Written by Laura – Resident Baby Nurse at Choice Pharmacy
Bottle feeding your baby may begin immediately after birth, or it might be used for mixed feeding or weaning.
Some useful tips to help decide which bottle will work best:
Baby bottles aren’t all the same!
1. Baby Bottles Vary:
Bottles come in different shapes and sizes, so the choice depends on your baby’s age and needs. Newborns typically require smaller bottles with slower-flow teats.
2. Mimicking the Breast:
If you’re combining breastfeeding with bottle feeding, choose a bottle designed to mimic the breast. For instance, Pigeon Softouch bottles are specifically designed for this purpose.
3. Bottle Neck Types:
- Slim Neck Bottles: Ideal for smaller babies.
- Wide Neck Bottles: Better for combination feeding, as they are often easier to clean and fill.
4. Teat Types:
Teats come in various shapes and flow rates. Some teats are designed to prevent colic by reducing air intake, while others cater to specific needs, such as feeding difficulties, cleft lip or palate, or premature infants.
- Teat Hole Styles:
- Round Hole Teats: Provide a fast flow of milk.
- Cross Cut or Y-Cut Teats: Offer a slower flow, with milk coming out only when the baby sucks.
5. Adjusting Teat Sizes:
If your baby seems frustrated, is taking too long to feed (ideal feeding time is 10-15mins), or if the teat collapses during sucking, you may need to adjust the teat size to better suit their needs.
Free Baby Nurse Service is available at Box Hill, Colebee, Eastern Creek & North Kellyville Store.
You can book our Baby Nurse for in-store consultation online or walk-in.
