Nipple Change for Born Free Bottles

We've been using the Born Free bottles for our now 11 month old son who is also breastfed now 1 or 2x/day. Our babysitter periodically would request that we upgrade the nipple size as he grew, so we have three different sizes. When the milk quantity in the bottle increased and the nipple size did not, bottle feedings began to take a very long time.

We used the Y size for a while. My son could handle the increased flow when he was in the mood to eat, but he quickly learned how to play with the nipple and would squeeze on it and milk would flow out - at times when he wasn't in the mood to eat. That got wet and messy, so we went back down a size.

He is currently using the size 3 nipple along with the handles from the sippy cup, so he usually can feed himself.

Hi! I remember being told by a nurse who was also a lactation consultant that no child needs more than a level 2 nipple (regardless of bottle brand), and not to waste spending the money on level 3 nipples. I think the Y-cut is specifically for Moms that add food to bottles, but my Pediatrician advised me to never put cereal/food in the bottle...so it wasn't an issue for me. I have no idea what the variable flow nipples are for, but I have seen them.

I definitely changed from level 1 to level 2s when my kids were old enough to take in liquid more quickly. But I stuck with level 2 until they were 12 months old and I weaned them from the bottle. We never had any issues and they were very happy.

PS: the only trouble I ever had with nipples was them closing-up from being washed in the dishwasher. Over time, the heat from the dishwasher may cause the nipple hole to close. I tried using a pin to poke the hole open, but made it MUCH too large! I had to buy a couple extra nipples and throw away the older ones.

The nipples are specifically designed with different size openings to build the muscles in the mouth and jaw. She'll need this to be able to chew once she's on junior foods and moreso whole food. Your hubby needs to understand the nipple changes make the baby stronger. Merry Xmas

I don't think there is any reason you need to change nipples, unless your daughter acts like she wants it to come faster. After all, when you nurse your flow doesn't change when the child gets older. I BF and my first son was in daycare so he got bottles everyday. I never switched nipples from the slow flow because that is the speed that is most like nursing and he never had any problems. I would not buy the next level nipples just because it's "time". Follow your daughter's lead. If she seems to want the milk to come faster than it is coming, then buy new, faster nipples. If she is fine with it, then let it be.

I wouldn't worry too much about upgrading the next level nipple. My son is 8 months old and still uses the level 1 nipple. In addition to feeding him expressed breastmilk in a bottle, I breastfeed at night and on weekends; if he moves to a faster flowing nipple on the bottle, he gets very impatient while nursing. The level 1 seems to mimic the pace of breastfeeding, so I've kept him at that.

Hi. I have no idea if this will help but my daughter never got used to the "Y" nipples. I would occassionally try but it was always too fast for her and she was comfortable with the 3-6 month ones and so i never switched. She learned to drink her bottle very quickly with the 3-6 month nipple though. I was more of the philosophy of our husband. good luck.

I didn't pay attention to that. In my opinion, it also depends on what they can can handle coming in. If she gets too much and can't keep up and swallow, she will get frustrated, choke and not eat (that was my experience). I don't believe it will hurt her to keep her where she is at this point. I think those age things are just some guidelines, but not hard and fast rules that they have to change then. Remember every child is different in their growth stages. I would leave her where she is if she is happy and eating.

I never switched my son and don't plan on it with my daughter either. With my son he just didn't like the higher level nipples so I just kept him on the lower levels. He's now 2 1/2, had no problems switching to a sippy cup, regular cup etc.

Not to sound cynical, but pish posh! My daughter's only ever used the slow flow nipples you use for a newborn and she's 17 months! She still nurses, though, and I'm pretty sure my nipples only have the one rate of flow. Yeah, I think its mostly marketing. Probably eating faster means eating more and maybe that's your goal, but she'll probably eat just fine with her old nipples.

Our DD did the same thing -- wouldn't "upgrade" anywhere near the vicinity of the age range. She did switch to level 2 at about 3 months, but we didn't switch to level 3 until I forced it over a week or two at about 10 months. We never went to the Ys in the bottle -- we had switched to Born Free sippies with the Y nipple. We still haven't switched to the hard sippie nipple (for milk -- everything else she's in regular sippies) and she's 16 mo and completely off the bottle for a while now.

Hi A.,

We've also used the Born Free bottles. We followed their suggestions with the stages, but I haven't used the Y-cut nipples. My daughter is 11 mos., and on the rare occasions when she has a bottle, she still uses the Stage 3 nipples and does just fine. Maybe your daughter is just not ready for the Y-cut nipples? Also, we maybe switched to level 3 a little bit after 6 mos... I would maybe avoid the Y-cut nipples and try stage 3 in a few weeks or so.

Best of luck and happy holidays,
R.

I have born free bottles too. I changed the nipple around the time they said to. It did although take a couple of weeks for my son to get used to them. At that time I used both nipples, 1 & 2 or 2 and 3. He is now 11 months old and we use a combo of the y-cut and 3's. He does great w/ the flow! So, I would suggest upgrading but your baby may need extra time to get used to it. Good luck!

My daughter just turned a year old and had never been able to drink a bottle with a Stage 3 nipple on it. It flows too fast for her. She has been drinking out of a sippy cup almost exclusively for about three months now. On the rare occasion that she gets a bottle (if she is sick or we are out and do not have her cup), she still is more comfortable with the Stage 2 nipples. She never has a problem transitioning to a sippy cup or chewing table foods, or anything like that. I do not believe the idea that the Stages will build better muscle contol, or any ideas like that. The flow is simply faster. If your child is getting frustrated becauise she is not getting food fast enough, then maybe it is time for a Stage 3. Otherwise, she is just fine where she is at.
So, if you want to keep trying the Stage 3 nipples, if you TRULY believe that she needs to move on to those, then by all means, keep trying every once in a while. But I wouldn't force it on your child and I wouldn't worry if she never gets use to it.

My daughter used the level 1 nipples the entire time she was bottle feeding. I BF until she was 6mos and then the bottle until she was 11mos. She never had any trouble at all with the flow and I think it helped ween her to the sippy cup easier. I always thought the same as some of the other ladies, that the bigger sizes were just trying to get us to buy more and keep the economy going. Use your child as a guide, not the nipple packages. If your daughter seems to be doing fine, keep her where she is until/if it becomes a problem.

Most breastfed babies stay at newborn as long as they use a bottle and breast. My DS never went beyond a level 2 nipple. I don't think there is any harm at all in staying at the level 2. If you are only bottle feeding you should be able to move her to faster nipples, but I'd still use her comfort as a guide, not the numbers on the package, she may be ready for the faster flow nipples in a month or two, or may always like the #2s :)

I only breastfeed, so I don't know about nipple stages, but I will say this- I have nursed babies until they are 14-15 months old and MY nipples do not change size. I don't know why you would need them as long as she seems happy with what she has. I kind of follow a rule when it comes to babies- if it's not a problem, don't change anything until you really see that it is. And believe me, you will know when something truly begins to be a problem. Good luck!

I'm with your husband on this one. I think the numbering on packages is purely marketing. Would you put your kid in 2T cloths if her 18 month fit fine, but she is now 2 years old? If she is comfy with a certain one continue using that one. If she becomes irritated or acting like she's not getting enough then it might be time to look at the next stage. Both of my children absolutlely refused a bottle. Both of my children were breastfed, and that's only 1 flow!

You have to be careful changing up, it may come out too fast for her and she can gag on her formula.
I have the 3rd level on born free for mydaycare boy, he eats alot, and moving him up made sense becasue level 2 did not come out fast enough for him. And yesthey are all different sizes thats why they go in levels. A newborn will not need to get that fiormula (milk) in fast. But as they get older you should up grade but at a time that is good for you child, not just becasue the nipple says a month age. Watch how she is sucking, if she is straining and it is taking a long time for her to eat then try changing it, you can always go back to it if you have to. I wouls just hang on to them dont throw them away.

I'm with your husband. Here's something to tink about going forward. The engine of our consumer economy and consumer culture is DEMAND. A lot of smart people get paid a lot of money to create demand for products where none (rightly) should exist. This is especially true with respect to the products designed to feed and care for and keep safe our most precious things: our babies and kids. We want to do the best for our kids and we often don't know what that is. So in my opinion, the reason there is a level 3 nipple is to create more demand and sell more product. You will find this pattern repeated over and over... so don't abandon your common sense. If you don't need it don't buy it!!

Congrats on your baby and good luck!!