How To Choose The Right Bottle For Your Baby
Picking a BABY FEEDING BOTTLE seems like such an easy buying decision. You go to the store, select a pack of bottles, and go on your merry way.
The decision does not just come down to which brand to choose, but glass versus plastic, what kind of flow you want, nipple size, cost, ease of travel, etc. And the funny thing is, one of the most important buying decisions will never cross your mind until it is far too late.
Fast forward a few months to a crying newborn baby in your arms while you are trying frantically to clean a bottle (because they are all dirty) and there are 500 seemingly tiny parts and your hands are so dry from washing bottles all day they are cracking. Fun times.
When searching for a bottle, the important considerations are:
BPA: Bisphenol-A, also known as BPA, is a chemical that produces hormone-like substances in the body, and some studies have pointed to it causing cancer and other maladies. The FDA banned the use of BPA in bottles and sippy cups in July 2012, however virtually all manufacturers stopped using BPA before this date. However, because it is almost impossible to know if old bottles and sippy cups contain BPA, we do NOT recommend using ANY old bottles or sippy cups for your child.
Glass versus Bottle: this is the first decision to make, because there are only so many glass bottles on the market.
Glass Bottles are always BPA-free, can be safely washed in a microwave, and may last longer than plastic bottles. They are also heavier and therefore harder to transport, can shatter and tend to be more expensive.
Plastic bottles can be made from three different types of materials: polycarbonate, polypropylene and polyamide.
Polycarbonate bottles were the standard until BPA became a concern. Polycarbonate contains BPA.
Plastic bottles can be made from three different types of materials: polycarbonate, polypropylene and polyamide.
Polycarbonate bottles were the standard until BPA became a concern. Polycarbonate contains BPA.
Polypropylene (PP) is the industry standard for plastic bottles, and does not break down when exposed to heat. You can therefore put them in the dishwasher and sterilize in hot water without fear. Most bottles are now made of this plastic. PP baby bottles
Polyamide (PA) is safe for use in the dishwasher and sterilization, and is glass-like in its transparency.
Polyphenylene sulfone resins(PPSU) is safe for use ,without BPA. PPSU baby bottles
Nipples: The nipple, the vessel that delivers the milk to the baby, comes in various shapes, sizes, material and flow levels.
Shape: There are three general shapes of nipples on the market, orthodontic, bell-shaped and flat-topped.
Orthodontic – Supposedly better for a baby’s teeth, the flat portion of the nipple goes on the baby’s tongue.
Traditional / Bell-shaped – Many experts claim bell-shaped nipples work best for breast ed babies who take bottles of pumped breast milk.Flat-topped – These nipples are very trendy right now and are appearing on pretty much every new bottle entrant to the market these days. This nipple mirrors the look of a breast. However, the most popular bottles use the traditional / bell-shaped nipples.
Traditional / Bell-shaped – Many experts claim bell-shaped nipples work best for breast ed babies who take bottles of pumped breast milk.Flat-topped – These nipples are very trendy right now and are appearing on pretty much every new bottle entrant to the market these days. This nipple mirrors the look of a breast. However, the most popular bottles use the traditional / bell-shaped nipples.
Material: Nipples can be made of silicone or latex. Some people have latex allergies, so sticking with silicone is always safe.
Nipple Flow: nipples rangle from slow-flow to fast-flow. To understand the difference, a fast-flow nipple will quickly leak milk when turned upside down, and a slow-flow nipple will barely drip. A newborn baby would choke on a fast-flow nipple, as they are not capable of drinking that quickly.
For breastfed babies, make sure to use the slowest flow nipple available. Breastfeeding a baby is a surprisingly complex set of events, in which the baby must use their tongue, jaw, and have the proper latch to receive milk, and the mother’s breast slowly lets milk done. This is why it is often said that breastfed babies have to “work” for their milk. In order to ensure that a breastfed baby will continue to latch on correctly, you must be sure to use the slowest -flow nipple available.