Breastfeeding is the most natural way to give a baby the necessary nutrients for proper growth and development. However, breastfeeding might not be a viable option for feeding the baby when born prematurely. That's why you need the best bottles for preemies to give your baby their regular dose of milk.
This post covers the best baby bottles for preemies and the things you should keep in mind when choosing a bottle for your baby.
Which feeding bottle is best for preemies?
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1. Philips AVENT Natural Baby Bottle
- Natural nipple shape and feel makes it easy for baby to combine breastfeeding with bottle feeding
- Wide breast-shaped nipple promotes a natural latch on
- Ultra soft flexible nipple mimics the feel of the breast
- Airflex valve integrated into the nipple is designed to reduce feeding issues by venting air away from your baby's tummy
- A range of flow rates are available for your growing baby. This bottle includes a Slow flow nipple.
It can be challenging to find the right tools to feed premature babies. Luckily, the Philips AVENT Natural Baby Bottle can make bottle feeding as natural as possible. It features a wide nipple that's breast-shaped to help the baby latch on and suck. The spiral design works with the comfort petals to facilitate natural movement as your baby feeds, reducing the chances of nipple collapse.
Since the nipple is similar to a breast, it'll be easy to combine bottle feeding and breastfeeding. This baby bottle is perfect for keeping colic and discomfort at bay since it comes with Airflex vent technology, which vents air away from the stomach, preventing air intake. This means your baby can enjoy breast milk from this preemie bottle without any pain after feeding.
This bottle is easy to hold thanks to its ergonomic design allowing you to grip it comfortably without fatigue. It's also great for toddlers since the baby can hold it in their little hands without struggling. You won't have difficulty cleaning this baby bottle because it's easy to disassemble and assemble.
2. Dr. Brown's Wide-Neck Baby Bottle
- ANTI-COLIC BABY BOTTLE. Anti-Colic internal vent system is clinically proven to reduce colic. Decreases spit-up, burping and gas.
- CONSISTENT FLOW RATE. Vacuum-free feeding is closest to breastfeeding and Dr. Brown’s silicone nipples provide a consistent flow so babies can feed at their own pace.
- PRESERVES NUTRIENTS. The anti-colic vent system is proven to help preserve bottle milk nutrients and aids in digestion for a better night’s sleep.
- BREASTFEEDING BOTTLE. The breast-like nipple shape encourages a proper latch for a more natural bottle feeding experience and eases the transition from breast to bottle and back again.
- BOTTLE GROWS WITH BABY. Dr. Brown’s Natural Flow Anti-Colic Options+ baby bottle works best with the internal vent system in place but can be removed as baby’s feeding develops – no need to introduce a different bottle.
Our next pick among the best preemie baby bottles is Dr. Brown's Wide-Neck Baby Bottle which is built to reduce nipple confusion among preemie babies. The nipple has a breast-like shape that allows the baby to latch properly for a natural bottle feeding session.
The soft silicone material delivers a comfortable feeding experience and allows you to switch between bottle feeding and breastfeeding as you wish. This makes for an easy transition for premature babies who are ready for breastfeeding. The nipple is designed to deliver a slow flow consistently to ensure you don't overwhelm the baby during feeding.
There is an anti-colic vent system inside this bottle, meant to reduce colic while preserving nutrients for the baby. This means that this baby bottle will prevent gas and air from entering your baby's tummy as they feed. Once the baby is past the colic stage, you can remove the venting system instead of buying another bottle.
3. Comotomo Baby Bottle
- Comotomo Baby Bottles are designed to mimic breastfeeding to help babies easily transition from breast to bottle, and back!
- Designed to Latch - Truly wide mound with breast-like design. . Maximum temperature for bottle and nipple is 180 degree Celsius and 120 degree Celsius for cap and outer ring
- Easy to Clean - Wide neck design making it the easiest baby bottle you’ll wash. Ever.
- Anti-Colic Vents - Smart, non-leaking vents for consistent milk flow without the colicky fuss.
- Soft & Squeezy - Safe, high quality food grade silicone offers a comforting and skin-like feel.
You can also go with this wide neck bottle by Comotomo, designed to mimic breastfeeding for maximum comfort. If you want to switch between breastfeeding and bottle feeding, this is the best baby bottle for the job. The nipple is soft and skin-like, allowing your baby to feed as naturally as possible on the bottle.
This baby bottle can withstand up to 180 degrees celsius, allowing you to safely warm the milk before the feeding session. Plus, since it's designed to encourage a natural latch, it's a great choice for breastfed babies transitioning to other types of feeding. The width of the bottle makes it easy to clean the inside without struggling.
It's arguably one of the best preemie bottles, thanks to the anti-colic vents, allowing the milk to flow consistently without gas in. The food-grade silicone material is also comfortable to handle and makes the bottle great for premature bottles.
4. Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature Baby Bottle
- The original breast-like bottle: Shaped like a breast because babies prefer it that way, our award-winning Closer to Nature baby bottle could just be the best thing for baby, since you!
- Breast-like: Our soft silicone, breast-like nipple feels closer to skin and flexes like mom for a comfortable feed and supports in the transition from breastfeeding to bottle feeding
- Anti-colic: Sensitive Closer to Nature nipple with anti-colic valve reduces excessive air flow, so little ones ingest more milk and less air, preventing symptoms of colic
- A latch made in heaven: 95% of moms say baby accepted our nipple* – the most easily accepted and breast-like nipple, ever, to encourage a natural latch
- Mom recommended: 95% of moms would recommend Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature bottles to others*..
The Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature Baby Bottle is also among the best bottles for preemies you can find. This particular bottle features a nipple shaped like breasts to encourage the baby's acceptance within a few tries. It'll give your baby a soft surface to latch on, which will allow you to easily switch between using feeding bottles and breastfeeding.
The anti-colic valve reduces airflow to ensure the baby takes more milk and less air. As a result, your baby won't suffer hiccup, spit-up, or colic discomfort after feeding. Additionally, the extra slow flow of the milk will ensure you can deliver a controlled feeding session without spilling milk.
The wide-neck design makes this preemie baby bottle easy to clean. Plus, since it's dishwasher safe, you can put it in your machine for hands-free maintenance. You can safely warm milk in the microwave using this bottle and steam heat it for sterilization.
5. Evenflo Feeding Classic Glass Bottle
- Mother Nature approved - being environmentally kind is important to all of us which is why the Evenflo tempered glass baby bottle is recyclable, sustainable and safe for the environment.
- Easy to hold - Evenflo classic and iconic shape now has a fun, ergonomic twist These uniquely shaped glass baby bottles are incredibly easy to hold while feeding, ensuring both you and your little one are comfortable.
- Easy to clean - Designed with only 3 pieces, The classic glass baby bottles can be easily assembled and disassembled for a quick, thorough cleaning between feedings.
- Pump directly into your baby bottles - breastfeeding and pumping can be a time consuming task and as a mother you have things to do. Pumping directly into your glass baby bottles is convenient and our bottles will fit onto most standard neck breast pumps.
- Bpa Free - you're committed to your child's safety and so is Evenflo. Their baby bottles are constructed of food grade materials.
Finally, we'll review the Evenflo Feeding Classic, the best glass baby bottle on the market. It's made with tempered glass to make it sustainable and safe for the environment because you can recycle it. This eco-friendliness makes this Evenflo option one of the best bottles for preemies.
This bottle has a unique and iconic shape characterized by the ergonomic twist, which makes it easy to hold as you feed your baby. As premature babies develop into toddlers, this bottle will also be easy to hold, allowing them to enjoy the feeding sessions better. You won't have a hard time cleaning this baby bottle since it has only three easy parts to assemble.
For mothers who pump breast milk into warmers, you'll be glad to know that this glass bottle is compatible with neck breast pumps. As such, you can pump the milk directly into the bottle for better convenience. You don't have to wonder whether the glass material is food safe since the entire bottle is BPA-free.
What are the Benefits of Bottle Feeding Premature Babies?
1. Allows Anyone To Feed the Baby
Normally, breastfeeding is something that only the child's mom can do. As the mother nurses the baby, they'll create a strong bond that helps the baby identify its mother. Unfortunately, other members of the family can't participate in breastfeeding.
With bottle-feeding, every member of the family can enjoy the chance to feed the baby. Since you'll be using a baby bottle, the mom doesn't have to feed the baby all the time. Other people can also participate and bond with the baby during bottle-feeding, which can help build a strong connection.
2. Easy to Track Milk Intake
Premature babies can't take as much milk as full-term babies because they have smaller, more delicate stomachs. As such, it's necessary to deliver a specific amount of breast milk or formula as prescribed by a medical professional. Giving less or more than the prescribed amount could have devastating effects on premature babies.
The best bottles for preemies can help you keep track of how much milk you are giving your baby. This can help you accurately determine how much to add to your baby's daily intake as they continue growing.
3. Doesn't Affect the Mother's Diet
The nutritional content of breast milk is determined by the mother's diet. As such, the mother will need to keep an eye on what she eats to ensure she provides the baby with the necessary nutrients. In some cases, mothers will have to adjust their diet to meet the baby's requirements appropriately.
Feeding preemie babies with formula in baby bottles allows the mother to continue with her preferred diet without negatively affecting the baby. So, if you are looking for a way to keep eating your favorite fruits, veggies, and other foods, you should consider using baby bottles.
4. Helps Mother's with Health Issues
Some mothers bear their children while dealing with various health issues that can make breastfeeding potentially dangerous for their babies. In such cases, using bottles to feed the baby provides a safe way to provide nutrients without posing any harm.
Sometimes, mothers could have a low supply of breast milk. When this happens, you'll keep worrying about underfeeding your baby, which could affect their health. Bottle feeding provides a way to deliver the right amount of milk or formula without depriving the baby of the nutrients or affecting the mother.
What are the Factors to Consider When Choosing the Best Baby Bottles?
1. Bottle Material
The first thing to consider is the type of bottle you want for your baby. There are three options that are suitable for premature babies; plastic, silicone, or glass.
- Plastic Bottles
These baby bottles are lightweight and affordable. They are also easy to clean and can last long since they don't break as easily as glass. Unfortunately, plastics could contain toxic substances that pose a serious risk to the health of premature babies. That's why you should ensure your plastic bottles are BPA-free.
- Silicone Bottles
Silicone bottles are flexible, soft, and lightweight. They are better than plastics because they don't have BPA, and they are comfortable to hold. However, they are expensive and are not as readily available as plastics.
- Glass Bottles
Glass bottles are the most popular and available for those seeking BPA-free options. Unfortunately, they are expensive and breakable, which makes them less desirable than silicone.
2. Slow Flow Nipples
The next thing to consider as you look through the best bottles for preemies is the flow of milk. Since premature babies aren't used to sucking and swallowing, you don't want a bottle that'll deliver more milk than they can handle. That's why you should choose one with a slower flow rate to ensure the milk enters the mouth in smaller amounts.
Preemies and newborns require an extra slow flow nipple to ensure they don't choke on the milk or formula. If you take a bottle with a fast flow rate, you'll risk putting your baby's health in danger. As the baby grows, you can replace the nipples with others with a faster flow rate to meet their needs.
3. Bottle Size
It's common for parents to ask how many ounces should the baby bottle hold. Fortunately, premature babies don't need a lot of milk to sustain them. So, in most cases, even an ounce will be enough. So, you don't need to get extra-large baby bottles for your baby since they won't need that much milk.
However, a large-sized bottle could be handy when it comes to washing and cleaning. It's more challenging to clean smaller bottles than larger ones. Nevertheless, if you take a dishwasher safe option, you won't need to hand clean the bottle.
4. Bottle Shape
The shape of the bottle is the last consideration to make. You should take baby bottles that are ergonomically shaped to ensure you feel comfortable holding them as you feed the baby. The best bottles for preemies should have a wide-neck shape that resembles a breast.
This design reduces nipple confusion and makes it easier to transition between baby bottles and breastfeeding. Since the wider form resembles the mother's breast, it'll be easier for the baby to accept the bottle.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Do premature babies need special bottles?
Yes, they do. However, it's not the bottle itself that's special but the nipple which should have a slow flow rate.
2. How often should a premature baby feed?
A premature baby can feed 8-10 times each day. Nevertheless, each feeding offers small amounts of milk at a time.
3. How long does it take for a preemie to bottle feed?
A preemie can bottle feed for as long as 32-34 weeks.
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