If you choose to bottle feed your baby, and then you may be overwhelmed by the different types available. You will have to make many decisions starting with the type of bottle you want to work with. Since baby bottles are generally not used after the baby is a year old, and many get left here and there, spend the least amount of money on them. However, you still want to use baby bottles that are right for your baby.



The market is full of fun and creative baby bottles. I think most parents have been known to buy a particular baby bottle because of the cartoon character on it or because of the color. However, there are more important issues to take into consideration when you are choosing baby bottles.

Most baby bottles are plastic, but some glass ones are still out there. Glass bottles and plastic ones without liners can be tricky to clean. A bottle brush works great to get to the bottom of each one. You can also wash them in a dishwasher. Some plastic baby bottles require you to use a liner. After each use, the liner is thrown away.

The size and shape of the nipple is very important. Most nipples are made from either latex or silicon. If you are breast feeding, make sure you get nipples that are very similar in sucking motion as when your baby is suckling your breast. This will make it easier to go back and forth.

Some nipples allow too much milk through them and others make the baby struggle to get any as they suck. You will need to try various nipples to find the ones that work well for your baby. Once your baby has teeth, you can anticipate going through a great deal of nipples due to holes being bitten into them. At that time, it is a good idea to switch to a thicker nipple.

You will need to take your baby's needs into consideration as well when selecting the right baby bottle. If your infant is colicky, then you will need to use a bottle that has an angle or a vent to reduce the amount of air they suck in while feeding. As your baby gets older, he or she will start trying to hold their own bottle. Try to find ones that are easy to grip and don't slip from their hands.

Since you really don't know how your baby is going to take to a particular bottle or nipple, it is suggested that you buy a variety of each when getting items ready for your baby. Baby bottles and nipples are very inexpensive so this shouldn't be too big of a concern. There is likely going to be some trial and error going on as you get used to your baby and finding out what works well for he or she.

Every baby is different so you can't base your bottle buying on what your friends or family use for their babies.