Picking an appropriate baby bottle for the neonate may be quite a daunting task due to the available types of baby bottles on the market. But knowledge of a few factors to choose the best baby bottles for newborns will help in this task. In this article, you will find out how you can assist in determining the appropriate baby bottles for newborns.
Material Matters
The first aspect that has to be evaluated before concentrating on other aspects like the shape, form, or brand of a baby bottle is the type of material that the bottle is made from. Baby bottles usually come in three types:
Plastic Bottles: These are lightweight, easy on the finances, and will cover all parts of the body. But make sure that it is BPA-free since BPA (bisphenol A) is dangerous to babies in their developmental stage.
Glass Bottles: It is durable, easy to clean, and does not retain smell or stain. However, they are bulkier and rather fragile hence ought to be handled with a lot of precaution.
Silicone Bottles: Silicone bottles are characterized by their soft and flexible nature, and they hence can be suitable for babies with a preference for a softer bottle. These are safe to use, and since they are smooth, they are easy to clean; however, they may be costly.
Select the Correct Nipple Shape and Stream
The shape of the bottle nipple is another important element that is to be considered. There are different nipple shapes and flow rates:
Nipple Shape: Some nipples are made to look like the breast of a mother, especially if one is in the process of breastfeeding his or her baby, besides the use of a bottle.
Flow Rate: The newborn baby requires a slow-flow nipple that has a low flow rate of milk that helps the baby to feed without choking. When your baby is a little bigger, you can use medium- or fast-flow nipples.
Anti-Colic Features
Some of the baby bottles have anti-colic systems that ensure that no air is ingested by the baby while feeding. This is important because it may help to minimize some discomfort and gas in neonates as well. Better bottles come with vents or other ok-speaking anti-colic designs that make feeding sessions easier on the young one’s tummy.
Ease of Cleaning
It is necessary to wash the baby bottles if they have been used. Thus, it is advisable to select bottles that can be cleaned easily. The fewer the number of components in a bottle, the easier it is to clean them by hand or in the dishwasher.
Durability and Cost
The last criteria can be identified as the durability and cost of the bottles chosen being possible. It is worth noting that food items placed in glass bottles may last longer as compared to the food in plastic bottles, but the other disadvantage that may be associated with glass bottles is that they may be expensive as compared to plastic ones. Instead of buying several cheap ones that would not last for a long time, it is advisable to buy a few quality bottles that will be useful.
Conclusion
Selecting the right baby bottles for newborns depends on the material, the nipple geometry, the flow rate, and anti-colic designs. Also, do remember which container is easy to clean and what size of bottle they accept. When you consider all these factors, you can be able to select a bottle that is ideal for your newborn child and make feeding time less of a hassle.
