03/25/2026
I sat in on a call with a formula rep who mentioned the reason for why ni***es and volufeeds are provided with the formula…..
‼️They must provide a vessel to feed the formula.
What does this mean….
Hospitals hold contracts with formula companies. When formula is supplied, a feeding vessel MUST also be supplied. Disposable ni***es exist largely to meet that requirement, not because they are developmentally appropriate.
The profit is not in the ni**le.
The profit is in the formula.
In contrast, commercial ni***es with known, consistent flow rates support the development of safe, predictable feeding skills. They allow infants to practice pacing, coordination, and endurance without unnecessary cardiorespiratory stress.
Just as important, disposable ni***es do not prepare infants for the transition home.
An infant may appear successful enough in the hospital on a disposable ni**le, only to struggle after discharge when families must suddenly switch systems. That transition often leads to feeding regression, caregiver anxiety, and avoidable follow up issues.
Using a commercial ni**le with a safe, consistent flow allows infants to develop feeding skills on a ni**le they can use in the hospital and after discharge from day one.
Infant feeding is a learned motor skill.
Consistency matters!!!
Disposable ni***es were not designed to support the development of infant feeding skills.
They were designed for staff convenience and infection control. Not for consistency, skill building, or long term feeding success.
Research shows disposable ni***es are highly variable in flow, often faster and inconsistent even within the same brand or level. For many infants, especially preterm or medically complex babies, this variability overwhelms suck swallow breathe coordination and increases physiologic stress rather than building skill.
