In this article we will discuss how many bottles you should have for a baby. The number of baby bottles you may need can range anywhere from four to twelve, and this number is determined by whether you want to breastfeed or use infant formula to feed your child.
It is strongly recommended that you stock up on at least 8–10 bottles in preparation for the arrival of your child.
You should begin by using five ounce bottles, and then once the infant is about four months old, you can increase the size of the bottles to eight ounce.
When the infant is about four months old, you should switch to using bottles that are eight ounces in capacity rather than the smaller size you started with (five ounces).
Because of the child’s increasing hunger, you will have to purchase larger bottles after the baby reaches the age of four months.
When selecting how many bottles to buy, the following are some factors to take into consideration.
What should I look for in a baby bottle?
- Sanitizing and cleaning: If you are able to clean the bottles right after the baby is fed from them, you won’t have to buy as many of them.
- Making preparations in advance: If you plan to make bottles in advance and store them in the refrigerator, you will need to have a few extras on hand.
- Daily routines: What will your child’s daily schedule look like? Will he or she be attending daycare or staying at a babysitter’s house? You are going to need to go out and purchase additional bottles if you plan on having the child stay with a babysitter
- Cost: Traditional bottles made of glass or plastic can run anywhere from approximately $4 to even more than $10 per unit. Prices for infant bottles made from stainless steel and silicone can range anywhere from $13 to $30. Nipples made of silicone and latex can be purchased for anywhere from $1 and $7 each (but are usually sold in packages of 2 or 3). Prices range from $30 to $110 for starter sets and gift sets, each of which include a number of bottles and nipples, in addition to additional supplies such as cleaning brushes and sterilizers.
What size bottle will my baby need?
There are two different capacities available for bottles: the smaller ones hold 150 milliliters (five fluid ounces), and the larger ones hold 250 milliliters (9 fl oz).
Because their stomachs are so little, infants have to eat very little but more frequently in the first few weeks of their lives.
The more appropriate size for this time of year is the smaller bottle.
When infants are given larger bottles to drink from, they take in more milk, which can lead to overfeeding.
If a parent chooses to breastfeed their child, they will notice that as their child gets older and consumes more milk, they will need to switch to using larger bottles.
Due to the fact that every infant is unique, there is no predetermined age at which this should take place.
It is essential that you pay attention to the cues and signs that your infant is giving you regarding their feeding needs, such as the fact that they are finishing each feeding and appear to want more.
What type of feeding bottle is best?
The European Commission has made it illegal to use bisphenol A (also known as BPA) in baby bottles since 2011.
This was done out of worry that the chemical would seep out of the plastic and into the bodies of infants.
The question “which brand of baby bottle is best?” is one that a lot of parents want answered.
The truth is that there is no independent study that indicates differences in the capacity to feed or pattern of eating that may be attributed to different brands of bottles or teats.
It is up to you and your child to figure out what works best for the two of you.
The following is an outline of the primary categories of bottles that are now available on the market:
- Basic bottles: These are narrow, cylindrical bottles. They’re cheap and come with teats and lids. Narrow-necked bottles are common but harder to fill.
- Anti-colic bottles : These expensive bottles are designed to decrease colic. These bottles contain vents, tubes, or collapsible bags to limit air swallowed. The only research comes from manufacturers and isn’t independent. Keep the teat full to avoid swallowing air. If your baby can’t manage the milk flow, it may induce indigestion or gas. Anecdotally, timed feeding reduces gas in newborns. Some parents find these bottles useful, but not all babies. They may be harder to clean.
- Wide-necked bottles: These shorter, thicker bottles hold the same quantity of milk as the basic ones. Silicone teats with a self-sealing cover are typical. They’re easy to fill and clean. They take up more room in a sterilizer, so you can’t clean as many bottles at once.
- Ready-to-feed bottles: Powdered formula isn’t sterile, so use 70°F water to eliminate any germs. Too hot water can diminish the powder’s nutritious value, yet too cold water may not kill the bacteria. Ready-to-feed bottles contain sterile milk. Ready-to-feed bottles can be a short-term alternative for parents recommended to give their infant formula. Their cost and environmental impact are higher. If you plan to use formula from the start, your hospital may ask you to bring these bottles in, as most don’t have the room or equipment to sterilize bottles. Consult a midwife.
Why is it important to sterilize bottles and teats?
Because bacteria can easily form in any milk that is left on the bottle or teats, it is suggested that bottles be sterilized for infants who have not yet reached their first birthday.
Infants are especially susceptible to the effects of these microorganisms.
Before proceeding with the sterilization process, it is necessary to wash all of the bottles and teats, either by hand or in the dishwasher.
In the event that you choose to wash the bottles and teats by hand, you will require a distinct brush for each.
When should I throw away my baby’s bottle?
It is recommended that you purchase a new bottle for your infant if you discover that the one they are currently using is broken, cracked, or otherwise damaged.
It is also advised that infants stop drinking from bottles with teats by the time they reach the age of one year old. This is due to the fact that drinking via a teat causes milk to coat the teeth, which can lead to tooth rot.