What Are the Suckle-CupTM Infant Feeder and SuppleMateTM Used For?

The Suckle-Cup™ Infant Feeder and SuppleMate™ Infant Care I & II are supplemental feeding tools from Maternal Concepts® for babies with special breastfeeding needs. The Suckle-Cup™ is a soft, flexible, funnel-shaped cup used as an infant feeder. SuppleMate™ Infant Care I & II enables supplemental feeding while a baby nurses. Both are intended for situations where direct breastfeeding alone is difficult, and they work alongside breastfeeding rather than replacing it.

Suckle-Cup™ Infant Feeder

The Suckle-Cup™ is a cup-based feeder rather than a bottle. Its funnel shape and soft, flexible material let you control the flow of milk to the baby without a nipple, which can matter for infants who have trouble coordinating sucking or latching.

It fits situations such as:

• A baby who cannot yet latch or suck effectively at the breast
• Short-term feeding support while breastfeeding skills develop
• Feeding expressed milk or formula when a bottle nipple is not preferred or advised

Because it is a cup, the baby laps or sips rather than sucking, so the feeding rhythm is different from a bottle. Expect to go slowly and allow pauses.

SuppleMate™ Infant Care I & II

SuppleMate™ is designed for supplemental feeding while a baby nurses. In practice, this means the baby is at the breast and receives additional milk through the device at the same time. This is useful when:

• The mother's milk supply needs support while breastfeeding continues
• A baby needs extra intake but should keep practicing at the breast
• Supplementation is needed without switching the baby to a separate bottle feed

The "I & II" naming indicates two versions in the line; check the product page for which configuration matches your feeding plan.

Choosing Between Them

If the goal is to keep the baby practicing at the breast while adding intake, SuppleMate™ matches that. If the baby is not yet nursing and needs a controlled, nipple-free feed, the Suckle-Cup™ fits better.

Practical Notes Before You Start

• Confirm the plan first. Supplemental feeding devices are usually used under the guidance of a lactation consultant or your baby's clinician, who can confirm the volume and method for your situation.
• Check the current product page for the specific contents of each SuppleMate™ version, since the two configurations differ.
• Plan for slower feeds. Cup and supplemental feeding typically take more time and attention than a standard bottle.
• Watch for the baby's cues. Pauses, turning away, or milk spilling from the corners of the mouth are signals to stop and reset.

For cleaning and sterilization guidance on Maternal Concepts® devices, see the separate instructions for each product; the Evert-It™ page, for example, specifies hot soapy water and air drying rather than autoclaving or microwaving.