The material from which the nipple in the bottle is made (see "Type"). Also, the material can be specified for spouts (see “Liquid Delivery”) if they look like nipples.
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Silicone. Synthetic material, in many respects considered more advanced than latex. So, silicone nipples tolerate boiling without problems, have no taste and smell and are completely hypoallergenic (the risk of an allergy to this material is zero). At the same time, this material is noticeably stiffer than latex, and not every child likes such a nipple; Yes, silicone is more expensive.
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Latex. Elastic material of natural origin, the main advantages of which are flexibility and softness. And latex nipples are cheaper than silicone ones. However they are less durable, but most often this difference is not noticeable. Some consider this material to be as “natural” as possible, but natural origin has a downside: children who are prone to allergies may develop this allergy to latex. However, the likelihood of such troubles is extremely small, and in general, this material is still considered hypoallergenic. But from the unequivocal disadvantages of latex, one can name a peculiar smell and taste (which the child may not like), as well as sensitivity to high temperatures, which is why such a nipple cannot be sterilized in boiling water.
The rate of fluid flow provided by the nipple on the bottle.
The flow rate should not be too high or too low. In the first case, the baby will choke and choke (which in itself is not good, besides, it can cause belching and colic), and if the feeding is too slow, it can be naughty. However, in general, low speed is more preferable than high speed. Therefore, you should select a model according to the flow rate as follows: start with a
slow one, and then, as necessary, transfer the baby to a
medium one, and then to a
faster nipple.
Note that containers with
adjustable flow rates are produced — they are somewhat more expensive than usual, but more versatile and can be used in all age categories.
