There are many different types of bottle nipples available on the market today. So many, that it can be a bit confusing with which one you should use for your baby. Although your baby will take whatever bottle nipple you put into their mouth if they are hungry enough, you should know what the different types of them are. You should also understand which bottle nipple may be best for your baby during feeding time.Here is the information you need to determine the perfect bottle nipple to use to feed your baby.
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The Bottle Nipple Varies By Design
There are many different shapes, sizes, and flow types of bottle nipples available for you to choose from. They all come in different designs. The design doesn’t matter as much as the flow, size, and shape. Knowing the different shapes, sizes, and flows the bottle nipples have and what your baby will be more comfortable using is a good idea. A bottle nipple that allows for your baby to get every drop of the milk or formula easily and comfortably is the best option for them.
You need a bottle nipple that fits right with your baby’s sucking style as well. Not only this, but the size of the hole in the nipple determines how smoothly the milk or formula flows into your baby’s mouth. This allows them to swallow without sucking in too much air easily. If the size of the hole isn’t the right fit, your baby will feed too quickly, too slowly, or swallow too much air while feeding. Swallowing air will give your baby gas and make him or her very uncomfortable and fussy.
Bottle Nipple Sizes
There are a few different sizes for baby bottle nipples. They include the following:
Size One:
Size one bottle nipple has a small hole in it. It is more suitable for babies from birth to six months old.
Sizes Two, Three, and Four:
Sizes two, three, and four come with bigger nipple holes. These sizes are great for babies six months and older.
There are special baby bottle nipples available on the market for a preemie, or premature babies as well.
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What Are the Different Types of Bottle Nipples?
There are three different types of baby bottle nipples you can choose. They are orthodontic, angled, and vented. The orthodontic bottle nipple is designed to look and maybe even feel like your breast. The orthodontic is best for babies who breastfeed. This is because, since they are used to your breast, this bottle nipple will help them feel more relaxed and comfortableThat is what you are aiming for, to keep your baby comfortable while feeding.
What about the other two types of bottle nipples? The second type, which is the angled type, is designed so that the nipple is on a slant. The slant helps so it can fit into your baby’s mouth properly.
Then there is the vented type of nipple. The vented bottle nipple is designed with a small hole to let air out of it while your baby is drinking their milk. The vented is best suited to allow your baby to get their milk or formula without getting too much air in their tummy, which causes gas bubbles to produce.
What is the Ideal Bottle Nipple?
You can determine the perfect bottle nipple for your baby by first holding the bottle upside down. Once you do this, if a few drops of milk or formula come out and then it quits, this is the ideal nipple for your baby. However, if you think the milk or formula is dripping too fast, you need to try one with a smaller hole. You don’t want your baby getting the formula or milk too quickly because he or she may swallow air too, and this will give them gas and a tummy ache. Now, if you see your baby sucking harder on the nipple than he or she should, and you see them getting frustrated, this means you need to try a nipple with a bigger hole.
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Baby Bottle Nipple Shapes
Just like the different types of sizes for baby bottle nipple, there is also the best shape of the bottle nipple. There is a standard bottle nipple that looks like a dome. If you have breastfed your baby in the past and you think he or she will need one like a breast, you are in luck. There are baby bottle nipples that act and look like a breast. There is also a type of bottle nipple called an orthodontic nipple which is made to fit perfectly in your baby’s mouth. The reason for this is because these nipples are shaped to fit the inside of your baby’s mouth properly. The orthodontic bottle nipple fits perfectly inside your baby’s mouth because it is wide at the base and tip and the middle of it is narrow.
What Are The Different Materials For Baby Bottle Nipples?
There are two different kinds of materials for baby bottle nipples. They are latex and silicone. There are a few problems with latex, however. This material tends to be softer, which isn’t a bad thing, but it also tends to hold the odor of milk and wears out faster than silicone. Silicone, on the other hand, is sturdier, easier to clean, and can last up to one year. Silicone is the better choice when it comes to choosing the best material for a bottle nipple.
When to Clean and Replace the Bottle Nipples?
Before the very first use of your bottle nipple and bottle, you need to wash them both in the dishwasher or by hand with hot, soapy water. It may help to invest in a bottle brush to clean your baby bottles properly. You will need to clean the bottle and bottle nipples again after every use. Always check the bottle nipple for wear and tear after each use and cleaning of it. You will need to replace the nipple with larger ones as your baby grows.
I hope that this article can help you be better prepared when bottle feeding your child!
Related Article: The Top Ten Baby Bottles of 2018
