What the Preemie Teat is designed to do
The Dr Brown's Options+ Narrow Neck Preemie Teat is the slowest-flow teat in the Dr Brown's range. It is intended for preemies, newborns and breastfed babies, and it works with the internal vent system for paced feeding. If you are moving from hospital to home or simply want a very slow feed, this is the teat to start with.
The teat is made of super-soft, high-grade silicone and fits all Dr Brown's Narrow bottles. It is dishwasher safe on the top rack, steriliser safe and BPA free. Each Preemie Flow Teat is made to the same consistent flow rate, so you and your baby know what to expect from one teat to the next.
Key features at a glance
- Dr Brown's Options+ Narrow Neck Preemie Teats: Dr Brown's Preemie Flow Narrow Teat is the slowest-flow teat, suited to preemies, newborns and breastfed babies. The slowest flow helps pace a feed, which is often the first thing parents look for when choosing a preemie teat.
Dr Brown's Options+ Narrow Neck Preemie Teats - Dr Brown's Options+ Narrow Neck Preemie Teats: Each Preemie Flow Teat has the same consistent flow rate. Consistency means you can replace a worn teat without guessing whether the new one will feed faster or slower.
- Dr Brown's Options+ Narrow Neck Preemie Teats: The teat fits all Dr Brown's Narrow bottles. If you already use Dr Brown's Narrow bottles, you can add this teat without changing your bottle set.
How to use the Preemie Teat in a paced feed
The teat is designed to work with the internal vent system. Assemble your Dr Brown's Narrow bottle as usual, fit the Preemie Teat, and feed in a paced style: keep the bottle more horizontal, let your baby set the rhythm, and pause when needed. The slowest flow gives your baby more time between swallows.
- Check the teat before each feed: Look over the silicone for tears, cloudiness or stretched openings. The supplied information does not give a replacement schedule, so inspect regularly and replace at the first sign of wear.
- Fit the teat to a Narrow bottle: The Preemie Teat fits all Dr Brown's Narrow bottles. It is not listed as fitting wide-neck bottles.
- Use the internal vent system: The slowest-flow teat is designed to work with the vent system for paced feeding. Keep the vent parts in place as you normally would.
- Clean after every feed: The teat is dishwasher safe on the top rack and steriliser safe. Follow the cleaning routine you use for your other Dr Brown's parts.
When to check whether the flow still suits your baby
The Preemie Teat is the slowest flow, so it is the right starting point for many preemies and breastfed babies. The supplied information does not include a timetable for moving up a teat level. Instead, watch your baby's feeding behaviour and talk to your health visitor or feeding specialist if you are unsure.
- Feeds are becoming very long or tiring: If your baby seems to work hard for a long time and is exhausted by feeds, the flow may no longer match their ability. This is a conversation to have with your feeding specialist rather than a reason to switch on your own.
- Your baby is managing the slow flow well: A consistent slow flow is the point of this teat. If feeds are calm and your baby is comfortable, there is no need to rush to a faster teat.
- The teat itself looks worn: A stretched or damaged teat can change how it performs. Replace it with a new Preemie Teat to get back to the consistent flow rate.
The trade-off: slow flow means more time per feed
A preemie teat is not designed to speed feeds up. The slowest flow gives your baby more control, but it also means feeds take longer. That is the intended trade-off for preemies, newborns and breastfed babies who need a gentler pace. If you are combination feeding or returning to work, plan for the extra time rather than trying to hurry the feed.
The Preemie Teat is sold as a single Standard variant. If you need more than one, order the number that matches your cleaning routine so you always have a clean teat ready.
Care and compatibility details
- Dr Brown's Options+ Narrow Neck Preemie Teats: Made of super-soft, high-grade silicone and BPA free. These are the material details parents check when choosing a teat for a premature baby.
- Dr Brown's Options+ Narrow Neck Preemie Teats: Dishwasher safe on the top rack and steriliser safe. You can clean it with the rest of your Dr Brown's Narrow bottle parts using your usual method.
- Dr Brown's Options+ Narrow Neck Preemie Teats: Fits all Dr Brown's Narrow bottles. Compatibility is limited to Narrow bottles in the supplied information; wide-neck fit is not confirmed.
