Baby bottles have come a long way, baby, whether it's the shape and texture of the nipple, the material of the body, or the ventilation system.
Many companies are offering more sophisticated versions of the traditional baby bottle, with designs custom-made to treat or prevent certain conditions like ear infections, gas and colic, with ventilation systems that prevent air from entering. Some bottles are wider, and have larger, softer nipples that mimic the feel of mother's breasts. Others are promoted as eco-friendly, with BPA-free, recyclable plastic. (Although, by law, no new baby bottles can contain BPA.) Others are made of more unusual materials, such as stainless steel.
With so many choices, what is a parent to do⢠Are fancier, more expensive bottles worth it?
Hillary Carrozza, owner of Babyland and Kidsroom in East Liberty, would say yes. She sells two brands of high-end bottles, which she says are sturdier than cheap ones available at dollar stores. One is Born Free. The plastic bottle has a valve in the nipple to keep air out, which is intended to help prevent colic, ear infections and spitting up. The manufacturer will recycle the bottle, Carrozza says, or you can convert it to a sippy cup when the child gets older.
Carrozza also sells the Adiri bottle, which has a large nipple that is shaped and feels like a breast. A bottle like this can help moms transition from breastfeeding, she says.
"Because it's so much like a mom, more babies will take it who give you a hard time about a bottle, and are used to breastfeeding," she says.
A local pediatrician isn't convinced there is a big difference among bottles. Dr. Mark Diamond, a pediatrician with South Hills Pediatric Associates, says specialty baby bottles can be compared to organic products. There may very well be health benefits to them, but no conclusive, independent research proves that. Diamond says he can't name any baby bottle design as better than another.
"So, the real answer is to find the one that looks best for you," says Diamond, who has offices in Brentwood and Jefferson Hills.
Different children react differently to bottles, Diamond says. A baby who has difficulty using a bottle instead of breastfeeding may respond well to one of the bottles with breastlike nipples. Some babies who are prone to gas, colic and ear infections might benefit from bottles with ventilation systems designed to prevent that; other babies may not benefit at all.
"I use the expression, 'It's the mechanics of feeding the baby,' " Diamond says. "Sometimes it can be as simple as how the parents hold the bottle. I think there's a grain of truth that the bottle makes a difference, but there's no one system that is shown to be head-and-shoulders above any others.
"There are individual kids who may benefit from the use of a specific system, but in general, most kids can tolerate any of them without any problems."
Although fancier, specialized baby bottles have become popular in recent years, the standard plastic cylinders with rubber nipples still sell well, says Adrienne O'Hara, spokeswoman for Babies R Us, which has several locations in the Pittsburgh area.
One of the bestselling bottle brands at Babies R Us is the British brand Tommee Tippee, which has a wide, soft, breastlike nipple, and an anti-colic ventilation system, O'Hara says. Born Free bottles with Disney characters also are bestsellers, she says.
A cheaper bottle is not necessarily inferior to a more expensive one, O'Hara says. It all depends on a family's lifestyle and budget, and a baby's preference.
"I think the goal, at least from the Babies R Us perspective, is we're looking to offer any parent an item and bottle that they are comfortable with," she says, "So that no matter what a mom's or dad's budget is, that they can find a great bottle for them," she says.
Plenty of options
Here are a few of the many specialty baby bottles and accessories with features marketed as health benefits:
⢠Tommee Tippee, a British company, makes numerous baby bottles said to be a natural-feeling substitute for mom's breast. A Closer to Nature Newborn Starter Set ($49.99) includes bottles in two different sizes, formula dispensers and a bottle and nipple cleaner. www.tommeetippee.com .
⢠Born Free Bottle ($9.99) has a valve in the nipple to keep air out, which might help to prevent colic, ear infections and spitting up.
⢠The MAM Anti-Colic Bottle has ventilation holes that allow the liquid to flow evenly without air bubbles, a patented nipple design, a wide mouth and an oversized scale to measure milk. The bottles come in triple packs ($14.99) in girl and boy designs. www.mambaby.com .
⢠Pura Stainless Steel's Kiki bottles are plastic-free, durable and lightweight. The 11-ounce infant bottles ($15.99) grow with the baby from a low-flow silicone nipple to a medium-flow nipple, and then a sippy cup. www.purastainless.com .
⢠For travelers seeking convenience, look at Steri-bottle ($5.99). The recyclable, disposable bottle doesn't require washing or sterilizing, and is designed for airplane rides, road trips and the like. www.steribottle.com .
⢠The Similac SimplySmart bottle resulted from a Similac poll of 2,500 moms about their complaints about baby bottles. The bottle ($7.49) features a leak-proof SmartClose shield, a breastlike nipple, an Intellivent venting system, and EasyMix device that reduces clumps and bubbles. www.similac.com .
⢠The Original Ba Baby Bottle Holder ($14.99) is a spherical, cagelike silicone device placed over a bottle, so the baby has an easier time gripping it. www.newinnovashun.com .
? Adiri bottles ($12.99) have a large nipple that is shaped and feels like a breast.
⢠Playtex Ventaire Advanced ($12.89 for a 3-pack) promotes semi-upright feeding position.
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Baby bottles
High-end designs boast many special features.
