How do I know when my baby is ready for their next teat?
Teat Size
It can be a little confusing to know when to move to the next teat size or if your baby even needs to! Some babies will be happy to stay on the same teat size throughout their feeding journey and may just change the flow rate.
Amongst a lot of options, Sepal teats are unique as they grow with your baby, providing 4 different sizes to choose from. We use your baby's age/weight as a guide to when your baby might be ready to move up to the next size.
Use our Free Teat Guide to help choose the right teat for your baby.
Flow Rate
Your baby will give you all sorts of little signs when feeding. Understanding what those signs mean will help you when choosing the right flow rate for your baby. We have listed some of the common signs below but always refer to your health professional if you are unsure.
Signs that the flow rate might be TOO FAST for your baby:
- coughs & chokes on milk
- milk spillage from the corners of your baby's mouth
- pushes bottle away and refuses to feed
Signs that the flow rate is JUST RIGHT for your baby:
- milk being swallowed with little escaping
- no choking or spluttering
- your baby finishes the whole bottle quickly (approx 15-30 mins being mindful that younger babies or babies with specific needs may take longer)
Signs that the flow rate might be TOO SLOW for your baby:
- losing interest in the feed
- taking longer to feed than baby's normal or falling asleep before finishing the bottle
- showing signs of frustration or impatience when feeding
