Baby Bottle Essentials

Baby Bottles

• If you think that you would prefer to bottle feed your baby you will need 6 - 8 BPA free baby bottles to begin with. If you are going to swap between baby bottle feed and breast feeding your baby then you may only require 2 or 3 baby bottles.
  
  
• There is a growing number baby bottles, which are BPA free, available in Australia and most come standard with a medium flow teat and lid. You should ensure that the flow rate of the teat provided is suitable for your baby's needs. If it does not suit ensure you purchase the correct flow teat. Most standard or regular neck teats for baby bottles are interchangeable; however, the rule does not always apply to wide neck bottles. If you are unsure please feel free to contact us for further information on info@baby-bottles.com.au
  
  
• Smaller baby bottles (approx. 125ml/4oz) are ideal for newborn babies and smaller babies who do not have a big appetite. If you have a baby with a big appetite, larger bottles (approx. 250ml/8oz) may be better for you as they can be used right through until your baby is begins the weaning process.
  
  

• Baby bottle teats are usually categorised by flow rate - this indicates the rate at which the milk or liquid flows out from the bottle and is determined by the hole/s in the top of the teat. They are available in slow (suitable for newborns), medium (suitable for babies of 3 - 6 months) and fast (suitable for babies of 6 months+) flow rates.
  
  
• Teats are either latex or silicone - although there is no great difference between them, silicone teats have a reputation for being more durable while latex teats are said to feel more like a nipple. Furthermore, latex teats contain some nasty chemicals like PVC. At BPA Free Baby Bottles Online we in no way advocate the use of latex teats.
  
  
• Teats also vary in shape and can be bell-shaped or naturally shaped to resemble a nipple. They may also have small nubs on them which can help massage your baby’s gums if they are teething
  
  
• When you at the point of do research on baby bottle teats, know that every baby is different and every teat is different to some degree. Choose a number of teats in the beginning and test them on your baby to see which one suits the best. Once you have found her teat of choice, never change the type or brand – although it’s fine to change the flow rate, the shape will remain the same
  
  

• Personal choice is the key here and definitely your budget. You will need to sterilise all of your baby's feeding equipment for the first 6 months and it is recommended that you continue until they are 12 months old. See our range here
  
  
• There are a few major methods for sterilising your baby's baby bottles and teats - steaming, boiling, using a sterilising solution and microwaving. We, at BPA Free Baby Bottles Online, only advocate the use of steaming and boiling methods of sterilising

• Cleaning you baby bottles regularly is a much, otherwise you will start to notice a cloudy film starting to form on the inside of the baby bottle. The longer you leave it before you clean your baby bottles the harder they become to clean. We suggest purchasing a baby bottle brush, they are cheap and very effective

• For boiling water for when you make formula milk - quick boil kettles tend to make life easier. We suggest trying the 50/50 method. That is, 1 part boiling water and 1 part fresh, refrigerated, filtered water. This will usually make the baby bottle ready for drinking and will save you have to wait for the baby bottle to cool down – we all know this can be torture sometimes

• Muslin Cloths - These are relatively inexpensive and come in really handy for mopping up dribble and spilt milk. They can also be used to protect your clothes when you feed and burp your baby
  
  
• Bibs - These are fantastic for protecting your baby's clothes at feeding time and also prevent spilt milk from irritating the skin around your baby's neck. Again, these are inexpensive and available in a wide range of sizes, styles and colours. Bibs with a towelling top and waterproof backing are especially good