What Is a Haberman or Pigeon Bottle for Cleft Feeding?
Two specialty bottles are commonly used for feeding babies with cleft palate. Here is how they work.
The Haberman Feeder and Pigeon Bottle are specialty feeding systems designed for babies who cannot create normal suction due to a cleft palate.
- Haberman Feeder:
- Developed by a speech and language therapist
- Features a slit-valve nipple that releases milk only when compressed
- The bottle is squeezable so the caregiver can assist flow
- The nipple has three flow settings determined by rotation
- The valve prevents milk from flowing back into the bottle
- Each nipple lasts about 3 months
- Pigeon Bottle:
- Very similar design to the Haberman
- Also features a slit nipple and squeezable bottle
- A one-way valve prevents air intake
- Comes in different nipple sizes
- Widely used internationally
- How they work:
- The baby compresses the nipple with the tongue or gums
- The slit valve opens and releases milk
- No suction is needed β the baby gets milk by chewing/sucking motions
- If the baby tires, the caregiver can gently squeeze the bottle
- Key similarities:
- Both work without suction
- Both have one-way valves
- Both are squeezable
- Both require specific cleaning of the valve mechanism
- Your cleft team may provide one or the other β they work similarly
- Practice before leaving the hospital
- Nipples need replacement every 1β3 months
- Have extras for late-night emergencies
Tips
Clinical Guidance
The Haberman and Pigeon bottles are specialty feeding systems that allow babies with cleft palate to feed without suction. They use slit-valve nipples and squeezable bottles to deliver milk safely. Both are effective β the best one is the one your baby accepts.