Bottlefeeding: what to buy?
If you’re planning on bottlefeeding your baby, you should make sure you have all the necessary equipment in advance of your delivery date. You’ll find there’s a huge choice of bottles and nipples on offer – so what exactly will you need?
How many bottles?
Your newborn won’t take in much milk at a feed so start with the smaller four-ounce bottles – you’ll likely need six to eight. When your baby’s bigger and having more milk at each feed you can move her onto eight or nine-ounce bottles. Bottles range in price but keep in mind that the cheapest options may not give you much choice when it comes to using different types of nipple. Some bottles are specially designed to reduce the amount of air in a feed.
Glass or plastic?
Glass bottles are making a big comeback due to fears about chemicals leaching out of the bottles into the milk if they are heated to excessively high temperatures. The US Food and Drug Administrations says plastic bottles are safe if heated to room temperature (and manufacturers have pointed out that in any case, they would never be heated to the kind of temperatures required for chemicals to leak out). If you choose to use glass bottles you‘ll need to switch to plastic when your baby reaches the stage where she wants to hold the bottle herself, in case she drops or throws it.
What kind of nipple should I use?
These come in latex or silicone; latex is softer but silicone lasts longer. There are a range of shapes too, from traditional through flat to orthodontic; as well as different flow rates. Your newborn will need a slower flowing nipple (the milk should drip out) and as she gets bigger and hungrier you can move up through the flow rates to satisfy her hunger faster. Check nipples regularly for wear (your baby is likely to give them a good chewing, especially as her teeth grow in!), discoloration and thinning.
Do I need a sterilizer?
You can opt to buy a countertop or microwave sterilizing unit but as long as your baby’s bottles and nipples are washed in the dishwasher at a temperature of at least 182 degrees Fahrenheit they should be fine. If you don’t want the expense of a sterilizing unit but like the idea of sterilizing your baby’s feeding equipment, you can do so in a large pan of water on the stovetop. Thoroughly wash bottles and nipples in hot soapy water before sterilizing them in this way, and be sure to use a small bottlebrush to remove any milk scum from the nipples.
The information in this feature is intended for educational purposes only. If you have any concerns about your health, the health of your child or the health of someone you know, please consult with a doctor or other healthcare professional.
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Last Modified: 18/06/2007
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