Soon after giving birth, the young mother will have to decide which bottle she will use when feeding her newborn baby. Even if the mother does not need to feed the baby with expressed milk or adapted milk formula, the bottle will still be needed to feed the baby with water.
Feeding bottle manufacturers
The selection of baby bottles is quite wide. In children's stores or pharmacies, simple plastic ones are sold, usually with a capacity of up to 200 ml. Their plus is that they are relatively cheap, suitable for standard sterilizers. They are equipped with silicone or latex nipples to match any classic bottle. However, often in the instructions attached to the bottle, the manufacturer warns that the shelf life of the nipple, provided that it is actively used, is no more than a month.
There are also many more expensive and better quality baby feeding bottles, with Medela and Avent being very popular. They are sold separately and are also included with the breast pump of the respective brand.
For a bottle-fed baby, you should purchase at least one small bottle and two large bottles.
Types of baby bottles
There are several factors to consider when purchasing a baby bottle for feeding. First, the age of the child. For feeding a newborn baby, it is best to purchase a small bottle with a capacity of 150 ml, and for a baby over 6 months old, you can buy a larger size, with comfortable handles and a wide neck. Perhaps a grown-up baby will like a transforming cup. The advantage of this sippy cup is that you can unscrew the teat and use it as a sippy cup with or without a soft spout. This is convenient for a toddler who is already learning to drink from a cup and begins to wean from the bottle.
Bottle quality
When choosing a baby bottle for feeding, pay attention to the strength of the material from which it is made. Over time, it can deform from boiling or for any other reason. If the damage is severe, cracks will appear, do not continue to use it. Glass bottles used to be in use, but they are heavier than plastic bottles and can break easily.
Bottle nipples
Another important factor to consider when choosing a baby bottle is the weight and health of the baby. If the baby spits up frequently and profusely, and his weight approaches the upper limit of the norm, a nipple with one or two small holes will suit him. Then the child will need more time and effort to suck his portion. Milk flow will decrease, the feeling of fullness will come on time and the baby will stop overeating. In addition, the small opening ensures that the baby does not choke frequently during feeding.
An older child can be offered a nipple for bottles with a large opening through which he will eat thin porridge or other thick food.
Don't forget to buy special brushes and wash your baby bottles regularly.
Pay particular attention to the material and shape of the nipple. Many moms opt for anti-colic bottles. Their nipple is specially shaped, this prevents air from being swallowed during feeding, and as a result, the baby spits up less and suffers less from infant colic.
Although the bottles themselves do not have an expiration date per se, the nipples need to be replaced periodically with new ones.
If your baby has an allergic reaction to a latex nipple, change it to a silicone one immediately.
Some bottles come with nipples that mimic the mother's breast. It is a good choice for moms hoping to regain or prolong breastfeeding.
