My 6 Mnth Old Daughter Will Only Accept Stage 1 Nipples

You know what my son (now 10 months) did the same thing. It wasn't until probably 7 months that he finally moved up to the medium flow (Medela) nipples. I had tried prior to that but he couldn't handle the faster flow of milk. I don't think it has hindered his development at all. He is eating baby food and also finger foods in addition to his bottle (breast milk).

Both of my little guys would only use stage 1. I could never get them to accept anything else. They both thrived, it just took longer for them to finish a bottle!!! They got plenty of formula. Don't worry about it.

Hi D.!

My son is 10 months old and he couldn't take from anything but the newborn nipples until just a couple of weeks ago. He would always gag because the milk flow was too fast for him. Just take it gradually and eventually she'll be OK with it. :)

M.

My son was the same way. It wasn't until he really got going on solids, and was sitting up easily on his own, that he was ready to begin stage 2. Way later than the bottle packaging said.

Go with what makes your daughter comfortable! It's how much she's drinking, not what kind of nipple she prefers.

My daughter is 10 months old and she is still on stage 1. She seems to do really well with that. She finishes her bottle very quickly. My question to you would be... why would you think that it will hinder her developement? The flow may be just to fast for her right now. Don't push it. Whatever makes her more comfortable. I know that when I tried the stage 2 she had more milk on her chin and clothes then in her mouth. Take your time and when she is ready SHE will let YOU know. Hope this helps. Good luck!

My 17 month old son was the same way and he never advanced past the newborn nipples. I tried, many times, to move to the stage 2 nipples, but he had the same reaction as your daughter. I just gave up. He had no problem eating and we just weaned off the bottle completely about a month ago. As the last member said, as long as she's eating what she should, I wouldn't worry about it.

I had a similar situation with my daughter. With her, it wasn't the faster flow that she didn't like, it was the feel of the nipple. She had worn down the stage 1 nipples to a certain texture and then didn't take to anything new (even new stage 1's!) I made the hole bigger in the stage 1's with a pin to allow more flow, and kept the same nipples. At about 9 months she was better at accepting a new nipple, regardless of the flow!
Best of luck!

Our pediatrician told us we never needed to change the bottle nipple flow. You don't change the flow on your breasts, so why change the flow on the bottles? (However, our daughter did prefer the medium flow starting around 5-6 months.)

I agree with others. dont worry. In the past (many moons ago when I had babies) there was 1 stage of nipples. (how do mothers today keep up with this stuff?) Babies use the same nipple from birth up. The only problem I know of is if a nipples hole is so small the baby has to forcefully suck to get there milk, it can hurt thereteeth.

I would not worry about it. My son used newborn nipples until he was over 1 year old and still uses newborn pacifiers. He would choke on the milk with a bigger nipple so we just let him use the newborn size as long as he seemed to need it.

We had trouble w/our oldest when she was an infant because she would do the same thing - our pediatrician suggested that we make the nipples a little larger gradually - what we would do to do this was to boil then in water w/a toothpick inserted in the nipple - then two & so on - it worked then we were able to make the transition to the storebought ones for the proper month - our ped said that a lot of times it's because of the flow that they go from - sometimes a little to quick - anyways good luck!

Relax. She is fine. Just has a mind of her own!!!!!!!

HI D.,

I just wanted to say that my son who is almost 8 months also doesn't accept any nipple beyond stage one, he to spits it out and fusses. He seems to be doing just fine and developing right on track. Personally I don't think you have cause to be concerned, stick with what she likes as long as she is eating and thriving. Good luck.

S.

my daughter was the same. the only reason they really want them to change is because of the baby either getting frustrated wanting more more quicker OR getting too tired to eat what they need. as long as she is finishing the bottles(but of course as solids are added, that schedule may change a little) dont worry. my daughter never had the next stage and its actually a blessing as if the bottle tips, less milk drips out over time.

the real issue is for pacifier sizing since a pacifier too small could effect teeth. the nipples are all the same size, so if she likes it slow, think of her as being patient.

To be honest with you I would not worry to much about it hindering her development. I have a son 11 months old and have the same problem he will only drink out of the Nuk newborn nipples given to me from the hospital. I talked to my pediatrician on it and he said not to worry about it as long as he is happy don't fight with him. What I do is make the holes in the bottle nipple a little bigger so the flow is faster and he doesn't fight me on it.

This may sound crazy but I didn't realize there were stages of nipples until my first child was say 9 months old, yes very late in the game! I was a breastfeeding working mother as well, so who knows what the day care center thought! Anyway, my son was just fine he was (and still is at 4) a fantastic eater. As long as she eats don't mess with success is my motto!

Good luck!

Dear D.,

I would not worry I don't think this has anything to do with development its more about personal preference. If she is happy and drinking it really doesn't matter what nipple she is taking. Good luck on your baby and have a great holiday!!

Hi! This is kind of funny since I just asked my ped about moving my daughter to Level 2 nipples since the box says at 3 months you should do so. According to him, the nipple company makes "bigger" nipples just to make money. He said as long as she is drinking w/o complaints and not "starving" as she eating, keep her at the level she's comfortable with. I don't think it will hinder her development at all. He actually took the bottle from me at her 3 month appt to see how the flow was and didn't seem concerned with moving up. When I told him I already had the Level 2's he said to keep her at those until she's off the bottle. So I would just listen to your little girl...if she eats contently, then keep her where she is. Good luck!!

D.,

My now 5 yr old son could not drink from stage 2 nipples. Each time we tried he would choke on the milk. He stayed on the newborn nipples until he changed to a sippy cup and did fine with that. I wouldn't worry too much about it. If you breast feed or did in the past maybe the stage 2 nipples just flow too fast. I hope this helps.

My daughter used the avent newborn nipples until she was 13months when we switched to the nuby bottles. We tried a couple times to switch her to the older avent nipples, but she was really picky with bottles, she would only drink one from her father, so we didn't really push it. By the time we changed to the nuby bottles she was slightly less picky with her bottles. But it was difficult for a couple of days. I don't think it's a big deal, my pediatrician didn't seem to think so either

You aren't over-reacting, but why mess with what works? If she's happy, leave her be...She'll let you know when she's not getting enough...I don't even know if they had different sized nipples with our first...and that was only 5 1/2 years ago!!!

Best wishes,
J.