When you enter the exciting world of motherhood you realize the huge amount of baby things to choose from. And it is a world apart that can be overwhelming. To help you in your choice today we will talk about the nipples for the bottle, and everything you have to know about them to choose the best one for your baby.
You can't always resort to breastfeeding, sometimes due to a physical impediment and others due to external impediments (work, arrangement ...). Or in some cases while breastfeeding, there will be times when you will have to remove it to give it yourself or someone else. Here we will have to use a bottle, and if we decide to give artificial breastfeeding or we are weaning more still. Whatever your case, we give you all the information you need to choose what best suits your baby.
How should the nipples be for the bottle
We usually consider the choice of the bottle important but not so much the choice of the nipple, which is very important for the bottle to function properly. If you also need help with choosing the best bottle for your baby, do not miss the article "How to choose the best bottle".
The teats have different characteristics that make them more suitable for some cases or for others. There are of different materials, shapes and flow depending on the nipple hole that we will see next. You may have to use multiple nipples to find the one your child likes best. Your pediatrician can also help you with the choice.
Teat materials
- Rubber or latex. It is natural rubber that is extracted from the latex of the bark of some trees. They are nipples very white, elastic and flexible yellow / brown in color, but they go bad much earlier, becoming sticky and absorbing odors. They are usually very accepted by babies since they are very soft for them.
- Silicone. White and elastic material, transparent in color. They are much more resistant and hygienic than latex but less flexible. They do not absorb odors or flavors, and their shape remains more unalterable but must be changed when it begins to turn yellow.
Shape of the teats
- Drop teat. Its shape is rounded, it is the most classic. Babies tend to prefer this shape although it can deform the palate.
- Anatomical teat. It has a flatter shape and adapts to your baby's palate, which avoids deformation or problems. For some babies it is somewhat uncomfortable.
- Physiological teat. This is shaped to imitate the mother's nipple, with a longer design and roughness to improve grip. It is the best way to go from breastfeeding to artificial feeding.
Nipple flow
- Round teat 3 positions. It allows you to have 3 different flows (minimum, medium or maximum flow) depending on the position in which you place it. So you can adapt it to your different needs.
- Slow flow nipple. It is best for the first days of your baby's life or for babies who have difficulty feeding from a bottle, since the flow is slower.
- Medium flow teat. It is recommended from 3 months, when the baby begins to drink much more milk and is already sucking correctly.
- Fast flow teat. It is suitable from 6 months. It is the best if you are giving your baby the porridge, since it allows the flow of more dense food thanks to its larger opening.
The last decision will be your baby
Even if you decide one that you think will be the best for him, then at the moment of truth the baby may reject it since it may be uncomfortable for him at that time. Maybe in another if it goes well, that's why You will have to try different nipples for the bottle until you find the one that best suits you.
Because remember ... if you have any questions, consult your pediatrician.