When to Change to #2 Nipple?

I switched around 3-4 months but my pediatrician said not to go above Level #2 if you plan to breastfeed...the milk will flow faster from Level 3 than the breast and can affect breastfeeding. I used the advice for a while then as he got closer to 1 year I switched to Level 3. Good luck!

Hi,
I also questioned this. I breastfeed my now 9 month old. He always used the slow nipple and I asked when it was time to switch to the fast. My doctor said it was up to how the baby eats. He advised the time he breastfeeds and the time he drinks from a bottle should match. If the bottle seems to take a lot longer then him feeding on you the faster nipple may be needed. If they are about the same the slow nipple is fine. He said you just judge by the baby. I've kept my son on the slow nipple. If your baby is eating slower with that or having a hard time you can switch to the fast and it flows easier. That is how it was explained to me. Maybe your doctor could go over it. Hope I was of some help. Take Care!

No set age- just follow your son's cues. Is he starting to suck harder, or acting irritated when drinking? If so, try a stage 2. If he gags or chokes, go back to stage 1.

Some babies stick to stage 1 for a long time, though. It's different for each child!

Hi Adriana,
I have found the general rule of thumb is if it is taking your baby more then 15 minutes to drink the bottle, it is probably time to go up a level. Hope that helps! Good luck!
J.

Hi. Generally, #2 nipples are for 3 to 6 months, and #3 nipples for kids older than 6 months. I started using the #2 nipple at closer to 4.5 months just because I was afraid the baby would choke if I switched too soon. Since your baby is 5 months now, you can try switching to #2 and see how he reacts. If can't keep up or starts spitting up the milk, you'll know it right the way. Otherwise, if he takes it down no problem, that'll be your answer. Also, I just switched to the #3 nipple and my girl will be 8 months tomorrow. The milk flows fast but she is handling it great and it cuts down the feeding time in half, literally.

Good luck!

Hi, Adriana. When you look at the nipples, it gives the ages on the package but it's not always the case. My third one couldn't take stage two until he was about 6 months and for some reason it ws alittle bit difficulty so I conintued to nurse him a little bit longer until my milk disappear and then stage 2 was better for him. You haveto try it and see how he does. Every child is different. You're doing a wonderful job and still giving him breastmilk, wow!!

Adriana,

You have gotten some good advise here.

I just wanted to add, my son was breastfed 95% of the time he only ate from the bottle during the 8 hours I was at work, and a stage 1 bottle frustrated him to the point he would not eat. I actually had to get the largest nipple and add lots and lots of holes to it my self, because he wanted easy like me. Read his cues, you will know. You have great instincts and are doing a great job, if you didn't you would not have asked us for help.

Good luck and I hope this has been helpful.
K.

Hey there!

We changed just after 3 months as well.

He seemed irritated it was coming out so slow. It was taking almost 40 minutes to finish 3-4 ounces. He was trying to gulp and suck real quickly with #1.

With #2, it takes about 10-15 minutes.

He's calmer and drinks it in slower and doesn't try to gulp it down.

The first few times he may cough but the baby is just getting used to the flow.

J.

Hi
The packages say 3+ months. If it is taking a long time to finish a bottle or they seem frustrated is always a good sign. I switched right around 3 1/2 months. A friend and my niece and nephew all started around 2, 2 1/2 months. I use the playtex nurser and the fast was too fast. They came out with a medium and it is perfect. I'm going to try the fast again soon - she's almost 5 months old.

I know that for my daughter, I think I switched her to #2 nipple around 4 months. But then she satyed on them until she was 11 months. I tried to switch her to #3 several times but she was also choking and it was coming out too fast for her. It will definitely take your little guy a few days or so to get used to the new nipple, just be patient. Good luck

GOOD MOMMA! I have absolutely no advice for you. I never used bottles and know nothing about different nipples. I just had to come in and comment on how wonderful it is that you exclusively pump! I know a few Mom's who do that and it is very hard. But I know it takes a lot of dedication and hard work, and you dont get the recognition you deserve! Its nice to hear a successful nursing story. Too many women have issues or get bad tips and give up. Good job!

My daughter was on bottled breastmilk also. Yes, it's time to switch. We switched to a 2 when she was like 3 months old, and she suddenly ate so much better, and then to a 3 at like 6 months old, and she's done great.

Ultimately it is up to him. I say buy a package of the #2 nipples and try it. You'll know right away if he can handle it. That's what we did and we found that it took our guy quite a bit longer than I thought it would for him to go up to a medium flow nipple. I just kept trying. Have you ever noticed that he sucked so hard that it flattened out the #1 nipple? If so he may be ready to go to the #2 size.