Are you looking for a baby bottle equipped with a physiologic nipple? It’s true that not all bottles necessarily come with one... Moreover, not all physiologic nipples share the same characteristics.
- But first, what exactly is a physiologic nipple?
- What are its benefits for your baby?
- Are there any essential things to know before purchasing a physiologic nipple?
Let’s discover all that together!
CONTENTS:
- What is a physiologic nipple?
- Physiologic or anatomic nipple: what’s the difference?
- Why choose a bottle with a physiologic nipple?
- How to know if the physiologic nipple you use has become too small?
- How to be sure the physiologic nipple is appropriate and not too big?
- How to recognize a bottle sold with a physiologic nipple?
- Presentation of the bottle with physiologic nipple Elhée
- In summary
What is a physiologic nipple?
A physiologic nipple is a bottle nipple designed to mimic the shape of the mother’s breast and the sensation felt during breastfeeding by the child. It is ergonomic and very flexible, allowing the baby to feed in a more natural and comfortable way. It is often recommended for newborns and breastfed babies.
The shape of a physiologic nipple
The shape of the physiologic nipple is often asymmetrical, with a wider base and a thinner tip to replicate the shape of the mother’s breast. Note that this is not always the case, however.
What material is a physiologic nipple made of?
The physiologic nipple is generally made of silicone or natural rubber.
Both materials provide great comfort and are easy to clean. However, the rubber nipple will have a shorter lifespan than the silicone nipple. It may also give off a strong taste or smell for your child at the beginning of use.
Physiologic or anatomic nipple: what’s the difference?
While the physiologic nipple has a slightly angled shape, with a flatter base and a more rounded tip that allows the baby to position their tongue in the same way as when breastfeeding, this is not the case for the anatomic nipple.
The latter actually has a more symmetrical and round shape. It resembles the maternal nipple less, but can still be suitable for a breastfed baby. The anatomic nipple allows for relatively free sucking, without any specific tongue positioning.
Why choose a bottle with a physiologic nipple?
There are several reasons why you might choose a bottle with a physiologic nipple:
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Reduce the risk of colic and regurgitation
The shape and flexibility of physiologic nipples allow for better air circulation during feeding, which reduces the risk of digestive discomfort. Most physiologic nipples on the market are now equipped with an anti-colic valve.
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Provide comfort for the child and encourage a more natural feeding
Since this nipple is designed to best imitate natural breastfeeding, the child is comfortable every time you feed them! The flexibility and softness of the physiologic nipple, as mentioned above, provide great comfort to the baby during feeding—not only because of the material, but also due to its shape, which makes it easier to latch onto.
Their sucking will be similar to what occurs at the breast. Getting them to accept the bottle will also be easier!
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Make the transition between breastfeeding and bottle-feeding easier
If you are considering mixed feeding or weaning your baby, using a bottle with a physiologic nipple will make the transition between breast and bottle easier. Your child will feel less out of place with a nipple shape that gives them the same sensations as while breastfeeding.
💡 Good to know: First and foremost, it is important to choose a physiologic nipple that suits your baby's age and needs. Many brands and models of bottles with physiologic nipples are available on the market. Making the right choice seems simple. In reality, it's often a whole different story!
How to know if the physiologic nipple you use has become too small?
Are you wondering when to change the size of your physiologic nipple? Start by identifying the signs that indicate the current size may no longer be suitable for your baby.
- If you notice that your baby seems irritated, restless, or displays a certain discomfort while drinking, this can be a sign that the nipple has become too small.
- Additionally, if your baby is having trouble sucking properly and struggling to get enough milk or food, this is another strong indicator that the nipple is unsuitable and too small. Difficult sucking and insufficient intake of food will result in obvious frustration during meals.
How to be sure the physiologic nipple is appropriate and not too big?
Note that a nipple that is too large puts excessive pressure on your baby’s mouth, making feeding uncomfortable. Your baby's nose may also seem "flattened." It is best to avoid feeding your baby with a larger nipple size thinking that the child will grow into it and that it will only be a temporary inconvenience.
Did you know?
A nipple generally lasts between 2 and 4 months once the first teeth appear! Your store of nipples should therefore be renewed at least twice during your baby’s life.
How to recognize a bottle sold with a physiologic nipple?
To find out if a bottle comes with a physiologic nipple, you can simply check the product specifications on the packaging or the product’s online information sheet.
A physiologic nipple is often described as "soft" or "flexible."
If you’re unsure about making the right choice, you can also contact the manufacturer or the seller to make certain that the nipple is indeed a physiologic one. Note that nowadays, most nipples for sale are physiologic nipples. However, not all share the same characteristics (material, shape, flow rate...)
Presentation of the bottle with physiologic nipple Elhée
Elhée’s innovative Bib'Rond is a bottle with unique features that help babies feed more easily and reproduce a natural feeding experience. It is designed to imitate the shape and sensation of the maternal breast, and therefore to facilitate the gradual transition between exclusive breastfeeding and partial breastfeeding.
Our bottle comes with a physiologic nipple made of soft, flexible silicone that adapts to your baby’s mouth for a more comfortable and natural sucking experience. The nipple promotes optimal air circulation; it is equipped with a patented ventilation system that reduces the risk of colic and regurgitation.
Made from medical-grade silicone, the Elhée Bib’Rond also features a unique design, making it completely impermeable to the diffusion of plastic microparticles.
If you’re looking for a premium quality bottle with a physiologic nipple that babies love and that is designed to meet their needs, quickly visit our store!
In summary
Physiologic nipples offer multiple advantages:
- Reduced risk of colic and regurgitation in babies,
- Better comfort during feeding times,
- Easier transition between breastfeeding and bottle-feeding.
To finally confirm your choice of a specific product, it’s important to consider the following criteria:
- Your baby’s age, which determines the nipple size,
- The nipple flow rate, often linked to the size (slow flow for a newborn, medium flow for a three-month-old, fast flow as of six months)
- The material and shape of the desired bottle,
- Optionally: ease of cleaning (easy disassembly, no odor after cleaning, dishwasher safe, etc.)
The physiologic nipple from Elhée is compatible with our Bib’Rond. Suitable for all stages of growth and equipped with patented ventilation technology, its tip allows your child to feed effectively. It’s therefore ideal for starting your baby’s feeding journey in the best and gentlest conditions!
