Ep. 440: Re-air of Bottle Flow Rates and Choosing the Right Bottle with Britt Pados

In this episode of The Birth Lounge Podcast, HeHe sits down with Brit Patos, founder of Infant Feeding Care, to clear up one of the biggest feeding myths out there: that all bottles are basically the same… they’re not. They break down why bottle feeding is not one size fits all, and how things like nipple flow rate can make or break both feeding safety and your breastfeeding relationship. Brit explains that what people call “nipple confusion” is often actually flow confusion since bottles deliver milk instantly while breastfeeding requires a little more patience and coordination. They also talk through how to introduce bottles without derailing breastfeeding, what to do if your baby starts refusing the breast, and why feeding before your baby is crying can make a huge difference. This conversation gets into the details most people never hear, like how “slow flow” labels aren’t regulated (yes, really), why that matters, and what to look for instead, especially in higher-risk feeding situations. If you’re navigating bottles, breastfeeding, or both, this episode will help you feel a whole lot more confident in what you’re choosing and why. 00:00 Reflexive Sucking Warning 01:17 Listener Email Advocacy Win 04:08 How to Use the App 06:22 Meet Brit Bottle Basics 10:55 Flow Confusion Explained 12:54 When to Introduce Bottles 16:14 Hunger Cues Before Crying 18:07 If Breastfeeding Is Struggling 20:37 Sponsor Just Ingredients 23:13 Nipple Flow Labels Exposed 29:23 Best Slow Flow Options 32:45 Hospital Disposable Nipple Risks 34:56 Special Feeding Needs Down Syndrome 37:26 Do Nipples Need to Match 39:41 Wrap Up Resources Goodbye   Guest Bio: Britt Pados is a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner & Nurse Researcher AND founder of Infant Feeding Care.  Britt is a neonatal nurse practitioner with a clinical background in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). She has a PhD in Nursing focused on feeding in infants and has done research on flow rates from bottle nipples. She owns Infant Feeding Care where she provides breastfeeding and bottle-feeding support to infants in Massachusetts. Follow along with Britt here: www.infantfeedingcare.com SOCIAL MEDIA: Connect with HeHe on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tranquilitybyhehe/  Connect with Britt on IG: https://www.instagram.com/infantfeedingcare/   BIRTH EDUCATION: Learn how to stay in control of your birth and reduce the risk of unnecessary interventions in our Avoid a C-Section Webinar. HeHe breaks down the cascade of interventions, explains what’s really happening in the hospital, and shares practical strategies to protect your birth plan, advocate for yourself, and navigate labor with confidence. Perfect for anyone who wants a positive, informed hospital birth experience: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/csection Feeling nervous about speaking up in labor? Our Scripts for Advocacy give you the exact words to handle the most common conversations that can make or break your birth experience. From declining unnecessary interventions to asking the right questions about procedures, these scripts empower you to stay in control, speak confidently, and protect your birth plan — even when the pressure is on. Think of it as your personal toolkit for advocating like a pro, so you can focus on your baby, not the stress: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/Scripts-for-Advocacy And if you haven’t grabbed it yet… Snag my free Pitocin Guide to understand the risks, benefits, and red flags your provider may not be telling you about, so you can make informed, powerful decisions in labor: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/pitocin Join The Birth Lounge for judgment-free, evidence-based childbirth education from HeHe that shows you exactly how to navigate hospital policies, avoid unnecessary interventions, and have a trauma-free labor experience, all while feeling wildly supported every step of the way: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/ Want prep delivered straight to your phone? Download The Birth Lounge App for bite-sized birth and postpartum tools you can use anytime, anywhere: https://www.thebirthlounge.com/app-download-page LINKS MENTIONED: Listen to the original episode here: https://podcast.thebirthlounge.com/e/ep-191-bottle-flow-rates-and-choosing-the-right-bottle-with-britt-pados/