As a new parent, you may agonize over the right type of nipple to attach to your baby's bottle. The decision can be especially harrowing if you breastfeed your baby and want to provide a supplementary bottle periodically. The Florida Agency for Health Care Administration suggests that breastfeeding mothers wait a minimum of two weeks before introducing any type of bottle nipple to avoid confusing the baby and leaving him unwilling to breastfeed.
Standard Nipples
Standard nipples all possess the same round shape but can differ in composition and quality. Both plastic and silicone nipples are available, depending upon your preference. The holes in standard nipples, however, vary by age range. Formula manufacturer Similac recommends that parents take care to choose standard nipples with holes that correspond to the age of their child. A newborn baby, for example, would do well with the smallest size hole, since larger holes result in a faster milk flow that the baby could not comfortably handle.
Orthodontic Nipples
You can identify orthodontic nipples by their distinct shape. These nipples are flat and "spoon-shaped." Advertisers claim that orthodontic nipples possess a great similarity to the mother's breast and are less likely to cause nipple confusion in an infant. The company that first introduced orthodontic nipples, NUK, claims that the nipples were originally designed for infants suffering from cleft lips or cleft palates who could not comfortably nurse from a standard nipple. Babies without craniofacial problems, however, can still comfortably nurse from an orthodontic nipple.
Preemie Nipples
If your baby was born prematurely, she may have trouble drinking from most types of bottle nipples due to their large size. Nipples for premature infants are specially designed to comfortably fit within a premature infant's mouth. These nipples are also thinner and more pliable than other nipple varieties. The Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics warns that parents should only use these nipples when feeding premature infants. As soon as your baby can comfortably drink from another variety of nipple, provide him with one. Preemie nipples may present an aspiration hazard for older, stronger infants.
Y-cut Nipples
Y-cut nipples are standard, rounded nipples with a special "Y"-shaped slit in the top rather than a hole. These nipples are not intended for use with milk, juice or other liquids. Rather, you can use a Y-cut nipple if you intend to feed your baby thicker substances, such as cereal, that cannot easily fit through the small holes in most nipples. Although many pediatricians advise against feeding infants cereal through a bottle, the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases states that doing so is acceptable if your baby suffers from acid reflux, as the addition of solid food can make him more comfortable and help him rest.
