Let’s Talk TEATS
Teat Sizes
As joeys grow, so do their mouths. The older and larger the joey, the longer the teat end needs to be. A teat suitable for a 2 kg joey will be far too short for a 5 kg joey.
Teat Shapes
Different marsupials have different mouth shapes. A bat teat, for example, won’t suit a Red Kangaroo. Choosing the right shape helps the joey latch comfortably and safely.
Teat Material
Whether you choose silicone or latex is mostly personal preference:
Latex is cheaper.
Silicone lasts longer and comes in multiple colours, which is handy if you’re feeding several joeys.
The Need to Suck
Marsupials develop while attached to the teat, and young joeys are fused to it for long periods. It’s not unusual for kangaroos to continue comfort‑sucking well into adulthood.
Sucking body parts can become problematic if it leads to hair loss or fungal infections. To help:
Teach the joey to use a dummy teat (a teat without a hole).
For testicle or tummy suckers, a baby singlet can help protect the area.
Don’t discourage sucking altogether, it’s a major stress‑reduction tool. Watch how “zoned out” your joey becomes when they settle into a good suck.
Teat Holes
A hole that’s too large allows milk to flow too quickly. Fast flow can enter the lungs and cause pneumonia, which can be fatal if not caught early.
Keep teat holes small.
A large hole is dangerous (left image).
A medium hole is acceptable (middle Image).
A small, controlled hole is ideal. The image on the right was used a 12 kg joey with no issues.
Teats holes
Remember: sucking is a pleasure for joeys, not just a feeding method. Don’t rush the experience.
Buying Teats
There are many stockists. Popular options include:
