Which Baby Bottle Nipple Is Best

It sounds simple enough, but shopping for nipples can be confusing. Besides the basic type, there's a large array of options.

"No nipple is inherently better than any other," says Wendy Wright, M.D., a pediatrician at the Mount Sinai Hospital, in Chicago. "The best one for your baby is the one he feels most comfortable with." If an infant likes it, he'll quickly grab on to it and suck vigorously. If he doesn't, he'll let go after a few sucks, his body may tense up, and he may begin to fuss or cry.

Here's what the different nipples really offer.

Orthodontic
The bulb, the part of the nipple the baby sucks on, is flattened to resemble the shape of the mother's nipple during breastfeeding. Because of its shape, this type of nipple sometimes sticks shut after feedings, making it difficult to clean.

Angled
The nipple leans to one side so that it automatically tilts into your baby's mouth.

Vented
A small hole in the neck of the nipple lets air into the bottle while keeping liquid in. This prevents the nipple from collapsing. While vents help the nipple stay erect, most babies instinctively suck just fine without them by opening their mouth and letting air back into the bottle.

Size 1
These can also be labeled "for babies 0 to 6 months." The hole is smaller, to prevent the baby from taking in too much at once and gagging. The entire nipple may be smaller than those designed for older babies.

Size 2
These can also be labeled "for older babies" or "faster-flowing." A larger hole -- or sometimes more than one hole -- allows for a quicker flow.

For Premature Babies
This nipple has a tinier hole than others, and is softer, to make sucking easier until a preemie gains more strength.

Making An Easter Candy Basket of Epic Proportions with the Giant Cupcake Pan

What’s better than having an Easter decoration? How about one that is also edible?! My candy Easter basket was created using Candy Melts, Candy Clay, marshmallows, pretzels, and jelly beans. Now that’s a tasty combination!

I started by making Candy Clay. It was super easy to make and work with – and yummy too! Melt one 14 oz. bag of white Candy Melts in the microwave on the defrost setting, and then stir in 1/3 cup of light corn syrup and put it on a wax paper lined plate. I used white Candy Melts because I planned on adding candy colors to it. The Candy Clay recipe goes a long way; I ended up using about half of my Candy Clay for this project and saved the rest to use on another project.

 

While the Candy Clay was setting up, I melted one bag of white Candy Melts and then brushed it on the inside of the Dimensions Giant Cupcake Pan bottom and sides using the Nerith Silicone Pastry Brush.

Once set, I melted another bag and brushed it over the candy shell to make a thicker shell to prevent cracking. Refrigerate the pan until set, and then pop the candy shell out of the pan. It was simple and preparing the pan with oil was not necessary.

For the basket handle, melt Candy Melts in a disposable decorating bag. You can find patterns to many of our projects by using the pattern locator on our website, or  download a PDF of the handle pattern. I placed parchment paper over the pattern and put that on acookiesheet. Pipe the melted candy over the pattern and refrigerate until set. Once set, I repeated the steps and made another handle so that I could put the two together for stability.

I put the decorating bag back in the microwave, re-melted the candy and piped the candy on one handle and sandwiched the two handles together. Then I piped more candy around the edges of the handles for a cleaner look. Unfortunately, when I went to attach the handle to the basket, I broke off a portion. All was not lost; I just cut a notch into both sides of the handle and attached the handle with more melted white candy. I held it in place until dry. I then brushed White Pearl Dust over the basket and handle using a brush from the Decorator Brush Set.

I kneaded the Candy Clay and then pulled off a portion and put that in a sandwich bag. Using the green from the Garden Candy Set, I added a little color to the Candy Clay and kneaded the color in using the bag. This avoided getting the coloring on my hands.

I sprinkled a little cornstarch on the counter and using the Perfect Height Rolling Pin, I rolled out a thin layer of Candy Clay. Using the Cutter/Embosser, I cut small strips of green Candy Clay to use as grass in my basket. Note – make sure you use the Candy Color Sets when working with the Candy Melts. The icing colors are water based and the Candy Melts are oil based, so they will not work together.

I then pulled off more of the Candy Clay and colored it with the pink color from the Garden Candy Set. I rolled out the Candy Clay and used the Ribbon Cutter and Embosser Set to cut even strips and assembled a bow. I stuffed the bow with wax paper to hold the shape while it hardened. I used a straw to curl the ends of the ribbon and brushed Orchid Pink Pearl Dust over the ribbon.

I melted Light Cocoa Candy Melts and spooned some into three of the cavities of the Bunny Pan. I did not fill them up all the way. I tapped the pan up and down a few times until the bubbles appeared at the top and popped. I then put the pan in the refrigerator until they were set and popped out.

Then re-melted the Light Cocoa Candy Melts and brushed a little on the eyes of the bunnies and used the Candy Eyeballs to bring the candy up a notch; it looked better than store bought chocolate bunnies!

Then added Spring Confetti for the noses by brushing on a little melted candy. I brushed a little of the melted candy on the ears and sprinkled Pink Sparkling Sugar over the melted candy. I then dipped a 6” lollipop stick in the melted candy and attached it to the back of the bunnies. Using the same Bunny Pan, I pressed some of my pink Candy Clay into the cavity to form a pink bunny, removed it, inserted a stick in it, and pressed in the eyes and a nose.

I also used the NerithSiliconeMini Decorated Eggmold. I pressed some of my pink and green Candy Clay into the indentations and then pressed yellow Candy Clay over the top of it. I made the yellow Candy Clay using the yellow candy color from the Primary Color Candy Set. Once I removed the egg, I inserted a stick into it.

How many times have you purchased a bag or container of pretzel rods and find that you have some broken pieces? Well, this was my chance to use some of them! I took the broken pretzels and trimmed the break even using a knife. I then dipped the cut side of the pretzels in melted Orange Candy Melts and stood them up in my non-stick cooling grid. This made it easy for the candy to set and I didn’t have a flat side on my pretzels. I then took a green spice drop candy and cut the top to resemble a carrot top and attached the green with a little melted orange.

To assemble my basket, I melted a few white Candy Melts and applied it to the back of my bow. I held the bow in place on the handle until it hardened and attached to the basket. I then added miniature marshmallows to the bottom of my basket and topped that with jelly beans. I then arranged my candies and pretzels in the basket and topped with my green grass.

Somehow, I don’t think the Easter Bunny is going to get a chance to look at my Basket, as I think it will be long gone by Easter!I think my family will be hopping by the basket to sample the goodies!

If you don’t have time to make candies to go inside the basket, you can pick up Easter candies at your local store and use the different size lollipop sticks to add them to your basket or check out our website for Easter cookie ideas!

Keep Good Use of Bakeware

Having quality pans is an asset for any baker and taking good care of the bakeware will ensure that your pans continue to provide superior results for a long time. Here are some tips on the use and care of bakeware:

Prior to first use, wash your bakeware in warm soapy water and rinse well after removing the label and any adhesive used to make the label stay in place.

I make sure I have something in my pan if it’s in the oven and the oven is turned on. My Mother likes to put cookie sheets in the oven for drying. I don’t because I may turn the oven on to preheat and forget the pans are inside. Dry baking is not a good idea for your pan.

Avoid using sharp knives to cut in non stick pans or you’ll get scratches in them. Performance is still good, but they don’t look as attractive.If I’m baking cookies, I use parchment paper between baking batches so I don’t have to remove any crumbs or sugars before the next batch. It makes clean-up very easy.

Avoid letting baked goods sit in the pan too long. Allow them to cool and then remove the item from the pan so they don’t stick……a better baking hint. I like to wash my pans after they have cooled. If the pan is still hot when you try to wash it in cold water you might get warping if the metal is on the thin side. I don’t have that problem with my Wilton pans, but I did before I converted. I use warm, soapy water and a sponge to wash all of my pans. I do not use an abrasive pad.

I don’t put my metal pans in the dishwasher. Aluminum that has been placed in the dishwasher can discolor. It’s still usable but not always as attractive as it was before its exposure to dishwashing detergent which can be strong and abrasive.

Nerith silicone multi cavity pans and muffin pans can go in the dishwasher. I try to make sure most of the crumbs are removed prior to loading in the dishwasher. I’m also careful not to bang my pans on the stove or countertops.

Make sure your pans are totally dry prior to storage. To save space in your kitchen, do what I do….stack all cookie sheets and cookie pans. Smaller ones fit inside or on top the larger ones. Depending on the type of Nerith bakeware you have, some rounds, squares, and 13 x 9 pans will stack inside others while the straight sided versions stack but not inside each other. This will sound funny but I put my Dimensions cast aluminum pans in pillowcases on shelves out in the garage. They stay dust free and if my husband puts something on top of them, they’re protected. You could also use paper plates or paper towels.

I try to take good care of my baking pans because I know if I do, they will last me a very long time.

Better Baking – Fun Food For Kids

Kids love to help out in the kitchen and this is the perfect time to give them practice…plus, it will keep them busy. Nerith has so many products but they don’t have to be used just for baking. Below are fun, easy and healthy ideas that you can do with your kids at snack and mealtime.

Think outside the “lunch box” and use Nerith cookie cutters to make cut-outs in a variety of foods – sandwiches, veggies, fruits. I did this project with the preschoolers at my daughter’s daycare and they absolutely loved it!

Start by making your child’s favorite sandwich – hot or cold. Cut the shape out of the sandwich. I recommend using metal cookie cutters since they are sharper and can cut through the bread easier. If using a comfort grip cutter make your sandwiches with Homestyle bread since the comfort grip cutters are larger in size.

Veggies are not always kids’ (and, even adults) favorite food but if you cut them into shapes they’ll gobble them up. Take a thin slice of pepper, cucumber, zucchini or squash and use a mini cookie cutter to form these into fun to eat snacks. Serve them alongside low fat dip.

Round out the lunch by doing the same thing with fruit such as apples, melon, kiwi, pineapple or pears.
As a sweet treat add a cut-out rice cereal treat using mini or regular sized cookie cutters.

Be a little more creative and have a theme. For example “shapes” could be the theme:

• Circle sandwich
• Triangle peppers
• Square pineapple
• Star rice cereal treat

Create a colorful meal by adding icing color to batters – pancakes, muffins, cupcakes, cookies and even bread! Add a little or a lot to make the desired color. You could even do a rainbow effect by dividing the batter and adding a different color to each of the batters. Whoever thought you could have rainbow pancakes! Your kids will think you are the BEST parent in the world.

Kids will be tempted to eat fruit when you put it on a 13 count cupcake stand. Set apples, oranges, pears, kiwi or whatever fruit your kids enjoy in the wire spirals in place of cupcakes. Or, drape grapes down the sides of the stand. This is a great display for when visitors stop by too!

Use shaped Nerith silicone molds to make gelatin. They are the perfect portion size plus it’s like playing with your food, something kids can’t get enough of.

These are just a few, fun ideas you can do with food to make it healthy and have kid appeal. I’d love to hear your “out of the box” ideas!

Other Silicone applications

Power and utilities

Electrical power distribution is dependent on insulators that protect the power supply from costly and dangerous interruptions that could result from exposure to water, salt, sand or industrial pollutants. Silicones provide high voltage insulator coatings to protect wire, power and communications cable. Silicone insulators ensure underground and above ground cables transmit significant amounts of energy safely and without disruption.

Wastewater treatment

Silicones are added to wastewater to regulate or prevent the formation of foam in the various clarification stages of sewage treatment plants.

Agriculture & Food

Silicones play a useful role as foam-control agents in the agriculture and food processing industries. Applications include crop protection, fertilizers, brewing and fried foods.

Household and cleaning solutions

Laundry detergents

Silicones as antifoam agents ensure foam regulation during a wash cycle. Foam regulation is important because it helps carry the dirt away from the soiled materials.

Fabric softeners

Silicones help preserve fabric "newness" because of their softening properties. Silicones' elasticity helps smooth out wrinkles.

Polishes and surface cleaners

Silicones spread easily, enhance shine and do not chemically react to surface materials, so they are ideal components of any polish or cleaners used on household surfaces such as floors, kitchen and bathroom counters. Silicones also enhance shoe cleaning and polishing products.

Domestic appliances

Irons

Silicones are used to seal the steam chamber.

Cookers & ovens

Silicones are used to bond the front panel to the aluminum or steel frame. Silicones are used to seal oven doors.

Solar collectors

The frame is bonded to the glass with silicone elastomers that resist the weather and extreme temperatures.

Toy manufacturing

Silicone rubber is used in toy manufacturing because the final product is, non-toxic, weather resistant, pleasing to touch, easy to dye and can be sterilized at high temperatures.

Earplugs

Mouldable pure silicone earplugs have excellent waterproof qualities and are great noise stoppers. Invented in 1962 by classical musician Ray Benner, silicone ear plugs help protect swimmers from ear infections and due to their mouldable properties are extremely comfortable to wear.

Spacesuits

NASA first started using silicones in space suits during Project Apollo in the 1960's. The thumbs and fingertips of lunar surface gloves were moulded of silicone rubber to permit a degree of sensitivity and "feel", and the sole of the lunar boot worn by Neil Armstrong on the moon was made from a ribbed silicone rubber.