Every new parent is faced with the dilemma of how many baby bottles do I need. It seems that every time I go to the store I see new brands and types of these products, which range from the disposable ones, up to the water-saving ones. But how do I choose? Here are some things to consider:
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Breast Milk vs. Water
There are advantages and disadvantages when deciding how many baby bottles do I need. For those who are still nursing, or have just started, then it is not necessary to replace all of the bottles at once. Simply stock up on a few, like the minimum recommended, and use them for feeding time, and then when you have to go to the bathroom it will be less of a hassle. However, most babies will outgrow their breast milk bottles pretty quickly.
If you are considering a water based bottle it is a good idea to purchase one size greater than the smallest that you will be using. The reason behind this is that a lot of formula based or pre-measured drinks do not have an accurate serving size and can cause your baby to develop an intolerance to the formula, which can make them sick. How many baby bottles do I need? Your pediatrician can help answer this question for you.
Exclusive Bottle Feeding
Breastfeeding has been shown to provide babies with more antibodies when compared to bottle feeding. However, there are also many moms who experience problems exclusively bottle-feeding their children. This is due in part to inexperience, as babies do not process the different tastes of formula well, nor do they have the intestinal structure to safely absorb the liquids. So how many baby bottles do I need?
You should only ever use approved bottles and methods of milk cleansing and delivery. There are some moms who find it difficult to breastfeed while wearing a pump. Pumping methods include a cup, milk flow or nipple that can be placed right under the breast. Baby bottle drying systems can be used by many new mommies as long as you thoroughly wash your hands after each use to remove any soap residue and bacteria before pumping milk.
Insulated Bottle Warmer
Three hours is the recommended time between feedings for the first six months of life. As your baby gets older, you can increase the number of feedings to three hours. This will give the child more opportunity to be exposed to hot foods. There are many insulated bottle warmers on the market today. These are typically very lightweight, so they can easily go in your purse or diaper bag.
Plastic Milk Containers
By the third month into life you will want to start using a plastic baby bottle. Plastic is always the best material to use as it is dishwasher safe and cleans up nicely. It will hold up well to baby bottle spills and will remain clean for longer periods of time than stainless steel.
When it comes to feeding your child, there are many things you will need to consider. One thing that you may not have thought of is how many baby bottles do I need. If you find yourself struggling with this then you may want to look into one of the above alternatives as they are much easier on the digestive system for infants and children.
Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is the most natural way to feed a newborn and can help to introduce formula to little one’s system easier. After all, babies are born ready to consume solids and breast milk has been proven to improve the digestion of these nutrients. However, if you are going to breastfeed your little one then you will also need to consider how many baby bottles do I need? The number one rule of thumb is: one for each breastfeeding session. This can be easy enough to calculate because each session is equal to twenty minutes.
Bottles and Supplies
The last consideration when figuring out how many baby bottles do I need is going to be choosing between glass, plastic or nanobebe (the new name for stainless steel). Each has its own advantages and disadvantages. Glass bottles require sterilization, which can sometimes be difficult to perform. Furthermore, glass bottles break too easily which will frustrate any parent that needs their newborns on an aggressive feeding schedule. Plastic baby bottles are convenient but they don’t provide as much nutrition as glass or nanobebe.
The right bottle for breastfeeding mothers is going to come down to a few different factors including how often you will be feeding your little one, how large your nursery is, and how much room you have in your kitchen. As long as you choose the right bottle for your family and stick with it, you can greatly reduce the amount of bottles you need to buy. There are also many other benefits including convenience and comfort. The key is just finding the right bottle and the breastfeeding process will go smoothly.
