While breastfeeding is the best method to feed newborn babies, it may not always be possible for many women for a variety of reasons. In such cases, you may need to turn to the alternative method of bottle feeding. However, it is crucial to find the right bottle, and that can seem overwhelming to new parents, given the broad range of choices available in the market. Rather than going by trends, your best bet is to get a doctor recommended baby bottle.

Reasons for buying baby bottles recommended by your doctor

Here are a few reasons why using such bottles will be best for your baby’s health and well-being:

Your doctor will recommend a bottle that is safe for your baby

Safety is a paramount concern when selecting a baby bottle, along with ease of cleaning. Most doctors will recommend that you get a plastic bottle made of BPA-free plastic. That will ensure that there is no risk of harmful chemicals leaching into the baby’s milk, and the bottle is also easy to wash and sterilize. However, the doctor will still ask you to change bottles from time to time as plastic tends to deteriorate over time. If you notice that the clear plastic is turning cloudy or yellowish, consider that it is time to get a new bottle for your baby.

You can also ask your doctor about using metal or glass bottles, but these might prove to be too heavy for your baby to hold. Plus, you can only use glass bottles if you intend to feed the baby yourself every time. Given the fragility of glass and the risk of its chipping or splintering, you shouldn’t leave glass bottles with your baby without supervision.

Your doctor will recommend a bottle that is of the right size and shape

Picking a bottle of the right size and shape is crucial both for the amount of milk it can hold and the ease of handling it. As newborn babies tend to drink only a little at a time, it doesn’t make sense to get a large bottle. Instead, your doctor will recommend that you get the smallest available size that might hold around 3 ounces of milk. A smaller sized bottle will mean a slower milk flow, which is exactly what you want for a newborn. You can upgrade to a larger size as your baby grows.

The bottles can be cylindrical, oval, triangular, or angular in shape. They must also be light-weight and squeezable. Both you and your baby must be able to hold the bottle without too much trouble. Additionally, the doctor will recommend that you get soft-textured orthodontic nipples made of latex or silicone material. These nipples are similar to a mother’s breast and will make it easier for your baby to latch on and suckle. The bottles should also have easy-to-read measurements on the body base to make it easier to check how much your baby is drinking.

Your doctor will recommend a bottle that will minimize digestive concerns

If you’ve spent sleepless nights nursing a baby with colic, you will know how distressing the condition can be. Fortunately, it is possible to minimize the occurrence of such digestive upsets by getting a doctor recommended baby bottle with an anti-colic design. These types have two to three holes in their nipples and a venting system that can divert air to the bottom of the bottle.

There are different types of venting systems. Some have venting systems at the bottle base, while others may have a venting wheel, a venting tube, and a star valve. In these, the vents in the venting wheel draw air in and down the venting tube. The star valve then releases the air into the base. That way, the air will not form gas bubbles in the milk, and, so, the baby is less likely to ingest it and develop a gas build-up in the stomach.

If you follow the doctor’s recommendations about baby formula and feeding schedule, your baby will get the essential nutrients and have consistently good health. And you will discover that caring for a newborn is less of a daunting task and more of an enjoyable experience.