Dr. Brown bottles are one of the most popular on the market, and parents have trusted the company since 1996. While the bottles are high-quality, you may have wondered, why are my Dr. Brown bottles leaking?
Dr. Brown bottles leak because of incorrect nipple flow, bottles that aren’t stored upright, improper feeding position, or incorrect bottle preparation. Ensuring you prepare your bottles properly and use the correct nipple level will lead to less leaking and prevent future issues.
This article will discuss why Dr. Brown bottles leak and the best ways to fix the issue. In addition, we’ll cover how often you should be changing out your bottles.
Reasons Why Your Dr. Brown Bottles Leaking
There’s nothing more frustrating than a leaky bottle, especially if your baby is eager to eat. While you invested a good deal in quality bottles, they sometimes cause aggravating situations. So before you return your Dr. Brown bottles, you should consider some potential causes of leaking.
Here are the top reasons why your Dr. Brown bottles are leaking.
Nipple Flow Is Too Fast or Too Slow
If the nipple flow is too slow, the baby will suck harder to get milk. However, this will also cause pressure to build up as air is pushed into the vent, causing leaking. You can help resolve this issue by increasing the nipple flow level to keep up with your baby’s demands.
If your nipple flow is too fast, you will experience the following symptoms:
- Choking and coughing
- Refusal of the bottle
- Gulping and rough swallowing
- Excessive milk spilling from baby’s mouth
Nipple flow that is too slow will exhibit the following signs:
- Feeding takes longer than usual
- Baby falls asleep while feeding
- Baby experiences irritation or fussiness while eating
You must use the correct nipple flow to ensure your baby is eating properly. The general rule is that the older the child, the faster the nipple flow rate. Remember, if your baby feeds too fast, they are more likely to experience gas issues.
Bottle Isn’t Upright
While it may seem obvious, if you don’t store your bottles upright, you can cause leakage. Even if the cap is on and the nipple is screwed tight, leaking can occur. Always keep your bottles upright in your bag regardless of whether you have a short or long distance to go.
Find the tightest pocket to store bottles in your diaper bag or another travel bag. Even the slightest movement can cause a significant leak in your bag.
Improper Feeding Position
As a new parent, there are many things to learn; one is the correct way to feed your baby. So whether you use formula or breastmilk, you should ensure you hold the bottle correctly.
Even a “leak-proof” bottle is no match for an improper feeding position. Avoid feeding your baby if they are not sitting up, even at a slight angle. In addition, if you hold the bottle mostly up or down, you’re more likely to experience leaking.
Holding your baby improperly during feeding will also likely cause discomfort for your little one. Babies taking in too much air are much more likely to experience gas.
Incorrect Bottle Preparation
Whether you fill your bottle with formula or breastmilk, you risk future leaking when preparing the bottle. Mixing or warming the bottle can cause internal pressure changes that cause future leaks. It’s best to remove any internal parts before mixing or warming up your Dr. Brown bottles.
In addition, if you overfill your bottles, you’re more likely to experience leakage. Also, nipples need to be screwed on securely to prevent leaking.
Finally, after you warm the bottle, you should crack the seal a bit before tightening it back up. Allowing some pressure out will help avoid any unwanted leaking. If the bottle gets too hot, steam can cause condensation, and the milk will begin leaking.
How Do You Fix Dr. Browns Bottles?
Bottles aren’t cheap, and you likely don’t want to buy new ones when they start leaking. So here are some tips on fixing Dr. Brown’s bottles.
Replace The Nipple
Sometimes the easiest way to fix Dr. Brown bottles is to replace the nipple. In addition to changing flow to prevent leakage, you should change the nipple level as your baby ages.
Remember that most Dr. Brown bottles automatically come with level 1 nipples, which may or may not be the right size for your little one. Level 1 is ideal for newborns as it allows a slower milk flow.
Hold The Bottle At The Correct Angle
When feeding your baby, you want to hold the bottle at the correct angle to prevent leaking. You want to keep the bottle horizontally and ensure milk fills the entire nipple while the baby is feeding.
Keep a 45-degree angle while feeding your baby, and avoid laying them flat.
Use A Traveling Disc
A traveling disc can help prevent leaks if you put your bottles in a diaper bag. The disc sits under the nipple; you will receive them with your Dr. Brown bottles purchase, so don’t throw them away. You can also purchase travel caps, which require removing the venting system and then screwing them onto the bottle.
How Often Should You Replace Dr. Brown Baby Bottles?
You should generally change your Dr. Brown bottles every two or three months. However, you should regularly inspect bottles for tears or holes and replace any defective ones immediately. You can also look for the following signs that indicate a change is necessary.
- Discoloration
- Flow becomes faster
- Torn nipples
- Stuck residue that doesn’t come off with persistent washing
- Nipples become flat
- Feeding becomes longer
- Baby is sucker harder than usual
- The baby is irritated while feeding
You might also need to change the internal venting system if the bottles are often leaking.
If you have a second baby, you can reuse bottles if you don’t find any issues with them and ensure you clean them thoroughly before use. You may also need to change out nipple flows depending on each baby.
Final Thoughts
Dr. Brown’s bottles are a popular choice for parents of newborns and young children because they are marketed as being able to help reduce gas and colic symptoms. However, many parents have complained that the bottles often leak, especially when the child is drinking from them. There are a few possible explanationsthe most common being incorrect nipple flow, bottles that aren’t stored upright, improper feeding position, or incorrect bottle preparation.