Comparison Medela 800.0400 vs Medela 008.0114

The working volume of the bottle is the amount of liquid for which it is designed. If you fill it “under the cork”, a little more drink can fit inside, but this is still undesirable.

The volume is selected by the manufacturer, taking into account the age the product is designed for and what type it belongs to (see above). So, for newborns, 100 – 200 mL is most often enough, in the category "from 6 months" there are already models for 300 – 400 mL, and for older children (from 3 years old) drinkers of 500 mL or more are produced, similar to flasks of "sports » appointments for adults. All these values are quite justified from the point of view of science. So when choosing, you should focus mainly on the “age category” and type of bottle, and only then — on its volume; especially since models of the same class and in terms of capacity do not differ much.

The main material from which the container is made. In drinking bowls and thermodrinkers (see "Type"), the lid is usually made of the same material, although there are exceptions (see "Nipple material").

— Plastic. Plastic combines lightness, low cost, versatility and practicality, making it the most popular material for children's tableware. It can have any colour, become transparent or translucent, and is well suited even for vessels of a rather complex shape, besides, it does not cool the hands (which is especially important if the child himself holds the container). In addition, plastic is safe from impacts and falls — it does not break; and when squeezed, such a container will flatten rather than crack. Note that the composition and properties of this material may be different — for example, not all containers are suitable for hot drinks or sour juices, and cheap low-quality types of plastic may be unsafe for health. Therefore, before buying a plastic product, it's ok to clarify the features of the material and make sure that it has safety certificates (all this data is available in the instructions and other manufacturer's documentation). However, in children's dishes of normal quality, everything is usually in order with safety. But from the unequivocal disadvantages of plastic, one can note the difficulty in cleaning: in particular, it cannot be rubbed hard and washed with “hard” means, which makes it difficult to remove old dirt (for examp...le, if the remains of the milk mixture have dried to the walls), and not everyone can tolerate hot water similar containers.

— Silicone. A material that looks like transparent plastic, but most often it is soft. Such a container can be more pleasant to the touch for a child than hard plastic, and liquid can be “squeezed” out of it if necessary. In addition, silicone is considered absolutely safe, it does not cause allergies and normally tolerates high temperatures, such dishes can even be boiled. On the other hand, these advantages cannot be called key, but this material costs a little more than plastic. Therefore, it is used much less frequently.

— Glass. The main advantage of glass over transparent plastic is its hardness and, as a result, scratch resistance. Thanks to this, the dishes, firstly, normally tolerate even a “hard” wash with (abrasive powders, metal brushes, etc.), and secondly, they retain their presentation for a long time (whereas plastic becomes cloudy over time from minor scratches and scuffs) . Also note that glass is a hypoallergenic material, does not emit harmful substances and normally tolerates high temperatures, including boiling water. On the other hand, a strong blow can break a glass container, and sharp fragments are not safe for a child. Therefore, you should be especially careful with such dishes.

— Metal. The main advantage of metal can be called high strength. On the other hand, this material is opaque, cools the hands when touched (although in hot weather this can be an advantage) and does not hold the temperature of the contents well (however, thermal drinkers do not have this drawback, see "Type"). Most metal containers are designed for the oldest age group (from 36 months), some — for children from 12 months.

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.

— 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.

— 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.