Baby Feeding Buyers Guide

When you have a young baby, health & safety are a priority. There are so many fantastic products out there that will help to make feeding time with your baby a little easier. This guide looks at baby feeding, and covers the following areas;

- Bottle Feeding,
- Bottle Sterilisers,
- Bottle Warmers,
- Breast Pumps and
- Highchairs.

The first question that springs to mind is how to choose a bottle? Ultimately your baby's vote will decide which bottle you'll use. The first test is to see which nipple s/he will take most easily. Once you determine your baby's favoured bottle nipple you can select the bottles and bottle accessories you need.

Teats / Nipples
Teats are generally interchangeable between the different brands of bottle. They are available in silicone and latex with various flow rates and sizes. It is important to check the bottle teats often and at the first sign of wear, discoloration, or a tear, they should be thrown away. If your child manages to bite off the tip of a worn nipple, it could pose a choking hazard.

There is also a choice of various nipple shapes available:
Traditional, Orthodontic, designed to accommodate your child's palate and gums, have a bulb that's flat on one side. This flat side rests on your child's tongue or
Flat-topped teats, which emulate the shape of a mother's breast.

Because you can't know beforehand which type of teat your child will prefer, it's best to play it safe and buy one or two of several types of teat. Once you've determined your child's preference you can order enough bottles and teats to last for months. You can try several sizes to find which works best for your child but giving an infant a nipple meant for a toddler is not a good idea.

Safety First: To protect your baby's health, all feeding equipment must be sterilised in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. You should inspect teats after each feed. They must be thrown away if worn or damaged by biting.


Bottles
There are a large number of bottles to choose from, all with varying degrees of quality. These include right-angled bottles that let less air into the nipple, streamlined bottles that your baby can hold himself, and a variety of disposable bottles. Most sterilisers and bottle warmers are shaped to accommodate wide-necked and standard bottles, although the bottle carriers usually supplied with changing bags are generally designed to hold standard bottles only.

Bottles are available in either plastic or glass. Plastic bottles are unbreakable but deteriorate and so need to be replaced regularly. If they don't break, glass bottles never need to be replaced and may do a better job of retaining the nutrients in breast milk. Ask yourself whether your standard bottlebrush will reach into all the corners; if it won't you'll need to buy a specially designed one that does.

Newborn babies are extremely vulnerable. Their immune systems are still growing and they need extra special care and protection from infection. Babies are protected in the womb but when they make their first entrance into the world they are especially susceptible to germs and bugs, so it is important that everything your baby comes into contact with is spotless, especially feeding equipment.

Milk is the perfect breeding ground for bacteria, so everything you use for feeding, including breast-pumps, must be thoroughly sterilised on a frequent basis. This is particularly important for bottle-fed babies, as they're more likely than breast-fed babies to get infections from bacteria. By washing and thoroughly sterilising all baby feeding equipment you are protecting your baby's health.

The following sterilisers are available;

- Electric Steam,
- Cold Water / Chemical,
- Microwave,
- Travel and
- Starter Kits

Steam Sterilisers
These kill bacteria using steam in a specially designed electrical unit. Only equipment that is safe to boil should be used in steam sterilisers. All cleaned items should be placed upside down, without touching each other to guarantee thorough sterilisation. The required amount of water should be added according to manufacturers instructions, the lid secured and the unit switched on. Sterilisation takes just minutes, some units switch off automatically. Allow the unit to cool for a few minutes before removing the lid and bottles. You do not need to rinse items, and as long as the lid stays on, items will remain sterile inside for up to three hours.

Cold Water / Chemical Sterilisers
This method is more time consuming. The sterilising tablets are placed in the unit and dissolved according to the manufacturers instructions. The unit consists of a sterilising tank, which holds cold water. A fresh solution is made every day and everything is soaked in it for at least 30 minutes. It is important to ensure that there are no air bubbles on the bottles or other equipment as air prevents them from being thoroughly sterilised. The sterilising solution is a dilute form of bleach, it is very important that all items are rinsed in recently boiled water before use. Metal objects can't be sterilised using this method, as the solution will discolour them.

Microwave Sterilisers
This method works by creating steam in a microwave steriliser. Cleaned equipment should be placed upside down in the required amount of water. The unit's lid should be securely fastened before placing it in the centre of your microwave, which should then be set according to the manufacturer's instructions for specified time and power level. When the unit has completed its cycle, leave it to stand for a few minutes before removing from the oven. Do not open the unit too soon as the inside gets very hot.

Travel Sterilisers
Bottles and equipment still need to be sterilised on holiday, and some units are well suited to travelling. The smaller models are also ideal for breast-feeding mums as they usually take a breast pump or a couple of bottles.

Starter Kits
Starter kits are also available. These comprise a small unit for about four bottles and usually feature a number of components. Microwave or cold-water sterilisers are the most common methods for them.

What size bottles are you using?
Some sterilisers will take standard, wide necked and gripper bottles. Others will only take wide necked ones. Depending on size, most sterilisers will take approximately 6 bottles.

Are you planning to breast-feed?
Will you be using a breast pump? If so, you need a steriliser that can sterilise the pump as well as the bottles.

Safety First; To protect you baby's health, all feeding equipment must be sterilised in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. Leave sterilised equipment to drain on kitchen paper and store in a dry sterile container until required. You should inspect all soothers and teats after each use. They must be thrown away if worn or damaged by biting. Always wash your hands thoroughly before touching any sterilised items. When rinsing bottles, use cooled boiled water. Always discard leftover milk. If you have any doubts or queries about sterilising your baby's feeding equipment, always consult your midwife or health visitor.

Bottle warmers usually work by being filled with water that is heated by an element, which in turn heats your baby's bottle or jar of food. This means that the bottle comes out of the warmer dripping and wet. A good tip to remember is to place the bottle in the heating chamber first and then top up with water from a jug. Once the milk is warm, test it on the back of your hand or pulse point, well away from your baby. Most units hold two bottles, which can be either standard or wide necked.

Another type of bottle warmer is a Night & Day Feeding System. These units are insulated to keep food cool for up to eight hours. When the bottle is required, it can be placed into the heating unit and warmed up to the right heat. An integral light is included for night-time use. A thermostatic control enables you to choose the correct temperature. This system usually holds two bottles.

Are designed to help you express milk from your breasts into a container or bottle. Some mums find they can only express a small amount of milk at a time, which can make it time consuming. They are useful when you want to express enough milk to make up a feed or perhaps you are going out for the evening and want the baby sitter to feed your baby breast milk from a bottle while you are away. Perhaps you want to provide milk for a premature baby who cannot be put to the breast or when your breasts are engorged with milk and you want to relieve the pressure.

There are three types of breast pump, which usually come with everything you need.

Manual
This is where you use your hand to pump the lever, which creates suction. Manual pumps can be hard work so buying one that's efficient and comfortable to use is key to the process. There are models available that pump the breast with each action of the handle; both as you squeeze and as you relax.

Battery Operated
With a battery-operated pump there is no manual pumping action, the pump does the work for you so that you just hold onto the bottle. Some battery operated units also operate from the mains, and some come with a mains adaptor included in the price.

Electric
Large electric pumps are available to rent. These are useful if your baby is in special care or you need a pump for long-term use.


What kind of breast pump do you need?
Whether you choose manual or electric or a single or double pump will depend on how you plan to use it. Time is the single biggest factor in deciding. If you know you'll be pumping at work and want to make that time as short as possible, you'll need an electric pump that is reliable, quiet, and fast. Motors in breast pumps are notorious for burning out; when you pay top dollar for a breast pump you're buying the ability to use the pump every day without fear of overusing it. If you'll only pump once or twice a week, a manual pump will serve you well.

Your baby will probably need more than one chair for feeding and play as s/he grows. As a first chair, a bouncing or rocking chair could double up for first feeds. From around 6 months, your baby is sitting up on his/her own, meal times can move to a highchair. At about two years old your child will be ready to move onto a booster seat or a raised chair that fits at the table.

Will it cater for his/her changing needs as he grows?
Some highchairs convert into a table & chair set.

How much space does it need?
There are folding highchairs available that can be put away when not needed.

Does the chair have a harness?
Babies and toddlers always need to wear a harness in the highchair. A 5-point harness is usually supplied as a fixed fixture. It fits over the shoulders, round the waist and between the legs. If there is no harness provided make sure that there are D-shaped rings provided at the base of the seat area for attaching your own harness.

How easy will the tray be to keep clean?
Is the tray removable? Does it have an easy to clean surface? It is important to note that awkward corners will eventually become unhygienic.


Adjustable Height Highchairs
This is where the seat can be raised up and down to suit your needs. They are very practical chairs as they can be folded away when not in use and are usually free standing. The seats are usually padded with PVC, which should make them a little more comfortable. Most also offer a reclining back which is a comfortable position for a young baby. The tray is usually adjustable and removable making it easy to clean and manoeuvred close to baby. Some have adjustable foot rests while others have castors attached so that they can be wheeled easily from one room to another.

Folding Highchairs
These chairs fold up small enough to fit into the broom cupboard when not in use. They even fit into the boot of a car, making them an ideal option if you are tight on space. There are a couple of points to note these chairs do not always have footrests and the tray is usually in a fixed position. This could mean that it needs to flip down over baby's head once in the chair, which could be difficult for bigger babies.

3in 1 Highchairs
These chairs convert into a small chair and table, which is ideal for playtime. They are sometimes known as cube highchairs. The downside is that they are bulky and can't be folded or put away, the seat is upright and not adjustable and the eating tray is fixed with screws that you remove when it's ready to convert to table/chair. The seat is very upright, which can be a disadvantage for younger babies.

Wooden Highchairs - Fixed
The classic, country kitchen style highchair that is not adjustable and doesn't fold. The tray can usually be removed, converting the chair into a raised child's seat for use at the dining table. The seat is usually upright, making it unsuitable for younger babies. A soft cushion insert is a good idea to make the seat a little more comfortable. These are usually sold separately.

Booster Seats
These are moulded plastic seats which attach to standard chairs to raise your child up to the table. There are portable, fold-up chairs available which are useful if you go out a lot. Boosters are only suitable for children that are old enough to sit on their own, as they don't usually have a harness or the facility to attach one.