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Many bottle feeding problems are the result of feeding too fast or feeding
too slow. If your baby feeds is too fast, there's a risk he will overfeed or
vomit soon after feeding. If he feeds too slowly, there's a risk that he will
'wear out' and not complete his feed.
As a guide only, the following times are recommended to bottle feed your baby.
- 20 - 40 minutes for newborn to 3 months.
- 15 - 30 minutes for babies 3 months to 6 months.
- 10 - 20 minutes for babies over 6 months.
If he completes his feeds under the recommended time, this could be because the
nipple is too fast. The faster the feed the more he's likely to drink. A fast nipple
will increase the risk that he will overfeed or swallow large amounts of air, which
can both result in stomach discomfort or vomiting.
If he takes over the recommended time and still hasn't finished his feed, this can
occur because the nipple ring is screwed on too tight (see notes on
common bottle feeding problems)
or because the nipple itself is too slow. Both problems can make feeding become
very tiring for a young baby and he may fail to finish his feed or fall asleep before the
feed is completed - resulting in the need for more frequent feeds.
HOW WE CAN HELP YOU to discover a solution to bottle feeding problems.
See also:
Estimate how much formula your baby needs
How to bottle feed a baby
Common bottle feeding problems
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