For most mothers, one of the most important purchases before birth is baby bottles. Whether you choose to breastfeed or give formula from the start, bottles will eventually come in handy. It can be quite overwhelming trying to buy the right baby bottles as you never know which type or brand will work unless you try them on your child. Baby bottle prices vary depending on brand, shape, size, etc. In this write-up, we look at tips for choosing the right baby bottles.
Tips for Choosing the Right Baby Bottles
It is advisable to get at most two bottle brands, in the beginning, to test them out, as you may buy in bulk, and your child ends up rejecting them. It is crucial to consider the following when purchasing;
- Bottle Material
Bottles are mainly made of glass, plastic, or silicone.
- Plastic- It is the most common and is generally considered safe. It should be BPA free though older plastics may contain BPA. It is lightweight; hence the baby can hold it comfortably and doesn’t break if dropped. Plastic baby bottles deteriorate over time and need to be replaced often.
- Glass-These types of bottles naturally lack BPA. They last longer but are heavy and easy to break.
- Silicone-It is BPA free, flexible, and lightweight. It bounces when dropped and does not break.
- Bottle Shape and Size
Generally, they come in three different shapes. Some are standard, whereby they are tall and straight, making them easy to fill up and clean. Others are angled, which prevents the baby from swallowing too much air and are suitable for colicky babies but are a bit difficult to clean. Lastly is the wide bottles which are designed for wide, short nipples. Bottles can be small or big. Small ones are good for the newborn phase as they outgrow them quickly. Buy a few ones and instead invest in large ones.
- Shape and Material of the Nipple
The bottle nipple is usually latex or silicone. Latex wears out faster than silicone. Always replace the bottle nipple if it starts thinning, becoming sticky, cracked, or discolored. There are three categories of nipple shapes: i.e., narrow and long, which is the traditional shape that most bottles have, short and wide, designed to be breast-like and flat on one side and mimics sucking on the actual breast.
- Nipple Size
The size of the nipple determines the flow rate. Milk should flow out in steady drops. If its too small, the flow rate will be too slow for the child, making him struggle. Big-sized nipples can result in the baby chocking due to too much milk, size changes as the baby grows, and you have to buy the nipple according to age.
- Breast Pump Bottle
If you are planning to pump milk, buy bottles that are compatible with the pump to avoid switching all the time, and that comes with nipples tops for later feeding.
Conclusion
Baby bottles are essential in a baby’s life, and buying the right ones is key to ensure feeding is done correctly. Choose brands you are familiar with or with good customer reviews.
