Geoff,
Welcome to Lactnet.  We're glad to have you.
Personally I have cup fed many babies to avoid the phenomenon we call nipple
confusion or nipple preference.  That happens for some babies when they are
presented with an artificial nipple in the early days (weeks) before they
have learned and practiced breastfeeding.  Breastfeeding and bottle feeding
are two different ways of sucking,  two different mouth and jaw actions.
I cup feed to avoid problems.  The baby gets fed easily and quickly (in most
cases) and is eager to suckle at breast soon.
Some babies are very sloppy and most of the milk is caught (or not) under the
chin.  Some lap up the milk.  But most babies drink it down as quickly and
easily as you or I would.
Most parents have no trouble doing it.  Sometimes I can't show them;  I have
to tell them on the phone.
"Hold the baby in a sitting position, using a whiskey shot glass or a
medicine cup, put the rim to the corners of the baby's mouth and tip until
the liquid reaches the lips.  The baby is in charge of how fast he takes it
and when he needs to stop."
The baby is fed while he is in the throes of struggling with latch-on.

One of the hospital's that I have worked with, presented breastfeeding as a
topic for the JCAHO and told about cup feeding.  They were very impressed !
 I was greatly relieved, because I was the one who had taught them such
"craziness".

Hope this is helpful.

Opal Horvat, BC, IBCLC
Bergenfield, NJ
WIC  Lactation Consultant