When to replace baby Bottles and Teats

As a parent, it’s very important to keep your baby safe during feeding. The bottles and nipples you use daily need to be in tip-top shape to keep your little one healthy and happy.

Bottles and nipples, like all baby gear, don't last forever. They can get old, damaged, or dirty. 
When they do, it's time to replace them. If you use old or broken ones, it can make feeding difficult for your baby and could even be dangerous.

Many new parents aren't sure when it's time to throw out old bottles and buy new ones. So, let’s help you understand when to get new baby bottles and teats. You'll learn what signs to watch for, how often to replace different kinds.

Signs It's Time to Replace Baby Bottles

Baby bottles are used frequently every day. Because of this, they can wear out and need to be replaced. Here are some indicators:

1. Cracks, chips, or scratches in plastic or glass: Even a tiny crack in any bottle can hide germs, making your baby sick. Chips in glass bottles can be sharp and dangerous, and scratches in plastic bottles create rough spots where bacteria can easily grow.
2. Cloudiness or discolouration in plastic bottles: When plastic bottles turn cloudy or change colour, it's a sign that the plastic is breaking down. You can't wash away this cloudiness, and it means the bottle has either been used too much or exposed to excessive heat.
3. Warping from heat exposure: Bottles that get bent from heat (like from hot water or steam) won't form a good seal with the nipples. This means they might drip or be tricky for your baby to hold during feeding time.
4. Persistent odours that won't wash away:  If your bottles still smell sour, musty, or just plain weird after you've washed them well, it's time to toss them. That's because those smells are a sign that invisible bacteria or mould have made a home in tiny cracks or scratches.
   

When to Replace Bottle Teats?

Bottle teats suffer a lot! Your baby stretches, pulls, and chews on them daily, so they wear out quicker. Here's how to know it's time to get new ones:

Cracks, tears, or holes in the silicone or latex

It's risky if a baby's bottle nipple has any cracks or tears because small bits can break off and make your baby choke. Even tiny holes that shouldn't be there can cause milk to come out too fast, which might make your baby choke.

Thinning or weakening of the material

When a bottle nipple is about to wear out, it will start to feel thin or flimsy. It feels different when you squeeze it, or it doesn't spring back to its original shape as quickly as it used to.

Shape distortion or stretching

When a bottle nipple gets stretched or bent, it won't fit well in your baby's mouth. This can make feeding uncomfortable and cause spills.

Milk flowing too quickly or too slowly

When your baby's bottle nipple lets milk flow too fast (gushing) or too slow (barely dripping), it means the tiny holes have worn out and changed size. Milk that comes out too quickly can make your baby choke, but if it's too slow, your baby will get frustrated.

Material-Specific Replacement Guidelines

The lifespan of your baby bottles and teats depends on the materials from which they're made. If you know how each material wears out, you'll know exactly when to replace it and make your feeding gear last longer.

Plastic Bottles

Most BPA-free plastic bottles should be replaced every 3 to 6 months with regular use. The plastic gradually breaks down over time. If you're rough with them, store them in hot spots, or scrub them with harsh cleaners, they'll wear out quickly.

Glass Bottles

Glass bottles last a lot longer than plastic ones, sometimes for many years. That's because heat and cleaning chemicals don't damage glass like they do plastic.

Silicone vs. Latex Teats

Silicone teats are much durable, often lasting about 6 to 8 weeks with regular use, because they're strong and resistant to heat. On the other hand, latex teats aren't as tough and usually need to be replaced every 2 to 4 weeks.

Maintenance Tips to Extend Bottle Life

If you take good care of your baby bottles and teats, they last longer and stay safe for your baby. If you clean and handle them properly, you'll get more use out of them and keep your baby healthy.

Sterilisation methods and frequency

• Clean your baby's bottles and teats before you use them for the very first time.
• You can clean them using a steam steriliser, boiling water, or special sterilising tablets.
• Just be sure to follow the directions that come with the product you're using.

Avoid harsh chemicals and abrasives

• Use a mild dish soap and warm water for everyday cleaning.
• Don't use bleach, strong chemicals, or antibacterial soaps, as they can harm the bottles.
• Avoid steel wool or rough sponges that may scratch the bottle surfaces.

Safe temperature limits

• Don't let your bottles get hotter than the bottle maker says is safe, even when you're cleaning them.
• Always follow the bottle maker's heat limits. Too much heat can damage them, even during the washing process.

Microwave and dishwasher considerations

• Only use microwave-safe bottles if you need to warm them, and never microwave empty bottles.
• Place bottles on the top rack of the dishwasher and use gentle, low-heat settings.
  

You may also like to read: Choosing The Right MAM Baby Bottle

Summing Up

It's important to know when to replace your baby's bottles and teats to keep feeding times safe and comfortable. Always check for cracks, wear and tear, odd smells, or any changes in their appearance or function. It's best to replace your baby's feeding items if you're not sure they're still good. Regularly checking and getting new feeding gear will help make mealtimes easy and keep your baby healthy and content.