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Choosing Baby Bottles and Nipples
Overview
You have choices for the types of bottles and nipples you use to feed your baby. Here is some information to help.
Bottles
Small, 4 fl oz (120 mL) bottles are a good size for newborns. As your baby starts to take more formula during a feeding, you will likely want to have bigger 8 fl oz (240 mL) bottles on hand.
Nipples
General guidelines for buying bottle nipples:
- Buy more nipples than bottles. With repeated use, nipples tend to crack and leak.
- The nipple hole should allow liquid to drip slowly. To test the nipple drip, hold the bottle upside down without shaking it. Milk should drip about 1 drop a second.
- Bottle nipples come in a variety of shapes. You may need to try a few different types of nipples until you find one that works best for your baby.
Current as of: February 27, 2023
Author: Healthwise Staff
Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
