Choose the Right Baby Bottle For Kids

1. A Guide to Help New Parents Choose the Right Baby Bottle For Their Baby

2. Table of contents  A Guide to Help New Parents Choose the Right Baby Bottle For Their Baby  Material  Glass bottles  Plastic bottles  Shapes and features  Angled neck bottles  Vented bottles  Wide neck bottle

3. A Guide to Help New Parents Choose the Right Baby Bottle For Their Baby As a new parent, feeding your child is your biggest concern and with so many options on the market, making the right choice can be a little confusing. Firstly, it is important to recognize that every child is different and the way they feed will be as unique as they are so, if you are looking for the right baby bottle choice for your baby, it is a good idea to stock up on two or three different types, and see how he or she responds to it.

4. Bottles come in different shapes, sizes, textures and materials and they are as varied as the feeding habits of babies can be! So, to make things a little clearer, let’s look at the various types of bottles on the market.

5. Material Baby bottles come in different materials, however the choice here is quite simple as it will much depend on the amount of feeds needed in a day (ie if the bottle is alternated with breastfeeding) and the family’s lifestyle.

6. Glass bottles Glass bottles: the original bottle, this is what bottles where made of until a few years ago. Whilst glass bottles have clear advantages such as being eco-friendly and free of chemical treatments, they’re a little heavier than plastic ones, and pricier. Modern glass bottles are shock resistant and can be protected by silicone covers to avoid breakages. They are less ergonomic and sometimes, with a fussy feeder, it can be a problem.

7. Plastic bottles Plastic bottles: a cheaper (and more popular) alternative, these days plastic bottles are very safe, much safer than the first ones around. Always check for the BPA-free ones which means they are bisphenol A (BPA) free – a substance used to harden the plastic which is now banned. Plastic bottles are lightweight, meaning they are easy to carry around and easy to clean. They can be prone to scratches when cleaned so you may need to change them more often.

8. Shapes and features Well, the world of baby bottles shape is interesting, to say the least! It is important to find the right shape for your child as this will most definitely have the last say in your baby’s feeding experience. Every bottle is designed with comfort in mind and a standard one will do the job for those easy to feed babies, but some are shaped and built to satisfy some specific needs such as colic or acid reflux.

9. Whilst some adjustments to the way baby gets fed such as feeding in a more upright position (you can try by putting a pillow under your arm) or feeding smaller amount of milk more often can help, choosing the right bottle can do wonders to minimize the pain and uneasiness of these conditions.

10. Angled neck bottles Let’s look at some of the most popular ones: Angled neck bottles: not so easy to clean, these bottles come in a bent neck shape to prevent air from filling the teat thus reducing the amount of air that baby ingest. They are not exactly the most comfortable to use due to their bent shape but some parents swear by it.

11. Vented bottles Vented bottles: with a special vent inside to reduce to the minimum the build-up of air bubbles, these bottles are hailed by some parents as THE bottle to prevent colic or reflux and create a more positive and stress-free feeding experience. They come with many parts which means extra cleaning time, however they are worth the hassle.

12. Wide neck bottle Wide neck bottle: these bottles have wider neck opening which allows for a breast- like shaped nipple that fills more freely and fully, making the feeding experience as close as the natural one as possible. They are much easier to clean thanks to the wide opening.

13. Besides shapes and materials, choosing the right nipple is just as important. Nipples are generally made of latex or silicone, the latter more durable and firm, however what really makes the difference is its shape. Orthodontics nipples are designed to adapt to the palate and are generally softer and with a flat base. Flat top nipple mimic mum’s breast, aiming at replicate the breastfeeding experience. Anti- colic teats aim at reducing gassiness and colic.

14. Nipples are created in different sizes for different flows, for example a nipple size with a quicker flow is usually recommended from 6 months onwards as the baby would generally be already an expert in getting his milk! It is thought that a slower, soft paced nipple can help preventing reflux and gas. However, it will be your baby to let you know when she’s ready to go up in size, as they become used to their nipple, they will show signs of wanting to move to the next size up. So, there is plenty a choice when it comes down to baby bottles but now you know that it doesn’t have to be a stressful decision.

15.  Helpful resources: Baby Monitors - https://mumeemagic.com/baby-monitors/ Baby Bottles - https://mumeemagic.com/baby-bottles/