Silicone baby bottles are made from liquid silicone rubber (LSR), free of bisphenol A and resistant to breakage.Plastic bottles further include PC, PP, PES, and PPSU varieties. Among these three materials, which is superior? Are silicone bottles good? We address each question below.
Characteristics of silicone bottles:
1.Safe and non-toxic material
Compared to traditional plastic bottles, silicone bottles have a clear advantage in safety. Plastic production requires significant additives like antioxidants, plasticizers, and stabilizers, which can be harmful to the body. Medical-grade silicone, however, poses no such risk.
Compared to glass bottles, silicone bottles are less prone to shattering, offering greater safety.
2. Soft and Comfortable Feel
Silicone's exceptionally soft texture helps soothe and calm infants.
4. Durable and cost-effective
Silicone bottles have an exceptionally long lifespan. After the baby outgrows them, they can be repurposed as water bottles.
How to select and identify quality silicone bottles
1. Texture
Silicone mimics the feel of human skin. A high-quality silicone bottle must first offer a pleasant texture.When feeding, babies often hold the bottle and milk with their small hands. A pleasant texture helps stabilize the baby's mood and supports emotional development—something other bottle materials cannot match. A quality silicone bottle should have good elasticity, distinct from rubber's stiff bounce. Silicone's elasticity is soft and delicate.Additionally, filling the bottle with hot water for testing will make it feel even more akin to human skin. 2. Convenience Like other bottles, silicone bottles must not only perform well but also be convenient and practical to use. This means easy assembly and disassembly, along with universal compatibility—allowing interchangeability with other nipples and bottles (as most mothers currently use glass or plastic bottles).Existing silicone bottles often lack practicality in assembly/disassembly: features like grooves between silicone and plastic caps are cumbersome. As daily-use items, practicality and convenience remain paramount.
3. Details
Silicone inherently attracts dust. Beyond aesthetics, designs must incorporate dust resistance.Some silicone bottles incorporate dust-proofing directly into the bottle body by texturing part of the surface. This approach maintains the product's aesthetic appeal while addressing dust accumulation—truly killing two birds with one stone. How to sterilize silicone bottles Sterilizing in boiling water or a microwave won't cause deformation. Silicone bottles are more heat-resistant than standard plastic bottles, so prolonged sterilization poses no issues.Remove the plastic parts and sterilize only the silicone bottle and nipple in water (Sterilization: Once or twice a week).
How often should silicone bottles be replaced?
Nipples are made of silicone material. Manufacturers generally recommend replacing nipples every 3 months. For daily use, sterilize them daily with boiling water or steam. Timely replacement significantly benefits your baby's health.
Precautions for Using Silicone Bottles
1. Before each use, thoroughly wash with clean water and sterilize in a sterilizer or by boiling for no more than 5 minutes.
2. Always check the temperature inside the bottle before feeding to prevent scalding. Never leave the baby unattended during feeding.
3. Inspect the nipple for cracks or teeth marks before each use. Replace immediately if damaged.
4. Do not allow your baby to fall asleep while holding the bottle, as sugars in the milk can cause tooth decay.
5. Latex nipples are made from natural materials and may cause allergic reactions. Expansion or whitening when exposed to water or heat is normal and does not release harmful substances. However, replace immediately if the nipple becomes sticky or turns dark brown.(Not applicable to silicone or other material pacifiers.)
6. Glass bottles may break. (Not applicable to plastic bottles)
7. Do not use pacifiers as comfort pacifiers; generally recommended trial periods are: 4-6 weeks for latex pacifiers; 8-10 weeks for silicone pacifiers.
8. If using bottle cleaning solution, follow the manufacturer's instructions.
9. Never clean nipples in a dishwasher with detergent, as this may damage them.
10. Store nipples in a cool, dry place out of baby's reach and away from direct sunlight.