There are many ways to feed your baby and not every way may be right for you or your baby. Today, we are looking at the benefits of side lying bottle feeding and how it may be a good solution for you and your baby. As always, give us a shout out on social media or in the comments to let us know your experience with this technique!
Helps Baby Pace Feed
Side lying bottle feeding has many benefits, and one of the chief benefits is that it allows the baby to better pace themselves when it comes to feeding. This means that the baby has a better chance of feeling full when they are actually full instead of accidentally getting overfed by feeding deeply and quickly. Pace feeding helps to cut down on the occurrences and severity of feed related issues like colic and gas. The reason for all of these is that bottles often do not regulate flow and instead just drip milk into the baby’s mouth. This is especially true when the baby is held in the cradle position for bottle feeding.
Good For Reflux
It helps to prevent reflux in babies! On their side, babies can control the flow of milk more easily which helps to reduce instances of throwing up and choking. This allows babies to eat at a slower pace and at a self-guided pace that reduces digestive distress.
Less Stress On Caregiver’s Body
When you’re feeding with your baby on its side, you can better position your head and neck. In this position, your baby’s weight is more evenly distributed which lessens the stress on your arms and shoulders.
Mimics Natural Breastfeeding Position
Feeding a bottle to your baby on its side is one of the closest analogues for breastfeeding out there. This allows your baby to feed more naturally by encouraging more sucking and swallowing at a regulated pace, similar to breastfeeding. This also allows the caregiver and the baby to deepen their bond and connection by facilitating skin to skin contact and eye contact, both of which are important as your baby grows and develops!
Helps Reduce The Risk Of Ear Infections
While feeding upright, spilled milk can more easily flow directly to the child’s ear and into their Eustachian tubes which can lead to infections. Feeding on their side helps to ensure that the milk runs away from the ear, naturally. We know how devastating an ear infection can be, so being able to avoid one is a huge win! For more tips and inspiration for side bottle feeding and other baby-feeding techniques, please check out my Instagram here. Don’t forget to subscribe for all of the latest updates.
Before You Go
We hope you enjoyed learning about the benefits of side lying bottle feeding. If you would like to know more about this, our sleep learning, consulting or training programs or any of our excellent newborn care services, we are happy to help. Just contact us and we can go over your options and help you find the best path for your little one.
We hope these tips have helped you along your journey. If you have any questions about helping your baby to sleep better, or about your baby in general, please reach out to us HERE. We are experts in all things baby and sleep and would love to help!
About The Author: 💤Katie Bishop | The Early Weeks 💤
✅ Certified Master Pediatric Sleep Consultant
✅ Board Certified Holistic Healthcare Practitioner
✅ Advanced Newborn Care Specialist
