Aug 06, 2021

3 reasons not to use standard nipples

WRITTEN BY Julia Wilson

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There are many reasons why breastfeeding Mums may need a little help. Whether you’re struggling to get breastfeeding started, trying to introduce a bottle so you can return to work or your baby has decided she prefers the bottle over mama.

We’re going to focus on three issues that standard nipples can quickly cause which are not helpful for sustaining breastfeeding.

Issue #1 Lazy-Feeding

Whilst standard bottle nipples may look a little like a breast, they don’t provide the same feeding experience; far from it. When babies take these nipples into their mouths, they don’t need to use their instinctive technique to feed. Standard nipples make it incredibly easy for babies to extract milk with little effort which is why they quickly become ‘lazy-feeders!’ Lazy feeding is easy feeding and it isn’t good for your little one’s digestive system or for encouraging your milk-supply. So, if you're keen to protect your breastfeeding journey, the last thing you want is a lazy feeder in your arms!

Minbie prevents lazy-feeding

We created the Minbie so that you can give your little one a bottle without risk to their hard-working instinctive breastfeeding technique. When your baby feeds from a Minbie nipple, they’re working for the feed with their instinctive, complex, breastfeeding technique which is better for their digestive system and for encouraging your milk-supply when breastfeeding. This is how the Minbie nipple supports your mother-baby breastfeeding bond and how Minbie may help you continue to breastfeed for as long as you wish.

No more lazy feeding ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Our 6 week prem baby who is now 6 weeks old was becoming a lazy feeder using the bottles the hospital sent us home with and would stop latching on the breast without a nipple shield. We decided to try Minbie bottles and they have made such a huge difference to feeding. Thank You!! - Regan.A.

Issue #2 Weak-Latch

Unfortunately, standard bottle-nipples can cause your baby to have a weak latch because they are simply too easy to feed from. These generic bottle-nipples give the milk easily without the baby having to strongly latch as they should on the breast. Babies who have a weak latch may struggle to latch onto the breast effectively enough to be able to sustain breastfeeding for the long term. Bub may be unable to breastfeed successfully and the struggling combined with the weak latch can create an unhappy, hungry bub and a sore mama too!

Minbie nurtures a proper strong breastfeeding latch

The Minbie teat encourages babies to feed with a strong instinctive breastfeeding latch, providing valuable practice for comfortable more sustainable breastfeeding.

Unlike any other nipple ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘We love the Minbie nipple! My daughter required oral-motor therapy due to a very weak suckling ability, she would latch onto the breast but wouldn't be able to fully extract milk. This nipple was unlike any I had ever seen and after going to the website and further investigating I ordered the Minbie nipple. Our speech therapist absolutely loves the design and we believe that along with general growing and maturing the Minbie has helped my daughter develop stronger muscles and the ability to nurse better. We use the Minbie when we give her supplement feedings after breastfeeding. I have given the pamphlet included in our shipment to our speech therapist in hopes that someone else may find help with the Minbie nipple- Andrea.N.

Issue #3 Nipple-Confusion

Is your baby reluctant to breastfeed? Do they prefer to bottle feed instead? Nipple confusion is more common than you think and boy is it disheartening!

Standard bottle nipples easily cause Nipple-Confusion

You only have to browse the aisles of any store selling baby bottles to see that virtually all bottle nipples have a ‘standard’ shape. With these generic, round nipples, babies can extract milk with ease, they don't have to work for the feed, their latch doesn't have to be as strong and they feed with a relatively simplistic technique - none of which makes getting back on the breast an easy road for either of you!

Sadly, the standard bottle nipples don't have the ability to replicate the way babies should feed on the breast, so of course create the risk of nipple confusion, particularly for premature and postnatal babies.

Minbie protects the mother baby breastfeeding bond from nipple-confusion

Minbie is a new technology! Babies who feed from the Minbie are practicing their instinctive breastfeeding muscle-memory. They’re practicing to latch properly onto the breast and to work for the feed with their complex (and incredibly special) breastfeeding technique. This exact technique is what evolution provided for our babies, for their very survival, and it is the best for protecting the longevity of the mother-baby breastfeeding relationship!

This is why we recommend that the Minbie is used as the first bottle nipple to avoid confusion.

Best bottle!! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

My 3week old has struggled with nipple confusion, trouble latching on from day 1 and every bottle or pacifier we tried just frustrated her and made breastfeeding a little harder. The first time we tried our Minbie bottle she took to it as if I were feeding her! I immediately continued the feeding by breast and she transitioned beautifully. It's amazing! We will never use another bottle! - Crystal.M.

Choosing the right baby bottle is not only important for the health and development of your little one, it’s also crucial for peace of mind. When you choose Minbie, you’re choosing to give your baby and your breastfeeding the very best start.

Our correct latch nipples paired with our PPSU bottles can enable you to maintain a successful breastfeeding journey, reduce the risk of colic & reflux, give you more freedom and help secure a better night’s sleep.