Baby Feeding Accessory

One of the first shared experiences between parent and child is feeding. Whether you nurse your baby, or choose to nourish him or her with formula, this mutual adventure is filled with bonding and awe. As baby grows, the adventure richens through the introduction of solid foods. Baby feeding accessories exist for each and every step of feeding, for mealtime, travel, and sheer convenience. Although some feeding accessories may seem a little extravagant, every parent needs the basics. The first accessory needed is the bottle. Most breastfeeding moms will purchase bottles and nipples even if they plan on nursing. With the aid of a breast pump, mother's milk can be made available to her baby when mom is unavailable. It also allows for other people (like dad) to participate in the feeding experience. There are two basic types of bottles. The reusable bottle is filled, used, sterilized and used again. It is produced in glass or plastic. The disposable bottle requires single use bags, which are filled, used and discarded. There is no need to sterilize, which is a convenience that attracts many parents. With bottles come nipples. Choosing the right nipple for baby can seem intimidating to new parents. With a myriad of brands, sizes, and shapes, it's difficult to know where to begin. Do you want traditional nipples? Orthodontic nipples? Natural nipples? Will you purchase latex, rubber or silicone rubber? The best way to determine the right nipple is to try a few and let your baby decide! Once you know what your baby likes, it's easy to stick with what works. With bottles and nipples come a variety of accessories to clean, transport, store and support. Following is a brief list of bottle related accessories:

Bottle brushes: just like the bottles they clean, bottle brushes come in a variety of shapes, sizes and angles to guarantee proper cleaning.

Bottle coolers/warmers: ideal for traveling, these bottle preservers will help you keep baby's milk cool or warm for designated seasons and times of day.

Car bottle warmers: plugging right into your car, these warmers are great for feeding on the run

Sterilizers: portable units for sterilizing all bottle components

Dishwasher racks: a convenient and safe way to wash bottle parts

Organizers: often multi-tiered, these convenient storage units help to organize and store nipples, bottles, brushes, etc.

Feeding pillows: designed to fit under the arm of the feeding adult, these pillows can take the strain out of feeding while promoting a healthy and comfortable angle for adult and baby. It is important to note that one should not warm breast milk or formula in the microwave. Uneven heating could lead to undetected hot spots, and your baby could be scalded. Additionally, one should not put baby to sleep with a bottle of milk or formula, as the liquid will tend to sit for longer periods in the mouth and will lead to tooth decay. Keep in mind that overheated liquid poured into a liner can easily burst the liner. The safest temperature for bottle-feeding is room temperature. It is comfortable and safe for your baby. At about 4 months of age, many babies are ready for the introduction of solid foods. This is a unique time of laughter and creative messes for most families. This is also a time for new feeding accessories. Small plastic bowls and feeding utensils, booster seats, and high chairs find their way into kitchens everywhere. Parents find that they need a whole new category of feeding accessories to help them ease into the transition. Baby feeding storage centers come in a variety of shapes and sizes and offer clever solutions for storing baby food jars, formula, bottles, sippy-cups and baby flatware. Usually made of plastic, they revolve, fit well into kitchen cabinets, and make storage a whole lot easier! Best of all, they alleviate the alternative: a counter filled with piles of baby supplies. For those energetic and health-conscious parents who want to make their own baby food, baby food preparers offer a safe and convenient way to do so. They juice, grate, grind, strain and puree all those healthy and fresh ingredients. Small enough for travel, they can quickly become an essential part of your parental lifestyle. With portable mini-refrigerators, designer cutlery, and musical high-chairs, parents are sure to find just as much or as little as they desire to aid them at mealtime. Choosing the right baby feeding accessories is just the beginning of your shared adventure of laughter, nutrition, and love.