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Practical Considerations for Bottle-Feeding

by Susan E. Davis
reviewed by Laura Jana, M.D., F.A.A.P.

Bottles can be used to serve a baby either breast milk that the mother has pumped or commercial formula. And whether a mother is breastfeeding or formula-feeding, a bottle can both give her a break and allow Dad (or any other loving family member) a chance to feed, cuddle, and bond with his new little one.

No matter what the feeding scenario in your house, you'll need--at the very least--about a half dozen bottles, with nipples, on hand. What kind of bottles? Well, it actually depends more on what kind of nipple your baby likes. Newborn nipples are low-flow, meaning that the liquid comes out a little at a time, just the right amount for a newborn to handle without choking. Older infants can drink more fluid at once than newborns can; you can always convert the newborn nipples by poking a sterilized needle into the nipple's existing holes, thus saving the expense of buying new ones. Some high-end nipples are said to better imitate the mother's breast than older styles, making the transition to bottle-feeding easier. It's hard to say what babies think about this, so you'll need to experiment with several kinds of nipples before deciding which type works best for your baby.

If you buy six bottles, pick up nipples for each, plus a couple extra; they get lost easily, and you might have trouble making the holes just the right size. Also keep in mind that generally, you can't use one manufacturer's nipple on another manufacturer's bottle, so your whole feeding system will depend on which nipple is used.

When it comes to getting bottles thoroughly clean, a bottle brush and a nipple brush are essential. You also can buy dishwasher racks specifically made to hold nipples, rings, and bottle caps, so you don't lose those little pieces during the washing cycle.
 RELATED INFORMATION
*  Feeding Development: An Overview
*  Formula Feeding


Created January 29, 2001
Reviewed January 30, 2001
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