Have you read a piece of baby feeding advice on an online article, only to receive a conflicting piece of information from someone else? As a new parent, baby feeding can appear to come with an overwhelming amount of information, from teat sizes to whether plastic is suitable.
Unsurprisingly, choosing a baby bottle for your newborn can become a source of stress. As such, we’ve written this guide to debunk common myths about baby bottles and help you make a decision that benefits your baby’s mealtimes.
True or False? 4 Baby Bottle Myths Explained
Myth 1: All plastic bottles are harmful to babies
Answer: False
The truth is, not all plastics are created equal. As each type of plastic has its own properties and considerations, the safety of a plastic baby bottle depends on the specific material it's made from.
Here are some common options:
- Polypropylene (PP): A widely used lightweight plastic for baby bottles. While it’s BPA-free, it can become brittle from exposure to high temperatures.
- Tritan: Tritan bottles are free of BPA, BPS, and phthalates, but it's less suitable for high-heat applications.
- Polyphenylsulfone (PPSU): This high-performance, medical-grade plastic is naturally BPA-, BPS-, and phthalate-free. Due to its exceptional durability and heat resistance, it’s known as the gold standard for baby bottles. This also tends to make PPSU a more expensive option.
Therefore, if you choose the right one, a baby bottle in plastic is not inherently harmful. Opt for safe, food-grade plastics, such as Hegen’s PPSU bottle, which is specifically designed for babies. The premium non-toxic material offers a durable and reliable solution for you, providing peace of mind as you feed your baby.
Myth 2: Glass baby bottles are safer than plastic bottles.
Answer: False
While glass bottles are favoured for their inertness and ease of cleaning, plastic baby bottles can offer comparable benefits.
Moreover, the weight and breakability of glass bottles are often a practical drawback, especially if you value portability.
Meanwhile, high-quality, medical-grade plastics like PPSU offer similar safety with the added benefits of being lightweight and incredibly durable. So, if you’re a busy parent, a robust plastic baby bottle can be a much more reliable and practical choice for use at home or on the go.
Myth 3: It’s okay to reuse baby bottle teats from older siblings or friends.
Answer: False
It is not recommended to reuse baby bottle teats from other children. This is because the practice poses potential risks that can compromise your baby's health and feeding experience:
- Invisible hygiene hazards: Bottle teats are intimate items that come into direct contact with a baby's saliva and milk. Even with meticulous cleaning and sterilisation, bacteria, yeast, or viruses might linger in the crevices, posing a risk of cross-infection to developing immune systems.
- Compromised material integrity: Bottle nipple materials like silicone and latex degrade with repeated use and sterilisation. This can lead to micro-tears, thinning, or changes to the teat shape, which may alter the flow rate. In turn, feeding difficulties, bottle feeding issues, and choking hazards may arise.
Myth 4: All baby bottle teats are created the same
Answer: False
Nipple designs vary widely, catering to different ages, feeding styles, and needs. For instance, slow-flow teats help to reduce air intake and minimise discomfort for babies with reflux.
Here are some factors that influence baby bottle teat designs:
- Teat hole shape: Round holes offer a steady stream, while Y-cut (slit) holes allow for variable flow that is ideal for thicker feeds or older babies.
- Teat hole size: Smaller holes offer slower flow rates, suitable for younger babies. Meanwhile, the faster flow from larger holes can meet the developmental needs of older babies.
- Additional features: Some nipples, such as Hegen’s baby bottle teats, incorporate anti-colic vents and asymmetrical shapes for more comfortable feeding.
By observing your baby's cues for a good latch and comfortable feeding, you can identify the ideal teat size and design for their needs. This can promote a natural latch and support paced bottle feeding, making the transition from breast to bottle easier for you and your child.
Making an Informed Choice for Confident Feeding
Many of the ‘rules’ you may have heard about baby bottles are simply myths. Therefore, it’s crucial to make an informed choice to ensure your baby’s safety and comfort while feeding.
Most importantly, look for high-quality, non-toxic materials with suitable teats when choosing your baby bottles. And if you’re on the hunt for solutions that bring peace of mind, consider our thoughtfully designed PPSU bottles, milk storage bottles, and integrated feeding systems.
Each product is made with you and your baby’s well-being in mind, promising a comfortable and enjoyable experience for all. Explore our collections and find the best solutions for your feeding journey today!
