Baby Bottle Teats

About

Flow Rate - the Most Important Decision Flow rate describes how quickly milk passes through the teat, and matching it to a baby's age and development is one of the most straightforward improvements a parent can make to any bottle-feeding routine. A newborn teat flows slowly - close to the effort required at the breast - giving a young baby time to pace the feed and swallow without gulping. Too fast a flow at this stage causes gagging, choking, and often significant post-feed discomfort. As feeding becomes more coordinated - typically from around three to six months - a medium flow teat prevents the frustration of working too hard for too little. Fast-flow teats suit older babies drinking larger volumes more quickly and efficiently. Many parents delay the upgrade beyond the point at which it's needed. A baby who seems frustrated, pulls off the bottle repeatedly, or takes far longer than expected to finish a feed may simply have outgrown the current flow rate - and moving up is often the simplest fix. Silicone vs. Latex Teats Bottle teats are made from either silicone or latex, and the difference matters. Silicone teats are firm, clear, odourless, and highly durable - they hold their shape, clean easily, and resist degradation through repeated sterilisation. For most families, silicone is the default choice for its longevity and consistency. Latex teats are softer, more flexible, and amber-coloured - closer in feel and give to a natural nipple, which can make them easier for some babies to accept, particularly those moving between breast and bottle. The trade-off is longevity: latex degrades more quickly with regular high-temperature sterilisation and needs checking and replacing more frequently than silicone. Neither material is universally better. The right one is whichever a baby accepts most comfortably and feeds from most settled. Replacing Teats on Schedule Bottle teats don't last indefinitely, and replacing them regularly is one of those maintenance habits that