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7.2 Cup feeding

Cup feeding is easy to perform by parents or health professionals. This method of supplementation causes infants minimal exhaustion and they quickly learn to lap or sip the milk from the cup.

When a newborn cannot breastfeed cup feeding activates similar muscles to those used during breastfeeding much better than if bottle fed, and is therefore a better temporary substitute for breastfeeding.

Preterm infants who are cup fed are more likely to maintain physiological stability including oxygen saturation, and be exclusively breastfed at hospital discharge, at 3 months of age and at 6 months of age than preterm infants who received bottles for required supplements.

Father cup feeding his baby.

Father cup feeding his baby.
© McBeth used with permission

When to choose cup feeding

Cup feeding would be the first choice for an infant who requires supplemental feeding away from the breast, either because they are unable to achieve an effective latch or because they are separated from their lactating parent.

How to cup feed

Equipment

  • A small cup with a smooth edge
    • a plastic cup can be shaped slightly during feeding
    • a small glass, eg. a shot glass, is also quite suitable
    • cups for the purpose of cup-feeding babies are available commercially
  • the necessary supplement
  • a receiving blanket or something to wrap the baby in

How to cup feed

Special thank you to Magdalena Whoolery and Julie Fogarty for developing this poster

Special thank you to Magdalena Whoolery and Julie Fogarty for developing this poster