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Baby bowl Plastic bowls with high sides and a ‘lip’ or gripper on the edge for you to hold are convenient for when you're feeding your baby. Once they are trying to self-feed, bowls with lower, gently curving sides and a textured easy-to-grip rim can help them stay in control. You may hear that you should keep the teat full of milk to avoid swallowing air. However where the milk flow is too fast and not in your baby's control, it is more likely to cause indigestion or gas (Kellymom, 2020). Anecdotally, babies whose parents use paced feeding suffer less from gas (Herman, 2021). Slow flow is generally preferable for newborns, while you’re both learning how to feed. If the flow rate is too fast it makes paced feeding more difficult. In which case babies would have very little control over how they feed: milk would flow into their mouth faster than they can swallow it. This might make your baby cough or splutter, or struggle to keep up with the flow of milk so it dribbles to the side of their mouth. This could also mean they feel upset, get indigestion and bring up lots of milk.
Tablets or liquid containing diluted bleach are placed into a measured amount of cold water inside the steriliser tank. Bottles must then be completely immersed in the solution, making sure there are no air bubbles where bacteria could survive (you need to be especially careful about this if the bottles are sterilised lying on their side). These come with grippable handles, which make it easier for your baby to hold, though keep in mind that it could get messy if they use the handles to wave the cup about and it's not leak-proof. Since 2011, the European Commission has banned the use of Bisphenol A (BPA) in baby bottles. This was due to concerns that the chemical could leach out of the plastic and be absorbed by babies. None of the bottles for sale in the UK should have BPA (NCT, 2011).
Different types of teat for different circumstances
A Level 1 or newborn teat generally comes on every bottle and is a great starting point for many babies. When your baby is first starting to use a cup, a small cup with a soft plastic spout is ideal as a transition from a bottle. Once your baby has got used to holding it, you can move onto a hard spout or straw cup. Leak-proof cups Glass baby bottles While not widely available, these are one to consider if you're concerned about the environmental impact of using plastic bottles. As formula isn't sterile, it’s recommended that you make it as your baby needs it, using water that's at least 70ºC, and to use it within two hours. Some advantages of using these bottles are that they can be easy to fill and clean. On the other hand, they can take more space in a steriliser so you probably won’t be able to clean as many bottles at once (Which? 2019). Ready-to-feed bottles
Baby bottle cooler bag These insulated bags keep milk fresh when you’re out and about; single or multi-bottle sizes are available. You may also have a bottle-insulating compartment in your changing bag.These bottles are shorter and fatter than the basic ones but you can put the same amount of milk in them. They usually come with silicone rather than latex teats and have a self-sealing lid.
As a baby’s feeding develops and they are taking a longer time feeding from a Level 2 teat, many parents choose to move up to a Level 3 teat. Some parents are cautious about using latex teats due to the risk of developing a latex allergy, particularly if there is a family history of allergy to latex (Kimata, 2004). Parents who bottle feed find that they may need to move onto using larger bottles as their baby grows and milk consumption increases. Every baby is different so there isn’t a set age for when this should happen (Unicef, 2019). It’s important to follow your baby’s feeding cues and signs that they need more milk, such as finishing each feed and seeming to want more (NHS, 2015; Unicef, 2016). What type of feeding bottle is best?
When should I change bottle teat size?
If the hole in a baby bottle teat is too large and the flow rate is too fast for your baby, then it is possible for excess air to flow through with the milk and increase the likelihood of reflux. How long do teats last? Sterilisers with drying cycles included mean you can use the bottles straight away, rather than waiting for them to cool down. NHS (2019b) Sterilising Baby Bottles, Available at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/baby/breastfeeding-and-bottle-feeding/bottle-feeding/sterilising-baby-bottles/ [Accessed 3 December 2021] Many parents want to know ‘which brand of baby bottle is best?’ The fact is there is no independent research showing differences in feeding ability or pattern from different brands of bottles or teats (Which, 2021; Scheel, 2005). It’s down to you and your baby to see what works for you. Here’s an overview of the main types of bottles available on the market: Basic bottles If you plan to use bottles occasionally, or once a day, then it might make sense to buy just one bottle and teat.
NHS (2019a) How to make up baby formula, Available at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/baby/breastfeeding-and-bottle-feeding/bottle-feeding/making-up-baby-formula/ [Accessed 3 December 2021] Pros: No water or chemicals used, most come with drying cycles so bottles can be used straight away, don't need to descale. Cons: Generally these only take four bottles (other types take six or eight), some sterilisers can’t be used in the most powerful modern microwaves, some may not fit in smaller microwaves. Cold-water sterilisers
What teat should I use?
If you’re planning to breastfeed it isn't necessary to buy bottles ‘just in case’. Over 90% of maternity units in the UK are now Baby Friendly Accredited, which means a midwife on the infant feeding team should be able to support you if you do have any difficulties with breastfeeding straight after birth (UNICEF 2017). They’ll help you with hand-expressing your colostrum and feeding it to your baby using a spoon, syringe or feeding cup (Unicef 2017). Find out whether your maternity unit is accredited here. Breast-like: Distinctive, silicone, breast-like teat feels closer to skin and flexes like mum for a comfortable feed and supports in the transition from breastfeeding to bottle feeding These warmers normally have an indicator light that goes off when the milk reaches the right temperature, and a thermostat, which keeps the temperature of the water constant.
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