EBM and teat flow?

[Tecopa]

My son is babysat for two feeds a week - and gets a bottle of EBM at that time. We have been doing the pausing thing with the feeding to slow down how quick he guzzles and he has been using a newborn teat. But now that he's three months should I be using another teat with the EBM or will that just encourage guzzling? I don't want bottles to be easier than breast

I've also noticed basically he will drink anything I leave - no matter how much! I've left amounts from 120ml to 180 mls and it's all gone. How much is a good guide to leave? He's a pretty solid three month old - almost 8 kilos, and feeds at least eight times a day I reckon.

[MantaRay]

Tecopa, if the teat you are using is working well, there is no need to change. Some babies, particularly those that are exclusively bottle fed, can get frustrated with the slower flow as they get older, but if this isn't happening then it's all good. Your instinct is spot on that mimicing bfing as much as possible is the best way to do this - good on you.

Between 1 and 6 months, babies will drink approximately the same amount each day. The amount doesn't increase with age or weight as was previously thought. If your baby is satisfied with what you are leaving, then it should be fine to keep leaving that much. The average amount taken in 24 hours is 750ml, but some babies take only 500ml in 24 hours while others can take over 1000mls a day. This also isn't evenly divided by the number of feeds - ie they can have big feeds and little feeds during the day. Most likely your baby will be adjusting what he drinks from you based on how much he takes from the bottle. This is a round about way of saying that it's impossible to know exactly what the right amount to leave is, but if he's satisfied there is no need to worry.

I HTH.