When you have a baby with colic, it can feel like you've tried everything to get them to stop crying. You may have even considered giving them up for adoption (kidding...sort of). If you're at your wit's end, one thing you might not have tried is a different type of baby bottle.
Believe it or not, the shape and nipple of the bottle can make a big difference for a baby with colic.
Here's what to look for in baby bottles for babies with colic:
The Best Bottle Shape: Hourglass-Shaped Bottles
If you're using a traditional round baby bottle, it might be time to switch to an hourglass-shaped bottle. Why? traditional round bottles can cause your baby to swallow more air while they're drinking. And as we all know, too much air can lead to some painful gas later on.
Hourglass-shaped bottles, on the other hand, are designed to reduce the amount of air your baby takes in while they're drinking. So if you're using a traditional round baby bottle and your baby is still struggling with colic, switching to an hourglass-shaped bottle might do the trick.
Other Things to Look for in a Baby Bottle for a Baby with Colic
1. Slow Flow Nipples
One of the reasons that babies get gassy is because they're swallowing air while they're eating. Look for nipples with a slow flow rate to help your baby avoid taking in too much air.
When it comes to nipples, size matters—at least when you're dealing with a colicky baby. Nipples with a wide base are ideal for babies with colic because they more closely mimic the shape of a mother's breast.
This allows your baby to latch on more easily, which reduces the amount of air they take in while drinking. And as we all know, less air means less gas and less fussiness later on.
2. An Anti-Colic Valve
A lot of the time, colic is caused by babies swallowing air while they eat. An anti-colic valve helps to release that air as your baby drinks, which can help reduce their discomfort.
3. A Wide Neck
A wide neck makes it easy to fill the bottle and clean it thoroughly later on. No one wants to be stuck scrubbing out a tiny bottle with a brush—been there, done that, never again!
4. BPA-Free Materials
You always want to make sure that the materials in your baby's bottle are safe and non-toxic. BPA-free materials should be at the top of your list when you're looking for a new baby bottle.
5. A Sleep Scheme
If you're anything like me, you're constantly running on 3 hours of sleep (or less). Look for a baby bottle that comes with a sleep scheme so you can get some much-needed rest while your little one eats without having to worry about timing their feedings perfectly.
A great bottle with a sleep scheme is the Pop Yum, you can check it out along with a couple of other great options here:
6. A Good Warranty
Babies are tough on stuff—they drop things, bite things, throw things...you get the picture. A good warranty will give you peace of mind in knowing that if something happens to your baby's bottle, you can easily replace it without having to shell out another chunk of change.
7. Easy to Clean Parts
No one wants to spend hours scrubbing out tiny parts from a baby bottle—look for one with easy to clean parts so you can spend more time cuddling your little one and less time cleaning bottles.
8. A Decent Price Point
Let's be real—babies are expensive! But you don't have to spend a fortune on a good quality baby bottle. Look for something that fits within your budget so you can save your money for other important things (like diapers...lots and lots of diapers).
9."The Works" Package
If you really want to be prepared for anything and everything, look for a "the works" package that comes with extras like extra nipples, nipple cream, burp cloths, etc. These packages usually offer a discount if you buy everything together, so it's a great way to save some money while getting everything you need in one convenient bundle . . . plus it makes an amazing gift for new parents!
If you're struggling with a colicky baby, trying a different type of baby bottle is worth a shot. Look for hourglass-shaped bottles (they reduce the amount of air your baby takes in while drinking) and nipples with a wide base (they more closely mimic the shape of a mother's breast and reduce the amount of air your baby takes in while drinking).
With any luck, making this simple switch will help reduce your baby's gas and fussiness—and give you back some much-needed peace of mind.
