Ideally, you should breast-feed your baby for the first six months of his or her life. However, if certain circumstances arise in which this is not possible, you may need to find other ways to fulfill his or her nutritional requirements. By choosing the best bottles for colic, you can ensure that your baby gets adequate meals, and will suffer from fewer digestive troubles.

What are anti-colic baby bottles?

Colic is, unfortunately, a common digestive ailment in babies, and one that can arouse intense discomfort. It can occur due to the speed at which the baby drinks. Or because the baby ingests too much air while feeding. The ultimate result is a pressure build-up in the stomach that causes pain and could potentially lead to other health issues. It is possible to prevent or reduce this by using an anti-colic baby bottle.

How do anti-colic baby bottles work?

The best bottles for colic come with specific designs to prevent or reduce unwanted air intake. These include two or three holes in the nipple and different venting systems. Some vents are at the bottle base, while some bottles have a venting wheel, a venting tube, and a star valve. When your baby suckles, the vents draw air to the bottom of the bottle.

With venting wheels, the air pushes down the venting tube and merges below from the star valve. It bypasses the milk that the baby is drinking. So there are no chances of air bubbles forming in the milk and getting swallowed. Your baby is then less likely to develop colic.

How to choose the best bottles for colic?

If you search online for the best bottles for colic, you will find an almost bewildering array of them. They are available in different designs, materials, sizes, and prices. Here are some tips to help you narrow down your choices:

Choose the right material

You can get the best bottles for colic in different non-toxic materials—BPA-free plastic, metal, or glass. Bottles of BPA-free plastic are safe to use but are easily scratched and prone to deterioration. You cannot use them long-term. Metal bottles are long-lasting but may be too heavy. Thermal resistant glass bottles are easy to keep clean, but are fragile, can be weighty, and require constant supervision. You absolutely cannot leave your baby to feed on his or her own with a glass bottle.

Select the right nipple type

Baby bottle nipples are available in latex and silicone materials and different shapes. Pick a nipple that is closest in design to a human one. Look for nipples that have two or three holes.

Check for practicality

When buying a baby bottle, focus on its functionality, not on the cute or trendy factor. You want one that is simple to use since you will be using it numerous times a day. Look for one with a broad mouth as it can be more convenient to fill. It should also be easy to wash and sterilize. You don’t want it to be a hassle to keep it clean.

Get the right bottle size

While the best baby bottles for colic are available in different sizes, you want one that meets your baby’s feeding requirements. Since newborn babies drink only a little at a time, you ought to get the smallest size for them. It might hold 3 to 4 ounces. The smallest bottles also have the slowest flow speeds, which is what you want for a newborn. As your baby grows, begins to suckle with ease, and needs more feeding, you can upgrade to larger-sized bottles that can hold 8 to 12 ounces.

Pick the right bottle shape

Baby bottles are available in the classic cylindrical shape, as well as in oval, triangular, and angular shapes. You want one that both you and the baby can squeeze and hold comfortably. The best bottles for colic have ergonomic designs that facilitate easier handling.

Every baby has unique requirements and preferences, so it might take a few trials to find a bottle type that is exactly right for yours. Along with that, it is important to select a suitable baby formula and follow a timely feeding schedule to prevent colic issues.