Becket, you hit the nail on the head.  I think I've mentioned this
before, but I think the problem is that "nipple confusion" is not
just one specific situation.  In a way it's like the term "colic"
which usually means "crying that we can't find any other reason for"
and may arise from a number of causes.  I believe that for each
difference between breastfeeding and taking milk from a bottle (and,
yes other alternative feeding methods too) there is a potential for
a baby to have it become a stumbling block.  It goes far beyond
"shape preference" and "flow preference".  For baby "A", the
difference in texture may be the problem, while the rate of flow
makes no diffference.  For baby "B", the texture doesn't seem to
matter but as soon as mom's flow varies, baby gets upset.  Baby "C"
may take the previously mentioned differences in stride, but is
looking for the immediate stimulation at the back of the palate
which was there with a bottle, but takes a few sucks to feel at
breast.  I could go on, but I think you get the drift.
Winnie Mading, RNC IBCLC from windy Wisconsin

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