In the early weeks of life, the objective of cup feeding is to safely feed a baby expressed breast milk until he is able to take all feeds by breast. Cup feeding is a skill easily acquired from birth, even by premature babies (Lang et al 1994). Indications for this form of feeding include:

• Preterm babies after 32 weeks gestation - this is the time when babies are able to co-ordinate their suck, swallow and breathing reflex (Lang et al 1994);
• Preterm infants who are alert and looking for a feed but who do not have the energy to complete a full breastfeed (research shows that heart rate, respirations and oxygen requirements are better maintained within normal limits during cup feeding in comparison to bottle feeding (Lang 1994));
• Infants with cleft lip or palate before corrective surgery;
• Conditions in which infants’ sucking ability may be compromised such as Down’s syndrome or other neurological impairment;
• Infants born to mothers who are temporarily unable to breastfeed, for example delayed recovery from surgery;
• Maternal conditions such as nipple damage or inversion that temporarily prevents direct breastfeeding (whilst mother still expresses);
• Short-term conditions affecting the infant such as breast refusal due to traumatic early exposure to the breast or drowsiness caused by opiates during labour or excessive jaundice (physiological jaundice should not cause drowsiness - it only occurs when normal limits become abnormal);
• For mothers who are returning to work before their baby is six months old but who wish to continue breastfeeding, expressed milk can be given using an open cup. In this instance it may be wise to introduce the cup a few days before the first shift so the baby can become accustomed to it.

© Sharon Trotter

© Tips Limited

To view cups and other products visit www.medela.co.uk

This article can also been seen at MIDIRS Midwifery Digest 16:3 2006