When it comes to feeding your baby, all kinds of questions can come up — especially if you're a first time mom. When it comes to breastfeeding, there are plenty of methods out there to help make it a success. One of those methods is the Kassing method — a simple way to bottle-feed your baby while still protecting good breastfeeding-friendly habits.
What is the Kassing method?
The Kassing method is one of the ways to bottle-feed a baby that mimics feeding at the breast. Specifically, this method aims to recreate natural breastfeeding, encouraging the baby to work just as hard as they would while nursing. Thus, the Kassing method is one of the bottle-feeding approaches that has the least impact on breastfeeding.
Using this method helps prevent overfeeding, since babies fed by bottle often end up eating more than they need — whether because of how fast the milk flows or because caregivers encourage them to finish the whole bottle. So, with the Kassing method, feeding becomes much closer to what happens with natural breastfeeding.
This method is often used for mixed feeding, or whenever it becomes necessary to use a bottle temporarily for any reason. Many experts recommend this approach whether a family chooses formula feeding or breastfeeding.
How is the Kassing method done?
One of the main goals of this method is to make sure the baby is neither overfed nor left hungry, since it allows the baby to manage how much milk they want or need at each feed.
If you'd like to try the Kassing method, simply follow these steps:
- Hold the baby upright: it's best to keep the baby in a vertical position, so they have to make some effort to draw out the milk. When a baby lies on their back, milk flows out by gravity alone, meaning they don't need to work for it at all. Feeding while lying on the back also raises the risk of choking.
- Hold the bottle horizontally: this position aims for the same goal as the step above — making sure the baby is the one drawing out the milk through suction.
- Trigger the rooting reflex: this step is simple — just brush the nipple around the baby's mouth so they can search for it and know it's feeding time. To make sure the baby is aware that it's time to start eating, the Kassing method calls for avoiding placing the bottle's nipple directly into the baby's mouth.
- Take the necessary pauses: while the baby is sucking, gently pull the bottle away every 15 to 20 sucks. These pauses give the baby the time they need to notice whether they're actually full. If the baby keeps searching for the nipple, it means they're still hungry, and you should repeat the steps above. If the baby stops looking for the nipple and seems completely settled, there's no need to continue the feed.
- Let the baby take in the full nipple: this step helps the baby open their mouth wide, mimicking the wide latch they'd have at the breast.
- Alternate sides with each feed: it's important to switch sides to imitate feeding from both breasts. This also helps the baby develop vision in both eyes.
Who is the Kassing method recommended for?
Many mothers choose mixed or delayed breastfeeding for all kinds of reasons. Sometimes it's simply a personal choice; other times it's because a mother had a difficult experience with breastfeeding before, or because she's facing complications like a delayed or insufficient milk supply.
Another common reason mothers turn to mixed feeding is returning to work or managing daily responsibilities.
It's also possible that a baby has trouble latching properly onto the mother's breast. In that case, using a bottle as a supplement can help ensure the baby is feeding well.
The best bottle for the Kassing method
When putting the Kassing method into practice with your newborn or baby, it's also important to think about the type of bottle you use. It should be a bottle specifically designed for mixed feeding.
Among the different models available, choose a straight bottle that delivers the right amount of milk to the baby, rather than a curved bottle that lets milk flow out faster due to gravity.
You'll also want to pay attention to the bottle's nipple for the Kassing method — it should be round, long, wide, and slow-flow.
That's why the Suavinex Zero Zero anti-colic bottle is one of the best choices for this kind of mixed feeding. Its silicone nipple mimics the shape, length, and feel of a mother's nipple, helping to avoid nipple confusion. Thanks to this natural imitation, it's perfect for combining with breastfeeding. It's also available in 4 flow rates, including Adaptable Flow that only allows milk if baby sucks, so you can choose the one that best suits your baby's suck.
Depending on your baby and your own needs, one type of breastfeeding approach may work better than another. If you have any questions, it's always best to check with your doctor or midwife — professionals who can recommend what best fits your family's needs.
Now that you know all about the Kassing method, you'll be ready to put it into practice if you decide mixed feeding is right for you. And of course, whenever you have a question, your doctor is always the best person to ask for guidance.
Sources: El método Kassing: así es como tu bebé debe tomar los biberones – Criar con Sentido Método Kassing: técnica para imitar la lactancia materna – Nutriglow
This blog is translated from our Spanish blog, Living Suavinex.