Choosing the Best Bottle for Your Baby
Breastfeeding is best for babies. But there are times when bottle-feeding -- either breastmilk or formula -- is helpful or necessary. From angled bottles to straight bottles, from reusable to disposable, today's parents have many choices when it comes to the vessels with which they feed their babies. When purchasing bottles, how do you choose? And what should you take into consideration?
Pediatrician Robyn Jacobson, M.D., of Tampa, Fla., says that when she chose a bottle for her daughter she thought about cost. "I asked myself, 'Should I buy the cheaper bottle or the more expensive one that is supposed to be more like a breast?' says Jacobson. "I decided to go with the cheaper one and she did fine; it didn't seem to matter."
Jacobson says moms should not be concerned about bottles affecting the health of their babies and that the type of bottle you use is really a matter of personal preference. "Medically, does it really, really make a difference? No," explains Jacobson.
Still, there are pros and cons to each different feeding system. Some can help reduce gas while others can help prevent ear infections. When choosing a bottle, it may be helpful to remember the two basic kinds: reusable (those that can be washed and reused) and disposable (includes a holder or nurser and a disposable bag). From there, you will need to decide which system is best for you and your baby based on your needs. Here are the choices on the market today:
Traditional (straight): This is probably one of the most cost-effective, reusable bottles (some are priced as low as 96 cents). This bottle could be right for you if you are on a budget or like bottles that are fairly easy to clean.
Beth Farley of Naperville, Ill. used this type of bottle to feed both of her sons. "I tried other types of bottles but my sons didn't take well to the nipple -- they couldn't get anything out of them," she says. "I just like the regular bottle better. They are easy to clean and you don't run out of liners."
Reusable, Angled: These bottles have a 45-degree bend at the top that makes it easier and more comfortable to hold a baby in the upright feeding position (baby's head above her stomach). The upright position prevents liquid from washing back into baby's middle ear – a known cause of ear infections. They are moderately priced, so they fit most budgets.
Disposable: This system requires two pieces: A hard plastic holder (nurser), and a disposable, soft plastic liner that slips into the holder. These bottles minimize the intake of air into baby's stomach (and thus prevent gassiness) because the liner can be squeezed before feeding to eliminate air; they also collapse as baby feeds, which prevents additional air from entering the bottle. Disposables typically have wide openings and use wide, breast-like nipples. These bottles also come in a "twist" version -- once the liner and liquid are inserted, the top of the nurser can be twisted into a 45-degree angle to help prevent ear infections (see angled). The biggest drawbacks of disposable bottles are that they can be hard to measure the liquid in the bottle accurately, and you must always keep liners in the house.
Mom-to-be Billie Jo Bruha of Valrico, Fla. chose the disposable bottle for its simplicity. "There were a lot of bottles to choose from. I'm planning to breastfeed and I have tendonitis so I wanted something simple," says Bruha. "The disposable nurser is most like the breast and you can squeeze the air out of it. It's also more sanitary, because you can throw it (liner) away."
Bubble-free: These reusable bottles are ideal for gas-prone or colicky babies who don't like disposables. The bottle has a screw-on plastic bottom, which you snap a washable rubber disk into. This unique rubber bottom allows air to enter through the bottom of the bottle, rather than through the nipple, which is the case in most other feeding systems. Indeed, some air is essential for proper bottle feeding -- without it, a vacuum is created and the nipple collapses. However, the problem with air coming in through the nipple is that it mixes with the formula or breastmilk allowing bubbles to be swallowed, which can cause an upset stomach. When the air enters through the bottom, it cannot mix with the liquid, so there are no bubbles for baby to swallow.
Bubble-free bottles are typically on the higher end of the price scale and require some maintenance, such as boiling the rubber ends. On the plus side, both ends screw off, making cleaning easy. Don't be scared by the look of the bottle, which upon first glance appears like it would leak -- it doesn't.
Hands-free feeding: This system can be a lifesaver for parents of multiples. The bottle fastens to a car seat or stroller. A 6-inch tube extends from the top of the bottle to a pacifier-like nipple, making it easy for a young baby, who can't hold a heavy bottle yet, to feed. Of course, these bottles shouldn't be used often, since holding and bonding with your baby during feeding is vital for development.
Chamber: These bottles have separate compartments for pre-measured powdered formula and water. When you're ready to feed baby, you simply twist the top and the formula mixes with the water. These are great for traveling.
Still unsure? Just remember that choosing the right bottle is often a matter of trial and error: Your baby puts it on trial and tells you if you've made an error. For example, you may like the disposable bottles, while your baby hates them and refuses to eat from them. Before you stock up on one kind of bottle, give it a trial run. If you both like it, you’ve hit the jackpot.. |
