Congratulations! Youre having a baby. And, just as you begin to wrap your mind around THAT amazing event you realize your baby is going to need... things. Lots and lots of baby things.
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It can easily become overwhelming (and sometimes just plain confusing) when researching and comparing baby products like bottles, nipples, and pacifiers. Chicco can help you navigate the information overload, giving you the facts so you can feel more confident choosing products that fit your babys preferences, your needs, and your lifestyle.
Feeding time is bonding time for everyone in the family. So, whether you choose to exclusively breastfeed, combination feed or to use formula youre going to want baby bottles on hand.
Valerie Trumbower, a DONA Certified Postpartum Doula (PCD) and a Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC) recommends that you wait until your baby is between 4-6 weeks old if everything is going well. The following video from Valerie features some great tips for when and how to introduce a bottle to your little one.
Chicco Introducing a Bottle to your Baby
Video courtesy of Valerie Trumbower, DONA Certified Postpartum Doula (PCD) and Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC).
The simple answer is the bottle your baby prefers. Obviously, this involves some trial and error. Youll also want to consider what type of bottle works for you and your family. As a parent, youll want to consider if the bottles you want to try are comfortable to hold, easy to use, and most importantly, easy to fill, clean and sterilize.
Spend two minutes researching baby bottles and youll see just how many options are out there. Baby bottles come in a wide variety of shapes and materials with nipples just as varied in design. For this discussion, were going to review basic baby bottle materials glass, plastic, silicone and stainless steel.
Glass and plastic are the most popular choices as far as material goes, but silicone and stainless steel are also available. Each material comes with pros and cons and reviewing these can help you choose.
PROS:
Lightweight and unbreakable. BPA-free, soft and comfortable to hold.
CONS:
Silicone bottles are more expensive than glass or plastic. And, depending on the size and shape of the bottle, you may find they topple over easily. This can be heart-breaking when youre trying to fill the bottle with your precious breast milk.
It should be noted that silicone is not completely non-toxic. Synthetic chemicals can leach from the bottle at high temperatures or when in extended contact with high-fat substances, like breast milk and formula. Over time and with heavy use, silicone can discolor or stain.
PROS:
Not a material you normally associate with babies, stainless steel bottles are sturdy and long-lasting. Some are double walled for insulating and some have silicone sleeves for a softer, non-slip feel when handling. BPA -free.
CONS:
Because the material isnt see-through, its difficult to gauge how much your baby is drinking. Also, making up bottles isnt as easy as glass or plastic since the measurement markings are on the inside, and they cant be used in bottle warmers. Stainless steel bottles can be heavy and could dent if dropped. Typically, these bottles are at the top end in terms of pricing.
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PROS:
Glass bottles last longer than plastic and are dishwasher, sterilizer and bottle warmer safe. There are no potentially harmful chemicals in glass that could leach into babys milk. Most glass bottles today are thermal shock-resistant (like you find in cookware) so they can easily go from refrigerator to warmer without concern. Some even come with silicone sleeves for easier handling and to help prevent breaking or contain the glass if it does break.
CONS:
Heavier than plastic, could chip, shatter or break if dropped one of the main reasons glass bottles often are not allowed in daycare centers. Due to the weight and concern of breakage, they are generally not used for babies who are self-feeding.
PROS:
Less expensive generally (depending on the type of plastic), convenient and lightweight.
CONS:
Will need to be replaced every few months because they can easily stain, scratch, collect odors that can't be removed or bacteria over time with use. As a material, plastic is not recommended in the microwave or dishwasher to avoid potential leaching. For this same reason they should be washed carefully to avoid scratching. If you decide to use plastic, choose bottles that are free from BPA, BPS, PVC and Phthalates.
Glass or plastic baby bottles are good choices for most families. So much so that, at Chicco, we started thinking, Wouldnt it be great if you could combine the best of glass AND plastic with none of the drawbacks in a single bottle? Were excited to say the answer is Yes! Chicco partnered with the manufacturer of an advanced patented technology, used in medical and pharmaceutical products, that permanently bonds pure glass to the interior of a crystal-clear, premium plastic exterior. This technology is used in products ranging from syringes delivering medicine into eyes to covid vaccine vials.
Chicco DUO® combines the wellness benefits of glass with the convenience of plastic in one remarkable bottle. The combination of the Invinci-Glass® inner layer with the plastic outer layer means these bottles are lightweight, breakproof and that babys milk only touches pure glass. DUO just might be the baby bottle for you.
Throughout development, DUO was thoroughly tested for safety, function, ease of use, and acceptance by both babies and parents. Chicco DUO delivers peace of mind for parents and premium comfort for babies.
After reviewing the pros and cons of glass, plastic, silicone, stainless steel and the newest hybrid baby bottle, youll want to consider a few additional factors. We mentioned budget, lifestyle and personal preferences earlier, but most parents tell us that the second biggest concern for them is their babys acceptance of the nipple.
There may be as many kinds of nipples as there are bottle shapes and materials, but dont worry! Were here to help you understand the differences in shapes, flow rates and more. For all you need to know about baby bottle nipples, check out our guide: How to choose the right nipple for your baby.
Decades ago, the only baby bottles you could buy were made of glass. But glass was heavy and breakable. So, when plastic bottles came along that were lighter and shatter-proof, the glass bottle became almost obsolete.
But reports that a type of plastic found in baby bottles might cause potentially harmful changes in developing babies left parents wondering if perhaps old-fashioned glass wasn't such a bad thing after all. These days, there are several types of bottles available, including hybrids that are a bit of both.
Here is some background on baby bottles, along with tips on how to choose and use bottles safely and effectively.
How many baby bottles do I need?
Once you pick a specific bottle, buy at least a dozen of them. Even if youll be breastfeeding, you may want some extra baby bottles for pumped breast milk storage.
Are you interested in learning more about Ultra Wide Neck Baby Bottle? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!