7.3.2 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. 1
Preterm infants who are cup fed are more likely to maintain physiological stability including oxygen saturation,2 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. 3
When to choose cup feeding
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
Preparation
- Two thirds fill cup with slightly warmed supplement
- Baby must be alert and showing an interest in feeding
- Wrap baby well to prevent cup being knocked by his hands
- Sit baby comfortably upright on your lap
Technique
- Rest the rim of cup on baby's bottom gum
- Tip the cup until milk just reaches rim of cup
- DO NOT pour milk into baby's mouth
- Leave cup in position when baby pauses and is not drinking
- Continue to tip cup to keep milk at rim of cup
Baby will quickly learn to sip or lap milk from the cup.

Father cup feeding his baby.
Notes
- # Franca EC et al. (2014) Electromyographic analysis of masseter muscle in newborns during suction in breast, bottle or cup feeding.
- # Marinelli KA et al. (2001) A comparison of the safety of cupfeedings and bottlefeedings in premature infants whose mothers intend to breastfeed
- # Yilmaz G et al. (2014) Effect of cup feeding and bottle feeding on breastfeeding in late preterm infants: a randomized controlled study.