Safe Baby Bottle for Cleft Babies: Gentle and Anti-Colic Solution from Hegen

Welcoming a baby’s arrival should be a moment filled with joy. However, for some mothers, that happiness is mixed with anxiety upon learning that their baby is born with a cleft condition. One of the first challenges that is immediately felt is feeding. The baby appears eager to drink, yet often chokes, tires easily, or becomes fussy after feeding.

This is where many mothers begin to ask: what kind of bottle is safe and comfortable for this condition? Choosing a cleft baby bottle is not merely about the brand, it is about selecting a design that truly supports the baby’s special needs.

Why Do Babies with Cleft Conditions Need Specially Designed Bottles?

Simply put, babies with a cleft lip or cleft palate have difficulty creating negative pressure in their mouth. In babies without cleft conditions, this pressure helps draw breast milk or formula out of the nipple. For babies with clefts, this mechanism does not work optimally. As a result, the baby has to work much harder to obtain milk.

Common risks include frequent choking, swallowing excessive air, experiencing colic, or feeding sessions that take a very long time. If left unaddressed, nutritional intake may become insufficient.

The purpose of using a cleft baby bottle is to help milk flow gently without requiring strong suction from the baby, while also minimizing the amount of air that enters.

Principles of a Safe Bottle for Babies with Cleft Conditions

Source: Hegen

1. Soft, easily compressible nipple

The nipple must be soft enough so milk can flow even when the baby cannot suck strongly. This is especially helpful for babies with cleft conditions who have limited suction ability.

2. Proper flow control

Milk flow should not be too fast to avoid choking, yet not too slow so the baby does not become exhausted quickly.

3. Anti-colic system

Excessive air intake can trigger colic and discomfort. An anti-colic system is an essential component in a bottle designed for babies with cleft conditions.

4. Safe and hygienic materials

The bottle should be made from food-grade materials, BPA-free, and able to withstand repeated sterilization without damage.

5. Ergonomic size and design

A bottle that is easy to grip and stable helps support feeding sessions that require extra attention.

6. Simple design that is easy to clean

The fewer the bottle components, the lower the risk of milk residue being trapped and becoming a breeding ground for bacteria.

Hegen’s Solution for Babies with Special Feeding Needs

Source: Hegen

One solution that meets the principles above is the PPSU bottle from Hegen. This bottle is designed with a gentle and safe approach for various feeding needs, including babies with cleft conditions.

• Nipple shaped like a mother’s breast

Hegen nipples are designed to resemble a mother’s breast, allowing milk to flow more naturally without requiring strong suction.

• Multiple nipple flow options

Flow control is available in several options that can be adjusted to the baby’s ability (extra slow, slow, medium, fast, thick feed).

Mothers can easily switch according to their baby’s needs, allowing the baby to feed at a more stable rhythm. Simply attach it to the collar, and it instantly becomes a practical feeding lid for babies.

• Anti-colic air vent system

In addition, the dual-vent anti-colic system helps maintain a consistent milk flow while reducing the amount of air swallowed.

• PPSU material and ergonomic design

Medical-grade PPSU material makes the bottle heat-resistant, safe for repeated sterilization, and resistant to cloudiness. Its ergonomic square design is stable when placed down and easy to hold during special feeding sessions.

• ESF System (Express–Feed–Store)

Another advantage is the modular system that allows the bottle to be used for pumping, storing, and feeding without transferring milk to another container. This is especially important for maintaining hygiene, particularly for babies with sensitive conditions such as cleft palate.

How to Feed a Baby with a Cleft Condition Using the Right Bottle

Using the right bottle must be paired with proper feeding techniques. Mothers can start by choosing the slowest flow so the baby can adapt comfortably.

Position the baby in a semi-upright position to support swallowing and reduce the risk of choking. Use paced feeding techniques by offering regular pauses so the baby can breathe and swallow comfortably. Also pay attention to air bubbles inside the bottle.

The anti-colic system in the bottle will help your little one feed more comfortably, but mothers still need to ensure the bottle is positioned correctly. If the baby starts coughing, turns red in the face, or appears fatigued, pause briefly before continuing.

Caring for Bottles for Babies with Special Conditions

Babies with cleft conditions tend to be more susceptible to infections because the pathway between the mouth and nose is more open. Therefore, bottle hygiene becomes a top priority. PPSU bottles that are resistant to high temperatures make routine sterilization easier without worrying about material damage.

Bottle designs with minimal components allow for more thorough cleaning. Make sure the bottle and nipple are completely dry before reuse. Mothers should also regularly check the nipple condition to ensure it remains elastic and has not changed shape.

Providing Nutrition Safely and with Care

Caring for a baby with a cleft condition requires patience and the right choice of feeding equipment. A bottle with proper flow control, a soft nipple, an anti-colic system, and safe PPSU material is a crucial combination to support comfortable feeding.

As a recommendation, Hegen’s BPA-free, multi-purpose PPSU bottle comes with the ESF Express Store Feed system. Mothers can pump breast milk directly into the bottle, store it hygienically, and then feed the baby simply by changing the nipple.

This system helps meet the daily nutritional needs of newborns and premature babies, including those with cleft conditions, by reducing the risk of contamination and keeping breast milk quality optimal.

BUY Hegen PCTO™ 150ml/5oz Feeding Bottle PPSU (2-pack) HERE

With the right knowledge and supportive equipment, mothers can go through the feeding journey with greater peace of mind, while ensuring their baby receives the best possible nutrition every day.

Practical, elegant, and premium. Hegen is ready to accompany you, check out now on the official Hegen Indonesia website!