Bottle-feeding: choosing the right bottles and teats
The pros and cons of different materials and shapes
Navigating the wide world of baby bottles and teats can be daunting to a new parent. Walking down a baby aisle jammed with options is enough to send even experienced Mums and Dads running. And, like most things baby-related, there is no one-size-fits-all.
Whether you’re feeding your little one formula or expressing breast milk, it may take some time to find which bottles and teats work best for you and your bundle of joy. Different ones suit different babies – so it’s down to you to see what works best. But, with the variety of brands and materials, some new parents can find this task troublesome.
That’s why we’ve put together this detailed, yet simple guide to bottle-feeding equipment. It has everything you need to know about the various types of bottles and teats – and how to decide what’s best for you and your baby.
Types of baby bottles
These days, baby bottles are made from a variety of materials. Re-introduced as an alternative to plastic, glass bottles are growing in popularity, but most plastic bottles sold today are BPA-free. Other options are silicon and stainless steel.
Most standard bottles come in 4-ounce (approx. 120mL) and 8-ounce (225mL) sizes. Start small with your newborn and use larger bottles once your baby starts to consume more milk as he grows. All have their pros and cons which we’ve listed below.
Basic bottles
These standard bottles, narrow and cylindrical, usually come with teats and lids. They are the most widely available and very reasonably priced. They have self-seal lids and usually fit a range of standard teats and accessories. But they can be a little tricky to fill, and your baby may swallow air as they feed because of their narrow-neck design.
Anti-colic bottles
These bottles are designed to reduce the amount of air your baby takes in while feeding – a possible cause of colic (uncontrollable crying because of wind). They usually have air vents, tubes or collapsible bags for the milk to help reduce the amount of air swallowed.
These bottles aren’t a guaranteed cure, but if your baby is often unsettled after feeds, they’re worth a try. Just be aware that these bottles are more expensive and can be fiddly to clean.
Wide-necked bottles
Shorter and fatter than standard, these wide-necked NUK polypropylene bottles are easy to fill and clean. They use wider teats that tend to better mimic the breast – which babies love for obvious reasons – and can help reduce the risk of air ingestion during feeding, like this Br Brown's Wide Neck Bottle. They usually come with silicone rather than latex teats and have a self-sealing lid. However, they take up more space in your steriliser so you won’t be able to clean as many bottles at once.
Unusually-shaped bottles
Some baby bottles are specially designed for little hands. Oval-shaped bottles with a hole in the middle for fingers to grip are most common. Even though they’re trickier to clean, they’re great for teaching older babies to drink unaided.
Glass bottles
While glass is a lot heavier than plastic – and will break easily if (or when!) dropped, bottles like this Bibs option will last a lot longer than plastic alternatives. Made from heat-resistant, toughened glass, they won’t stain, can withstand sudden changes in temperature, are environmentally friendly and free of chemicals.
Types of teats
These come in various flow sizes, materials and shapes. Some features will be more important than others, so it’s good to know what your options are when choosing a suitable teat.
Materials
Most teats are made from silicone or latex – and you’ll likely find your baby prefers one or the other. Latex teats are softer and more flexible (a good option if you have a fussy baby that won’t take a bottle), but they deteriorate quickly and need to be replaced regularly (in weeks or months). Silicone teats are more durable when washed or boiled, and are a great alternative if your baby is sensitive to latex.
Shapes and sizes
Teats are designed to imitate a mother’s nipple. Standard teats are a traditional bell shape with a narrow base, easy for babies to use. Others are more bulbous with wider bases and varying teat lengths. To feed comfortably, your baby will need to open their mouth wide and draw in the teat, so they can make a tight seal around it. All that matters is that your baby is comfortable, enjoys feeding time and gains healthy amounts of weight.
Flow rates
The number and type of holes in the tip of a teat will determine the flow rate – how fast the milk goes into your baby’s mouth. If it’s too fast, you run the risk of overfeeding or making your baby cough and splutter. If the flow rate is too slow, your baby might become frustrated or fall asleep before they've had enough.
Teats are often labelled with level numbers indicating the flow rate. Babies develop at their own rate but generally, newborns prefer a slow-flow teat while they’re learning to feed. As your little one grows more efficient at feeding, the flow rate can get faster.
The teat on this NUK Nature PP Bottle has several tiny openings modelled on the milk ducts of a mother’s breast – allowing baby to enjoy a more natural flow while feeding.
Top tips for buying baby bottles and teats
- Buy multiple bottles – and even more teats. Teats normally come with the bottle, but it pays to have more teats than bottles, as they’ll need replacing more often. These Vital Baby Nurture Bottles come in a handy two-pack for extra value.
- Check – and change – teats regularly, especially once your baby’s teeth start coming through. A damaged teat is a choking hazard.
- Try a variety of bottles and teats. Babies can be picky, so avoid buying one type of bottle or teat in bulk at first. Instead, purchase a few different kinds of bottles and teats that fit together.
- Experiment before deciding what works best. Don’t give up if your little one rejects a bottle and teat the first time. Give your baby enough chances to try one type before switching to a new one – constantly changing can lead to even more frustration.
- Don’t forget cleaning equipment. You'll need a bottle brush to clean your bottles properly before sterilising, and a teat brush to get into the tips of the teats.
