Breast-feeding is the best food for newly born babies until they are six months old. It is recommended by WHO that mix of breast milk and age-appropriate complimentary food should be administered to babies between six months to two years. Feeding bottles can be introduced to babies when they are six months old. dr brown speen has many advanced technology feeding bottles for your bundle of joy.
Finding the right type of feeding bottle can be a challenging job for both the parents. Parents are advised to try few feeding bottles and settle down for the one the baby likes the most. Let’s see the various types of feeding bottles that are available in the market.
Types of feeding bottles
Basic or straight bottle- This is the conventional type of bottle. This type is used by most of parents. It is easier to clean because of its shape.
Vented bottles-are designed in such a way that it prevents forming air bubbles. It reduces the amount of air baby takes in and hence it is anti-colic. dr brown speen has specialized in anti-colic vented bottles. It has a straw in the bottle by which less air is sucked- in by the baby.
Angled bottles-The bottles help in semi-upright feeding which is a more comfortable way of bottle-feeding. It helps to hold the bottle better. The bent at the neck allows the milk inside to collect at the nipple. This ensures continuous flow.
Materials used–
Glass- glass feeding bottles were used in olden times. It is eco-friendly, heavy and can shatter to pieces in one fall. Silicon sleeves on the bottles make it safer and long lasting.
Stainless steel-is light, unbreakable, BPA free and lasts much longer than glass bottles. It is expensive and not easily available.
Silicon-silicon bottles are eco-friendly, light, unbreakable, BPA free, and long lasting. It is expensive and not readily available.
Plastic- is the most commonly found bottles in the market. It is light, ubiquitous, unbreakable and inexpensive. BPA free bottles should only be used to feed babies. It deteriorates very fast and must be replaced regularly, as it is easily available in the market in different sizes and shapes.
The nipple can be made from plastic or silicon. Silicon are non-allergic and softer than the plastic one. Flat topped and wide nipples feel more like the breast. There are many sizes and flow ranges catering to the different age of the baby. Since every baby is unique, the perfect one has to be tried and tested. Infants need very little milk, so 4-ounce bottle with narrow nipples would be ideal for the baby. Disposable nipples are very handy while travelling. It should be disposed after one use. Sticky or discolored nipples need to be changed. Cracked nipples can harbor bacteria.
Many different types and shapes of feeding bottles are there in the market; from plastic to glass and from wide necked to vented ones. There seems to be a wide range to choose from for your little ones.