Parents are again favoring glass bottles because of FDA concerns issued in January 2010 regarding the chemical bisphenol A in plastics, which include plastic baby bottles. Though plastic bottles may offer greater convenience, parents using glass baby bottles can be assured that they are safe-guarding their baby's health and making an environmentally friendly choice in using glass, a recyclable item. Mothers who choose to offer breast milk in a bottle may find glass bottles more convenient than plastic, due to the ability to freeze the milk right in the glass bottle.
Step 1
Wash bottles, nipples and rings in hot, soapy water using a bottle and nipple brush. Rinse well and check for any cracks, chips or breaks in the glass bottle. Check nipples for stickiness, peeling or cracks. Discard any flawed equipment immediately. Place bottles, nipples and rings in a sterilizer or dishwasher. Run the sterilizer or dishwasher through a full wash cycle to thoroughly sterilize all equipment.
Step 2
Allow glass bottles to cool to room temperature before using. Fill bottle with an appropriate amount of breast milk or formula. Avoid overfilling the bottle as any remaining formula should be discarded at the end of a feeding. Insert the nipple into the ring and attach the ring to the prepared bottle.
Step 3
Bring a saucepan of water to a rapid boil and remove from heat. Sit the prepared bottle in the pan of hot water for one to two minutes. Remove the bottle carefully, and shake the bottle gently to ensure uniform temperature in the milk or formula.
Step 4
Test the temperature of the bottle by placing drops of the milk or formula on the inside of your wrist. Formula should be lukewarm to the touch. If the milk is too cold, return the bottle to the pan of water for one to two minutes and repeat the testing process. Formula that is too warm should be allowed to cool before the baby is fed. Feed the baby once the temperature of the bottle is acceptable.
Step 5
Discard any remaining milk or formula in the bottle once a feeding is complete. Rinse the bottle, nipple and ring with water immediately to help prevent bacteria from developing. Use a baby bottle and nipple brush to help dislodge any milk or formula that seems to stick in the bottle or nipple. Keep all used feeding equipment in one location away from sterilized equipment.
Tips and Warnings
- If you do not have a dishwasher or sterilizer, bottles, nipples and rings can be boiled in hot water for ten minutes and allowed to air dry. Newborns typically drink between two to three oz. of formula at each feeding. After the first month, about four oz. of formula is consumed with each feeding, increasing as the baby ages.
- Never warm a bottle in the microwave. Hot spots in the milk can occur, which can scald the baby.
Things You'll Need
- Glass bottles
- Nipples
- Rings
- Bottle and nipple brush
- Sterilizing equipment, dishwasher, or pan of boiling water
- Prepared formula or breast milk
- Saucepan of boiling water
