Cup Feeding

Presented by: Beannca A. Angeles

BSN 2 NB
 Objectives:
After 20 minutes of discussion, the audience
will be able to:
Define what is cup-feeding
Know the reasons why to cup-feed the
infant
Learn the ways how to properly cup-feed
the infant
 WHAT?

Cup-feeding
is a method of feeding baby that has been
around for a very long period of time. It should
be used to feed a baby who is not yet taking the
breast and is better than a bottle. This should
not be used to supplement a baby who is taking
the breast. (Newman, 2009)
 WHY?
For PREMATURE babies:
Helps to avoid nipple confusion (where the baby needs to
use different mouth actions to feed from the breast than he
does for the bottle).
Encourages the baby to take an active role in feeding.
Improves the babys digestion of the breast milk by involving
the baby's saliva. This is not possible when the breast milk
goes straight into the babys stomach via a nasogastric tube.
Reduces the need for nasogastric tubes, which some babies
find distressing.
Provides extra breast milk while a baby is learning to
breastfeed well.
Allows more eye contact and interaction during feeding.
For FULL TERM babies:
The baby and mother are not together for
some reason
A mother needs to rest painful nipples to
give them time to heal
A baby is refusing to breast feed
A baby has a minor cleft of lip and/or
palate.
 HOW?
1. Make sure your baby is fully awake, calm and alert.
2. Hold him in an upright position with your hand
supporting his shoulders and neck.
3. Gently wrap your baby around his middle to keep
his hands down so that he cannot bump the cup. A
bib is handy to catch any dribbles of milk.
4. It is usually easier if you use a small soft cup or
medicine glass.
5. With the cup about half-full, hold it so that it is just
touching your baby's mouth. It should reach the
corners of his mouth and rest lightly on his bottom
lip.
6. Start by allowing him just a tiny sip to encourage
him.
7. DO NOT pour the milk into his mouth; tip the cup
just enough so that he can lap the milk himself,
bringing his tongue forward to do it.
8. Keep the cup in this tilted position.
9. DO NOT take the cup away when the baby pauses,
unless he pulls away.
10. Allow him to start again when he is ready.
11. Follow your baby's cues and let him set his own
pace.
 Sources:
Kernerman, E. (2011). Cup Feeding.
http://www.breastfeedinginc.ca/content.php?
pagename=vid-cupfeed Retrieved February 8, 2016.
Australian Breastfeeding Association (October,
2012). Cup-Feeding.
https://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/bfinfo/cup-feeding
Retrieved February 8, 2016.
Newman, J. (2009) Finger and Cup Feeding.
https://nbci.ca/index.php?
option=com_content&view=article&id=5:finger-and-
cup-feeding&catid=5:information&Itemid=17
Retrieved February 8, 2016.