Read your baby's cues, not the calendar
There is no fixed age or date for moving up a teat size. Babies grow and feed at different rates, so the right moment depends on how your baby behaves during feeds. Watch for a cluster of signs over several feeds rather than switching after one difficult session.
If you are combination feeding or breastfeeding alongside bottles, the teat you choose also needs to work with the way your baby feeds at the breast. That is where the NaturalWave Fast Flow Teat is designed to help.
Signs your baby may be ready for a faster flow
Look for these patterns across multiple feeds. One off day is not a reason to change teat size.
- Feeds are taking much longer than usual: If your baby is consistently working hard and the feed drags on, the current teat may be too slow. Compare the pace with your baby's usual feeds rather than a clock.
- Frustration at the bottle: Pulling away, fussing, or arching during feeds can signal that the milk is not coming fast enough for your baby's suck.
- Falling asleep before finishing: A baby who works hard on a slow teat may tire out before taking enough milk, then wake hungry soon after.
- Falling asleep before finishing: A baby who works hard on a slow teat may tire out before taking enough milk, then wake hungry soon after.
- Falling asleep before finishing: A baby who works hard on a slow teat may tire out before taking enough milk, then wake hungry soon after.
When a faster teat is the wrong move
A faster flow is not always the answer. If your baby is gulping, spluttering, or letting milk pool in the mouth, the flow may already be too fast. Choking or coughing during feeds is a sign to pause and reassess, not to push on.
Some babies prefer a slower, steadier feed even as they grow. If your baby is content, gaining well, and not showing frustration, there is no rule that says you must move up a size.
What the NaturalWave Fast Flow Teat offers
- Pack of NaturalWave® Fast Flow Teats: Anti-colic vent helps reduce wind-related discomfort. If your baby is prone to wind or discomfort after feeds, the vent design is worth knowing about when choosing a teat.
Pack of NaturalWave® Fast Flow Teats - Pack of NaturalWave® Fast Flow Teats: Clinically proven to reduce nipple confusion by preserving the same wave-like tongue movements babies use at the breast. This matters if you are breastfeeding and want to switch between breast and bottle without disrupting your baby's feeding pattern.
- Pack of NaturalWave® Fast Flow Teats: Compatible with all Lansinoh baby bottles. You can use the fast flow teat with the Lansinoh bottles you already own rather than buying a new bottle system.
- Pack of NaturalWave® Fast Flow Teats: Crafted from food-grade silicone and dishwasher safe. Easy cleaning fits into a busy feeding routine, and food-grade silicone is a practical material choice for teats.
How to test whether a fast flow teat suits your baby
Make the change gradually and watch how your baby responds over a few feeds.
- Start with one feed: Use the fast flow teat for a single feed when your baby is calm and not overly hungry. A very hungry baby may gulp regardless of teat size.
- Watch the first few minutes: Look for steady sucking, a relaxed body, and milk that flows without pooling. If your baby coughs, splutters, or pushes the teat out repeatedly, the flow may be too fast for now.
- Check the finish: A comfortable feed ends with your baby content and able to stop when full. If your baby seems overwhelmed, return to the previous teat and try again later.
- Keep the pace calm: Hold your baby semi-upright and let them set the pace. Pausing during feeds gives your baby time to manage the flow.
What to do if your baby chokes or gulps on a bottle teat
Choking or gulping during a feed is a sign to stop and reset. Take the teat out, sit your baby upright, and let them recover before offering the bottle again. If the same thing happens repeatedly, go back to the slower teat you were using before.
A faster teat is not a milestone to reach. It is a tool to match your baby's feeding ability at a given stage. Some babies move up quickly, others stay on a slower flow for longer, and both are normal.
Fast flow vs your current teat: what changes
The main difference is how quickly milk leaves the bottle. A faster teat can shorten feeds and reduce frustration for a baby who is ready, but it can also overwhelm a baby who is not.
- Pace of the feed: A fast flow teat delivers milk more quickly, so feeds may finish sooner. If your baby is consistently slow and frustrated, that can be a relief.
- Control: A slower teat gives your baby more time to coordinate sucking and swallowing. If your baby is still mastering that rhythm, staying on a slower flow is often more comfortable.
- Breastfeeding compatibility: The NaturalWave Fast Flow Teat is designed to preserve the wave-like tongue movement babies use at the breast, which matters if you are combining breast and bottle.
Sizing and pack options
The NaturalWave Fast Flow Teats come in a 2 Pack and an 8 Pack. If you are testing whether fast flow suits your baby, the 2 Pack lets you try the change without committing to a full set. The 8 Pack is more practical once you know the fast flow teat works for your routine and you want spares on hand.
The supplied product information does not specify an age range for the fast flow teat, so use your baby's feeding cues rather than a number on the pack. If you are unsure, speak to your health visitor or feeding specialist.
