Go with the Flow: Choosing a Feeding System for Infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and Beyond Based on Flow Performance

ObjectiveThe objectives of this study are to determine the flow rate of disposable and commercially available nipples and to develop a continuum of flow rates from slowest to fastest for commonly available nipple/bottle systems.MethodTwenty-five nipples were chosen for investigation. Nipples were tested using a Medela classic breast pump set at a suction rate of 150 mm Hg using water at room temperature. The amount of liquid transferred from nipple to pump collection bottle in 1 minute was recorded. Each bottle was tested three times, and an average was calculated.ResultsCommercially available nipples marketed as “slow flow” have a wide variety of flow rates. Disposable nipples have some variability in flow rate from one trial to the next as well as from one disposable nipple to the next.ConclusionThere are a wide variety of nipples that are marketed as slow flow that have different flow rates. Using the results of this study, clinicians may be able to determine the bottle and nipple that are most appropriate for an individual infant, based on flow rate, and provide guidance to parents for purchasing commercial bottle systems.