You can feed your baby breastmilk or infant formula from a bottle. No matter the content or the reason for choosing bottle feeding there are some aspects you need to consider when choosing the right bottle for your baby. We have listed the features we recommend you look for when choosing a baby bottle:
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1. Choose a bottle with an anti-colic function
Bottles with an anti-colic function feature a valve or other ventilation system that ensures a smooth milk flow and reduces air swallowed while feeding.
Colic is when a baby cries a lot, with no obvious cause. All newborns cry sometimes, but if your baby cries for more than 3 hours a day, 3 days a week for at least 1 week, then they may have colic. It is very common and affects about 1 in 5 babies. Doctors do not know what causes colic. Some suggest it is due to digestion problems or a sensitivity to something in the baby's formula or the breastmilk. A tip for trying to reduce colic is to help your baby swallow less air while feeding. When bottle-feeding it could be choosing a bottle with an anti-colic function.
If you want to combine breastfeeding and bottle-feeding a round bottle nipple is preferred. Go for a round nipple that is designed to mimic the mother&#;s soft nipple in shape and size. This is to prevent &#;nipple&#;-confusion if you are both breastfeeding and supplementing with a bottle.
3. Choose a bottle that offers nipples with different flow rates
The flow rate refers to the size of the hole(s) in the nipple, affecting how quickly milk flows into your baby&#;s mouth. For newborn babies, a slow flow rate is recommended for slowing down bottle-feeding to better mimic breastfeeding, to better control milk intake, and secure babies do not overeat. Normally, will the flow rate change over time as the baby grows, and the older the baby gets he or she will prefer a faster flow rate.
4. Choose a bottle in glass
A study published in Nature Food* found that plastic baby bottles can expose infants to thousands (even millions) of particles of microplastics per day. In contrast, glass resists chemicals and acid degradation, so you don&#;t need to worry about harmful chemicals or microplastics leaking into the milk.
Go for a bottle made in borosilicate glass. This type of glass is temperature- and thermal shock-resistant, durable, and much more. Bottles in borosilicate glass withstand freezing, thawing in boiling water, microwave heating, and dishwasher cleaning.
Shop our BIBS Baby Bottle here >>
* Microplastic release from the degradation of polypropylene feeding bottles during infant formula preparation () (https://www.nature.com/articles/s-020--y)
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What to look for in baby bottles: shapes, sizes, and materials
How to know what&#;s best for your baby when it comes to bottles and nipples
Whether you&#;re feeding your little one formula or expressed breast milk, navigating the wide selection of bottles and nipples can feel like a daunting task. As every baby is different, bottles and nipples are certainly not one-size-fits-all.1 It may take some experimenting to find what bottle works best for you and your baby.
Bottles are made of a variety of materials: plastic, silicone, glass, and even stainless steel.
Plastic bottles are lightweight and inexpensive. Some bottles require a disposable plastic bag liner, which can be helpful for cleaning but requires purchasing bags on a regular basis.
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Silicone bottles are softer and more flexible than plastic but may be a more expensive option.
Glass Bottles are sometimes chosen instead of plastic. Glass is long-lasting, is easy to clean, and does not contain the chemicals that plastic bottles may &#; should that be a concern.2,13 The downside is that they are heavier and prone to breakage. Silicone sleeves for glass bottles can be purchased which may help with grip and minimizing the possibility of breakage.
Stainless steel bottles have many of the advantages of glass without being as breakable. Yet it can be difficult to see how much milk is left in the bottle, and these are also a pricier option.
Read more: Everything You Need to Know about How to Prepare and Store Infant Formula
Angle-neck bottles are bent at the neck so that less air is likely to get into the nipple. Some parents think these are easier to hold as well. However, the design makes them a little harder to clean.
Disposable-liner bottles come with a plastic pouch that fits inside the bottle. As your baby drinks from the bottle, the plastic collapses without letting air in. This is claimed by the manufacturers to help prevent the formation of air bubbles in the bottle, which can increase gas in your little one&#;s tummy if swallowed. They are convenient (less cleaning!), but not as eco-friendly and the liners can get expensive if you&#;re exclusively bottle-feeding.
Vented bottles have a straw-like vent that goes through the center. The design claims to eliminate air bubbles that may increase gas in your baby. Despite a lack of evidence that these reduce gas and colic, many parents swear by them. Keep in mind that these extra parts do mean extra cleaning.
Wide-mouth bottles are shorter and wider than typical bottles. They also use wider nipples that claim to mimic a mother&#;s breast and nipple. If you are nursing and bottle-feeding, your baby may prefer the feel of this bottle best &#; but not always! These bottles tend to be easier to clean.
Read about: How to Supplement my Breastfed Baby with Formula
If you are wondering which bottle may work best for you and your little one, our team of registered dietitian nutritionists, fellow moms, and lactation specialists, are available from Monday &#; Friday 8 am &#; 6 pm (ET) to help figure out what may be going on. Chat now!
Bottle Sizes
Bottles typically come in 4-ounce and 8-ounce sizes. Start small when your baby is a newborn and use larger bottles once your baby starts to consume more milk at each feeding.
Read more:
Should I Formula Feed On Demand or on a Schedule?
Should I Breastfeed On Demand or on a Schedule?
Nipple Material
Most nipples are made of clear silicone. However, some nipples are made with latex, which could cause an allergic reaction in sensitive infants.4 Chat with your doctor before using a latex nipple or pacifier to discuss their recommendations.
Note that the flexibility of the nipples can range very much between brands!5,
Nipple Shapes
Almost every bottle nipple claims to imitate a mother&#;s nipple and are available in different shapes. Standard nipples are long with a narrow base and are typically easy for baby to use. Other nipples have a wider base with varying nipple lengths.
Some experts recommend that breastfeeding babies most easily latch deeply on a nipple that have a wider base with a gentle slope down, versus an abrupt widening to the base.5,6, Nipple length can be a factor as well. If the nipple is too long for your baby, they may gag. If it&#;s too short, they may have trouble keeping it in their mouth.6,
Bottom line: Every baby is different! It may take some trial and error to discover which nipple shape and length may work best for your little one.
Read more: How Do I Relieve Gas in my Formula or Bottle-Fed Baby?
Nipple Flow Rates
Bottle nipples come with different-sized openings for milk to flow through. They are often labelled with levels (0 or 1 being the slowest) or &#;slow flow&#;. In reality though, the flow can be very different among brands, levels, and even within the brand or package.6,7,8
If baby is having trouble with the flow, make sure that baby is upright and the bottle horizontal (but tilted enough to keep air out of the nipple). Watch for signs of frustration or taking a longer than usual time to feed, which may mean baby is ready for the next size.
The rule of thumb is that younger babies typically take 2-3 oz in 10-20 minutes and older babies take 3-5 oz in 10-15 minutes.6,
Read more about correct positioning while bottle feeding: What Is Paced Bottle Feeding?
For more information, please visit baby product manufacturers.