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Quick tips for feeding your baby:
 Using Second Nature for the first time...
The Second Nature Nipple is completely spill-proof so no milk drips out. Initially this may seem foreign to your baby since she cannot taste any milk coming from the nipple. If so, we recommend turning the bottle upside down and gently massaging out a small amount of milk. When your baby tastes the milk, she will instinctively know to start suckling, much like when breastfeeding. If your baby is frustrated or struggles to get enough milk out of the Second Nature Nipple, you may want to try the Second Nature Cereal Nipple which has larger holes and an easier flow. The Cereal Nipple is designed primarily for feeding your baby milk or formula fortified with cereal, but can help those babies who have not yet developed strong suckling.
Breastfeeding your baby is best...
We encourage you to breastfeed and we strongly support Mother Nature and Breast is Best philsophies. Breastfeeding is a special time for baby and Mom, where intimate bonds are deepened and strengthened. Breast milk offers your baby many key benefits including defense against illness, fewer allergies, and is gentler on baby's system than formula. Breastfeeding is convenient, and increases the general health and well-being of Mom too!
We are currently working on a special area just for breastfeeding Mothers. For more information on breastfeeding in the meantime, please check under our Web Resources.
Transitioning from other "continuos flow" bottles to Second Nature Nursers.
Just like with breastfeeding, it may take some time for you and your baby to adjust to the Second Nature Feeding System, but the result will be worth it. Lactation Consultants recommend that, if possible, breastfeeding mothers should wait 4—6 weeks before introducing a bottle to their baby. This helps promote the development of suckling.
Latch On. Much like with breastfeeding, it is important that your baby latch on in the same way she latches on at your breast. To help her, place the end of the Second Nature Nipple on her lips and allow her to ease into feeding by taking the nipple on her own. Make sure her lips seal properly around the base, as this will allow the nipple to be drawn far enough into the mouth to encourage proper suckling.
Spill-Proof. The Second Nature Nipple is completely spill-proof so no milk drips out. Initially this may seem foreign to your baby since she cannot taste any milk coming from the nipple. If so, we recommend turning the bottle upside down and gently massaging out a small amount of milk. When your baby tastes the milk, she will instinctively know to start suckling, much like when breastfeeding.
If your baby is frustrated or struggles to get enough milk out of the Second Nature Nipple, you may want to try the Second Nature Cereal Nipple which has larger holes and an easier flow. The Cereal Nipple is designed primarily for feeding your baby milk or formula fortified with cereal, but can help those babies who have not yet developed strong suckling.
Overfeeding. While breastfeeding, your baby naturally controls the flow and pace and will stop when she is full. However, with other bottles that flow freely there is a risk of overfeeding. Even though your baby may be full, free-flow bottles continue to flow, forcing her to consume more than she really needs. Second Nature helps your baby avoid this by allowing her to control the feeding just as she does at the breast. Therefore, overfeeding is not an issue for Second Nature babies.
What is colic and will Second Nature help?
Colic is often defined by the Three Rule: crying for more than three hours per day, for more than three days per week, and for longer than three weeks. The cause of colic remains unclear. The fact is though, that too much food too fast overwhelms your baby’s intestines, causing gas and discomfort, often resulting in prolonged crying. As your baby controls the flow and pace with the Second Nature Nipple, this may be avoided. Other, free-flow bottles, force your baby to simply keep swallowing to avoid choking. Second Nature’s natural venting further reduces gas and colic by preventing your baby from swallowing excess air.
Will Second Nature help avoid nipple confusion?
The Second Nature Feeding System helps new Moms with one of the biggest challenges of breastfeeding, avoiding nipple confusion. When your baby is breastfeeding, she has to work for the milk to flow, adjusting her suckling according to how hungry she is. But when she is being fed with other, free-flow bottles, she does not have to work as hard because milk simply drips into her mouth.
When babies switch back and forth between the breast and these free-flow bottles, they often start to prefer the easier flow of these free-flow bottles. This can lead to rejection of the breast, which leads to less milk production, and may soon become a downhill battle to maintain breastfeeding. In contrast, the Second Nature baby has to work for the milk to flow, just like at the breast! This will help you and your baby avoid nipple confusion.
Do I have to change flow rates as my baby grows?
The Second Nature Nipple works just like Mom’s breast — when your baby needs more flow, she will suckle harder and the holes will become larger, allowing the flow to increase. You don’t have to buy different flow rate nipples as with the Second Nature Nipple your baby controls the flow herself. Mom does not change her nipples, so why should you have to change nipples when bottle feeding?
How long will feeding take?
The Second Nature Nipple allows your baby to control the flow and pace herself just like when breastfeeding. Therefore, you should expect it to take about the same amount of time to feed your baby with the Second Nature Nipple as it does when breastfeeding.
When should I use the Preemie Nipple?
The Second Nature Preemie Nipple is especially designed for premature infants who are too weak to breastfeed. The nipple has a smaller size and an easier flow so that you can feed your baby until she is strong enough to start breastfeeding. As the Preemie Nipple works just like Mom’s breast, it will help in the transition to breastfeeding. Always consult your pediatrician about feeding your preemie.
When should I use the Cereal Nipple?
The Second Nature Cereal Nipple has larger holes and is designed especially for feeding your baby milk or formula fortified with cereal. Also, if your baby has difficulty getting enough milk out of the Second Nature Nipple, you can try the easier flow of the Cereal Nipple instead. It is tinted blue for easy identification.
When should I use the Transition Spout?
When your child is ready, introduce the Second Nature Super-Soft Transition Spout to help the transition from breast or bottle to cup. The Transition Spout is designed to teach your child to begin using a spout rather than a nipple; this will aid in the transition to a cup. Most babies are ready to transition between 9–12 months. However, you may introduce the handles of the Transition Nurser as a first step, as early as 6 months.
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