I used to be on the lookout for the perfect cup that I would take with me for
cup feeding. In the meantime since I do home visits we usually hunt around
the kitchen and we can always find something that works. It makes it feel
less technical and I've come to like that approach. We have used shot
glasses, juice glasses, paper cups, medicine cups and bottles without the
nipple. That last one a mom came up with and she called it bottle feeding
which made me nervous. It is helpful if it's clear. One of the problems I
have with it is some babies like to open their mouth real wide and root which
we want them to do at the breast, but it doesn't work well for cup feeding.
Usually in those cases I try to supplement at the breast. Otherwise cup
feeding is my favorite method of supplementing because I think it interferes
the least with breastfeeding. I tell moms that it's a method of feeding but
it doesn't provide any sucking gratification. Since babies have a strong
desire to suck, hopefully his/her natural sucking instincts will be allowed
to happen. Any other ideas out there.
Marilee Woodworth IBCLC, Private Practise