During bottle feeding, which setup minimizes choking risk?

• A. Infants should be fed while lying flat with the bottle propped.
• B. The nipple should be kept empty of milk to slow the flow.
• C. Flow should be controlled by the caregiver squeezing the bottle.
• D. The infant should be held upright or semi-upright, the nipple filled with milk, and the flow should be allowed to be controlled by the infant.

Answer: (D)

Safe bottle feeding relies on keeping the baby upright and letting them pace the flow. When held upright or semi-upright, milk moves toward the stomach instead of pooling in the throat, which lowers the chance of choking or aspiration. Filling the nipple with milk ensures a steady, predictable flow and prevents air gaps that can startle the baby. Allowing the infant to control the flow means they can sip, pause, and swallow in coordination with breathing, which is key to minimizing choking risk. Squeezing the bottle to push milk or feeding with the baby lying flat or propped up tends to make the flow faster and harder to coordinate, increasing choking risk.