The infant formulas available in the Netherlands are excellent substitutes for breast milk. Despite the preference for breastfeeding, it is possible to switch to bottle feeding for your own reasons. It is a fact, and certainly in the first weeks, that antibodies are passed along with the mother’s milk to protect the baby against infections. These are not present in formula feedings. Use formula as a substitute as soon as breastfeeding is not possible, but do not use it earlier than necessary.

Even if you are breastfeeding, it is always useful to have feeding bottles at home. If you are going to bottle-feed, then you usually need have 2 to 3 bottles.

Different kinds of drinking bottles for babies

There are different types and sizes of bottles for sale. It depends on what you like as a caregiver and what your baby accepts best. There is a difference in the size of the teat, the shape of the teat, the size of the bottle, the shape of the bottle and the extra options per brand.

To find out which bottle your baby prefers, you will probably need to get a few different models and try them out. It is important that you pay attention to the hole in the teat. If you turn the bottle upside down, the milk should leak out at a few drops per second.

In addition, each brand has its own advantages and disadvantages. Nowadays there are many bottles available with an anti-colic function. This means that the baby takes in less air while drinking and that the bottle can not be sucked vacuum. This reduces the risk of stomach cramps, spitting, burping and gasses. In addition, some bottles have a valve system, which means that less air bubbles enter the bottle, so that important nutrients do not “fly away”. In this way the milk retains its nutritional value. As soon as thicker feed is given, the valve system can be removed to increase the flow.

In addition, there are also different types of teats available that can be placed on the bottle. There is a difference in size, but also in shape. You have wide bottle necks (wide), but also the so-called Dental and Natural (the same as with the pacifiers. Read Which pacifier do I choose for my little one for more information)

The drinking bottles which Villa Bimbi recommends are:

Philips Avent Wide

MaM anti-Colic

Dr Brown Anti Colic

How do I clean the drinking bottle of my little one

It is important to keep the bottles clean. Some bottles become a little dull if you use them for a while. It may then be more difficult to check whether the bottle is clean or not. In this case it is recommended to replace the bottle.

When using the bottle for the first time, it is important that you take all the pieces apart and put it in water that has just boiled for 5 minutes. Pull the end of the teat before each use of the bottle. You do this to check that there are no cracks in it. Like the pacifiers, there otherwise might be a risk of choking.

Various materials are available for cleaning the bottles. You can boil them in water and with dish soap. Sometimes there are also special brushes available for the bottles. DR. Brown’s supplies a small version of these brushes with the bottle, but larger versions are also available. It is important to only clean the bottle and not the teat. The teat can be damaged as a result. All parts can also be put in the dishwasher at a maximum of 60 degrees. You can also use an electric sterilizer or microwave sterilizer.

1. Bottle Brushes
   • The bottle brush is indispensable for properly cleaning the bottle. This has been specially developed for cleaning the teat and the tricky corners. You can then further clean the parts by using a sterilizer for example.
     • Dr Brown Bottle Brush
2. Microwave Sterilisator
   • Sterilisator-egg; teat of the bottle; Put one or two pacifiers in the sterilizing egg and fill it with 10 ml of water up to the mark. Close the lid and put the egg in the microwave. Turn it on for 3 minutes at 800 Watt and the teats are sterilized. Let the sterilizing egg cool down for a while and carefully remove it from the microwave. Pour the water out of the egg through the holes on the side.
   • Microwave- sterilisator; all parts of the bottle can be placed in here. This microwave sterilisator is filled with a layer of water of 100 ml. Place it in the microwave for 6 minutes at 600 watts.
     • Mcirowave Sterilisator
3. Elektric Sterilisator
   • The steam sterilizer kills harmful bacteria by the use of steam. This ensures an intensive and extra hygienic cleaning of teats and bottles. It switches off automatically when the cycle is complete. It is a compartment specially designed to place bottles in so that targeted steam enters each bottle. The steam sterilizer can sterilize up to six bottles and teats / pacifiers at the same time. In addition, there is a separate compartment for accessories for, among other things like pacifiers.
     • Electic sterilizer