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Bottom's up
Feeding time is a wonderful opportunity to nourish your baby's body and nurture the sense of security and well-being. It's a time of bonding, automatically built in to your daily and (need we remind you?) nightly routine together. When the two of you make eye contact over a bottle and your little one feels the rhythm of your breathing and hears you whispering sweet nothings, all is right with the world.
So treat yourself to a cup of tea, grab a bottle for baby, and snuggle in for mealtime.
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Bottle Basics
You have your choice of two basic types of feeding systems: reusable bottles or disposable bottle systems. The plain, old-fashioned bottle is fairly self-explanatory. But the terminology that goes along with a disposable bottle system can be a bit confusing at first. A disposable system consists of:
- A hard, plastic holder called a nurser
- A plastic bag inserted into the nurser called a bottle
This system uses a special nipple design and usually has a screw-on collar that serves to secure both the nipple and bottle. Formula is poured directly into the bottle, which is disposed of after use.
The Pros of Disposable Bottle Systems:
- Ready to use
- Less cleaning
- Can potentially reduce the amount of air a baby sucks in
The Cons of Disposable Bottle Systems:
- More expensive
- Potential for running out of supply when you can't get to the store
- Pouches can rupture or tear
- More garbage produced
The Pros of Standard Bottles:
- Can be continually reused
- Less expensive
- Easier to fill
- Easier to measure formula
- More nipple options
- Can usually be used with breast pumps and bottle warmers
The Cons of Standard Bottles:
- Harder to clean, especially those that are bent
- Soft, opaque models can absorb juice stains
- Glass bottles will break if dropped
Bottle Buying Advice
- Choose clear, unbreakable bottles.
- Avoid bent shapes that make cleaning trickier.
- Decorative patterns can come off into formula -- steer clear and stick to the basics.
- Stock up on at least eight 8-ounce bottles.
- Very young babies will use 4-ounce bottles; buy at least four.
- Buy extra nipples and keep them sterile and ready to use.
- Boil new bottles and nipples for five minutes before you use them for the first time.
How to Choose a Nipple
Your best bet here is to experiment: let your baby try a few different nipples and see which works best. There are definite differences, so once you find a style you both like, stock up. The two basic styles are the standard bell-shaped design and the orthodontic style, designed to resemble a mother's nipple. The idea behind this relatively new design is that it causes the baby to use a similar tonguing action as that of a breastfeeding baby, reducing some of the tongue-thrusting and bite problems that have been blamed on standard nipples. The downside is that these orthodontic nipples can be harder to clean. Keep these facts in mind:
- Silicone nipples are clear, odorless, taste-free and heat-resistant enough to withstand washing in the dishwasher, which gets them cleaner than hand washing. Silicone is, however, more susceptible to splitting, so check the nipples often to make sure they're in good shape.
- Rubber nipples will likely deteriorate, swell, and crack after two or three months.
- Bottle nipples vary from brand to brand and small variations can even exist between individual nipples of the same brand and style.
- You can test different flows by sucking through the nipples yourself.
- Nipple flow can be regulated somewhat by tightening or loosening the neck of the bottle.
- Nipples labeled "dripless" can reduce milk flow so much that they block it entirely.
- A well-designed nipple will offer enough resistance to prevent too much formula from pouring into a baby's throat, but not so much resistance as to result in the collapse of the nipple.
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Rubber (latex)
This material becomes sticky and deteriorates quickly with constant exposure to heat, sunlight, and moisture. This can pose a hygiene issue if your baby's rubber pacifier is old. Also, if your baby is allergic to latex, an itchy rash might develop.
Silicone
This tasteless, odorless material is heat-resistant, so you can pop it in the dishwasher or boil it on top of the stove to keep it sterile. An allergy to silicone is highly unlikely.
Plastics
These huge, long, synthetic molecules -- polyethylene, polypropylene, nylon, and other poly-chemicals -- are lightweight, heat-resistant, and strong. They are the components of plastic that make life so convenient and baby bottles so great. Imagine if your baby's bottle was made of other materials: glass is heavy and shatters, metal would also be too heavy and potentially toxic, and paper would not be sturdy or waterproof.
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Appropriate Uses
Disposable bottles
Holds baby formula and dispenses it through a nipple the baby sucks on. They're also presterilized and can be used immediately.
Nondisposable bottles
Holds baby formula and dispenses it through a nipple the baby sucks on. They can also store breast milk for freezing.
Rubber or silicone nipples
Satisfies a baby's desire to suck and dispenses liquids when sucked.
Orthodontic nipples
Satisfies a baby's desire to suck and dispenses liquids when sucked.
Common Misconceptions
Orthodontic nipples
Claim to more closely resemble a mother's nipple, reducing orthodontic problems in the future. There is little evidence of this.
Nipples Work Hard and Need Care
- Rubber nipples are prone to deterioration, swelling, and cracking after several months of normal use.
- Nipples made from rubber may become tacky and clogged when exposed to saliva, heat, and sunlight.
- Rubber orthodontic-shaped nipples often deteriorate quickly due to difficulty cleaning them.
- Silicone nipples are less porous and therefore less likely to breed bacteria.
- Silicone nipples have a tendency to split and tear.
- Throw out any malfunctioning nipples.
- Prolonged periods of moisture on the nipple can make it whiten.
Make it Easy for Baby to Eat
- Never prop the bottle in your baby's mouth. The baby could choke.
- The hole sizes of the traditional nipple vary. Small holes are ideal for infants, while larger ones are a good choice for toddlers or when feeding your child pulpy juices.
- To prevent choking and possible affected speech patterns, nipples should have some flow resistance.
- Too much flow resistance may make it difficult for your baby to get milk and may even cause the nipple to collapse.
- Test nipple flow yourself by sucking on the nipple.
- Nipple flow may be adjusted by tightening or loosening the neck of the bottle.
- If the nipple is made of rubber, the hole can be enlarged by inserting a toothpick while boiling.
Baby Bottle Basics
- All bottle warmers and most breast pumps were designed for use with traditional bottles.
- Boil new bottles and nipples for five minutes before using.
- Be sure to thoroughly clean bottles after each use.
Be Careful with a Disposable Bottle System
- To assemble, fold the disposable bottle lengthwise and insert it into the nurser. Stretch the opening of the bottle over the rim of the nurser. Pour formula into the bottle and squeeze the air out of the bottle.
- Overheating the formula may cause the bottle to rupture.
- Always test the temperature of heated formula on your wrist before feeding it to your baby.
- Discard bottle after use.
- Clean the rest of the system thoroughly after each use.
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Make Sure Your Baby Is Feeding at a Comfortable Rate
Tongue-thrusting and bite problems may result from the standard, bell-shaped nipples. Abnormal tongue thrust can be caused by too much milk flow during feeding. This may later result in affected speech patterns.
Look Out for Your Baby
- Use clear, plastic bottles and be careful while sterilizing or heating.
- Never leave the baby unattended while feeding or prop the bottle in the baby's mouth.
- Boil new bottles and nipples for five minutes before using.
- Silicone and rubber nipples may deteriorate. Always inspect carefully for any punctures or tears.
- Nipples with some flow resistance will help prevent choking.
- To prevent choking, hold the baby in the crook of your arm, in a half-sitting position.
- Do not jiggle the bottle or the baby while feeding.
- Be sure that the bottle does not block the baby's nose.
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Websites, Organizations & Manufacturers
Sources & Further Reading
Books
- 1. Jones, S; W Freitag.Guide to Baby Products, 5th ed. Consumer Reports Books, Yonkers, NY, 1996.
Find more books on health and wellness at  barnesandnoble.com.
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