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Buying Guide: Bottle-Feeding

• Types of Bottles
• Types of Nipples
• Types of Formula
• Bottle-Feeding Accessories
• Safety Tips

Every new parent will need bottles, and all the things that go with them. Even moms who breastfeed will still need bottles for times when it is not convenient to nurse, or if mealtime is spent away from baby. There are a variety of bottles to choose from, as well as assorted nipple styles to go with them. If you choose not to breastfeed, you'll need to decide which formula is best for your baby. Not to worry - there are also lots of accessories available to make bottle-feeding easy and convenient!

Types of Bottles
You can choose from standard or disposable bottles.

• Standard bottles are straight, and some are wider than others. The wider styles are more stable and a bit easier to pump into if you are breastfeeding. Each standard bottle is marked in ounces, and many feature an anti-vacuum function that reduces incidents of colic, gas, or discomfort.
• Disposable bottles, or nursers, use a liner that is placed into a bottle holder so that a nipple can be attached. The airtight and flexible liners contract during feeding, reducing air ingestion and helping to prevent gas. After baby is done feeding, the liner is tossed away. Disposables are convenient when you're on the go, and a good choice for babies with painful gas.

Types of Nipples
Nipples can be either latex or silicon. Latex nipples are golden brown, soft, and a bit more flexible that silicon nipples. Silicon nipples are clear, heat-resistant, and can be cleaned in the dishwasher. Silicone nipples are less porous and less prone to bacteria that latex nipples, and typically last three to four times longer. All nipples should be checked regularly for cracks or other signs of deterioration. It is also best to use a nipple and collar from the same manufacturer to ensure a proper fit and avoid leaks.

Nipples also come in six designs:

• Naturally shaped nipples are soft with a wider base to promote proper latch-on and suckling to help baby transition between breastfeeding and bottle-feeding.
• Orthodontic nipples have an irregular shape with an indent in the center. The nipple elongates after repeated sucking to resemble breastfeeding, and the indent encourages the tonguing action that babies use when they breastfeed. This type of nipple may also be more comfortable for baby's gums and palette, especially when teething.
• Traditional nipples are bell-shaped with a thinner base and tip.
• Anti-vacuum, or vented, nipples are designed with a tiny hole to let air into the bottle as baby sucks on the nipple. The hole is meant to prevent the nipple from collapsing, and reduce the gas and discomfort a baby struggling to get milk can experience.
• Multi-flow nipples can be adjusted to give baby a slow, medium, or fast flow rate of milk. It will give you more flexibility in choosing the right flow for baby during feeding time without having to switch nipples.
• Slotted multi-flow nipples are also adjustable, but feature slots instead of holes. These nipples are designed to accommodate cereal or pulpy juices. You can turn the nipple to adjust the flow based on the thickness of what is in the bottle.

Whichever combination of bottle and nipple you choose, always be aware of what your baby likes or dislikes. Every baby has a preference all their own. If your child doesn't take to the first nipple you offer, buy a different brand or style and try again. Eventually you and baby will find the right combination.

Browse our bottle selection.

Types of Formula
Formula can provide baby with all the nutrients he needs for the first six months, at which point solid food is gradually introduced in the form of baby food. Be sure to check with your pediatrician to make sure your baby is ready for solids, as each child develops at their own rate. When you're looking for formula, you'll find it comes in two different types and three different forms.

• Basic formula is milk-based. However, you should never give a baby ordinary cow's milk. It lacks the nutrients that babies need, and their digestive systems are not yet ready to break down its nutritional components.
• Specialty formula includes soy, lactose-free, hypoallergenic, low iron, and preemie varieties.
• Formula is available in powder, liquid concentrate, and ready-to-feed form. Always follow the manufacturer's instruction when you prepare baby's formula. The manufacturer will also provide storage instructions. Once opened, concentrate and ready-to-feed formula will need to be refrigerated and should only be kept for a limited time.

Bottle-Feeding Accessories
Bottles and nipples will need to be stored, cleaned, sterilized, and kept at the right temperature when they're full of milk or formula. Today you'll find an abundance of accessories that can make every step of the process a little bit easier and more convenient.

• Sterilizers - Choose from stovetop, electric steam, or microwave models. They are easy to use and can keep baby's bottles free from bacteria.
• Dishwasher Baskets - While nipples, collars, and pacifies may be dishwasher safe, you'll need a basket to keep them from getting tossed around the dishwasher and possibly damaged.
• Bottle Organizers - Keep baby's bottles, nipples, collars, hood, and pacifiers organized and easily accessible.
• Bottle Brushes - These are a must for easy cleaning of standard-type bottles.
• Bottle Warmers - Now you can heat baby's bottle without having to go to the kitchen and boil a pot of water. A warmer can get baby's bottle to just the right temperature in a just a few minutes, and most feature an automatic shut-off to prevent bottles from getting damaged or becoming too hot. There are also bottle warmers designed just for the car that can heat a bottle while plugged into a 12-volt vehicle power outlet.
• Insulated Bags - If you're out and about with baby, you'll still need to keep some breast milk or formula on hand. An insulated bag will keep milk cool until baby is hungry, or keep bottles warm for a short time.

Safety Tips
Although feeding baby may seem natural enough, there are a few safety tips to keep in mind.

• Never warm formula or milk in the microwave. It may heat unevenly, creating hot spots that can burn baby.
• Do not let baby fall asleep with a bottle. Formula could accumulate in a sleeping baby's mouth and lead to tooth decay.
• Do not prop up the bottle when feeding baby. You should always feed baby in a semi-upright position, and hold the bottle at an angle you can adjust to avoid choking.
• Do not pour overheated liquids into a plastic liner. Excessive heat can cause the liner to burst.
• Make sure that baby's food, whether it's formula or breast milk, is at room temperature.

Ultimately, your baby will decide which style of bottle and nipple is the most comfortable and appealing. You may want to add several different types of bottles and nipples to your registry to have on hand before baby comes home. The first one you try could end up being baby's favorite but, as any new parent will tell you, it pays to be prepared.

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