Although it is clear that breastfeeding is the best way to nurse a child, for several reasons some new moms have to choose the bottle. Whether you’re pumping your own breast milk or feeding your formula for babies, a bottle becomes a baby care product you need to have. Here are some factors to consider when selecting your baby’s right feeding bottle.
Of course, when selecting bottles and nipples, the most important factor is that the baby takes them. It is nearly as important to be comfortable with you, as a new mother, as cleanliness and maintenance will become routine work for you.
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How To Choose A Baby Feeding Bottle?
It’s natural to feel confused nowadays with so many kinds of baby bottles on the market. There are many options, from glass to plastic to straight or curved. So how do you know which baby feeding bottle your little one is going to do?
Let’s first look at the advantages and disadvantages of the two main baby feeding bottles-glass and plastic baby feeding bottles without BPA:
1. Glass Baby Bottles:
One of the principal reasons parents still chooses a bottle of glass is because it is free of BPA.
Pros
Glass bottles are free of BPA. It is a more environmentally friendly option as it is made without petroleum use. The bottles are going to last longer. During sterilization, glass bottles can be boiled and used for heating as well. It is also recyclable.
Cons
In case they are dropped, glass feeding bottles will break easily. They cost more than plastic bottles or plastic bottles free of BPA. There are heavier glass bottles. In distinct versions or sizes, they are not always available.
2. BPA Free Plastic Baby Feeding Bottles:
Pros
Bottles of plastic are light. They are long-lasting and will not break if they fall. It’s free of BPA. Plastic bottles free of BPA are recyclable.
Pointers for Choosing a Baby Feeding Bottle
- Choose the same brand bottles as your breast pump, so you can directly express milk in it.
- Buy broader necked bottles. It’s easier to clean them.
- You can choose bottles with liners that can be removed.
- Milk never touches the bottle, and it’s much easier to clean.
- If the baby is colicky, try the angled neck bottles.
- It reduces the formation of gas.
- Look out for the bottles as your baby grows that can turn into sippers.
Choosing the Baby Feeding Bottle Nipples
The market offers a large variety. You can, however, choose to use a bottle only as both of them often come as a package. However, a combination of the same brand is a good idea as it makes sure that the leakage is better avoided.
1. Latex vs Silicon:
New moms are going to have to make the first choice between latex and silicone nipples. Latex nipples resemble the breast of the mother more strongly because they are softer and more versatile. However, silicone nipples last longer and are less porous because they can be kept in a washer and are more heatproof. They are also less likely to become infected with bacteria.
2. Nipple Size:
While nipples have an age indicator, the information should be used as a rough guide. The milk should flow out in constant drops when you upturn the bottle. When the nipple is too small, the flow is perhaps too slow for the baby to fight and to tire him. Too huge a size could allow too much milk and cause a shock. Each time you attempt a new one, watch the child closely.
Traditionally, most nipples are either bell-like or dome-like. There are also some unique ones you might want to consider:
- There is a wider base of naturally-shaped nipples. These are nice when the child makes the breast-to-bottle transition because they better replicate the breast shape.
- For a teething child, orthodontic nipples are perfect. They are flat on the side resting on the tongue of the baby.
- Vented nipples are also a great option, although they are costly. They have a tiny hole to prevent a vacuum from being created, making the flow of milk simpler. In particular, they are helpful in avoiding colic and gas.
The market today offers an enormous range of baby bottles. Read the description on the bottle before you make a purchase. Check to make sure that the bottle will do that if you are looking for any specific use. Also, remember to closely read the instructions.
Also Read: Know All About Human Milk Banking
