Image: iStock
Having a newborn is a wonderful feeling until you come home and realize that it is your job to take care of all their needs. And this can be daunting, especially when your baby’s only source of nutrition has to be provided by you. Feeding the baby well is a major concern for many parents. Not only do you not know how to gauge when your baby is hungry or full, you also need to figure out if you are exclusively breastfeeding, picking out a formula, utilizing a feeding bottle or not. And every choice comes with its set of advantages and challenges.
But no matter what you opt for, you know that your newborn is going to have to be fed in frequent intervals, which can be exhausting. And this is why many parents nowadays have turned to bottle proppers as the ultimate solution. But this may not be the answer to your problems, in fact, using a bottle propper can introduce a whole new set of issues for your baby that you don’t want to deal with. If you’d like to know why they are harmful, then this is the article for you. Keep reading!
What Is A Bottle Propper ?
Image: IStock
Contrary to popular belief, a bottle propper isn’t just a device that you purchase in a store. It can also be homemade, like a rolled up towel. The purpose of the device is to enable the parents to feed their baby without them or their infant having to hold the bottle to their mouth. Some parents who utilize these bottle proppers are even tempted to leave their baby unattended while they are feeding as the baby does not need anyone to hold the bottle up while they drink. But anything that sounds too good to be true often is. In this case, bottle proppers are said to be dangerous as they are a serious choking hazard. To the extent where even the AAP and the CDC do not recommend it (1).
But despite these warnings there are several companies that still make bottle proppers and with that comes a wide variety of choices to pick from. That’s right, there are different types of bottle proppers that you need to be aware of. They can look like regular bottle attachments, or standalone bottle holders, they can come in the form of extension tubes that can allow the nipple to be removed from the bottle and then re-attached. The options are endless, but what they do have in common is how unsafe they are for your baby. And this goes for homemade bottle proppers like towels and blankets as well.
What Are The Dangers Of Using Bottle Proppers?
1. Choking
Image: IStock
We understand that you’re exhausted and need a break. After all, newborns are fed on demand, and they demand milk every other hour or so. But nothing is worth the risk of your baby choking while suckling. And this is very likely to happen to your little one if you’re using a bottle propper because they will be unable to move the bottle away from their mouth if they start choking. Not to mention that your baby may not even show any signs of struggle when they do. This makes using this product an absolute no-no in our books!
2. Uncontrolled Drinking
Image: IStock
It also poses other less obvious threats that can be detrimental in the long run, such as unsupervised and uncontrolled eating habits that may emerge from using a bottle propper. When a parent is holding the bottle while feeding their little one, they close enough to observe and see when they’ve had enough to drink. They can pick up on their cues and figure out when the baby is full or distressed. But this just isn’t the case when they use a bottle propper. You can’t move or adjust the angle of the bottle in order to influence the flow of the milk while using a bottle properly, which means that your baby could end up eating way more than they should or want to. And this in turn can lead to possible weight problems, gassiness and a very fussy baby.
3. Ear Infection And Tooth Decay
We’re sure you didn’t see this one coming. But prolonged use of the bottle propper can lead to serious issues like increasing the risk of ear infections and tooth decay (2). This is because as your little one drinks, milk can potentially pool at the back of their mouth and spill into their ears which can result in an infection. Also keep in mind that both breast milk and formula contain sugars which can lead your baby to getting cavities.
We understand that feeding your newborn day in and out can be tiring and overwhelming. But that’s why it’s so important to surround yourself with a good support system and lean on your partner. This way you can both take turns feeding the baby and you won’t need a bottle propper at all!
