Why Do Dr Brown Bottles Leak? Tips To Avoid Leaking

Are you one of those parents always asking why do Dr Brown bottles leak? Is your kitchen cabinet filled with many different feeding bottles, yet you have not found the perfect bottle that suits your child? As a mother, unless you are entirely breastfeeding your child, you might have to go back and forth with several bottles unless you find the perfect fit. It can be overwhelming, yet it can put a strain on your pocket at the same time. Is your baby comfortable with a Dr Brown bottle, but there is a problem with it?

Do not worry. We got your back! In this blog post, we will tell you why paediatricians recommend Dr Brown bottles, why Dr Brown bottles leak, and how Dr Brown bottles work?

We will also give you some essential tips that you can do to avoid leaking problems. To find out more about Dr Brown feeding bottles, keep on reading the article.

Why Dr Brown is the Most Recommended Baby Bottle

Parents usually buy Dr Brown feeding bottles because a pediatrician designs them to provide the natural flow of milk. After all, it reduces problems that can be caused by feeding, like colic issues. The venting system in Dr Brown bottles is clinically approved to reduce colic symptoms, like spitting, burping, and gas. The vent system is designed to eliminate negative pressure and air bubbles by channeling air away from the liquid contents in the container, whether it’s milk or formula. When air is removed from the milk, the baby will have a happy stomach, free from all feeding problems.

This is not all; the venting system also helps in preserving nutrients present in milk or formula by removing air. The oxygen present in the bottle can quickly degrade the vitamins. Thus the milk loses all its nutritional values. Feeding with Dr Brown bottles takes away your worries. Now your baby sleeps with a full stomach and no digestive problems.

The bottle is manufactured in a way so that the feeding experience is more like breastfeeding. The nipples are designed so that the milk flow is slow and steady. The baby has to suck the milk just like in breastfeeding; the milk flows easily without causing an ear infection. This bottle is loved by mothers who are switching back and forth with bottled and breastfeed milk. It is easy for the baby to adjust to both.

Dr Brown bottles are made up of polypropylene (PP), which is a plastic that contains plasticizer.

Dr Brown bottles are free of Bisphenol-A (BPA – chemical link).

Dr Brown bottles are extremely durable and will not break even if the bottle falls.

Dr Brown bottles are free of Phthalates, Dr Brown bottles are recyclable.

Dr Brown bottles are reusable can be sterilized and are dishwasher safe

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Brown Bottles Leak

The most common problems mothers complain about the bottle are of Dr Brown bottles leaking. There are two types of Dr Brown bottles available in the market, the Original Dr Brown Baby bottle and the Options Dr Brown Baby bottle. The option type is more prone to leak than the original, but it gives parents more choice of using a vent in a nipple or a bottle. Feeding bottles do not leak, you have to look for the problem, and once you know it, there is no leakage in the future.

Dr Brown bottles are meant to work on Dr Browns mechanism that vents the air from inside, but it has a small hole at the end of nipple which is called the Dr Brown hole, which is about 0.1mm. It allows the air to pass from the bottle to the baby’s mouth without any vacuum.

Dr Brown bottles venting system is often to blame for leaky bottles. It’s also crucial to get the correct nipples and prepare the bottle. Once your child is attached to a Dr Brown bottle, it becomes difficult to change the bottle brand. This is why we are here to help you look for the blind spots so that you do not have to throw away your little one’s favorite bottle.

Why Do Dr Brown Bottles Leak?

If the bottle is not handled correctly, the venting system present in it can cause leakage issues. There are three components: the bottle, the vent, the nipple, and the collar that need to be fixed properly. Leakage occurs when the nipple type is not correct; the nipple flow levels should be checked. If the flow level is too slow, then the air is pushed into the vent, pressure is built, which pushes milk out of the collar. Another reason for leakage might be the incorrect assembling of the bottle.

Can You Use Dr Brown Bottles without Vent?

Dr Brown bottles can be used with or without a venting system. However, if you remove it, then the purpose will not be achieved. If your child is having constant colic issues, you might have to use the bottle with the vent, but if your toddler has grown and does not have gastric issues, then the vent is unnecessary.

Removing the vent sometimes does not solve the problem; sometimes, the problem lies in the nipple type. The flow of the milk can also be the cause of leaky bottles. You might have to give it some shots, try to find where the problem lies before your child can have leak-free feeding. Here, the pro tip is to use bibs or a soft hand towel under your baby’s chin to avoid mess.

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How Do Dr Brown Bottles Work?

The common problem mothers face after buying a Dr Brown bottle is that it starts to leak during feeding, preparation, travelling, and using the internal venting system. The leakage will not only deprive your baby of nutritional value present in milk, but they will also be covered in milk, irritated by poor milk flow, and there is also a chance of air building inside the bottle that can cause digestive problems later. There are few things that you should be conscious of if you want to avoid leaky bottles.

Lock venting system

Dr Brown bottles are known for the venting system present in their bottle. It helps take out all the air from the bottle so that your baby does not feel fuzzy. Although it is a great invention, it is also the main culprit behind leaky bottles. To prevent it, make sure that you have correctly assembled the bottled. Dr Brown’s official website has provided a detailed guide to setting up the bottle.

The steps include:

Do not overfill the bottle
Place the nipple loosely on the bottle after adjusting it into the nipple collar.
Following the warming instructions, do not overheat the bottle.
Snap the reservoir onto the insert.
Place the reservoir in the bottle after removing the nipple and collar.
Now, place the nipple and collar on the vent system and secure it lightly.

Do not overfill the bottle

When preparing the baby’s food, ensure that you do not overfill the bottle. The bottle comes in 4 and 8 ounces. When adding water leaves some space for the formula. Filling the bottle till 8 ounces and then adding formula and overfill disturbs the proper functioning of the vent system, and the liquid overflows.

Do not shake the bottle

Once you have prepared the food, try not to shake the bottle after assembling the nipple and vent system. The liquid can enter into the vent, which will cause a leak. Instead, you can stir the formula with a spoon or metal straw to dilute the formula milk properly without producing lumps that can block the nipple.

Avoid Heating Dr Brown bottles

Overheating should be avoided at all costs. When you heat the formula milk, it will expand the air in the bottle, forcing liquid through the vent system and causing leaks, plus it can be dangerous for the child. Pour the formula into a separate container and warm it below body temperature, which is 98 degrees Fahrenheit and then pour it back into the bottle.

Avoid over-tightening collar

Dr Brown bottle lids need to be perfectly tight. Over-tight collars can build up pressure inside the bottle, which is released through the vent system. Thus leakage occurs. If you close the collar loosely, the bottle is not sealed correctly, causing milk to leak out.

Use right nipple

The wrong nipple type can also be the reason for the leak in Dr Brown’s bottle. Ensure that you are using the age-appropriate nipple for your child’s bottle, the incorrect nipple can break the vent, and a leak can occur. You need to upgrade the nipple as your baby grows. There are several types of Dr Brown bottle nipples that you can choose from according to the age and need of your child.

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Dr Brown’s nipple levels are as follows:

Preemie Nipple 0+ months: This is for premature babies as it provides slow feeding flow.

Level 1: This one also for babies who prefer slow feeding flow, but it is for new born to older infants.
Level 2: This is for babies from 3 months onwards who are now shifted on thicker formula
Level 3: This is for babies above six months, who can sit and eat solid foods.
Level 4: This is for nine months and older babies who have a consistent feeding routine.
Y-cut nipple: This nipple is also from 9 months onwards babies who drink thick formula milk and eat cereals.

Conclusion

A Baby’s health is the most important thing for any parent. They try their best to provide everything their little one requires. Dr Brown ensures that your baby remains healthy and happy. You might face some problems with the venting system as it is comparatively a new technology. Once you get a hold of it, leaking problems will be resolved. By following the steps mentioned above, the leaking problem will be resolved.