Bottle Feeding: Types of Baby Bottles

Although baby bottles are seemingly quite simple, there is more to them than meets the eye. There is a wide range of bottle-feeding equipment on the market, so you'll need to figure out what works best for you and your baby.

The three most popular designs of bottles are: right angled "anti-colic" bottles, the traditional streamlined version, and disposables. Here are some of the things you should keep in mind when choosing a bottle:

• Right-angled bottles have a 45-degree bend at the top which helps eliminate any air that may be swallowed during the feed. Many of these bottles also feature specialized plastic bottoms with a plastic dish attached to reduce air bubbles. Since they contain extra parts, these baby bottles may require extra cleaning. Plus, they're expensive!
  
• Traditional bottles are cheaper and have a straight neck, making them easy to clean. These baby bottles do not have any particular design to avoid a baby getting "wind" in their stomach. So don't forget to burp baby!
  
• Disposables are comprised of a plastic or glass shell which contains a plastic bag. As the baby drinks, the bag contracts and decreases the amount of air swallowed by the infant. These bottles do have the issue of the ongoing costs, and therefore are likely to become rather expensive. When using these bottles, it can be difficult to accurately measure the amount of liquid they contain.
  
  

Bottle teats (nipples) can be manufactured out of a range of materials—latex, silicone or rubber, and each have their own advantages and disadvantages. Latex nipples tend to be softer and more malleable, however they deteriorate quicker. Silicone nipples, although less flexible, hold their shape for longer and are more durable.

There is also a choice in the shape of the teat—traditional, orthodontic, or flat topped. The orthodontic teat is able to change to suit the shape of your child's mouth, and is often a good option for the fussy feeder. Flat topped teats are great for babies who have "nipple confusion," as they are a similar shape to a mother's breast.

Teats come in a variety of flow rates, and the size your baby will need, depends on his or her age. A bottle's teat should drip steadily, at the rate of approximately one or two drips per second. If the liquid flows out too quickly, the teat must be replaced.

There are a lot of choices when it comes to bottles, but you'll soon figure out what works best for you and your baby!