A randomised controlled trial of the effects of a cross-cut feeding teat on infant feeding, crying, waking and sleeping behaviour.

Unlabelled: Feedback from mothers using a "cross-cut" teat indicated its use for problem feeders, particularly "windy" or "colicky" babies. The manufacturer commissioned a trial to see whether this observation was clinically valid. A randomised controlled trial comparing the cross-cut teat with a standard single-hole teat was designed. Both teats were identical in construction apart from the feed hole at the tip of the teat. A standard teat pierced with one hole is usually sold as slow, medium or fast flow rate, depending on the size of the hole. The cross-cut has two slits in the form of a cross opening in response to the baby's sucking. The stronger the suck the wider the cross opens, thus making the flow rate of the teat controlled by the baby. There is therefore no need to change to a teat with a faster flow rate as the baby grows.

Results: Babies fed with the cross-cut teat cried less and spent more time awake and content than babies fed with the standard teat.