Meaning of nipple confusion | Babel Free

Definitions

The situation in which an infant has difficulty in switching between feeding on maternal nipples and artificial nipples (such as feeding bottles or pacifiers), often resulting in ineffective sucking or refusal to breastfeed.

uncountable, usually

Examples

“The midwives and breastfeeding consultants that I saw scared me with stories of nipple confusion, so I was reluctant to try a bottle too early. This led to my baby refusing a bottle and, later, breast milk from a cup.”

CEFR level