What is the best intervention for a child struggling to maintain lip seal while feeding from a bottle?

The best intervention for a child struggling to maintain lip seal while feeding from a bottle involves applying pressure under the jaw. This technique can help provide the necessary support for the jaw and mouth muscles, facilitating better control and creating a more effective lip seal around the nipple. By applying gentle pressure, it promotes oral stability and can encourage the child to maintain a better latch, which is crucial for successful feeding.

While positioning the child upright is important for safety and can sometimes help with feeding issues, it does not directly address difficulties with the lip seal. A different nipple size may affect flow and comfort but may not directly improve the muscle coordination needed for maintaining the seal. Feeding with a straw is not typically advisable for very young children or those unable to manage a bottle properly, as it requires different oral skills and may not solve the problem of lip sealing. Thus, applying pressure under the jaw is the most effective intervention for enhancing the child's capacity to secure a proper lip seal while feeding.