3 Dangerous myths about nipple flow rate

If you’ve purchased any baby bottle on the market today, you know that they correspond with screw-on nipples in an assortment of “speeds” that sound more like racing terms than flow rates: Slow, Medium, Fast, and so on.

As confusing as this system may seem, parents depend on flow rate indicators to decide which nipple may be best for their baby. That’s why you may be shocked to learn that not only is there little science behind this system, but there’s no industry standard for what qualifies a nipple as slow or fast flow.

Keep reading for more myths and misconceptions about the top nipples on the market today, and what you should know to be a smarter consumer.

3 myths about leading brand baby nipples

MYTH: Your baby’s nipple flow rate should get faster as they grow

FALSE. It is a common and damaging misconception among parents that babies should “graduate” or age into faster flow nipples throughout their first year. Not all babies will use, want or need a fast flow nipple before using a sippy cup, and there’s absolutely no connection between a baby’s ability to drink or feed effectively with how fast they do it. Your baby could use a slow flow nipple throughout bottle feeding, and it would be perfectly fine, safe and developmentally appropriate for how they feed. (Find out How to Choose the Right Nipple Flow Rate for your baby.)

MYTH: All slow flow nipples by any brand are the same speed

FALSE. Scientific studies have proven that the commercial market is completely unregulated. Any company can describe their nipple however they want to, and what is branded “slow flow” by one brand could be faster or slower than a competitor’s version. (In fact, researchers have even found flow rate disparities among nipples made by the same manufacturer!) That is why it is important to avoid using different brands of nipples, which could confuse your baby and impact their ability to feed well. Want to hear something true? Our patented nfant® Control Flow Nipples are the only nipples available to consumers today with flow rates based on clinical testing in hospital settings.

MYTH: Nipples cannot mimic breastfeeding

FALSE. Slower flowing nipples mimic the natural flow of breastmilk better than fast flowing ones. That is why experts recommend that breastfeeding mothers who want to supplement use a slow flow nipple. Here’s another helpful truth: Our patented line of nfant® Control Flow Nipples features the slowest Extra Slow Flow Nipple on the market, and our Slow Flow Nipple is ranked as the slowest in its category.

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