Your Baby’s Feeding Bottle Can Be Harmful — Here’s How You Can Pick The Right One
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All you new mommies out there, the time has come where you have to make informed decisions about your little one. You prepared for nine months to give your baby the best of the best care, and now that you have finally become a mom, you have to apply all those things you read about and learned. From what diapers to use to what toys to buy, you will find yourself constantly looking for what’s safe for your baby.
Some moms prefer bottle-feeding because of a personal choice, and there is nothing wrong with that. However, you need to know the bottle you choose for your little one because it could be harmful. But don’t worry; we are here to help you with just that. Scroll below to understand how feeding bottles could be detrimental to your baby’s health and the things you need to keep in mind while choosing your newborns’ feeding bottle:
1. Don’t Compromise On Quality
Once you have a baby, several expenses come your way. Feeding bottles are an added expense, and it’s essential to buy good quality ones. When compared to breastfeeding, bottle-feeding is much more expensive. But invest in a durable breast pump and feeding bottle of good quality.
2. Choose One That Is BPA Free
Most feeding bottles are made with polycarbonate plastics and contain BPA. Feeding bottles and other baby utensils are made with PC, and studies show that these harmful components can be transferred to the contents inside the bottle. Warm milk or water can cause BPA release into the bottle, which may be dangerous to infants. It may cause growth suppression and endocrine disruption, among other things (1). So, it’s best to invest in a BPA free feeding bottle.
3. Pick One That Is Convenient For On-The-Go
Unlike breastfeeding, bottle feeding is a hassle because the milk could spill out; the cap could leak and cause a mess everywhere. It’s more challenging to bottle-feed when you are outdoors with your baby. So if you are an on-the-go mom, buy a feeding bottle with a one twist cap that you can easily screw on with a simple twist. It is also an excellent option for mothers who are not comfortable breastfeeding in public.
4. Choose A Stain-Resistant One
Babies have sensitive stomachs. Therefore, before you bottle-feed your baby, you must thoroughly wash the feeding bottle and scrub it clean. It’s best to sterilize the bottle after every use, but you may end up doing a not-so-good job every once in a while. The milk sticks to the walls of the bottle and may leave a lingering odor. It may even cause bacterial infections. Therefore, buy bottles that are stain-resistant, microwave friendly, and can withstand high temperatures without affecting the quality.
Bottle-feeding May Affect Mother-Baby Bond
Breastfeeding has several benefits to the mother and baby. It helps improve the mother-baby bond, which may not happen with bottle-feeding. However, there is enough room for ample direct contact with your baby. Skin to skin contact has numerous benefits for the baby and mother. Your baby cries less often, has stronger immunity, and has a more stable heartbeat (2). Therefore, even if you are bottle-feeding your baby, ensure that you make the experience special for both of you. You could sing, talk, or coo to your little one to make it enjoyable.
Whether mothers choose to breastfeed or bottle-feed, the experience is precious. Many mothers choose to bottle-feed their baby because of convenience, comfort, work, lifestyle, or merely a personal preference. While breastfeeding is proven to benefit you and your baby, bottle-feeding is not bad as long as it’s done with care and consideration. We hope our article helped you understand the importance of picking a suitable feeding bottle for your little one. Share this article with fellow moms to help them make the right decision!
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