Baby is coming home soon! You bought every product needed and stocked up in the room to pamper your little one! With a multitude of options available in the market, you could easily pick the best one by gauging across various parameters. But, there is one thing that leaves you overwhelmed. Lost in thoughts? It is a water bottle for kids. Heh! A bottle? Sounds like a cakewalk, but it is actually a herculean task to commit to one. You never know what kind of a bottle your baby would love. It is a process of trial and error until you find the best water bottle for your newborn.

There is neither any expert who says about the best bottle in the world for your baby nor there is any bottle that has a gold standard to mirror that it is the best in the market. How will you choose?

Sit back and relax! Read the essential guide to say goodbye to your quest for a bottle.

• Standard

These traditionally designed bottles work well for most babies. For you, it is easy to fill and clean.

• Angled

Angled bottles have a curved neck that reduces the amount of air your baby swallows. The problem is that they may be inconvenient to fill and clean..

• Wide

These bottles have a wide opening up top — which means a wider nipple, too, echoing the breastfeeding experience. The bottle has a wide neck which makes it easy to clean.

• Disposable Liner bottle

A hard shell (usually plastic) that houses an individual pouch of milk. The bag collapses as baby drinks, which should reduce gassiness. You use and toss each bag, which means easy clean-up.

• Plastic

Plastic bottles are lightweight and won’t break if dropped. They should be replaced every few months. It might not be the safest option because damaging chemicals such as phthalates and bisphenol S (BPS) can still be present in them.

• Silicone

Bottles made from food-grade silicone are BPA-free, flexible, silky, and lightweight. Not only will they not break if dropped, but they’ll also probably bounce!   

• Glass

Glass bottles are naturally BPA-free and durable, but heavy and breakable. Today’s glass bottles are heat- and shock-resistant, and often come with silicone sleeves for an extra layer of protection. Also, these don’t need to be replaced unless they chip or break.

• Stainless steel

 Sleek, sturdy, light, toxin-free, and frequently insulated to keep milk at your baby’s preferred temperature. Stainless steel bottles are favored by parents who want a long-lasting option. They can be pricier than plastic or glass bottles, but rarely need replacing.

 Small bottles hold 4 or 5 ounces, while large bottles can hold between 8 and 10 ounces. Start with small bottles and switch to bigger ones around four months or whenever your baby’s appetite increases.

Are you assuming that your job is done and you are ready to purchase a bottle? Hold on! There are a few more things that you have to consider.

Generally, there are two types of material used for nipples:  Latex, and Silicone.

• Latex: Latex has a soft, pliable feel to it, but needs to be replaced frequently as it deteriorates quickly. Also, some babies are allergic to it.

• Silicone: Food-grade silicone nipples are firmer and more durable, and often have a silky feel to them. They are handy if the baby has allergies, and last longer than latex nipples, though they should also be replaced every few months.

Baby bottles usually include nipples, but nipples can also be purchased separately and come in a variety of shapes and types. Try a few different sizes and styles of nipples to see what works best for your baby.

• Traditional nipples: They are bell-shaped, with a narrow nipple tip and base, which also makes them easily fit standard baby bottles. A distinct characteristic of a traditional nipple is the slower flow of milk.

• Orthodontic nipples: They have a bulb shape at the top that rests against the roof of the mouth and is flatter at the sides, which can help protect your baby’s teeth and gums.

• Flat-topped nipples: Shaped more like the breast, these have a bigger base bulb and a flatter top. naturally-shaped nipples can be incredibly useful when you’re trying to transition your baby from breastfeeding to bottle-feeding.

• Anti-vacuum nipples: Designed to prevent colic and gassiness. They have a small opening or vent on the side of the nipple to prevent any vacuum or bubble buildup in the baby bottle.

• Multi-flow nipples: These are designed to be able to provide multiple-stage flows (Stage 1 and 2, for example) in the same nipple. Adjust the positioning of the nipple to control the flow. They can accommodate thicker liquids and features different hole sizes for greater comfort

Nipples for baby bottles come in stages, or levels, that are defined by their flow — flow means how fast or slow the milk comes out, which is controlled by the size of the hole in the nipple.

Nipples will usually be marked with the stage or level right on the rim, along with the baby's recommended size and age range for each stage. Use these markings as guidelines, and watch your baby check when it’s time to adjust.

• Stage 1 nipples: Newborns usually start with Stage 1 slow flow nipples, meant to slowly distribute milk as the baby’s mouth compresses.

• Stage 2 nipples: After a few months, babies usually move on to Stage 2 (or higher) as they can handle a quicker and larger flow of milk.

• Stage 3 nipples: Some babies do just fine with Stage 2 nipples indefinitely, but by around 6 months, if your baby seems to be pulling hard on Stage 2 nipples, they might be ready for the next stage.

Now that you know the lay of the land. Get.Set.Go for your bottle shopping!