Over the past decade, Baby bottles are improved many things to suit the higher needs of modern people. One of the best advances is nipple of the baby bottle. Furthermore, the best slow flow nipples for newborns is the most important part of a whole baby bottle.

Unlike your soft and flexible skin, it's not easy for your baby to work with a rigid plastic nipple. Therefore, before learning the buying guide of the baby bottle, you should read my article in advance - the review of top five in 2018

In case you need short information to find out the best product as fast as possible, Dr. Brown's Original Nipple is an ideal choice. You just need to spend a lot of time to boil it before using and clean after each use you can take advantages of all benefits of this product for your baby.

The comparison of slow flow and fast flow

Why use the best slow flow nipples for newborns?

The following reasons will let you know why you should feed your baby by an extra slow flow nipple:

The bottle-feeding

If you feed your baby by a bottle, you had better know that the nipple influences how milk flows into your baby's mouth. Depend on the age and size of each baby, the options vary. Yet, at the early period, you always need to invest in a slow flow nipple. That's because it's very easy for newborns to be overwhelmed and a slow flow nipple can help it control the milk amount to flow into its mouth and body slowly.

Health problem

In case you choose the wrong size of the nipple, leading to giving your baby too much milk quickly, that's the reason for one even some potential health problems. While spitting up just is a normal issue since your baby is still in the learning process of how to consume food in the right way, excessive spitting up is a real health problem of the baby. 

There are 2 reasons for this disease. One, you may let your baby consume more milk amount than what it should be. Tummy of the baby is developing so it's pretty sensitive. It can't load a big amount of milk quickly at a time. That's why the digestive system rejects milk and causes spitting up.

The final reason is acid reflux which is caused when the baby swallows too much air. All these problems are from the wrong-sized nipple. Thus, to prevent swallowing air and make sure your bay is healthy and happy you should pick up a slow flow nipple.

The importance of slow flow nipple with older babies

The health problem I mentioned above can happen with older babies as well. Therefore, you can look for and purchase a bigger-sized nipple with slow flow stream to keep the tummy of your baby safe and suit with the larger mouths. This way keeps the larger body of your baby away from danger when using a too small nipple.

What you need to consider when buying the best slow flow nipples for newborns

The best slow flow nipples for newborns just can promote their maximum effectiveness if you apply them to the right babies. To do that, you have to learn all the following features clearly:

Size and flow

For babies, the flow is the most important thing you need to consider to pick up a proper nipple and baby bottle. There are a variety of sizes and flows of nipples on the market. The flow of the bottle from slowest to medium level depends on the numbers and the hole or slit shapes in the top of the nipple where milk will flow out.

Yet, don't worry since the manufacturers will mark on the label what size of nipple suits with a specific age stage. You just need to remember that the smallest number is in proportion to the slowest flow. For example, if your baby is a newborn, a slow flow model is the most appropriate option because its rate stage 1. Pay attention that this isn't applied to all brands of the nipple. Below is a variety of size and flow:

Size 0 (preemie or first flow): normally, these nipples have a thin hole in the top. Thus, as the name suggests, this size is perfect for premature babies and newborns that come with a vulnerable mouth.

Size 1: this is also known as a newborn flow but these nipples are designed with a standard side hole so it suits with babies who are from newborns to one month old. In some case, babies love using sized-1 nipples at any age.

Size 2: it's slow flow. There are two holes on the top of the nipple. It's ideal for breastfed babies about 1-2 months old who can use a pretty faster flow.

Size 3: this is a medium flow. The design comes with 3 holes in the top of the nipple so it is suitable for babies from 3-6 months. Also, you shouldn't invest this product in breastfed babies.

Size 4: compared to others, size 4 is the fastest flow teat. To satisfy 6-months old babies, the manufacturer designs 4 holes in the top. Like size 3, I don't highly recommend this size for breastfed babies because these flows are too fast for those who are in the nursing process.

Variable flow: in place of the designs of the normal nipples - the holes in the top, the variable flow comes with a Y or straight shaped slit. Thus, it suits 3 months old babies and remembers not to let your breastfeeding baby use this item. Its flow is very fast so it's easy to end up colic symptoms and overfeeding.

In general, slow flow rates are for breastfed babies since for a slow speed, you can easily control the milk amount.

Shape

On the market, there are 4 kinds of nipple shapes. Let see details below:

The standard nipple

The design of the conventional nipples seems to be old-fashioned and looks like a bell or a dome shape. Moreover, it is cheap and easy to find. In particular, it comes with a narrow base which is the wide but relaxed attachment for preemies babies and newborns.

The wide neck nipple

With the look of roundness, you can easily recognize it's the most "breast-like". The wide base and short teat help your baby use this nipple as convenient as possible, especially for breastfed ones. This product is designed to aim to older babies who can control the lips around the nipple base. In some cases, premature babies and newborns will be too wide to attach properly.

The orthodontic nipple

Apart from the wide neck model, this is also another "breast-like". Because of this special shape, breastfed babies suit to use more than others. Keep in mind that you must hold it properly unless you would like to cause a non-existent flow while feeding your angel.

Specialist breastfeeding

On the current market, you can easily find out a product which brings the feeling of mom's breast such as wide and flat-topped nipples which can take on 2 tasks: breastfeeding and bottle-feeding. That's because some specialists from the famous breastfeeding brands such as Breastflow and Medela have designed specialized nipples in order to mimic breastfeeding.

For regular teats, your baby will use their tongue to thrust and release milk while for specialized products, to make milk flow, baby needs to use compression. This is a smart design which transits breast and bottle easily so its price is pretty high. If your baby is in the love of using bottles more than breastfeeding, this is a worthy investment.

Material

Silicone and latex are 2 main materials of nipples:

Latex

The softness of latex material helps your baby's lip use easily. Moreover, its flexible feature supports you feed your baby conveniently while moving around. However, if this is your choice, you may get a small obstacle that means its bad durability requires you replace new ones regularly especially after your baby's teething.

Although its texture is an advantage - "breast-like", keep in mind to check whether or not your baby is allergic to the latex material. The latex nipples work well with breastfed and younger babies.

Silicone

When it comes to silicone material, thanks to the higher firm level, the shape of the silicone nipple is also kept longer. Due to a good structure, the silicone nipples keep your baby away from the problems which a latex nipple may bring. For example, it prevents collapsing without odor especially you can clean easily and your baby doesn't get allergies. I highly recommend this product for older babies.

=> If your baby isn't allergic to any materials, I highly recommend you the following solution. Let it use latex nipples within some first months after that change to silicone ones.

Cost

Depending on the different brands and quality of each product the price varies. Before deciding, you should remember that slow flow nipple is a temporary baby item. Does your baby really need a too expensive model? However, this is a rare item so don't skimp on. If you want to have a good price, you ought to buy a big amount of the different sized nipples in a shot. By doing so, it's a smart investment for long-term use.

Easy to clean

If you select a flexible nipple which allows you to invert, it will be very easy and quick to clean all even the hidden little creases. Don't forget to read the cleaning introduction on the package to determine if it's BPA free and dishwasher safe. Specifically, while BPA is an additive which is used in plastic material, silicone is harmful when you let it exposed to the high heat. After determining if your product has BPA free or not, you will know that cleaning with boiling water is allowed or not.

Kinds of nipples

To know what is the best: reusable or disposable nipples, you need to read the information below:

Disposable nipples

With this type, baby only has once use after that it's discarded in the bin. If you have a trip with your baby, this item is extremely convenient due to the prepackaged and ready-to-use features especially all of them are sterilized. However, it's expensive and you have to buy new ones regularly.

Reusable nipples

Its benefit is that you can save a big amount of money. However, you need to prepare the budget for cleaning and spend a lot of your time to clean and disinfect nipples.

In-length 5 best slow flow nipples for newborns reviews