If you are a first time baby bottle buyer, you may think that all baby bottles are basically the same. But, they actually come in many different shapes, sizes, and styles. I've covered in detail the top ten baby bottles of 2018 here under the individual review section to help you pick the right one for you and your baby. 

It is recommended to slowly introduce a bottle to your baby. Some like to offer a bottle in the evening after his or her regular feeding. Start with a small amount of breast milk and then gradually increase the use of the baby bottle as she or he gets the hang of it. 

Another option is to leave the house and let someone else, like your spouse, feed him or her so they don't have another option. This is really going to be a matter of individual mothering, and choices of how you want to get him or her switched over from the breast to the bottle. 

Breastfed babies have fewer infections and are hospitalized at a much lower rate than formula fed babies. The best way to feed a baby is straight from the breast. However, this is not always possible, especially for mothers who are returning to work, have adopted, or are physically unable to. The second best solution if you can't be there to breastfeed your baby, is going to be to use a baby bottle .

Bottles are funny in that there isn't one brand that is going to be perfect for every baby. Each baby is unique and will have preferences that are her and his own. One thing that lactation specialists have found is that you need to give your baby time to develop the muscles that they need to switch from the breast to the bottle. Some babies may go through many bottles until they find one that is right for him or her. 

The World Wide Health Organization recommends breastfeeding for a very minimum of 6 months, but notes that 2 years or longer is better. If you will be using bottles of breast milk, try to keep up with breast pumping for the best health outcome for your baby. See our individual review guides to learn about the best bottles for breastfed babies.  

Breastfed babies are at a health advantage over bottle fed babies. Breast milk contains infection fighting white blood cells and natural chemicals that help fight disease. Dr. Sears, a famous pediatrician states that one drop of breast milk contains around one million white blood cells. 

Breastfed babies have the advantage that their milk will change according to their needs as they age. For example, the breast milk that a mother produces fro her premature infant differs from the milk she produces for a full grown baby. 

A mother's milk is specially formulated for her unique baby.  Even though baby formula companies try to mimic a mother's milk, they simply can't.  However, not all bottle fed babies are fed formula.  Many mother's must pump milk out of necessity so that their baby's can have the best nourishment when they aren't there to provide it.

However you decide to feed your baby, breastfeeding is very different from bottle feeding.  The first difference is that the skin to skin contact is diminished greatly with bottle feeding.  Also, breastfed babies don't take in as much air as bottle fed babies. That means less gas and less tummy aches for breastfed babies.

Many of the bottles on our review say that they reduce or eliminate colic. Some forms of colic can be caused by too much air being swallowed when the baby sucks from bottle. Many of the bottles on this top ten baby bottle list claim that they will reduce colic symptoms by reducing air intake. 

Silicone bottles are not as popular as glass and plastic bottles.  These bottles are BPA free, and very lightweight.  Silicone bottles are soft and easy for babies to hold.  To clean, you can put them in the dishwasher.  Unlike plastic bottles, silicone bottles are not as porous, and they resist stains.  They are also not heavy, which is a nice feature.  However, this type of bottle is not as sterile as glass bottles.  

BPA, which stands for bisphenol A, is used to make polycarbonate plastic.  Polycarbonate plastic can be found in baby bottles since that is what makes them clear and hard.  Unfortunately, BPA is not the safest material.  Studies have shown that using BPA in baby bottles could result in health problems for infants and children.  If you heat the bottle in a hot sterilizer or microwave, there is a chance that the baby could ingest a small amount of BPA.  Because of this health risk, BPA-free bottles have become a common baby bottle.  BPA-free plastic will decrease the chance of your baby getting sick over the plastic.  You may also want to try using glass bottles, since they do not contain any BPA plastic.  The Lifefactory glass bottle is a good choice, since it is BPA-free and inexpensive.  Another alternative to avoid health problems is to heat your bottles by using a jug filled with water, or a bottle warmer.

Feeding your baby out of a baby bottle will result in having to clean the bottles.  Fortunately, there are many bottle cleaning tips, as well as tools that can help make cleaning the bottles easier.  I'll go over a few ways to clean your baby bottle here.

Bottle Brush

One of the easiest way to clean a bottle is to use a bottle brush. There are two types: scrubby and bristle.  Bottle brushes make cleaning so much easier, since it reaches down into the bottle and scrubs it.

Sterilize the Baby Bottles

There are many ways to sterilize baby bottles.  An easy way to sterilize them is to place the bottles in a bowl and run hot water over them.  Another way to sterilize bottles is to put them in a kettle that is on the stove, once the stove is turned off.  If you are using this method, make sure that your bottles do not contain BPA.  If they do, there is a slight chance that your child may ingest some plastic if you expose the bottle to hot temperatures.  You may also be able to find a bottle warmer that sterilizes bottles, which can be used with BPA bottles.

Put Them in Your Dishwasher

Putting your baby bottles in the dishwasher is an easy way to clean them.  Before you put the bottles in a dishwasher, make sure they are dishwasher safe.

An easy and quick way to heat milk is to place it in a bottle warmer.  You can also place it in a jug of hot water.  Both methods are good, although bottle warmers may be more efficient.  With that in mind, some bottle warmers do not heat the bottle evenly.

There are many ways to increase your breast milk supply.  First, make sure that your child is nursing from your breast often. While breastfeeding, make sure to have him switch to the other breast every once in a while.  Avoid giving your child pacifiers and bottles, since they may make him not as hungry for breast milk.  If you will be giving your baby a bottle, you will want to use a breast pump.