Ask any parent to describe their top ten baby essentials; Baby Feeding Bottles will most likely feature near the top. If you choose not to breast feed, then a bottle is the only way to give your baby nutrition. If you do breast feed, then a bottle can be useful for feeding your baby when it is inconvenient to breast feed.
As with most baby products, the market is packed with different options. This simple overview will compile the most popular bottle options, whilst listing the advantages and disadvantages of each different type.
Types of Bottles
There are two main types of feeding bottle: Glass Bottles and Plastic baby bottles .
There are two main types of feeding bottle: Glass Bottles and Plastic baby bottles .
Glass bottles are the less common of the two types but have several advantages over plastic. They are easy to clean, sterilise and leave no residue from the milk/formula. Glass is also much easier to recycle than plastic, so it is environmentally friendly as well.
Glass bottles can be risky though; they are heavy and will shatter if dropped, presenting a danger to your baby. They may also chip whilst being washed, again making them slightly hazardous. We recommend using silicone bottle covers to help minimise many of these hazards. glass feeding bottle with silicone sleeve
Plastic bottles can be made out of polypropylene, polycarbonate or PES (polyethersulfone). The polypropylene variant is the lower quality plastic out of the three and has a slightly milky colouring. PPSU is of a higher quality and can withstand super high temperatures. One of the best advantages of plastic bottles is that they are durable and shatterproof unlike glass. PPSU baby bottles
Modern plastic bottles exclude BPA (Bisphenol A) which has been found to leach from certain plastics at high temperatures. Studies have shown that BPA can lead to numerous health problems in children, including disruption of growth and development. Most bottles these days are BPA free, but always be aware when making a purchase and try to avoid bottles that feature BPA, as the studies are on-going with revelations being made daily.
Glass and plastic bottles can come in various sizes and shapes. Some bottles hold more than others and can feature handles for the baby to feed themselves. There are also right angled bottles that can reduce colic, making your baby less likely to develop uncomfortable gas. Try to choose the most suitable one dependant on how hungry or independent your baby is.BABY FEEDING BOTTLES
