How often do you need to change the teat of the baby bottle. Choosing the best feeding bottles for newborn babies. Which bottle will be the best

DOES THE BREAST NEED WATER?
The dangers of drinking a child
How does a baby differ from an adult?
What if the baby is hot?
Should you give your babies water to drink? Usually relatives press from all sides: "How, you yourself drink, why don't you let your child drink, is he hot ?!"

The recommendation of the World Health Organization, as well as the latest instructions of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, suggest not giving additional drinks to children at breastfeeding without special medical indications, up to about six months. Why is that?

The first danger is malnutrition. The stomach of a crumb is the size of its fist, and it is able to accept and process a limited amount of incoming food (in the first month of life it is 1/5 - 1/6 of the body weight per day). A feature nervous system the newborn is such that water gives him a false sense of satiety. Therefore, it is important for a mother to understand well: if her child drank 100 ml of water, it means that he did not receive 100 ml of milk. At the same time, the growth and development of the child depends on milk, and water does absolutely no benefit.

The second danger is a decrease in milk production. Milk is produced in response to the baby's sucking, that is, how much the baby sucked at the breast - so much milk will arrive later. If the mother gave the baby water, then he will suckle less. Particularly dangerous in this regard is the nighttime feeding of the baby with water, because during the night feedings, the production of the hormone prolactin is stimulated, which increases the daytime milk production. This means that the baby who is breastfeeding at night is providing himself with a good amount of milk during the day. And if the "well-wishers" advise the mother "to deceive the child with some water so that he does not bother him at night" - think that the child may be deceived, but the milk production system is not ...

The third danger is a violation of the natural balance in the child's digestive system. A child is born with a sterile intestine, and up to about six months is actively sowing it with beneficial microflora. Mother's milk helps to form and maintain the natural balance of bacteria in the digestive system, and anything that the baby receives during this time in addition to mother's milk worsens this balance. And if the practice of supplementing becomes constant, then very often the preponderance of harmful microflora over useful is found in the child - the very phenomenon that our doctors usually call dysbiosis. Research specially conducted by the World Health Organization shows that most babies exclusively breastfed during the first 6 months are healthy and growing well. And babies who received water or tea in addition to breast milk had intestinal disorders three times more often than fully breastfed babies ... Do you need such a risk?

The fourth danger is the likelihood of breast rejection. Water is usually given from a bottle with a nipple, which often leads babies to "nipple confusion" - that is, refusal to suckle the mother's breast in favor of a bottle.

Let's now consider the arguments of those who insist on the need to give the baby water.
"Water Helps Eliminate Infant Jaundice"

Jaundice is caused by bilirubin, which is a fat-soluble enzyme. Not water soluble, but fat soluble. That is, it is not excreted from the body with water, but is excreted with colostrum and subsequently with milk, which, unlike water, contain in optimal proportion the fats the child needs.

“Milk is the same food as, for example, porridge. Hunger must be satisfied by food, and thirst by drinking. Otherwise, the child gets extra calories! "

Actually, the consistency of milk and porridge is completely different. Milk is 85-90% water. If adults constantly ate the same liquid food, then the assumptions that it needs to be liquefied even more, they would not have arisen ... In addition, up to a certain age Small child makes no distinction at all between hunger and thirst. That is why, as already mentioned, water creates a feeling of false satiety in him, displacing mother's milk. We shift the emphasis: since getting water is not biologically justified, it is correct to say not that an exclusively breastfed baby receives "extra calories", but that a child who is supplemented with water loses the calories he needs.

"Water should be given if it's hot outside and the air in the room is dry."

Indeed, in the summer, supplementation is argued by the heat, and in the winter - by the dryness of the air in a heated room. However, many studies have been carried out around the world in dry and hot countries (for example, in India at a temperature of 35-40 | C and a humidity of 10 to 35%; in Pakistan at a temperature of 27.4-40.7 | C and a humidity of 24 to 77%; in tropics at temperatures from 4 to 41 ° C and humidity from 9 to 60%), which clearly showed that children who were given only breast, suffered from less dehydration than those who were fed not only with breast milk. The fact is that mother's milk contains the optimal concentration of all the salts and minerals necessary for the child - by the way, if an adult suffers from dehydration, he is also recommended to restore the moisture balance not with plain water, but with a solution of specially selected salts ... So, if Mom thinks that the child is hot - he should not be supplemented with water, but it is easier to dress and ventilate the room well! A toddler who is thirsty will simply ask for his mother's breast more often. In extreme heat, you can wipe the child's body with cool water, and the room air will make a steam humidifier or a simple spray gun less dry, but in this case, water is desirable outside, and not inside the child's body ...

"If a child is sick, you cannot do without water - it will restore the moisture balance, help eliminate viruses in the urine, and you can dissolve drugs in it."

In the above, there is not a single function with which breast milk could not cope better than water. The same medicine that the child will try with all his might to spit it out diluted in water, he will take much more favorably with expressed breast milk, which will also help better assimilation.

"My child sometimes calms down just after receiving a bottle of water."

The key word here is bottle. Often babies receiving a bottle refuse to breastfeed. So don't risk it.

"Everyone is thirsty, and children are no exception!"

There are many foods that adults can safely eat, but which will cause big problems for babies, because their digestive system is not mature enough. Trying to feed a baby based on the needs of an adult stomach would have dire consequences. Most babies themselves refuse to drink the water that is offered to them, and begin to quench their thirst with it only after 9-12 months.

A large selection of bottles can be confusing for parents. To carry it out correctly, you need to rely on the type of feeding: mother feeds breast milk or artificial feeding is taking place. When thinking how many bottles a newborn needs, take into account the distinctive features between them, calculate how many of them will be needed in the first weeks.

How many feeding bottles does a newborn need?

When choosing containers, give preference to the ones that are convenient to use. Buy well-known brands, check for a certificate of quality. Dishes for babies should be made from environmentally friendly materials.

Does a newborn need a bottle? Maybe you can do without it? If the baby eats mixtures from the very birth, it is definitely necessary. A child who feeds on mother's milk will drink water and juices from a bottle. This means that he will not need it immediately after birth.

How many and what bottles does a newborn need? A baby who is breastfeeding will need a couple of containers:

• 1 - 2 x 100 - 120 ml for water;
• 2 x 150 ml for the journey.

Sometimes moms do without them. They feed, add a spoon to the baby.

More bottles are needed when the baby is on artificial feeding:

• 3 x 250 ml for mixtures;
• 2 x 150 ml for water;
• 1 x 100 ml for juice.

How many bottles does a newborn baby need when breastfeeding? At least up to 4 bottles are needed for a newborn per day when he is feeding with formula. Parents should have time to sterilize the dishes, dry them and prepare a fresh mixture for feeding. As the crumbs grow, the number of bottles increases.

How long can infant formula be stored in a bottle? The shelf life can be up to 2 hours if the child has not yet eaten from this bottle. Storage is carried out in the refrigerator, at room temperature conditions it can quickly turn sour.

When the baby has not finished eating, and there is something left in the container, pour it out. Do not store leftover formula in a bottle. Rinse it thoroughly and prepare a new one as required. Some mums think they can give their baby the leftover formula from the last feed if it was less than an hour ago. However, it is not. Remains of the mixture quickly deteriorate and can cause poisoning.

How often should baby bottles be changed?

First of all, considering the degree of wear and tear. Consequently, someone does it earlier, someone later. Glass bottles do not require replacement at all. Doctors recommend regularly changing plastic baby bottles, at least every six months. If you see scratches, dents that have appeared on it, make a replacement faster.

Nipples break down earlier. They require replacement every three months. When you hear a hissing sound coming out while your baby is sucking milk, change the teat. The hole in it has increased, the baby can choke and swallow air.

How much do baby bottles cost? The name of the manufacturer plays an important role in determining the price value. World brands regularly confirm the quality of their products. Today there are bottles of the "Avent" company. Nipples on them are removable, sold separately, if necessary, you can always buy and replace cracked or lightened from long boiling.

Plastic bottles are much cheaper than their glass counterparts. However, this material becomes cloudy, small cracks may form, where bacteria will accumulate. Therefore, they will have to be changed more often.

Glass is more practical, and it lasts 3 times longer. So consider which bottle is more profitable to buy. The estimated cost of baby bottles is from 150 to 330 rubles. The decisive role is played by the manufacturer and its place in the ranking for the production of children's tableware. In terms of their qualities, the containers are practically the same.

Many mothers manage to do without bottles at all when feeding a baby. For some, a standard set of three is enough. However, if you are not lucky with the quality, you will have to change it as it wears out.

From the moment the baby appears, parents try to surround him with due care and attention, to provide proper care, create ideal conditions for its growth and development. The choice of quality products for a newborn baby is also important. In part, this applies to the first dishes for the baby. So, bottles for feeding newborns are used by absolutely all parents, regardless of the feeding method (GW or IV). If the baby is breastfed, the bottles can come in handy when the mom needs to go away. Then she is in advance, after which dad or grandmother can feed the baby without any problems. If the child is bottle-fed, then you can't do without a few bottles. These utensils for children are also necessary for giving a child some water. In connection with the relevance of using this piece of tableware, young parents have a completely natural question - how to choose the right bottle for a newborn baby and what should be paid attention to when choosing.

Criteria for choosing a feeding bottle

When choosing baby bottles, first of all, you need to pay attention to the workmanship of these products. To protect your child from low-quality goods, it is recommended to purchase bottles and accessories for them in pharmacies or children's specialized stores. Such a product must have a quality certificate.

When giving preference to one or the other model, you need to take into account several points:

• size / volume;
• form;
• material;
• manufacturer.

The size. In the first months of life, children drink at a time no more than 90 ml of milk and 50 ml of water ( link to article:). Therefore, for the first time, you can buy small bottles for feeding - from 80 to 150 ml. They are compact and easy to use. Some moms also find it better to choose wide models than narrow ones, as they are comfortable to hold while feeding and are easy to rinse and process.

Form. When wondering what shape a baby bottle should be, many parents disagree. Some believe that the most optimal is the so-called "anti-colic", which has a curved shape. Others believe that you need to purchase bottles of a standard cylindrical shape. The main point that young parents should take into account when choosing a shape is simplicity and ease of washing and processing. The main thing is that this piece of dishes can be washed well and quickly.

Material. Of no small importance is the material from which the containers for baby food are made. The most common material for making these utensils for children is plastic.

Benefits of plastic bottles:

• ease;
• fast processing;
• variety of models.

Flaws:

• when boiled, plastic can release substances harmful to the body;
• plastic bottles need to be changed frequently;
• with prolonged use, microcracks can form in plastic.

There is also a more reliable material for the manufacture of children's dishes - glass... However, glass bottles are not so common on the shelves of children's supermarkets. However, they are quite popular due to their long-term use and the ability to sterilize them for a long time without worrying about the health of the baby. Their only drawback is that they are quite heavy and can break if handled carelessly.

Having orientated in the size, shape, material of children's dishes, it is important not to forget about the manufacturer. Parents prefer to buy bottles of tried and trusted brands.

Note to moms!

Hello girls) I didn't think that the problem of stretch marks would touch me, but I will also write about it))) But there is nowhere to go, so I am writing here: How did I get rid of stretch marks after childbirth? I will be very glad if my method will help you too ...

Video gallery: how to choose a bottle and a nipple

How to choose the right baby bottle for feeding and a nipple for it, what you must pay attention to when choosing how to keep the bottle clean and other popular questions are discussed in the videos below.

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Best Baby Bottle Makers

The best feeding bottles for babies come from the following manufacturers:

• Philips Avent- it is this company that mothers give preference to when choosing children's dishes. The products of this manufacturer are distinguished by a wide neck, compactness, and an anti-colic valve. The product goes through all the necessary testing and certification procedures.
• Dc. Brown Is another favorite brand. The concave shape of the bottles of this company allows you to achieve an anti-colic effect. Dc products. Brown has a unique ventilation system with a straw that prevents excess air from being swallowed during feeding.
• Nuk- recognized by young mothers as best manufacturer due to the high quality workmanship and strength. Almost all models are brightly colored, attracting the attention of both parents and little fools.
• Chicco Nature- a manufacturer who cares about the maximum compliance of the feeding process with breastfeeding. This effect was achieved with the help of a special physiological nipple, which makes feeding a newborn easy and pleasant.

Photo gallery of bottles of different manufacturers (clickable)

Philips Avent bottle

Video gallery: bottles from different manufacturers (comparison)

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Philips AVENT

Dc. Brown

Chicco nature

Avent or NUK? Who will win?

Bottle nipples: what to look for

In many ways, how a newborn will drink milk or water from a bottle depends on the correct choice of nipple. Most baby bottles come with matching nipples and other sizes. Nevertheless, in some cases, babies are sensitive to one or another nipple: some babies normally perceive standard silicone nipples, while others accept only soft latex nipples. In this case, mothers need to observe which nipple is best suited and specifically liked by her baby.

When choosing a nipple, it is important to choose the correct size of the opening, on which the milk flow depends. Specialists in the pharmacy chain or children's stores will help you choose the most optimal nipples for bottles, depending on the age and individual preferences of the child.

1. When shopping for feeding bottles, be sure to get some cleaning brushes. It is necessary to thoroughly rinse the baby dishes from the remains of milk or milk formula after each feeding of the baby.
2. When processing, you can use a small amount of detergent for washing dishes for children.
3. It is most thoroughly necessary to rinse hard-to-reach places - the bottom and the neck of the bottle, since it is here that milk residues can settle. This is a favorable environment for the development of pathogens and can provoke intestinal disorders.
4. The baby bottle brush should only be used for this purpose.
5. Before each use, the baby food container must be boiled for 5-10 minutes or sterilized in a sterilizer ( See (rating)).
6. Do not forget to change baby bottles, nipples, washing brushes in a timely manner.
7. For babies who are breastfed, 2-3 small bottles with a volume of up to 80-100 ml will be enough. They will be needed to add some water, and later - juice and baby tea.
8. For "artificial" need a larger number of bottles: 4-5 up to 180-250 ml volume for milk formula and 2-3 with a volume of about 80-100 ml for water, juice, baby tea.

Thus, when choosing a bottle for feeding a newborn, it is necessary to approach this issue with all responsibility and seriousness. Right choice utensils for baby food affects the absence of problems when feeding the baby.

With the advent of a child in the home, the number of purchases and purchased items increases significantly. Parents try to make most of the preparations before the baby is born, but some items have to be chosen even after the crumbs appear. If a child is partially or fully artificially fed, the question arises for the parents: which bottle to choose for the newborn.

Today's baby products industry offers so many bottles that it's easy to get confused and doubtful. They come in different shapes and sizes, made from different materials, varying in volume and with additional functions. For example, bottles have already been invented that measure the temperature of the mixture inside and show it on a small thermometer.

Varieties

Feeding bottles have several basic characteristics to consider when choosing. These include: volume, material, nipple, shape, scale. Such nuances as the presence of a pen or thermometer, the color of the cap, the name of the company are considered secondary. Before buying, it is important to determine the main items in order to calmly explain to the seller in the store what exactly needs to be purchased.

Elena, 33, mother of weather children: “The eldest daughter grew up breastfed, and we didn't even buy a bottle for water. After six months, she started using the toddler cup. Therefore, when we were faced with the question of purchasing a bottle for feeding our youngest daughter, I was completely irresponsible to the process and thought that I could buy any one. Arriving at the children's goods store, I realized how wrong I was. There were so many of them, completely different, that I was not ready to choose any specific one. That evening, my husband and I re-read a lot of information on this topic, figured out their varieties and the next day we were able to choose the right product for us. "

Volume

A fully bottle-fed newborn baby can consume up to 80 ml of formula at one meal. And although this amount will gradually increase, for the first time it is enough to purchase a bottle with a volume of 125-150 ml. It will be lightweight and compact for convenient feeding.

If the baby is partially or fully breastfed, the bottle will be enough to feed, water, or expressed milk. After 2-3 months, you can purchase a larger volume, for example, 250-300 ml.

Manufacturing material

Today, the most common materials for making baby bottles are plastic and glass. Both have many advantages, so the choice is up to the parents. It should be borne in mind that plastic is lighter, safer, easy to clean and can be of any, even curved, shape. Its only drawback can be called the appearance of microcracks during constant sterilization, which leads to clouding of the plastic.

A glass bottle is much more efficient and lasts longer, but it is noticeably heavier than a plastic bottle and can be dangerous if accidentally broken. Despite this, many parents continue to use glass because of the environmental friendliness of the material. Indeed, when buying a plastic one, it is important to find a quality product from a reliable manufacturer that does not harm the child.

The famous pediatrician Yevgeny Komarovsky claims that sterilization of bottles for a newborn is an unnecessary process. He puts it this way: “From the point of view of medicine, sterility is contraindicated for a child ... A child needs cleanliness. Any children's dishes must be washed intensively in running water. And if at the same time is used detergent it is important to ensure that all remains are carefully removed. "

Form

In addition to the usual straight cylindrical bottles, you can purchase a variety of curved options, which are marketed by manufacturers as anti-colic. Their shape allows the mixture to be distributed when consumed by the baby and to minimize the likelihood of air getting into the baby's tummy. They are made of plastic and look pretty, but it is difficult to wash such bottles.

A variety of cylindrical bottles can be widened at the bottom or concave in the middle for ease of holding in the hand. Such nuances are important for older children who themselves are trying to hold the bottle in their hands. For the child, the straight design remains the optimal shape, which is easy to hold and wash.

Bottle teat selection

Nipples vary in size, shape and material. Such a variety can make any adult doubtful, but you still need to figure it out. Nipple sizes are numbered from first to fourth. The numbering affects the flow rate and the amount of liquid. The older the baby, the larger size he needs it. The slowest flow teats are suitable for newborns.

The shape of the nipple for bottles is anatomical and normal. The anatomical shape is slightly curved on one side, fits correctly between the tongue and palate, without affecting the child's bite. For an artificial baby, this is preferable. Whereas an ordinary nipple has an even, symmetrical shape, due to which it is easier to wash it.

Bottle nipples are made of latex and silicone. The latter last longer, do not change their color and size from frequent use. Latex nipples are harder and may not be accepted by the baby. This is especially true for mixed or breastfed babies who are used to the softness of their mother's breasts.

2 possible problems with choosing a nipple:

Some babies drink very quickly, while others, on the contrary, drink too slowly.

1. If the newborn chokes during feeding, the opening in the nipple is too large. Be sure to replace the teat with one with a slower flow.
2. It also happens that a bottle-fed newborn gets nervous and refuses the bottle. The problem may be that it lacks the flow rate. The solution is to move to the next size.

Scale with divisions

Using bottles with a scale on the surface makes it much easier for parents to keep track of how much formula or milk they have eaten. It is important that the divisions are not written with paint on the wall of the bottle, but are squeezed out and voluminous. Then over time they will not be erased.

You can purchase a bottle with transparent heat-sensitive paint on the scale. When the mixture inside is at a suitable temperature, the word "OK" will appear on the surface. This innovation of some bottle makers relieves mom from having to try the temperature of the mixture herself.

Convenient bottles on which the graduation scale is applied from bottom to top and top to bottom. Then, during feeding, you can see how much the child ate.

Additional accessories and features

When the main parameters are taken into account and selected, you can think about the additional features of feeding bottles. A bottle cap is now a must-have for any product. In addition to this, some manufacturers offer a removable handle that can be put on the bottle when the baby learns to hold it in his hands.

Often a brush for washing is sold along with the bottle, especially if it is curved. Buying such a kit will make cleaning and maintenance easier.

Additionally, you can also choose a special handbag or case, which will allow you to take food with you for a walk or trip. The thermal bag will allow you to maintain the desired temperature of the mixture for a long time.

How many bottles does a baby need

The answer to this question depends entirely on what the child will eat in the first 4-5 months of his life. If the baby is breastfed, one bottle will be enough. It can be used for water or expressed milk if the need arises.

For a bottle-fed baby, you need 3-4 bottles. Small bottles are suitable for a newborn, and after 2-3 months you will have to buy 3 more large ones. This amount is due to the convenience and the ability to give the child different liquids from different bottles.

If the artificial person has only one bottle, the mother will constantly have to take care of its cleanliness and readiness for use. And if it becomes unusable, or is forgotten somewhere, there will be additional efforts to find a replacement. It is better to purchase several bottles of different shape and volume and be calm about feeding.

It is worth considering! In the choice, an important role is played not only by its characteristics, but also by the characteristics of the child himself. Therefore, in order to find the best option, you may have to change or revise several unsuitable ones.

How often do I need to change feeding bottles and teats?

Bottles that fit your baby perfectly, especially glass bottles, will last a very long time. They need to be changed if a defect has appeared: cracks, swellings or any other deformations.

Nipples are usually used until the end of the "newborn" period (up to 28 days). Next, you should buy a teat with a faster flow, otherwise the baby will not fill up.

Bottle and nipple hygiene is a very important process not only in artificial but also in breastfeeding. It is necessary to carefully monitor the cleanliness of the bottle and nipple, wash it after each use. There should be a separate brush for the bottle and nipple. For the nipple, it is more convenient to use a narrow one, ending in foam rubber, and it is more convenient to wash the bottle with a brush with bristles.

Popular manufacturing companies

The manufacturing company is not paramount, but important when choosing. Many manufacturers of baby products have been in business for decades, constantly introducing new products and conducting research to make it easier for parents to grow and develop their babies. It is these reliable companies that you should trust when choosing any children's products.

The most popular manufacturers are:

• PhilipsAvent is an English manufacturing company that meets all international standards and has the necessary certificates confirming the quality of products; all products are made of safe plastic and equipped with an anti-colic valve;
• ChiccoNature is a company from Italy that specializes in the entire line of products for children from 0 to 5 years old; bottles are made of glass and safe plastic, and the latex nipple helps to simulate the process of breastfeeding as accurately as possible;
• Dr. Brown is an American manufacturer that continually brings the latest in childcare. Bottles from this company are concave for an anti-colic effect and come with a handy brush for washing them;
• Mir Detstva is a Russian company that does not lag behind world leaders in quality and innovative technologies, but at the same time offers its products at a more affordable price.

On a note! When trying to make a choice among the whole variety of firms and brands, it is important to take into account the characteristics of the baby and his needs during feeding, and not the popularity of a particular brand.

Natalya, 32 years old, mother of one-year-old Lisa: “Even before Lisa was born, we bought one bottle, just in case. But a few weeks after returning home, it turned out that I did not have enough milk, I had to supplement her with mixtures. We bought 3 more different Chicco bottles, they seemed to me the most comfortable and lightest. I was pleased with this choice, later we bought two large bottles of the same company. "

What is the best bottle?

After examining all the features, characteristics and varieties, parents go to the store or pharmacy and try to figure out which is the best. But theory doesn't always work the way we want it to. If possible, it is better to first buy 2 small different ones and try using them at home. Even a few days of feeding the baby will show which one is more convenient, easier to clean and more often used. Then you can buy two more pieces of the model you like. The best bottle is the one that fits the baby perfectly, lets the mixture pass well, keeps air out of the stomach, and is easy to maintain.

What are the best baby bottles? The answer is simple - the ones that fit your baby perfectly.

Thus, choosing a bottle is an important and responsible process that can seem complicated and problematic. Choosing a suitable option from the whole variety of the offered assortment is not an easy task. For best result it is worth studying the characteristics and features of different parameters of the product, deciding which of them are the most important and relevant for specific parents and their crumbs. When buying, you should trust reliable well-known manufacturing companies.

Related Videos

If for a breastfed baby a large number of bottles and nipples are not required, then for an artificial person they become the first dishes from which the baby receives food. The health of the baby, the presence or absence of problems with the intake and digestion of food depends on their quality and safety.

The first dish is a bottle

In the case when the baby is on mixed feeding, two bottles will suffice. And for feeding a child who receives only a mixture, it is advisable to expand the arsenal of the first children's dishes up to 4 horns with a volume of 125-250 ml. This will allow you not to sterilize the bottle after each feeding, use a separate container for water or tea.

It is advisable that the baby receives food from the product of the same manufacturer, with the same familiar nipples. It is good to have at least one “duplicate” feeding bottle at hand.

A glass bottle should be chosen if the child is artificially fed from birth and it is supposed to use heat treatment of dishes, which glass can withstand much better than plastic. It is a more resistant material that will not absorb food odors and will not be scratched during washing.

If the baby is already big, it is better to opt for plastic bottles - they are lighter, do not break and can be used by the baby on their own. But such bottles will also have to be changed more often - once every 3-4 months. They also change the bottle if there is an unpleasant odor, severe scratches, cracks, chips, or when the color changes.

For a child over 6 months old, it is advisable to pick up at least one plastic bottle with handles. The child will be able to drink tea, water and mixture from it himself, of course, strictly under the supervision of his parents.

You should not choose a container of complex shape for feeding. It is original, but it will be much more difficult to wash and sterilize such a bottle. For the mixture, it is advisable to use products with a wide neck - it is easier to place powder in them, and the bottle is easier to handle. If it is impossible to resist buying a "special" bottle - use it for water or tea.

How to choose a nipple for feeding

The shape of the bottle nipple varies. Sometimes you need to try several types to find the one that works best for your baby. Bottle nipples can be shaped like:

• ordinary;
• drop-shaped;
• orthodontic.

It is usually easiest for a baby to use a teardrop-shaped pacifier. It occupies a comfortable position in the mouth and avoids bite deformation, no worse than orthodontic.

Teats made of silicone rather than latex will be more resistant to frequent handling. The first ones need to be changed every 3 months, if no damage is noticeable earlier, the second ones - once a month.

Pay attention to the age indicated on the teat packaging. This will allow not only to correctly determine the size of the product, but also the size of the hole so that the baby does not choke while eating.

For babies up to six months old, nipples that are attached to the bottle without the help of a ring with 1 or 3 non-adjustable holes are suitable. For babies over 6 months old, it is better to choose a nipple that allows you to regulate the volume of incoming food. It is suitable for liquids, mixtures and cereals.

It should be noted that if the child is completely artificially fed, it is permissible to choose a product with a wider opening. For example, start using a pacifier designed for 6 months at 5 if you see that the hole is small and the baby is having difficulty getting food. With mixed feeding, this should not be done in order to avoid breastfeeding.

For water or tea, it is advisable to use a teat with a lower flow volume than for a mixture. For example, a baby under six months old needs to pick up a nipple with a slow flow (1) for food, and with a minimum flow (0) for additional fluid. After six months, a nipple with a medium flow of liquid (2) is used for the mixture, and with a slow flow (1) for water, and so on.

Often mothers ask themselves the question: "Does the child need an anti-colic nipple?" To answer this question, it is worth understanding the structure of such a nipple. They are equipped with a valve that allows air to enter the inside of the bottle. This prevents the nipple from "flattening" during feeding, facilitates the sucking process and does not force the baby to interrupt during the meal, when the mixture stops flowing due to the vacuum.

Thus, "colic protection" will protect the baby from frequent swallowing of air when the mixture stops flowing, as it maintains constant pressure in the bottle. Yes, it is convenient, but if for some reason you purchased a bottle with a regular nipple, it will not be much worse than the model equipped with a special valve - it is enough to slightly loosen the ring during feeding so that air can flow inside.

Caring for the first baby dishes

Rinse nipples and bottles thoroughly after each use. Nipples and bottles, from which the baby receives the mixture, require especially careful processing - it leaves a thin oily film on the dishes, which can become a breeding ground for bacteria. A safe detergent must be used to remove grease:

• baking soda or salt;
• special agent for baby dishes;
• laundry soap.

If the baby is older than 4 months, additional processing of the dishes is not necessary. It is enough to sterilize or boil the bottles once a week, along with children's plates and spoons. For greater safety, after washing, they can be rinsed with boiled water.

Bottles and nipples for crumbs under 4 months of age must be sterilized after each feeding, because the baby's body is still too weak to fight infections.

Sterilization is also necessary regardless of the child's age:

• during the period of illness of the child or family members;
• before using any children's utensils for the first time.

Sterilizing nipples and bottles

To destroy bacteria in children's dishes, you can resort to one of two sterilization methods - thermal or chemical. This can be done both with the use of a special device and in the "field" conditions.

It is advisable to purchase a sterilizer for baby dishes if you need daily processing of bottles and nipples. It can be of one of two types:

• A device for cold sterilization using the chemical principle of processing baby dishes. Such sterilizers are more compact than electric ones, dishes and toys in it do not deform, in addition, even the dishes can be processed after the patient. For work, special tablets are used. The disadvantage of such a sterilizer is the duration of the process - about 30 minutes and often the presence of a specific smell.
• Electric device for hot sterilization. It is massive, designed for a large number of bottles, and processing in it is carried out with steam.

The advantage of most sterilizers is that the bottles do not have to be removed from the device at the end of the processing process, and, therefore, they will not be further contaminated.

If you do not need to process children's dishes on a daily basis, or buying a sterilizer does not seem advisable, you can use other methods.

The chemical sterilization process can be carried out in any container using special tablets. This method is good if someone in the family is sick or it is necessary to process children's dishes during the trip. Such sterilization is not inferior to processing in a special device, but it also has the same drawback: a rather unpleasant odor after processing.

The steam sterilizer can be replaced at home by any of the following sterilization methods.

On the stove.
By boiling or steaming.

The way our grandmothers used to. Place baby dishes in boiling water and boil for 15-20 minutes. This method has the most disadvantages:

• if the water is "hard", plaque appears on the bottles;
• plastic products do not tolerate frequent boiling water treatment - the bottles will have to be changed often;
• latex nipples can quickly crack, and silicone ones can lose their shape, so if boiling is used to process baby dishes, the nipples are kept in water for about 5 minutes, while long boiling is used periodically.

Steam is a gentler way to sterilize baby dishes. You can place a sieve on a pot of water and place the bottles and nipples on it with the neck down. In such a steam bath, dishes should be kept for 20-30 minutes.

In the microwave.

In this case, you can use a special container with a lid or sterilization bags. If you don't have a container, you can use a regular microwave container.

It is enough to place the bottles and teats in a container or bag, pour a small amount of water, close and put in the microwave for 5-7 minutes at maximum power.

In a double boiler and multicooker.

In a double boiler, you can process bottles and other children's dishes in the "cooking" mode with the addition of water for 10-15 minutes.

A multicooker in this regard may be worse for plastic utensils, but in delicate mode does not even require adding water. Bottles are processed in it within 10-12 minutes.

After sterilization, children's dishes are not wiped off. It should be allowed to dry naturally. If for some reason it is necessary to remove excess moisture, you can use disposable wipes or towels.