Baby Bottle Holders - Guidelines for Safety and Proper Use

By Pixie Patterns - Creator of The ORIGINAL baby bottle Prop-up.

Want an extra hand to help out with feeding baby? Need to get things done while baby is hungry? Of course this happens to every mom, especially moms of multiples or moms with older children and a baby. It's so tempting to jump in and buy a bottle holder to use for hands-free feedings isn't it? But before you do you must consider safety issues, as well as how good the product will perform. Please refer to this guide before buying or making a baby bottle holder.

Safety issues to consider regarding the bottle holder's design:

• Is the bottle holder too bulky around baby's face? This can impede breathing and cause suffocation or SIDS. A good example of this type of bottle holder is the Propzy which is sold here on eBay. It is so bulky it can obstruct breathing in a small child.
• Is the baby able to pull away from the bottle on their own? If your baby needs to cough, or simply is full, can he or she pull away from the bottle on their own in order to prevent choking? The best designs to prevent this are ones that sit on or contour the chest ONLY. Anything around baby's neck forces the bottle to stay in place and makes it hard for baby to get it out of their mouths. Remember, a baby who cannot coordinate one's own movements has only the ability to turn their head away from the bottle. If they can't it can cause choking and poses a severe safety risk.
• Is the bottle holder made from 100% hypoallergenic material and 100% cotton or flannel? Many synthetic filling fibers can cause or trigger allergies and breathing problems in a small childs sensitive airways. Many fabrics can also cause skin irritations and rashes. Make sure to only use bottle holders that are stuffed with 100 percent Hypoallergenic Polyester Fiberfill and that are made with 100 percent cotton or flannel.

Is the bottle holder designed well?

First take into consideration all the safety issues above. Then consider these points for a good functioning bottle holder:

• Will it stay on baby while they drink? Is the holder secure and stable on baby while he or she feeds, or will it roll off or be easily tossed off? Any bottle holder that just sits on baby's chest loosely is bound to fall off. Baby's have little to no coordination and will push, toss or knock it off if it just sits loosely on their chests. This will mean baby gets frustrated, cries and you'll be forever fetching it and re-positioning it.
• Laying flat with a bottle holder is a NO-NO! Can it be used other than when baby is lying down? Again, the bottle holders that just loosely sit on baby's chest cannot be properly used in car seats, at 45 degree angles (safest angle for baby to feed at to prevent choking when using a bottle holder), or in other semi-upright positions. They will fall off and be of no use. One that is designed like our Prop-up is the ultimate solution to this problem, as it is able to adapt to ANY position/angle without slipping or falling off. You want to always safeguard against choking when using a bottle holder.
• Is it properly constructed? Make sure there are no loose threads or small holes in the holder before each use. Babies can choke on loose threads or fiberfill. You always want to make sure the holder is in tip-top shape before each feed.
• Will it need frequent washing? Frequent washing will create faster wear and tear and can cause the holder to deteriorate. It will also cause the holder to become smelly if it is not washed frequently when soiled. You want a design that gets little to no milk on it. The best designs are ones that sit on the chest securely and which keep the bottle angled AWAY from the holder itself. Again, an advantage of the Prop-up and a disadvantage of the designs that sit around a baby's neck. As we all know babies are messy eaters, so you want to avoid anything that gets dirty fast.

Safety and proper guidelines when using a baby bottle holder:

The following precautions should ALWAYS be followed when using a bottle holder:

• The item is NOT a toy.
• Do NOT use without parental supervision.
• Do NOT EVER use as a feeding method in a crib or bassinet.
• Always keep baby in sight to prevent choking or other accidents.
• Always place baby in a position where baby's head is elevated at a 35 to 45 degree angle to prevent choking. Using a boppy pillow or in an infant car seat is the best way to acheive the desired angle.
• These items should NEVER be used with infants under 3 months of age without constant and vigilant parental supervision.
• Baby should be able to move their head from side to side ON THEIR OWN and be able to PULL AWAY from the bottle if needed.
• The item should not be used for EVERY FEEDING. Babies need to be cuddled and held. These items are designed to be used for times that baby needs to be fed but you cannot hold baby at that moment.

I hope this guide helps you choose a safe and functional bottle holder. Remember that nothing replaces the feeding of a baby by a parent, but when you need a little help in your busy day-to-day life, these items are very useful and safe when used properly. Just adhere to all the safety precautions mentioned and enjoy having some free time.