The characteristics of the birth bottle
Whichever baby bottles you choose, buying at least 6 will make it easier for you to organise your daily routine. In fact, you can sterilise them once for the whole day.
What is the ideal material for a first bottle?
The pharmaceutical glass of which some bottles are made is hygienic and natural. It is designed to withstand the heat of cleaning, sterilising and warming. It does not retain stains or odours and does not tarnish over time. Glass is a durable but fragile material that will break if dropped. This is why it is not recommended when your baby grows up and starts to take his bottle by himself.
Plastic is shock resistant and lighter. There is no need to worry about its safety: no baby bottles today contain bisphenol A. Plastic may become dull and less transparent with use, but it is still a durable option that will stay with your child for a long time.
A new generation of baby bottles is now available: all-silicone bottles. They are unbreakable and very soft to the touch, but do not allow you to see the level of the contents.
What shape should I choose for a baby bottle?
Cylindrical bottles are the most common, they are easy to hold and are the ones used in maternity hospitals. They are easy to clean, especially if the neck opening is wide, which also makes filling easier. If you have limited storage space, there are ranges of bottles that fit together.
What is the ideal capacity of a baby bottle?
From birth to 9 months, you can optimise your budget by choosing a range of bottles from 90 to 240 ml. Up to 150 ml, they will continue to be used for a long time, for water and fruit juice. Don't hesitate to include a small 30 to 50 ml bottle for taking medication.
Which teat should I use for a baby bottle?
Nipples are at least as important as the bottles themselves. Some bottles are angled at 30° to prevent reflux and colic, but they are not easy to clean. There are nipples that reproduce this angle so that they are always full and do not bring air in during feeding. They can be fitted to standard bottles. Some teats for baby bottles also have an off-centre hole, for the same reason.
There are hardly any rubber nipples left, most of them are now made of medical silicone. They all meet the European standard 90/128/EEC, which guarantees quality and durability.
For a birth bottle, there are anatomical teats that reproduce the shape of the breast, which makes it easier for your baby to suck and, when the time comes, allows for a smooth transition from breastfeeding.
Complementary accessories for baby bottles
There are a number of accessories for baby bottles to help you prepare for your baby's arrival:
- The steriliser and the bottle brush make cleaning easier, for impeccable hygiene.
- The special drip trays limit the space required for drying.
- The bottle warmer ensures that your baby is always fed at the right temperature.
When you go for a walk with your baby, the milk dispenser allows you to take the necessary amount of powdered milk with you.
