Do You Know the Kassing Method?
Today we’re going to explain the Kassing method, which is highly beneficial for the little ones. Keep reading to discover its uses and how to put it into practice.
What is the Kassing method?
The Kassing method is a technique for bottle feeding. It is intended to give the baby the same experience of breastfeeding while actually taking milk from the bottle.
The method was created by Dr. Dee Kassing years ago. It focuses on making bottle feeding feel very natural to the baby. What is most interesting is stimulating the baby to latch on, ensuring that the bottle will not be an obstacle to breastfeeding.
This method is perfect for mothers who begin with a bottle and then want to breastfeed if they still have milk.
Keep in mind that babies who are accustomed to bottle feeding can make a return to breastfeeding very difficult, requiring a lot of effort. Dee Kassing invented this method precisely to prevent this trouble. Her method consists of stimulating the conditions of grip and suction that occur at a mother’s breast.
Bottle particulars
Keep in mind that bottle feeding is an excellent option. But if you prefer a mixed feeding system, you have to use this method. It is necessary to consider that when giving milk in a bottle, certain things must be taken into account.
The bottle requires good hygiene habits during its use. Otherwise, bacterial infections can develop, so it is essential to clean it well.
Among the advantages of using a bottle is that it is much easier for your baby to feed, because it does not have to exert suction and effort to get the milk it needs.
To implement the Kassing method, you must bear in mind the type of teat you are going to use. It must be completely round, avoiding anatomical teats. They are “slow flow” with a narrow and soft base, and a 2 centimeter width.
Buy a straight, un-curved bottle. Bear in mind that straight bottles make the milk flow slower, causing the baby to try harder to suckle.
As we have mentioned, the teat must be round so that it resembles the shape of the mother’s nipple as much as possible. It must also be long so that it can touch the point where the hard and soft palate meet, as the same thing happens during breastfeeding.
The teat must be slow-flowing. In this way, the baby must try harder to get the milk to flow, as he would do at his mother’s breast. It will also take him a longer time to finish the bottle. However, this has benefits, because digestion will be easier.
Position in which to give the bottle
Just as important as the teat is the position in which you give the bottle. The baby should be seated more upright, and the bottle should be as horizontal as possible.
This way, the effect of gravity is reduced. Then, the baby will have to strain in the same way as if he were at the breast. In addition, this is what controls the speed and amount of milk that is ingested.
To achieve this, it is advisable to place the baby at a 90 degree angle. You must put your hand on the baby’s head and neck and the other hand on the bottle. Remember to always keep it horizontal so that the milk does not directly pour into the baby’s mouth.
Finally, remember that some lactation experts recommend drinking with syringes or spoons instead of using a bottle. This is not the most highly recommended, but if you must resort to it, remember that the best way to do it is via the Kassing method.
All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.
- Kassing, D. (2002). Bottle-feeding as a tool to reinforce breastfeeding. Journal of Human Lactation, 18(1), 56-60. https://www.bfar.org/bottlefeeding.pdf