being choked. Its up to you as the adult to keep her safe. Shes tiny and vulnerable not greedy.

Fasterkillpussycat · 19/04/2014 01:34

We use Dr Brown bottles and have found them to be very good.

Forgettable · 19/04/2014 01:37

Nuk are v good, as are Dr Brown's

Mam too

no idea about steriliser sorry

PotatoPolly · 19/04/2014 02:14

poppet I'm not sure your accusatory tone is too helpful poor little thing. ffs The OP explained she's a newbie and has asked for advice, not to be judged.
I'm sorry op I'm not sure, but I've heard the Dr Browns are good. I'll be interested in the outcome, as we've bought all tommee tippee too!

Bumbershoot · 19/04/2014 02:36

Agree re Dr Browns! (And Poppet, who is clearly having a bad day)

Original poster

MoominAndMiniMoom · 19/04/2014 03:22

thanks for your 'concern' poppet, would you like to take your judgypants off before you offer it next time? no, as I said I'm a newbie to having a baby and had been hoping to breastfeed, so clearly I don't understand how bottlenecking works. but FWIW I don't for one second believe my baby is greedy - she loves her bottles and is already trying to reach for them and grab them herself the monster (disclaimer - I don't believe my daughter is a monster either)

I have recognised that she's struggling with the fast flow, and whenever she struggles I already take the bottle away to let her catch her breath, of course I do! I started this thread to ask for advice about teats that can help with the problem.

thanks for the advice, will try to get some Dr Browns bottles tomorrow :)

OP posts:

highlove · 19/04/2014 06:58

We used Medela Calma bottles when DD was struggling to control the flow with the closer to nature ones. They (the Medela ones) mean baby actually has to suck and work
St getting the milk out. They do say they're specifically for expressed milk but can't really see what difference it would make and a friend has used them for formula.

Congrats on the birth of your lovely greedy monster.

DeadCert · 19/04/2014 07:04

I would definitely recommend Dr Browns, although maybe just buy one and see how she gets on first because they're expensive.

TT bottles are really fast flow, even on slow flow. DS used to neck a whole bottle and then vom it back up.

I too clearly didn't understand how bottle feeding worked....

tametortie · 19/04/2014 07:23

Here's another one that didn't understand bottle feeding....

My DD was the same, every bottle feed ended with her a bit watery eyed and red!!

I tried lots of different bottles and teats and finally found a combination on naff bottles with no brand on them from my local chemist and a variable flow silicon teat. I ended up with piles of spare bottles and teats but was worth it to find the right one. She fed better, had less colic and didn't choke.

Parenting is a bit trial and error though isn't it?

deepinthewoods · 19/04/2014 07:38

Could you feed her a little more often? Tiny babies this age will often feed every 2 hours or so. It sounds like she is very hungry and panicking a little. If you feed her more regularly she wont be so urgent when she feeds.

insideout · 19/04/2014 07:45

We used nuk with our greedy baby which really helped BUT she would not drink out of any others after that, probably to do with the shape of the teat.

Tangoandcreditcards · 19/04/2014 07:48

I feel for you, I've found there's very little guidance out there in terms of troubleshooting bottle feeding.

I had the same problem with the TT bottles (my 9wo is formula fed from birth). After trying EVERY brand (I may have spent a FORTUNE on all the bottles). I've settled on the NUK ones silicon teats (the latex teats went all sticky when I steralised). Mam were probably also equally good when I tried one, but NUK were on 3 for 2 offer on Chemist Direct at the time.

Artandco · 19/04/2014 07:51

I would also feed more often. It sounds like after 4 hours she is hungry so gulping too fast. Try less milk but every 2 hrs. Their stomach is tiny so more at once won't fit anyway and will just cause her to vomit

IComeFromALandDownUnder · 19/04/2014 07:57

It is the TT bottles, not your baby. Newborns should not be able to gulp down a bottle. We had the same bottles with our newborn and they were much too fast causing painful gas in dd. I binned them and got the Nuk.

scarletforya · 19/04/2014 08:03

Dr Brown's and use the smallest hole teat you can get. The holes in the teats come in various sizes. Make sure you ask for newborn ones.

Gulping can be a sign of silent reflux so make sure you keep her upright during and after her feeds.

Original poster

MoominAndMiniMoom · 19/04/2014 16:05

thanks everyone. she won't eat before about 3 and a half hours, and then you'd y think we've never fed her before! got MAM and Dr Brown slow flow bottles, going to give them a try as well as trying to get her to take smaller amounts every 3 hours instead.

OP posts:

Forgettable · 19/04/2014 18:17

Fingers crossed

Original poster

MoominAndMiniMoom · 19/04/2014 21:58

She's still choking on the Newborn slow flow teats :( I've been only letting her take 10 seconds at a time before making her take a break, and there's still no joy. I'm scared she's going to choke in the night and I won't wake up, or she'll choke when OH is feeding her and he won't know what to do. Could she get really hurt by this? Is it dangerous?

What do I do if it is somehing like reflux?

OP posts:

NiMhurchu · 19/04/2014 22:57

Can't help much as I bf (but had no problems with TT bottles when used) but I can only say what would you do if she was having this problem and you were bf? You couldn't change your flow. I think she might just have to learn to suck, swallow, breathe. She may have got used to really working for her milk and need time to get used to sucking less. Is she actually having discomfort or anything or is it you thinking she's in bother? I don't mean to sound harsh or anything. Of course try other bottles if you are able to, I wouldn't bother trying variflow teats as they will make it worse with her having a strong suck. Also ensure the valve on the teat can open and work properly, this was the only problem I had with TT teats when they were brand new.

NiMhurchu · 19/04/2014 23:01

Have a look at some videos on YouTube on what to do in the event of choking. I don't think she can actually choke. Perhaps cough and splutter a bit, keep her upright when feeding and lay her across your knee on her belly, head lower than chest, if you feel she has to get the milk out of her mouth

mawbroon · 19/04/2014 23:03

Has anyone who knows what they are doing checked her for tongue tie?

Inability to latch and struggling with the flow from the bottle could be caused by a restricted tongue.

article here with list of symptoms

drinkyourmilk · 19/04/2014 23:08

I'd recommend the medela bottles.
The teats aren't free flow, so her sucking reflex will be needed and she shouldn't be so overwhelmed with milk.
Good luck.

LittleBearPad · 19/04/2014 23:11

Sit her up a bit, it might make the milk not come out of the bottle so quickly.

Dr brown bottles are good, especially if she's taking in lots of air.

Original poster

MoominAndMiniMoom · 19/04/2014 23:23

I might ask the midwife on Tuesday to check her for tongue tie, she matches those symptoms so well!! I've had a look at very basic baby first aid but will check out some YouTube videos too, thanks :)

OP posts:

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