How Many Baby Bottles Do I Need If Breastfeeding?

You will need no more than 3-4 bottles if you are also breastfeeding your baby! Guessing the number of bottles for your baby might not be a tough task. But it doesn’t end here. You will also need to figure out what kind of bottle, the material, shape and size of the bottle you need.

How-Many-Baby-Bottles-Do-I-Need-If-Breastfeeding

We decided to make this post a brief but detailed guide to choosing baby bottles. If you have a newborn at home and don’t know much about bottles, this is for you!

How Do You Know How Many Bottles You Need?

You might fall in one of these three categories:

  • You exclusively breastfeed and bottle feed only once everyday or two
  • You breastfeed your baby, but also bottle feed her half of the day because of work
  • You exclusively bottle feed your baby and breastfeeding is not your thing

For moms in the first category, only 1 bottle could be enough and you won’t need any until you see any visible wear or tear on the bottle.

Moms in the second category should look to buy at least 3-4 bottles considering you will be bottle feeding at least 4-6 times a day.

As for moms who are exclusively bottle feeding, you will need 6-7 bottles at least. Sometimes, more because you might not get enough time to wash and sterilize the bottles.

Now, depending on the size of the bottles, the numbers could vary. For example, if you are using a 4 or 5 ounce bottle for a 4 month old, the number of bottles we agreed will increase almost by double. We recommend starting with smaller bottles for newborns and then shift to 8 ounce bottles as your child gets past 4 months.

Read Also: How Many Scoops of Formula For 6 oz?

What Kind of Bottles Are Available for My Baby?

A lot of parents become confused initially about the material of their baby’s bottles. Here’s a quick look at some of the most popular types of bottles available:

Glass baby bottle: Glass bottles are perfect for parents who want to ensure safety and also these bottles last quite long. The only reason why parents avoid them is because they are heavy and expensive.

Plastic baby bottles: Plastic bottles are a thing of choice for most parents because they are inexpensive, don’t break and your baby can handle the weight. The only bad thing is they warp and don’t last long.

Silicone baby bottles: Silicone has the best of both plastic and glass. They don’t break, don’t warp and are safe for babies. The higher price tag could be the only issue stopping you from buying it.

* We recommend buying plastic baby bottles that are free from BPA initially. Later, you can add some silicone and glass bottles.

When Should I Change the Baby Feeding Bottle?

If you have plastic feeding bottles, you shouldn’t use them longer than 3 months. You will know when you see discoloration or any kind of smell coming from the bottles. Other than that, you can use silicone and glass bottles until the bottles are damaged and that could take way more than 3 months.

Steps to Choosing a Baby Bottle

  1. Decide on the material first. Whether it’s plastic, glass, silicone or stainless steel, your baby should be able to hold it without any stress.
  2. Start with a standard 4oz baby bottle and upgrade to a larger size when your baby gets older or when her consumption increases.
  3. Time to choose the shape of the bottle. Standard narrow neck bottles work well for most babies. They are easier to carry in diaper bags and widely available. In some cases, a wide neck bottle might work especially if your baby is fussy as the shape of the bottle simulates the mother’s breast.
  4. Every baby will develop colic and bottles that have a venting system can help prevent it. It’s not a necessity by any means. Just some extra to make your baby’s life easier.
  5. If you intend to pump and feed your baby with bottles, make sure the bottles you buy are compatible with your breast pump. In this way, you can feed your baby right away rather than shifting the mik to another bottle which can delay feeding by 5-10 minutes every time.

Things That You Will Need When Bottle Feeding Your Baby

Some Kind of Bottle Sterilizer

Yes, you can use boiling water. But it’s a pain running to the kitchen every time you need to sterilize the bottles. Instead, get a steam sterilizer that you can keep around. These sterilizers work better than boiling water.

Bottle Brushes

You will need a few bottle brushes depending on the size of the bottles you have. Cleaning baby bottles by hand can be time consuming and hectic. Bottle brushes will save you a lot of time!

Drying Racks

This isn’t mandatory. But if you have some extra cash, invest in a drying rack for drying your baby’s bottles and other stuff separately.

A Good Comfy Chair

You might buy a glider or a rocker. Whatever it is, you will need a comfortable chair in order to feed your baby 4-5 times a day besides breastfeeding.

Final Words

Don’t forget about the nipples! You will need a lot more nipples than the bottles. Always routine check the bottles for any kind of leaks, breaks or warps. When you find any, throw it right away!

About Smily Mom

Smilymom is an initiative by a group of four friends who simply wanted to help you make good decisions. We bring you the greatest and latest information about parenting, baby wellness, housekeeping, and home decoration along with expert advice and trusted product reviews. We don’t settle for misleading, half-baked information and we take pride in it.

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