Introduction
You will need to purchase bottles and nipples whether you choose to feed your baby bottle of milk, infant formula, or both. It can be difficult to decide what to buy because you have so many options. Find out about the various choices and how to take care of bottles and nipples.
Tips for picking bottles and nipples
Your decision on the nipple and bottle your child will use will be largely influenced by that decision. Some infants favour a certain nipple shape, and others may have less gas with a particular bottle. Some people are less picky. Purchase a few different kinds of bottles and nipples to start. You can then test them out to see which is most effective for you and your infant.
Nipples
- Silicone or latex can be used to make nipples.
- Nips made of latex are softer and more malleable. Latex does not last as long as silicone, though, and some infants are sensitive to it.
- Nipples made of silicone typically last longer and maintain their shape better.
- Different shapes can be found in nipples.
They might be wide, flat, or dome-shaped. Nipples that are flat or wide resemble a mother’s breast more.Examine various forms to see which one your infant prefers.
Nipples have various flow rates.
There are three different flow rates for nipples: slow, medium, and fast. The number one nipple has the slowest flow among them.
- Infants typically have a smaller hole and a slower flow at first. As your baby becomes more adept at feeding and consumes more, you will become larger.
- Your infant shouldn’t have to suck too hard to obtain adequate milk.
- The stream is moving too quickly if your kid is spitting up or choking.
Infant bottles
Baby bottles are made of many materials.
Plastic bottles are flimsy and won’t shatter if dropped. It is better to purchase new bottles if you decide to use plastic. Hand-me-down or recycled bottles could contain bisphenol-a. (bpa). Due to safety concerns, the food and drug administration (fda) has prohibited the use of bpa in baby bottles making products.
Glass bottles can break if dropped, but they don’t contain bpa and are recyclable. Plastic sleeves are sold by some producers to stop bottles from breaking.
Bottles made of stainless steel are strong and won’t break, although they could cost extra.
The plastic sleeve inside of disposable bottles is discarded after each use. Air bubbles are less likely to form since the liner collapses when the infant drinks. Liners are convenient for travel and reduce cleanup. However, they come at an additional cost because each feeding requires a new liner.
Several distinct bottle sizes and shapes are available:
- Sides of most bottles are either straight or slightly rounded. You can readily determine how much milk is in the bottle, and they are simple to fill and clean.
- Bottles with an angle neck are simpler to hold. The end of the bottle gathers milk. This lessens the likelihood of your infant sucking air. It may be more difficult to fill these bottles, so you should hold them sideways or use a funnel.
- Wide bottles are short and squat with a wide opening. For infants who alternate between breastfeeding and bottle feeding, they are thought to be more similar to a mother’s breast.
- To avoid air bubbles, vented bottles include a venting system within. It is rumoured that they can benefit in preventing colic and gas, however this is unconfirmed. You will have additional pieces to keep track of, clean, and assemble because these bottles have an inner vent that resembles a straw.
- Start with the smaller 4- to 5-ounce (120- to 150-milliliter) bottles while your infant is young. You can upgrade to larger 8- to 9-ounce (240- to 270-milliliter) bottles as your baby’s appetite increases.
Care and cleaning
You can safely handle and clean infant bottles and nipples by following these recommendations:
- Sterilize bottles and nipples when you initially purchase them. Boil all of the components for 5 minutes in a pan with water on top. After washing them with soap and warm water, let them air dry.
- So that the milk doesn’t dry out and cake onto the bottle, clean the bottles as soon as you finish using them. Use soap and warm water to clean the bottles and other components. To reach locations that are difficult to reach, use a bottle and nipple brush. These brushes should only be used on baby bottle maker and parts. Dry bottles and nipples on the counter’s drying rack. Before using again, make sure everything is thoroughly dry.
- You can wash and dry bottles and nipples in the top rack of the dishwasher if they are marked as “dishwasher safe.”
- Discard nipples that are torn or cracked. Choking might result from the nipple breaking up into little fragments.
- Broken or chipped bottles should be thrown away since they could nick you or your child.
- Always thoroughly wash your hands before touching bottles and nipples.
Conclusion:The children in this study continue to use baby bottles and receive night feedings well past the recommended age, including the practise of using a bottle to fall asleep and picking up a bottle again after receiving dental care, which will have a negative impact on their health and lead to addiction. The age at which children can stop and the caregivers’ understanding of when to stop varies.