Details

What makes Green to Grow Silicone Nipples so popular: 3 nipples per package 3 speeds to choose from: Beginner (slow flow, 0-3 months) Intermediate (medium flow, 3-6 months) Expert (fast flow, 6+ months) Dishwasher safe Silicone nipples don't pick up smells or tastes, even after many uses Silicone is more durable than latex, making it harder for baby to make holes and longer lasting

Why is bottle nipple shape important? For exclusively formula-fed babies, nipple shape may not be as critical, as long as your child eats well and comfortably from it.  For breastfeeding babies who are occasionally using a bottle, bottles with wide-base nipples that are more similar to a mother's breast may be preferred. The switch from the wide latch of mom's breast to a smaller, more narrow bottle nipple can sometimes pose challenges. Why does nipple flow rate matter? Nipple flow rate means the speed at which breastmilk or formula comes through the nipple. This varies among different products. Many manufacturers offer nipples for slow or fast flow. Slower flow nipples are better for most newborns.  A flow that is too fast may cause gastrointestinal distress, particularly with very small babies. There are, however, infants who find slower flow nipples too slow, so experimentation is typically necessary to find a nipple and flow speed that your baby prefers. In general, as your child grows, he or she will need a faster flow nipple.

Care & Content

General Care Wash all bottles and nipples with a mild soap. Avoid antibacterial soaps and harsh cleaners that can cause plastic to become brittle. Wash nipples using sponge or nipple brush, but do not push nipple brush through hole in nipple. Replace nipples every two to three months. Dishwasher safe (top rack). How to prepare for first use Wash and sterilize Green to Grow baby bottles and nipples before first use. Bottles and nipples can be sterilized by either placing them in boiling water for 2 to 5 minutes, or by using countertop or microwaveable sterilizing machine and following manufacturer’s instructions. After sterilizing, wash bottles and nipples in hot, soapy water (or run them through dishwasher) before every use. Bottles and nipples can transmit bacteria if not properly cleaned.

About the Materials Made from a transparent, medical grade silicone that is heat-resistant, non-toxic, and odorless. The nipples are free of nitrosamines, a potentially harmful contaminant found in many rubber nipples.

Product Origins

Our decision to launch Green to Grow with a line of bisphenol A-free plastic baby bottles grew from our alarm as we read reports that highlighted the potential dangers presented by polycarbonate plastic, which contains the hormone disruptor bisphenol A—a neurological, developmental, and reproductive toxicant—and from our frustration over the lack of options. We believed concerned parents like us would welcome safer alternatives, even if they cost more due to the higher price of the raw materials used. And to ensure the highest level of quality and safety, we decided to have our bottles periodically spot tested for bisphenol A, phthalates, and lead at an environmental laboratory in Chicago, Illinois.

We have learned, in our efforts to serve as stewards of health and wellbeing for babies and children, that it is impossible to separate what is best for babies and children from what is best for the earth. To this end, we are committed to seeking environmentally sound business solutions and consider the environmental impact of every decision we make. We use 100% recycled paper and soy inks in all of our packaging and printed corporate materials and have partnered with 1% for the Planet, pledging to donate 1% of our annual sales to environmental causes. We have also founded the Bottles to Babies Initiative, using our web site as a vehicle to connect families who are no longer using their baby bottles with local non-profit organizations and women’s shelters that accept used baby bottle donations. Green to Grow has plans to partner with these organizations and to donate new nipples to be used with donated bottles. This is truly a grassroots effort: in addition to our list of recommended locations to donate bottles, customers are encouraged to find local organizations that accept baby bottle donations and to contribute this information to our web site, where we are in the process of compiling a national database.

Bottles to Babies has two primary goals: to connect families who no longer need their baby bottles with local, non-profit organizations that accept donations for mothers who need bottles to feed their babies, but can’t afford them; and to provide an infrastructure for Green to Grow to realize our mission of giving back (to learn more about our commitment to giving, please see our Bottles to Babies Partnerships, 2007/2008. It’s a way of helping families who need a little extra support, doing your part to Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle, and experiencing the true joy of compassionate service.

The way it works is simple:

• First, when you find yourself with gently used baby bottles you are no longer using, make the decision to donate them to an organization that helps women and families. Begin by searching our Bottles to Babies Donation Sites directory to see if there are any locations listed in your area.

• If we don’t have an organization in your area listed yet, try calling local women’s and children’s organizations, or doing a web search using keywords such as the name of your state, city, or region, and phrases such as “women’s shelters,” “services for women,” “family services,” or “homeless families.”

• If you find a new donation location in your area, please let us know so we can add your organization to our list of donation sites. Just send us an email at bottlestobabies@greentogrow.comwith the name, address, and phone number of the organization to which you donated your bottles. A contact name would also be helpful. If you’d like to include personal comments about your experience of reaching out in this way, Green to Grow plans to post some of our customers’ thoughts on our web site (with your permission, of course).

• Green to Grow will contact the organizations on our Bottles to Babies Donation Sites list and offer to donate new Green to Grow nipples to be used with your donated bottles. We also plan to partner with some of these organizations to provide them with further support.

• Once you’ve connected with an organization that helps families and children, consider donating other new or gently used items too: clothing, bedding, furniture, toys, food, etc. (Let your children join you when making your donation, so they can learn the value you place on generosity and conservation.)

Bottles to Babies Donation Sites