Baby Bottle Feeding Equipment

When it comes to choosing baby bottles, it’s completely about what you and your baby prefer. If your baby appears unsettled and is suffering from wind after feeding, there are also anti-colic bottles and teats available, specifically designed to reduce the amount of air they take in while they’re feeding.

Different types of baby bottles and teats

Baby bottle sizes

Baby bottles come in two main sizes:

• Small: 120 ml/4 oz bottles for young babies and newborns
• Large: 225 ml/8 oz bottles for older babies

Baby bottle shapes

Bottles also come in three neck widths, which affect how easy they are to hold, fill and clean:

• Regular: This shape is easier to find teats for. They also fit a bigger range of coolers and sterilisers.
• Wide-neck: Can help prevent your baby from taking in too much air (which can lead to wind and discomfort, a possible cause of colic). They are also easier to fill and clean.
• Narrow-neck: Can be easier for your little one to hold when they’re ready to learn more independence.

Baby bottle teats

When it comes to teats, no one teat is better than another; it all comes down to what your baby prefers. You can find various bottle teat sizes and shapes, ranging from a typical bell shape to a more natural shape that mimics a nipple. They are made from either latex or silicone; latex is a little softer, but silicone tends to last a little longer.

You should change bottle teats when they show signs of wear and tear.

Baby bottle teat flow rates

The flow rate of a teat determines how fast the milk will flow into your baby’s mouth. Teats have different flow rates: slow, medium, and fast.

If your little one is taking longer than 20 minutes to finish a feed, is falling asleep during a feed, or is tugging at the teat, these are all signs that it’s time to move on to a teat with a faster flow rate. If they are spluttering or have milk leaking from their mouth, a slower-flow teat may suit them better.

Sterilising your feeding equipment

To protect your baby from germs and bacteria, it’s very important to sterilise bottles and teats until your baby is one year old. Other feeding equipment, like beakers and spoons, should be sterilised until your baby is six months old.

How to wash bottles and nipples

Rinse the equipment first, then wash it in hot, soapy water or put it in the dishwasher. Then sterilise equipment with an approved sterilising system.

How to sterilise baby bottles and teats

Boiling

Boiling equipment takes approximately 10 minutes. Use a large pot and make sure all your baby’s feeding equipment is fully covered with water. Let it boil rapidly for 5 minutes. Something to note: teats will wear out more quickly with this method.

Steam

You can choose electric steam or microwave sterilisers. Electric steam sterilising take between 8 and 12 minutes, while microwave sterilising can take as little as 2 minutes. Steam sterilisers can be bought from most baby stores.

Cold water

Sterilising with cold water takes approximately 30 minutes. This system uses specialised nontoxic sterilisation tablets, which are added to cold water. Just make sure all your feeding equipment is fully submerged.

When to seek further support

The right bottles and teats are the ones that suit you and your baby, and a little trial and error is completely normal. If you are unsure about how much milk your baby needs, or you have questions about infant formula feeding or feeding equipment, your midwife or health visitor can offer advice.

For more guidance and tips, explore the Capricare® Parents Support Hub.