Bottles
There are a lot of little small things that you don't know as a new parent. If you are bottle feeding, bottle types and nipples are two of the big things to learn. Here are some tips.
Bottles
There are so many baby bottles available that it is enough to make your head spin. Let's start with bottles and sort it out.
First, only get bottles that are BPA Free. It is not required but strongly recommended. Click here to find articles and read more about BPA.
Second, bottles come in three basic sizes: 4, 8, and 9 ounce. As you might have guessed, the smallest is typically used for newborns (or small meals). However, these smaller bottles can also be used later for things like juice and water. The bigger bottles are a must have as your baby grows. You are going to need some of both. I will tell you that the more of any particular size you have, the less often you have to clean.
Now that you know the sizes and their uses, let's turn to bottle types. Again, there are 3 basic types: straight, angled, and disposable systems.
Standard bottles These are the bottles with a straight neck and body and have been used for generations. These are reusable and easily marked for measurement. Buy clear bottles so you can observe the milk flow as baby drinks it.
Angled bottles These are the bottles that have an angled or a curved neck. The design of this bottle type is to reduce baby's air intake. Less air intake usually means less gas.
Disposable systems Disposable systems have a hard plastic shell called the nurser, which holds disposable plastic bags. You can use the nurser over and over, but the bags are one-time use. One advantage to this system is that you don't have to "clean" the bottles as much because you are using a new, pre-sterilized with each feeding. Another supposed advantage is that the disposable bags contract to prevent babies from sucking in air bubbles that cause them to spit up. Although you may not have to clean the bottle each time, you will still need to clean the nurser (from time to time) and nipples just like a regular bottle.
Nipples
The other big component of bottle feeding is the nipple. One of the most important thing to look for is the size of the nipple hole. The smaller the hole, the lower the flow. Newborns need a small flow of milk; whereas, older babies can handle more. If baby appears to be sucking too hard, you probably need a fast/medium-flow nipple; an overly resistant nipple could collapse under baby's strong sucking motion. Conversely, if baby seems to be sputtering and gulping often, try a slow-flow nipple.
Just as with baby bottles, there are a variety of nipples to choose from:
Traditional, bell-shaped nipples These have a range of hole sizes from standard to small for newborns, to large for toddlers or for pulpy juice drinks. Slow-flow nipples usually have just one hole, while faster-flow nipples have multiple holes or a Y-shaped opening that allows you to determine the feeding pace.
Orthodontic nipples Orthodontic nipples have an irregular shape and are designed to resemble a mother's nipple in the baby's mouth after repeated sucking. The nipples are elongated and have an indent in the center to evoke the same tonguing action of breastfeeding babies.
Latex nipples This nipples are elongated to promote breastfeeding-like suckling action, latex nipples cause the milk to be delivered at the back of the baby's tongue instead of the mouth. However, latex nipples should be checked after two to three months for deterioration, cracks, or clogging.
Silicone nipples These are made of a clear, heat-resistant material that can withstand being washed in a dishwasher. Since silicone is a less porous material than latex, it isn't as prone to bacteria. Typically, silicone nipples last three to four times longer than latex, but all nipples should be checked every two to three months for deterioration.