Finding a bottle that Indy likes has been quite a challenge, and I don’t think I’m the only Mama who has experienced this issue when trying to share feeds with a partner, or moving onto bottle feeding. We’ve tried a number of different bottles, all with varying degrees of success, but the Munchkin LATCH bottles have been a firm favourite – so much so that we’ve settled with these and have bought more for the coming months.
The Munchkin LATCH bottles are designed for transitional and combi-feeding, but can also be used straight from birth too if you’re bottlefeeding and/or pumping.
The LATCH teat is designed to be the same shape as a breast and nipple. When breastfeeding a proper latch is achieved for baby when your nipple reaches all the way back to your baby’s soft palate. The teat on the LATCH bottles has an accordion-style nipple which stretches like the breast, helping baby latch easily and correctly. This makes it perfect for combi-feeding and sharing feeds, as it decreases to chance of nipple confusion.
The teat on the LATCH bottles is lovely and big, to mimic your nipple. It works just like the breast; baby controls the flow by applying pressure to the base of the teat.
If you decide not to breastfeed, or if it doesn’t work out, the bottles are still absolutely perfect for baby for a couple of reasons:
The bottles have a clever anti-colic function; a one-way, anti-colic valve which is located at the bottom of the LATCH bottle. This allows for milk to flow while ensuring air bubbles do not travel through. We’ve found this really useful when Indy’s milk gets foamy and full of air after mixing it – I’ve definitely seen a decrease in wind since we’ve been using these.
The design of the accordion-style nipple also decreases the amount of air ingested, as it flexes as Indy moves his head – allowing him to maintain his latch.
The Munchkin LATCH bottles have been a huge hit in our household, and I’m so thankful to have found a bottle that Indy doesn’t fuss over, and that decreases his windiness! They have also meant that we’ve been able to continue breastfeeding without him getting confused, or having a preference of bottle over breast. He now falls asleep on the bottle at bedtime too, which was unheard of before – prior to using the LATCH bottles, I had to pop him on the breast to get him to sleep after a bottle.
The Munchkin LATCH Newborn Starter Kit costs £25-30 (dependent on retailer). This includes four bottles (two 4oz and two 8oz), six teats (four first stage and two second stage) and a deluxe bottle brush. I would definitely recommend the Munchkin LATCH bottles to parents – they really are pretty fantastic!
Find out more about the Munchkin LATCH bottles on the Munchkin website, or have a gander of the video below!