Comparison of flow rates of holes versus cross-cut teats for bottle-fed babies.

Abstract

Under laboratory conditions the flow rates of two types of teat were compared. The openings of Group A teats were in the form of a cross-cut measuring 1.5 mm in radius plus a small central hole. Group B teats were pierced with a single hole of 0.5 mm in diameter. Five teats from each group were tested under atmospheric pressure conditions simulating the effect of a baby's sucking. The results of this trial confirms the hypothesis that the style of teat affects the flow rate and that faster flow rates can be obtained with a cross-cut teat rather than a single-hole teat. Babies using cross-cut teats may also learn to control flow rates by changing their sucking style.