Cup feeding the newborn: what you should know.

Cup feeding is gaining increased recognition as an alternative method of feeding infants breast milk. For the term infant, cup feeding is suggested when the mother is unavailable to put the infant to breast. In the preterm population, cup feeding may be initiated before the preterm infant is ready to be put to the breast. Although further research is needed to substantiate the proposed benefits of cup feeding, the article provides information about selecting the appropriate candidates for cup feeding and offers step-by-step instructions to ensure that cup feeding is done safely.