What Was Wrong with Us?
This challenge that she and I were dealing with together was colic. She was in pain, and I was exhausted. Nineteen years ago, this was not easily treated. I did what other mothers taught me to do, and in turn, taught it to other new mothers.
While treatment for belly-aches in babies has significantly advanced, exhaustion in new moms has not.
So, we are going to look at the successful treatment of using the appropriate baby bottles. Dr. Brown's Natural Flow bottle has been clinically recognized to reduce air bubbles that cause spit up, burping and gas.
How Does it Work?
Dr. Brown’s Natural Flow eliminates pressure through a vent system that reduces oxidation of both breastmilk and formula and helps to preserve essential vitamins. It has also been used to help feed babies with cleft lip and palates.
It claims to be the bottle most similar to breastfeeding and is designed to “grow” with the child’s changing needs.
Dr. Brown’s bottles are available in a pack of 2-8-ounce (250 ml) BPA, PVC, lead, and phthalate free bottles. You can use them with or without the new ventilation system. Most importantly, it fits most breast pumps!
The air that enters through the collar of the bottle is routed through the vent system, missing the milk, passing to the bottom of the bottles. It also resists aeration, vacuum pressure, and nipple breakdown.
This preserves nutrients from losing their value, reduces feeding issues, promotes digestion, and paces the flow of the milk during feeding.
Is Sterilizing My Baby’s Bottle Important?
The big question and some of the most work is should I sterilize a Dr. Brown bottle?
The answer is yes! While your home may contain germs that build natural immunity in your baby, your baby’s bottle can grow harmful bacteria if not cleaned properly. While you have the option to wash bottles in hot soapy dishwater, bacteria can remain even after the most thorough washing.
The bacteria from unwashed hands can transfer from an individual to your baby’s bottle and finally to baby’s lips.
Other exposures include sitting on the kitchen counter or in the dish-drain for an extended period. For this reason, a lot of parents sterilize their baby’s bottles instead.
Dr. Brown offers a Microwave Steam Sterilizer that is designed for that brand of bottles specifically.
It will sterilize a maximum of four standard or wide neck bottles, uses regular water, and can be cleaned in the dishwasher. Dr. Brown’s sterilizer can be washed in the dishwasher but, can Dr. Brown’s bottles be washed in the dishwasher as well?
Are Dr. Brown’s Bottles Dishwasher Safe?
While packaging says that you may hand wash the bottle and parts and then put them in the dishwasher, this does have some drawbacks.
The first is the multiple steps of cleaning them means more time, not saving time.
The second is putting the bottles and parts in the dishwasher with other household dishes. Bacteria can transfer from the dishes to the bottles. Additionally, what happens EVERY TIME?
Debris and food from the other dishes get caught in the bottle parts. Gross! Now they need to be rewashed.
Stick with Sterilizing
There are easier, cleaner, and less time-consuming ways to clean Dr. Brown’s bottles. As was mentioned earlier, Dr. Brown has its own sterilization system that can be used in the microwave and is dishwasher safe.
Other parents have found that steaming or boiling the bottles and bottle parts works as well. Dr. Brown’s website offers a video and step by step directions on how to use the microwave sterilizer and the microwave bag sterilizer.
What’s Best for You and Your Baby
Whether your baby has colic, a cleft lip, is gassy, or completely happy with eating, Dr. Brown’s bottles offer an option that is beneficial for every child. Additionally, your bottle can change to meet baby's needs as he/she grows. What are the benefits for mom and dad?
First and foremost is having a healthier baby. Second is having healthier parents! If your baby is feeling well, and resting better, so can mom and dad! Sneaking in naps and eventually sleeping through the night may once again become attainable.
It is worth the extra work to find and order Dr. Brown's bottles and pay the price because a solid naps or night's sleep is valuable for the whole family.
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