I am looking for evidenced based information on alternative feeding methods.  If a breastfeeding baby cannot feed directly at the breast, does any one of the alternative methods  (ie finger feeding, dropper feeding, cup feeding or paced bottle feeding) have any documented advantage over any other alternative method?  By advantages I mean helping the baby re-establish feeds directly at the breast, or not negatively affecting the duration of breastfeeding, etc....  Of course, the mother would be pumping to establish/maintain lactation if the baby could not feed at the breast.
Comments I have recently heard (around the NICU especially) have been along the lines of "all alternative methods are equally as good or bad, so we might as well use a bottle."  

Thanks for your help..
Debbie

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