Baby Bottles! So many choices.

Hi there!

Have you ever walked over to the bottle section in a baby store?  There are so many options it could make your head spin.  Today, I thought I would discuss the different options available for you, and what my baby bottle recommendations are.

My first recommendation is do not to buy too many bottles before your baby is born, I suggest no more than 3.  This is because babies can actually be very picky about their bottle.  You may have a ton of one brand only to find your baby will not take it for anything.  Now you have a bunch of bottles that will never be used.  Learn from my mistakes, it was a big waste of money stocking up.

OK, now you are off to pick out your bottles.  The first thing to think about is glass or plastic?  I prefer plastic.  I just think that they are easier.  Now 6 years ago when my oldest was born, no one really talked about chemicals in the plastic bottles.  By the time my youngest was born that was all I heard about.  I do not know for sure that this could be harmful for your baby, but I didn’t want to take the chance.  So, I made sure to get bottles that are BPA-free.  My attitude is better safe than sorry.

Another thing to think about is the flow of the nipple.  I suggest you start off with the slowest flow they make, but maybe have one nipple for the next flow just in case.  Most newborns prefer a slow flow in the beginning, but you may have a baby that gets frustrated by the slow flow.  This way you will have a back-up to eliminate his/her frustrations.

There are also a variety of nipple shapes.  Now, if you do not plan on nursing, the nipple shape probably will not matter much.  If you do plan on nursing, I suggest looking for a nipple that has a wide base.  You do not want the baby to have nipple confusion.  The wide base will be most like the shape of the mother’s breast.

Nipples come in two materials.  They come in latex and silicone.   This too is a matter of personal preference.  I chose the silicone.  I do not like the smell of the latex, and they can hold the taste of other things.

The final thing to look at when it comes to baby bottles is the ventilation system or shape.  Some bottle have drop in liners to help eliminate how much air the baby swallows.  This makes cleaning the bottle easier, but adds to the garbage and is a bigger expense.  Some have ventilation systems inside to help control air flow, and some are shaped differently.  Make sure whatever type you choose find out if it is dishwasher safe or has bottle cleaners that are made to fit it.  You want to be sure that your baby’s bottle is always clean.

My personal preference is Born Free bottles.  They seem to work well for switching back and forth from breast to bottle, and they do have a built in ventilation system.  I have tried many many bottles, and I just liked them the best.