Once you embark on this pregnancy journey, you will notice there is another secret door of a world of endless baby gear. Did you know you have over 22 diaper options available to you and millions of different burp cloths, bouncers, blankets, breastfeeding pads, and onesies you can choose from? Remember when you were worried about the best way to get pregnant fast? Now there is an endless list of gear you need to choose for your little one. And trying to answer how many baby bottles do I need if breastfeeding can be another challenge to tackle.
Baby development is a challenging activity because of the immense responsibilities that come with it. As a mother, you will need to purchase the right equipment for your baby to ensure they have a normal development phase. Some of the requirements for raising a baby include baby strollers, play mats, carriers, and baby bottles. Using baby bottles is a daily routine; therefore, purchase of the right one is vital. Regardless of the milk requirement of your baby, bottles for milk are a necessity. Therefore, how many baby bottles do I need if breastfeeding?
There are a lot of considerations on the number and type of baby bottles needed. You can be sure that there is no surefire trick for the correct number of baby bottles as it can be bewildering to find the perfect pick.
How many baby bottles do I need?
Many mothers opt for the Amazon baby registry to make this selection process much easier to make the shopping experience a little more manageable. Now on baby bottles, the number of bottles you should have can range from 4 to about 12 feeding bottles. The number depends on whether you will be breastfeeding your baby or you would prefer bottle feeding. It is recommended that you start first with about 4-ounce bottles, and as your baby grows, you can move to 8-ounce bottles or if you notice your baby’s appetite is growing.
But these are additional factors that you should keep in mind when deciding how many bottles you might need.
- Are you solely bottle-feeding or breastfeeding your baby?
The number of bottles used is mainly dependent on whether you will be bottle-feeding or breastfeeding. For mothers using breastfeeding, three to four baby bottles are suitable for a start. The number of baby bottles to use is also dependent on their respective sizes. It is recommended that you use the ones ranging from four to five ounces. As your baby grows, you can advance to larger bottle sizes of about eight to nine ounces.
- Will you be using some formula milk or just breastmilk?
After pumping your breastmilk, you need to store the milk to avoid it going bad immediately. It is also important to know how to tell if breastmilk is bad to ensure you always feed your baby the needed nutrients and goodness that the milk is packed with. For formula milk, this is prepared when needed; start by preparing 2oz; as your baby grows, you can gradually increase the amount.
- How frequent your baby nurses
Additionally, your baby’s appetite affects the number and sizes of bottles. You will need to be observant of the child’s dietary needs and reach an informed conclusion of the perfect size and number. On the other hand, mothers who settle for bottle feeding are recommended to use eight to nine bottles with a constant replacement.
- Do you mind cleaning the baby bottles manually?
Handling a baby and trying to balance your life can be a little hectic sometimes. Ensuring that you always have clean bottles on standby can be another tedious chore, especially if you clean them manually. In this instance, just to make your life a little easier, try and have at least six bottles.
- The style of the bottles also matters.
Depending on the nature of your work schedule or the need for formula supplementation, you might need to use bottles when feeding your little bundle of joy. You should be able to buy a bottle based on your preference together with the babies. Babies can be very picky on the bottles they like; thus, they become more inclined to specific ones. Therefore, when choosing the perfect one, it is essential to evaluate the shape and style likely to entice your baby.
How to choose a baby bottle?
Besides the size and shape, there are other criteria you can use when choosing the right bottle for breastfeeding your baby. The selection criteria are as mentioned below.
- Bottleneck
Baby bottles are widely categorized into broad and narrow-necked bottles. The standard ones are narrowly necked as they have less volume, thereby occupying less space in the diaper bag in case of travel. You can also opt for wide-necked bottles as it gives your baby a false sense of satisfaction that the neck is the mother’s breast.
- Venting system
Babies can face acid reflux or colic as a result of swallowing air as they breastfeed. As a counteraction for this, baby bottles are designed with a venting system in the nipples to prevent gassiness.
- Compatibility with a breast pump
Most mothers use a breast pump to directly put the milk to the baby bottle as it is easier and convenient. Due to this fact, it is essential to find a pump that integrates with the bottle. Some bottle types are only compatible with particular breast pumps, limiting your options. The right pump should be harmonious with most if not all of the bottles by incorporating an adapter.
- Nipples to use
The bottle nipples are an integral part of the feeding process as it directly affects the child’s suckling. The nipples affect the milk flow rate; hence, it is essential to choose one that flows with ease. Since the nipples also have a material and size variation, you should choose one that is comfortable for your baby. The nipple should have a simple flow, one that is similar to the breast, therefore, complementing the child’s swallow capabilities. It would be best to choose a nipple made from a material that withstands high milk temperatures and does not give allergic reactions. Some of the common nipple shapes include orthodontic, standard and ergonomic.
Types of baby bottles based on the material used
Baby bottles can be manufactured from a wide variety of materials. The following are some of the types of bottles based on the kind of material.
- Glass baby bottle
Glass is among the most popular and widely used category of bottles. They are preferred since they do not warp upon repeated heating and cooling. They are also excellent for easy and deeper cleaning. The downside of the glass bottle is it can easily shatter when dropped, thus putting the baby’s safety at risk. Their heaviness and expensive nature is another feature that keeps mothers away from purchasing them.
- Plastic bottles
Despite the controversy and safety concerns about plastic baby bottles, they remain among the most widely used ones. Its wide acceptance is linked to its durability, light-weightiness, and cheap cost of purchasing. The con of plastic baby bottles is that some pose a health hazard by being a cancer threat to its users. This has led to sanctioning the use of Bis Phenol A chemical in the manufacture of baby bottles.
- Silicon baby bottle
Despite its high cost, silicone bottles are widely accepted because they are light, chemical-free, and easy for the baby to hold. They have been limited for a while, but recently mothers have begun to embrace their use. These are perfect alternatives to glass bottles and safer to use than the plastic counterparts.
- Disposable baby bottle
These bottles are being applied for one-time use. They are manufactured using plastic and fused with a sterilized liner which, through collapsing as the baby drinks the milk, helps reduce colic and gas. They are easy to use, but this cannot outweigh the environmental degradation hazard that they pose. In the long run, they turn out to be expensive.
- Stainless steel bottle
Baby bottles made from stainless steel are advantageous because of their extended-lasting capabilities, and they are chemically free. It is vital to ensure the bottle has a silicone cover to cushion the heat. However, it is expensive, and you cannot track the amount of milk taken by the baby.
Lastly, how many baby bottles do I need if breastfeeding?
If you decide to breastfeed your baby, consider getting a few bottles; at one pout during this motherhood journey, you will long for a small break, and these bottles will come in handy. You probably want a few hours of alone time, or maybe you are experiencing some heartburn while breastfeeding; whatever the case, this bottles can be very handy. For the bottle-feed option, ensure you have a good number of bottles; this ensures you always have a couple of clean bottles ready for the next feeding time. And don’t worry, these feeding bottles will still be useful when the next baby comes along with proper storage tips.
