Whether your baby is going to drink formula from birth or if you have switched from breast to mixed or bottle-feeding, choosing the bottle is a most important decision. It goes far beyond aesthetic criteria, since the drawings of the container are the least of your worries.
First of all, you should look at the material, glass or plastic. The first is more suitable for newborns, since it is more durable, it cleans better and there is no risk of it falling, since it is the parents who hold it. When the baby grows and begins to hold the bottle on its own, it is convenient to change to a plastic one. Although they are more complex to sterilize, they are more resistant so that it does not break if you drop it.
Another criterion that must be assessed is the size of the bottle and the shape of the teat. This issue will be determined by the particular needs of the baby. This implies their age, their development, their nutritional demand and their own suction.
The size of the bottle itself will depend on the age of the baby. In newborns, this can be smaller, since their shots will be less abundant. As he grows, he will need more milk and he will gradually incorporate cereals, so the bottle must be larger to have enough capacity.
On the other hand, it is essential to adapt the size and shape of the teat to the needs and growth of the child. The manufacturers indicate the recommendations for the shape and size of the teat depending on the months of the baby. But in addition to the shape of the teat itself, you also have to pay attention to its hole.
In its first months of life, the teat hole must be small, for a slow drip. As the baby grows, he suckles harder, has a greater appetite and needs to drink more milk. To this is added that their bottles will begin to incorporate cereals. Therefore, you will need a teat with a larger hole, with which to ingest more food with each suck. You will notice that the teat is inadequate because the little one will get more tired during feedings, get frustrated, cry or fall asleep.
Apart from changing the bottle and nipple as the baby grows, it will also have to be replaced from time to time for hygiene and safety reasons. The general recommendation is to renew the teat every two months.
But, in addition, it will be necessary to change the teat or bottle if they deteriorate. If there are cracks, scratches, breaks, a bad smell or a change in color in the material, it is time to replace them. To extend the life of the bottle, it should be washed after each use and sterilized properly. As the child grows, sterilizations can be spaced out more so that the child's immune system can be strengthened.
