Finding the right baby bottle is more a process of elimination than a matter of personal preference — at least for you. Your baby will ultimately decide which is best, so be prepared to try more than one style of baby bottle and nipple.
You will find baby bottles in many styles: some with liners and some without; bent and straight; glass and plastic. Before you choose one to try, or several, it helps to understand why there are so many options.
Smaller bottles (4 ounces or less) are nice when your baby is small, but you'll need to replace them with larger bottles as your baby grows. On the practical side, be sure the bottles you choose will fit into the pouch of your diaper bag.
Nipple shapes, sizes, and flow speeds need to mesh with your baby's sucking style, so it is important to experiment to find the right one. If the hole is the wrong size, it might cause your baby to feed too quickly or too slowly, or to swallow too much air.
The size of the hole determines how quickly or how slowly the milk flows. Some nipples are labeled with sizes.
The ideal bottle nipple will allow a few drops of milk to fall out as soon as you turn the bottle upside down, and then the dripping should stop. If you think the milk is flowing too quickly for your baby, try a nipple with a smaller hole. If you think your baby is getting frustrated from having to suck too hard, try a nipple with a larger hole.
Bottle nipples typically are made of latex or silicone.
Before using any new bottles or nipples, wash them in hot, soapy water or in the dishwasher. Wash them again after every feeding, and check the bottle nipples for wear and tear. Be sure to replace nipples as your baby grows and needs a larger size, and always replace any bottle nipple that shows signs of wear.
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