You’re little one is here and unless you plan on never giving your little one a bottle, you’re going to need to stock up on a few feeding items. But, don’t let the variety of bottles, nipples, warmers, and accessories overwhelm you.
The team here at My Organic Formula has put together a list of need to have and nice to have bottle-feeding gear.
Need to Have Bottle Feeding Gear
Bottles
If you’re exclusively formula feeding your baby, you’re going to need at least 5 – 8 bottles to start with. We recommend purchasing both 4 and 8 oz. size bottles, but keep in mind, you won’t need the larger bottles until your baby is older and eating more.
If you’re supplementing breast milk with formula, we recommend purchasing at least 4 bottles to begin with.
Nipples
You’ll need as many nipples as you will bottles. Keep in mind: the flows of nipples change as your baby grows, so you’ll have to switch these every so often. Also, you may want to have a few extra on hand to replace torn or lost nipples.
Liners
If you’re using bottles with liners, stock up on the brand’s liners too.
Bottle and nipple brush
Bottle and nipple brushes are designed to get into tight spaces and are great for even chronic dishwasher users, as dishwashers don’t always remove all milk residue.
Dishwasher basket
Dishwasher baskets are great at preventing small items (e.g. nipples, rings, and dispensers) from getting ruined in the dishwasher.
Burp cloths
Burp cloths or even traditional folded cloth diapers are great for wiping up messes and keeping spit up off you. We recommend purchasing at least 5 or 8 burp cloths to keep in rotation.
Nice to Have Bottle Feeding Gear
Bottle warmer
Although some people may consider a bottle warmer a must have item, there are other ways to heat a bottle. You can put a bottle in a warm bowl of water or run it under hot waster for a few minutes to heat it up. Don’t use a microwave to heat a bottle due to a scalding risk!
Insulated bottle carrier
If you’re on the go a lot or will be traveling, an insulated bottle carrier can be a lifesaver. We recommend purchasing a carrier that comes with a freezer pack in case you need the bottle to be chilled for more than an hour or so.
Formula dispensers
Individual serving and multiple serving formula dispensers won’t necessarily be used at home, but again, if you’re on the go a lot or will be taking a trip, they come in handy.
What You Won’t Need
One item you won’t need is a bottle sterilizer. Once you’ve sterilized them once, most medical experts agree, you don’t need to do it again. To sterilize your bottles, nipples, and rings before their first use, simply place them in a pot of boiling water for five minutes. Presto! You’re ready to feed your baby!
