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Having a baby can be exciting and also filled with challenges, especially when the baby is a preterm baby. When feeding a preterm baby, you will require the best preemie bottles because they might not be strong enough to consume milk to maintain their growth. These bottles are designed exclusively to enable smoother flow for easy feeding. Here is a list of some tried-and-tested bottles trusted by moms to help you choose the right product.
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Tips For Feeding Premature Babies
Here are a few effective tips for feeding a preemie baby.
- Feeding tubes: Premature newborns who can’t get enough calories from a bottle or breast can benefit from nasogastric (NG)tubes. The parent needs to discuss with the baby’s medical team if they can be fed with the NG tube.
- Exercises: Exercises, such as circling your baby’s lips with your fingers, caressing their chin, and gently pushing their cheeks together, can help them feed better.
- Pacing: Premature babies may have difficulty integrating bottle feeding with breathing, resulting in apnea or bradycardia. If your baby has difficulty breathing, gags, becomes limp, or has a reduction in heart rate or oxygen saturation, you should stop feeding.
- Sit up the baby: Premature babies are bottle-fed sitting up in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) rather than being cradled in their mothers’ arms. Place them on your lap, supporting their head and shoulders with your non-dominant hand to help them stay alert and to promote healthy alignment.
- Side-angled position: Make sure your baby’s ear, shoulder, and hip are all aligned. Then, with your non-dominant hand, support their head gently. With your dominant hand, hold the bottle parallel to the floor. Your child has more control over the flow of milk in these situations.
- Cheek and chin support: Your dominant hand may hold the bottle and support your baby’s chin and cheeks since your non-dominant hand is supporting them. It takes some experience, but NICU personnel can train you to gently support your baby’s chin and cheeks to help them latch.
6 Best Bottles For Preemies In 2024
1. Best Dishwasher-Safe: Dr. Brown’s Accufeed Baby Bottle System
Get this mom-tested Accufeed baby bottle by Dr. Brown’s to prevent your baby from swallowing air while feeding. The three-pack of compact bottles for preemies by Dr. Brown is designed to fit most electric breast pump systems. It has easily identifiable volume markings from five cc to 60cc. The specialized bottles for preemies have a baby-friendly venting system that helps reduce burping, gas, spit-up, and colic.
Pros
- BPA-free
- Dishwasher-, microwave-, and autoclave-safe
- Universal threading system
- Helps preserve vitamins A, E, and C
- Easy assembly
- Compatible with Dr. Brown’s eight nipple levels
Cons
- May leak from the lid a bit
- Nipple may be a bit firm
"Its different nipple levels have made it easy for my little one to consume milk and formula. I can also attach it to my breast pump, and the dishwasher-safe design helps me keep it spot-free."
Did you know?2. Best BPA-Free: Dr. Brown’s 15 CC First Feeder Bottle System
Dr. Brown’s tried-and-tested feeder bottle provides the smallest feeding volume in a reliable fluid delivery system. When direct breastfeeding is impossible, these bottles can be alternatives for early oral feeding after delivery. These mommy-approved transparent bottles for preemies are made from safe and baby-friendly materials and not from rubber latex.
Pros
- BPA-free
- Reusable
- Has graduated volume markings from one cc to 15cc
- Compatible with any Dr.Brown’s eight feeding nipples
- Universal bottle threading to fit most breast pumps
Cons
- Flow may be a bit quick for some
- May hold only little amount of fluid
"The measurement markings on this bottle are perfect for tracking how much food my little one consumes per feed. Its nipple needed some DIY customization, but it works well. All in all, my son has adjusted well to this bottle."
3. Best With Anti-ColicNipple Valve: TommeeTippee Closer To Nature Baby Bottle
With a realistic breast-like nipple, it flexes and feels like a mom’s breast, making it effectively baby-friendly. These sterilizable bottles for preemies are brought to you by the trusted brand, Tommee Tippee, and come with a sensitive anti-colic nipple valve that helps reduce air intake. You can handle the easy-grip bottles for preemies three ways: cradle in hand, clutch like a regular wide neck bottle, or held from the base.
Pros
- Phthalate- and BPA-free silicone
- Soft silicone nipple
- Helps transition easily
- Easy to clean
- Dishwasher-, microwave-, and sterilizer-safe
Cons
- Nipple may be a bit firm
- Final drops of the breast milk may get trapped
Pro tip
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
The 6,608 positive customer reviews on Amazon are a testament to its quality and reliability.
Dr. Brown's Accufeed Baby Bottle System Best Dishwasher-Safe | Dr. Brown's 15 CC First Feeder Bottle System Best BPA-Free | TommeeTippee Closer To Nature Baby Bottle Best With Anti-ColicNipple Valve | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Color | White, Clear | White | Clear |
| Weight | 10.1 ounces | 5.6 ounces | 9.6 ounces |
| Dimensions | 4.3 x 4.3 x 8 inches | 4.5 x 6.5 x 2.4 inches | 9.4 x 4.9 x 3.3 inches |
| Rating | |||
| Reviews | 1,205 | 902 | 6,608 |
| Price | $15.89 | $11.52 | $29.16 |
4. Best LightWeight: Boon Nursh Reusable Silicone Pouch Bottle
Reduce air ingestion and the risk of gas, colic, reflux, and burps with these mom-approved and reusable silicone pouches that collapse as the baby sips. The nipple is the appropriate length for tongue positioning and promotes easy latching, making it a trusted choice among new parents. This anti-reflux bottle for preemies can make feeding easy for the parent and the little one.
Pros
- PVC- and BPA-free silicone
- Dishwasher-, microwave-, frozen-safe
- Lightweight
- Has no straws, valves, or internal vents
- Squishy and wide neck base
Cons
- Measurement volume markings are hard to read
- Cap may be a bit hard to open
"My infant, who refused many bottles earlier, was quite content and adaptable with this one. Its simplistic design with minimal parts enables easy cleaning. Overall, I found it quite convenient for feeding."
5. Best Microwave Safe: Comotomo Natural Feel Baby Bottle
Image: Comotomo The bottle by the trusted brand Comotomo is designed to resemble breastfeeding closely, thereby preventing bottle rejection. The ultra-wide neck design of this BPA-free bottle for preemies makes cleaning easy without a brush. These mom-tested silicone bottles for preemies come with slow-flow silicone nipples for babies up to three months and medium-flow nipples for babies between three and six months. The dual anti-colic internal vents keep unwanted air out, making the bottle the ideal feeding solution for babies with colic.
Pros
- Made of medical-grade, BPA-free silicone
- Microwave- and dishwasher-safe
- Lead-and BPS-free
- Soft and squeezy bottle design
Cons
- Measurement volume markings may be hard to read for some
- Rounded bottom may get knocked over easily
"The chemical-free build was the first thing that appealed to me. Besides, its air vents are excellent for keeping my baby gas-free, and its compatibility with different accessories has helped it grow with my child."
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
About 16,053 reviewers on Amazon have given their seal of approval to the product.
6. Best Easy-To-Assemble: Playtex Baby Ventaire Anti-Colic Baby Bottle
Playtex nine-ounce wide-neck bottles for preemies help reduce gas, colic, and spit-up. As the baby drinks, the micro-channel air vents keep the air at the back of the bottle. The baby-friendly anti-colic bottle has an angled form that encourages upright feeding to help prevent ear infections or reflux.
Pros
- BPA-, PVC-, and phthalate-free
- Easy to assemble
- Dishwasher-safe
- Minimizes feeding issues
Cons
- May leak slightly
Quick tipWhy We Think It's Worth Buying
Do not miss out on this product that has earned 1,797 positive reviews on Amazon.
How To Choose The Right Preemie Bottle?
Here are a few tips for choosing the right preemie bottles.
- Slow-flow nipple: Choose a bottle with a slow-flow nipple as the child requires assistance during feeding and needs a consistent flow. If the milk is dispensed too quickly, it may cause choking.
- Anti-colic: Consider bottles with vented nipples or bottoms to help prevent air intake and reduce colic, gas, etc.
- Small bottles: Bottles with around a five-ounce capacity would be sufficient for premature babies.
Babrah Tavaziva, a parenting coach, registered nurse, and the founder of Virtual Parenting Hub, says, “These bottles are crafted with features that cater to the unique needs of premature infants. For instance, they are smaller than regular baby bottles and have specially designed teats/nipples to help maintain a controlled flow of milk.” She adds, “If unsure, consult with healthcare professionals to determine the most suitable bottle for your preemie. The bottle must support the specific health needs and developmental stage of your premature baby.”
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Are preemie bottle nipples the same as slow-flow nipples?
No, preemie bottle nipples have a much slower flow than the faster flow of regular slow flow nipples. A preemie bottle’s nipple shape is uniquely designed to make feeding comfortable.
2. Is there a difference between a preemie bottle and a newborn bottle?
Yes, preemie bottles have slower flow nipples that mimic a mother’s breasts. In addition, the size of the preemie bottle is usually smaller than a bottle designed for a newborn. Some preemie bottles also come with an anti-colic valve to prevent reflux in your infant.
3. Do premature babies need special bottles?
Yes, preemies need slow-flow bottles because they cannot suck properly, and they feed slowly. So, faster-flow nipples are not suitable for them.
4. How should I bottle feed a preemie?
You can bottle feed your preemies by positioning them in a seated-up position. You can also support the chin and cheek for the correct nipple latch.
Why Trust MomJunction?
Our writer, Vibha Navarathna has conducted extensive research on the bottle’s structure and customer reviews to find the best bottle for premature babies. The products thus added to this list have a design that supports the smooth milk flow. In addition, these mom-tested bottles are designed to prevent colic in babies. They are available in various sizes, are dishwasher-safe, BPA-free, and microwavable. Also included is a buyer’s guide and a few tips to feed a preterm baby easily.
The Bottom Line
Preemies need special attention and care for their development. This involves choosing the right preemie bottle shape that can help them drink breast milk or infant formula more easily while reducing burping, spit-ups, gas, colic, and other feeding-related concerns. The options listed here are microwavable and dishwasher-safe, like Dr. Brown’s Accufeed Baby Bottle System, and made of child-friendly materials devoid of harsh chemicals to ensure your baby’s safety and have a smoother time feeding them. Further, they are easy to assemble, and feature slow-flow nipples, like the Comotomo Natural Feel Baby Bottle, to prevent choking.
Infographic: How To Choose The Right Preemie Bottle?
Bottle-feeding premature babies can be challenging, as they may not efficiently coordinate sucking, swallowing, and breathing. Therefore, close attention must be paid to the bottle’s design to feed preemies with better ease and comfort. Read the following infographic for more information on choosing the right preemie bottle.
Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
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