MomTricks TeamTable of Contents
No matter how prepared you think you are, you’re in for an interesting experience, that’s for sure. Many a parent has found themselves awake at 4 AM for yet another feeding, wondering how we got ourselves into that situation.
While it can be trying at times, it’s all worth it, believe me.
Anywho, before we even reach the point where we’re getting up all through the night to feed, we need to get a good set of bottles. You might think baby bottles are fairly straightforward and easy to shop for, but hoooold on there.
Long gone are the days when all bottles were made the same. Now we have tons of options in both nipples and the bottles themselves; many bottles come with internal venting systems to reduce colic and gas, and there are slow flow, fast flow nipples and all sorts of other things to look out for.
So, how do you know which bottles are going to work out the best? First of all, you need to know what to look for!
Overall Best Baby Bottles: Dr. Brown’s BPA Free Natural Flow Feeding Set
Dr. Brown’s BPA Natural Flow Bottles (click here to check price on Amazon) are some of the best bottles you can find.
They are BPA free, so you won’t have to worry about harmful chemicals, and are dishwasher safe. If you don’t have a dishwasher, don’t worry; the bottles are very easy to clean by hand, too, thanks to the included bottle cleaner. The feeding set includes everything you need to feed your baby:
- Two 4 oz standard bottles
- Three 8oz standard bottles
- Two extra level 2 nipples
- Two storage/travel caps
- Three small cleaning brushes
Dr. Brown’s feeding bottles are the best-selling bottles on Amazon, with an average rating of 4/5, and thousands of parents around the world are using them. If you have a breast pump then these bottles will connect to most of them, too. If you want a more basic set of bottles, there is also a set that includes only the three 8oz bottles for a slightly lower price.
Baby Bottle Buyer’s Guide (Say That 3 Times Fast!)
Buying bottles isn’t easy. There are so many different varieties out there that you basically have to get lucky the first time, or buy a bunch and hope for the best. Here are some of the concerns you should take into consideration when shopping:
Get bottles that are easy to use. As a first-timer, you’ll want to find some that are not only easy to use in the dark, but easy to use in general. Spilled milk is a crying shame, no matter what the adage might say. You work heard for that milk, so why waste it if it can be avoided?
There are so many things to worry about and the last thing you need is to worry about a bottle that’s hard to take apart and put back together. The more parts, the more difficult, too.
Unfortunately, the best bottles are those that are internally vented to prevent colic, meaning they have more parts. It might be worth your while to get a non-vented and basic set of bottles to get the hang of bottle-feeding, and then upgrade.
The nipple is also important! They come in all different shapes and sizes, and just like bottles, it’s hard to pick the perfect one right off the bat.
Nipples are generally made of clear silicone, but you’ll come across those that are made of latex. While sometimes cheaper, latex breaks down much quicker than silicone and therefore will need to be replaced more often. It’s also not suitable to be put in the dishwasher, which makes it more annoying to clean. Therefore, I strongly recommend avoiding latex nipples if possible.
Glass vs. Plastic: The Great Debate
A long time ago, the only type of baby bottles available to parents were made from glass. Glass bottles weren’t necessarily ideal; breaking glass was a concern, and they were typically heavy and hard to babies to hold.
Eventually, plastic bottles were invented, and since many parents thought these were the best type of baby bottle, glass bottles nearly disappeared.
Unfortunately, there have been recent reports that some types of plastic bottles contain a harmful compound called BPA that was potentially a toxin for babies.
This has obviously been quite a concern for parents, and although the Food & Drug Administration in 2008 deemed items with BPA to be safe, it’s still rightfully a concern for many people.
Should I Be Worried About BPA?
Although there are no studies that show that it may be harmful to humans, many parents feel more comfortable using feeding bottles which are certified BPA-free. In fact, you’ll be hard-pressed to find any American-sold bottles that aren’t BPA-free.
Choosing Between Glass & Plastic Bottles
Some parents may be trying to decide between buying glass or plastic bottles. When it comes to deciding between glass bottles and plastic bottles for your little one, there are just a few things you should think about:
Glass bottles are much heavier than plastic bottles, making them harder for babies to grip and hold. Also, an obvious concern with glass bottles is that they are breakable; if you or your baby drops one or hits it on something hard, it might shatter. On the plus side, glass bottles are easier to clean, are sure to be free of harmful chemicals.
Plastic bottles are lighter and generally less expensive than glass bottles, but as mentioned, some parents are concerned about BPA. Of course, it’s possible to purchase bottles that are certified as being BPA-Free, which should ease any concerns you might have about the chemical.
Plastic bottles are usually less durable than glass bottles, too; plastic will eventually wear down, and you should never put plastic feeding bottles in the microwave. If your plastic bottle ever starts to become scratched or damaged, you should throw it out right away.
Mom Tricks
Jennifer Brown
Lo Mansfield, MSN, RN
Sarah Bailey-Martin
Natalia Guilmino