When a baby nurses at the breast, they have to work for the milk. They initiate a let-down, take breaks to breathe, and control the flow. Traditional bottle feeding is gravity-fed, meaning the milk simply pours into the baby's mouth.

If a bottle is too easy, a baby might develop a "flow preference" and become frustrated when they have to work harder at the breast.

• Stick to Slow Flow: Breastfed babies rarely need to "level up" their bottle nipples. Even at six months old, a Level 0 (Premie) or Level 1 (Slow Flow) nipple is usually the best choice.
• Look for a Gradual Slope: Choose bottle nipples that have a gradual slope from the tip to the base. This encourages the baby to take a wide, deep latch similar to how they nurse.

To protect your nursing relationship, anyone who gives your baby a bottle should use the "paced bottle-feeding" method. This technique puts the baby back in control of the meal.

• Sit the Baby Upright: Instead of laying the baby flat on their back, hold them in a seated, upright position.
• Keep the Bottle Horizontal: Hold the bottle parallel to the floor. The nipple should be only halfway full of milk.
• Take Frequent Breaks: Watch the baby's cues. Tip the bottle down (or remove it) to give the baby a breathing break, just like they would pause at the breast.

Breastfeeding is a supply and demand system. If your goal is to maintain a full milk supply while giving bottles of pumped milk, you need to tell your body that the baby ate.

There is no one right way to feed a baby. Flexibility is key, and every drop of breastmilk your baby gets is a wonderful gift. Whether it's one bottle a day or ten, you are doing a great job.