Breastfeeding
Cup Feeding
Breastfeeding Committee For
Saskatchewan
IMPORTANT
Cup feeding is only a
temporary way to feed
baby.
Your baby should be
checked to ensure he has a
good swallow reflex
For further information contact:
Local Public Health Nurse
Lactation Consultant
Local Health Care
Provider
Local breastfeeding support
group
Stay in touch with your health care provider if cup-feeding is used.
This method of feeding should be used only after instruction by a
qualified health care provider.
Cup feeding is used:
as a method of feeding when a mother is not able to breastfeed her
baby.
if an infant needs supplementation in addition to breastfeeding
to avoid bottle nipple confusion.
Equipment
small clean cup
cloth
How to Cup Feed
The baby should be calm and awake.
Wrap the baby securely to prevent babys hands
from bumping the cup, if needed.
Place a cloth under the babys chin.
Pour recommended amount of expressed breast milk or artificial
baby milk into the cup. (can start with about 15 ml: 1/2 oz.)
Hold the baby in an upright sitting position on your lap. Make
sure that you are both comfortable.
Let edge of cup touch babys lower lip.
Tip cup until milk reaches babys lips. Do not pour milk into
babys mouth.
Baby will lick milk with his/her tongue.
Keep the cup in the same position during the feed. The baby may
pause during the feeding; do not remove the cup when the baby
stops sipping.
Burp baby after every 15 mL (1/2 ounce).
How much should the baby take?
Baby will take 23 ml of milk at a time
A hungry newborn may take 30-45 ml (1- 1 1/2 oz.) in 5-10 mins.
Adapted with permission from
Regina QuAppelle Health Region
Revised October 2009