Silicone Feeding Bottle Features and Types
It can be overwhelming to choose the best Silicone feeding bottle to feed your baby. There are many types of bottles available in the market, and the truth is, sometimes you need to try more than one before you find the right baby bottle for your baby.
Different babies have different requirements. For example, a strictly bottle-fed baby may prefer a specific type of nipple design, while a primarily breastfed baby may need a longer nipple or wider mouth. Or you may have a preemie baby, a baby with colic, or another situation that could warrant special features.
Even two babies with seemingly similar needs might have different preferences for a drinking bottle. It can take some trial and error, and that’s completely normal.
As a parent, you may not have a problem with plastic bottles, or you may only want a glass or silicone feeding bottle. Some bottles are easier to wash and/or sanitize than others. The CDC recommends taking additional sanitizing precautions for babies younger than 4 months, those born prematurely, or with a weakened immune system.
SILICONE FEEDING BOTTLE FEATURES TO KNOW
Before heading to the store, it helps to understand the types of Silicone Baby Bottle available for babies. Here are some key differences to recognize.
Nipples
Nipples come in levels for different flow rates; the slowest nipples are made for newborns, and they’re usually level one. Replace nipples as Baby is ready for the next size – usually if they’re sucking fiercely or appearing frustrated when feeding. (You might need a smaller nipple size if there’s too much milk flow). Also replace nipples whenever they’re cracked, discolored, or thinning.
Parents can also choose the material of the nipple: Silicone material is firm and durable; latex is softer and doesn’t last as long. Note that some babies are allergic to latex.
SHAPE
Some silicone feeding bottle are straight, while others are angled (which prevents Baby from swallowing air) or wide (which mimics breastfeeding to reduce nipple confusion). A Silicone Feeding Bottle with a broader neck is easier to clean.
Material
Baby Feeding Bottles come in many different materials, including plastic, glass, silicone, and stainless steel. Each has its advantages and disadvantages.
Plastic: While plastic bottles are shatterproof and lightweight, they need to be replaced more often than other types. Plastic bottles are generally considered safe nowadays, though older secondhand versions may contain bisphenol A (BPA), which the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has banned in baby bottles.
Glass: Some parents love glass Baby Feeding Bottle for their durability, but they’re also heavier, more expensive, and breakable. You can buy silicone sleeves that might prevent the glass bottle from shattering if dropped.
Silicone: Food-grade silicone bottles are lightweight, flexible, and made without BPA. They tend to be harder to find and pricier than other options.
Stainless Steel: Although these bottles are durable and don’t contain any toxins, they come with a hefty price tag. As another downside, you can’t see inside of a stainless-steel bottle, so it’s harder to know how much milk Baby consumed.
Disposable Liners: Some Silicone Baby Feeding Bottle work with sterilized plastic liners that you throw away after every use. Disposable bottle liners make for easy clean-up, but they’re costly and not environmentally friendly.
CONCLUSION
When it comes to feeding baby, there is a steep learning curve for all new parents. But finding the Silicone Feeding Bottle – whether you’re breastfeeding or formula-feeding—can help make things a lot easier (along with a supportive nursing pillow!).
These days there are dozens of baby bottle brands to choose from, all claiming to be among the best bottles for newborns. From BPA-free Silicone Baby Feeding Bottle to glass baby bottles and everything in between, it can be hard to know exactly what kind of bottle to look for. But whether you’re hoping to eliminate nipple confusion, prevent colic or are just aiming for something that’s easy to wash and store.
The best Silicone Feeding Bottle stand out from the rest, thanks to their stellar design, smart innovations and all-around user-friendliness.
Hi, I am the author of this article. For the past 10 years or so, we have been dedicated to meeting the custom silicone product needs of our customers from over 50 countries and regions around the world.
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