Parenthood is a beautiful ride, but also full of challenges. One thing parents struggle with more than anything else – Colic in infants. Colic tends to involve long periods of crying, fussiness and sleeplessness. To remedy this, many parents use anti-colic baby bottles. These are bottles made to reduce the air a baby takes in while feeding. But are they actually useful or just a gimmick? Let’s discuss the pros and cons about anti-colic bottles.
What Are Anti-Colic Baby Bottles?
Ant-colic bottles are designed baby feeding bottles that come with vents or even special systems. These vents assist in reducing the amount of air that is mixed with the milk while feeding. The less air that babies intake the less likely they are going to get gas, bloating, cramping and fussiness.
Benefits of Anti-Colic Baby Bottles
1. Reduce Gas and Discomfort
The primary advantage of anti-colic bottles is they reduce the likelihood that gas will form. Babies who eat less air during a feeding typically are more comfortable. And less need for burping, and less gassy fussiness after a feeding.
2. A Better Night’s Sleep for Baby and Parents
Babies who are less gassy cry less and sleep better. A well-sleeping baby is a sleeping baby, and that means the parents are getting some sleep.
3. Support Healthy Digestion
These bottles enable milk to flow in the route that it should with no air bubbles. This enables the baby’s tiny stomach to better manage the milk.
4. Make Feeding Easier
Some anti-colic bottles have nipples shaped like a mother’s breast. This also makes it easier for the baby to transition between breastfeeding and bottle-feeding.
5. Reduce Chances of Spit-Ups
By minimizing the ingestion of air, anti-colic bottles can also minimize spit-up instances. This wears more comfortable and the baby doesn’t feel irritable.
Anti-colic baby bottles common misconceptions
Myth 1: They Can Completely Heal Colic
One of the greatest misconceptions and myths about anti-colic bottles is that they are a magical cure for colic. The fact is that colic can be caused by a variety of things such as immature digestion, overstimulation, or even allergies. These bottles may alleviate some discomfort, but they won’t prevent colic altogether.
Myth 2: Not all anti-colic bottles function the same way.
Some employ vents, others are lined. Some parents may need to experiment with types of bibs before they find the right one for their baby.
Myth 3: Your Baby Must Be Colicky to Benefit from Them
If your baby doesn’t have colic, these bottles can still be helpful. For any baby, they help cut down on gas and spit-ups and the fussiness that comes with both.
Myth 4: They Are Too Costly and Not Worth the Investment
A few parents find that anti-colic bottles are overpriced. They are usually more expensive than standard bottles, but their convenience for both baby and parents is worth the price in many cases.
Myth 5: Babies Will Reject Regular Bottles Later
Another myth that’s often thrown around is that if your baby gets used to anti-colic bottles, they’ll refuse normal ones later. In practice, many babies can transition to various bottles if introduced appropriately.
Tips for Parents
- Make sure the bottle is assembled properly as leaks may cause problems with your suction device.
- Select the proper size nipple for your baby’s age.
- Do remember to sterilise bottles as regularly as you can in order to maintain their cleanliness and safety.
- Be patient, as the changes take a not-insignificant amount of time to appear.
Conclusion
Anti-colic baby bottles can help make feedings easier and more comfortable for parents and babies. They can help minimize gas, spit-ups and fussiness. But, keep in mind that they aren’t a cure-all for colic. Babies can still cry for other reasons, and parents should see a doctor if crying does not stop after long periods. By understanding the plusses as well as debunking the myths, parents will be able to make informed decisions based on what’s best for their baby’s health and happiness.
FAQs:
Q1: The anti-colic bottles are effective?
Yes, they can slow down air intake while feeding to reduce gas and resulting discomfort, but they won’t cure colic entirely.
Q2: Can I still use the anti-colic bottles while my baby doesn’t suffer from colic?
Yes, they do tend to cut down on spit-ups and fussiness, so they work well for all babies.
Q3: Are anti-colic bottles safe?
Yes, they are made with baby safety in mind. You just want to be sure you clean and sterilise them properly; that would seem a no-brainer.
Q4: How many anti-colic bottles do I need to buy?
You are likely at the mercy of your newborn on this front, but you still may want to stock up with two or three bottles and see how your baby likes them before buying more.
Q5: So, do I still have to burp her after a bottle since I use anti-colic bottles?
Yes, burping still matters if no matter if your baby is swallowing less air.