Alternative Feeding Methods

Alicia Fonder

Updated May 17, 2024 14:42

I need to supplement my baby with extra milk. What if I don’t want to introduce a bottle yet?

If baby is still learning to latch properly or needs more milk after a nursing session, there are several options (besides bottles) when supplementing breast milk or formula.

It’s recommended to wait 3-4 weeks after birth, or until breastfeeding is well established, before introducing a bottle. Nursing directly from the breast uses different mouth and jaw muscles than drinking from a bottle. With a bottle, milk tends to drip into babies’ mouths without much effort. Babies can quickly develop a preference for the bottle and experience a harder transition back to breastfeeding because the bottle is easier!

In order to remove colostrum the first few days, consider using hand expression. Since colostrum is very thick and sticky, it should be expressed directly into a cup or spoon to avoid waste when transferring from a container to a feeding utensil. When mature milk comes in, you may choose to switch to a breast pump, and transfer the breast milk to a spoon/cup. Ask a lactation consultant or nurse to help feed your baby one of the following ways. Baby should be awake and upright when using any of these alternative feeding methods.

Syringe Feeding (For 5ml or less)

Use a small, clean syringe to suck up milk from a cup/medicine cup.
Position the syringe between baby’s gum and cheek. Squirt no more than 0.2ml into their mouth at a time.
Give baby time to swallow before giving another 0.2ml. Continue until the feeding ends.
Do not let baby suck on the syringe, and do not forcefully squirt milk into the mouth.

Spoon Feeding (For 5ml or more)

Use a small, clean plastic spoon.
Gently place the spoon up to baby's lips and wait.
Baby will smell the milk, push their tongue forward and begin to lap the milk. Do not pour the milk into baby’s mouth.

Cup Feeding (For more than 5ml)

Use a small, clean cup or medicine cup, filled ⅔ or less.
Aim the top of the cup towards baby’s upper lip and gums.
Gently touch/rest the cup on their lower lip to stimulate baby’s natural rooting reflex.
Slowly tip the cup so the milk touches baby’s lip and wait.
Baby will smell the milk, push their tongue forward and start to sip the milk.
Gently tip the cup as baby laps the milk, so that milk is on the rim of the cup but not pouring over.
Leave the cup in this position during the feeding. Do not remove the cup when they pause. Allow pauses and continue when they are ready.
Continue to offer the cup until baby gives signs they’ve had enough, like turning their head away.

A Supplemental Nursing System (SNS) can be used while baby is latched onto and suckling at the breast. While a baby gets milk from the breast, they also receive breast milk/formula from the SNS container through a small tube inserted into their mouth. When a baby isn’t getting enough milk from breastfeeding alone, a SNS allows them to stimulate breast milk production by latching onto the breast. Work with a lactation consultant and your healthcare provider regarding the use of an SNS.

If latching difficulties are the reason for using an alternative feeding method, sometimes simply tasting the colostrum/breast milk makes the baby more eager to latch. If they are needing extra calories/volume as the reason for supplementing, alternative feeding methods are usually only needed for a short time. Great job setting yourself up for breastfeeding success!

Work with a lactation consultant if you want more help with any of these feeding methods!