As you prepare for the arrival of your baby, there are a lot of decisions to make. One of the most important items on your list is determining how many baby bottles you will need. New parents often find themselves overwhelmed with the number of choices available when it comes to baby bottles, making it difficult to know where to start. Read on for some answers to "How many baby bottles do I need?"
Types Of Baby Bottles
Before you can decide how many baby bottles you will need, it's important to understand the different types available. To help you make the right decision, let’s take a look at some of the different types of baby bottles available and why they might be right for your baby.
Glass Baby Bottles
Glass bottles are great because they are natural and free from chemicals that could potentially harm your baby. They also last longer than plastic bottles and won’t leach any toxins into your baby’s food or milk. The downside is that glass bottles tend to be heavier than plastic ones and can break more easily if dropped. As such, they may not be the best choice for an active or clumsy baby.
Plastic Baby Bottles
Plastic bottles are lightweight and easy to clean, making them a popular choice for parents on the go. However, some plastic bottles contain BPA (bisphenol A) which has been linked to health risks in babies. When purchasing plastic bottles, look for ones made with BPA-free materials such as polypropylene or polyethylene terephthalate (PET).
Silicone Baby Bottles
Silicone is quickly becoming one of the most popular materials used in baby products due to its hypoallergenic properties. Silicone is also lightweight and shatterproof, making it an ideal choice for active breastfed babies who are prone to dropping their bottle or throwing it around during feeding time.
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Understanding Feeding Habits
The first thing you need to do when deciding how many bottles you need is to understand your baby’s feeding habits. If you plan on exclusively breastfeeding, then you may only need a few bottles for the times when someone else is caring for your baby or if you need to pump and store milk.
However, if you plan on bottle feeding with formula, then you may need more. Generally speaking, it’s best to have 3-4 bottles available at any given time in case something needs to be replaced or cleaned after each feeding.
How Many Baby Bottles Do I Need?
How many baby bottles you will need will depend on a few factors. If your baby is formula-fed, then you should expect to use about 8-10 bottles per day (including those that are used for feeding and those that are being washed).
If your baby is breastfed, then you won’t need as many—just two or three bottles daily should do the trick (for storing pumped milk). It’s best practice to have several extra bottles in case one gets broken or lost—we recommend having at least two extras just in case.
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How To Keep Your Baby’s Bottles Clean
As a new parent, you want to make sure your baby is safe and healthy. Part of that means ensuring that the bottles you use for feeding are properly sanitized and cleaned.
Cleaning After Each Feeding
After each feeding, it’s important to rinse your baby’s bottle with warm water as soon as possible to remove any residue or leftover formula or breast milk. This will prevent bacteria from growing on the inside of the bottle. Then, use a bottle brush with a soapy solution (dish soap works well) to scrub away any remaining residue.
Sanitizing Baby Bottles
Once you have finished cleaning your baby’s bottles after each feeding, it is also important to sanitize them every few days. To do so, fill up a pot with enough water to submerge the bottles completely without spilling over when boiling.
Once boiling, add in the nipples and rings from your baby’s bottles and let them boil for five minutes before removing them from the heat. Allow these items to air dry before using them again for an additional layer of sanitation protection.
Storing Clean Baby Bottles
While it’s important to clean and sanitize your baby's bottles often, you also need to be aware of how they are stored between feedings. Make sure they are kept in a clean environment such as a kitchen cabinet or cupboard away from dust and dirt particles that could contaminate them while not in use.
Things To Consider While Buying Baby Bottles
Shopping for baby bottles can be an overwhelming task. With so many different brands, sizes, and shapes on the market, it’s hard to know which one is best for you and your baby. But never fear! We will help you make the right choice for your baby’s needs.
Material
The material used in a baby bottle can affect the durability, safety, and even the flavor of the milk inside. The two most common materials are plastic and glass. Plastic is lightweight and shatterproof but may contain BPA or other chemicals that could leach into the milk if heated too much or overused.
Bottle Warmer
If you plan on using a bottle warmer, make sure it works with the bottles you purchase. Some warmers are designed to heat only glass bottles, while others can handle both plastic and glass varieties.
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Bottle Nipple Type
Baby bottle nipples type matters when choosing a bottle because it affects how easily your baby can feed from it. Nipples come in a variety of shapes and sizes to suit different ages and feeding stages. Some nipples have multiple flow speeds while others have built-in anti-colic valves to reduce air intake during feeding time.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right baby bottle for your little one is an important decision that shouldn’t be taken lightly. Knowing how many bottles to buy and what factors to consider when shopping will help make this process a breeze. Just remember that the most important thing is that your baby is safe, healthy, and happy.