NUK offer over 50 years of experience and expertise

Given the choice every mother would breast feed her baby, however life isn't always that simple; so to ensure that feeding by bottle replicates breast feeding as closely as possible, NUK took a mothers breast as their model when designing the NUK orthodontic shape.

The unique NUK orthodontic shape was developed over 50 years ago after intensive research by two German orthodontists, Professor Dr. W Balters and Dr. med. dent. A Muller. Their research found that prolonged use of conventional round teats and soothers could cause oral abnormalities like open bite. They therefore decided to develop a teat that is based on the shape of a mother’s nipple during breast-feeding. By closely mimicking the sucking action of breast-feeding, NUK teats and soothers encourage the correct oral development for your baby¹.

Because of our experience and expertise, NUK teats are used in many maternity and neonatal wards throughout the UK. In fact, NUK is currently used in over 200 hospitals, including Great Ormond Street, Alder Hey and Birmingham Children’s Hospital. The NUK orthodontic teat is recommended by 93% of paediatricians and 87% of midwives² and is the only teat approved by the British Dental Health Foundation.

Why is the NUK orthodontic shape so special?

To help with the birthing process, all babies are born with under-developed jaws. The mouth, tongue and jaw muscles are then developed by the natural sucking action used in breast-feeding, which makes the baby ‘work’ for his feed. By developing these muscles correctly, there will be sufficient space for correct development of the teeth.

It is this natural sucking action that the NUK teat mimics, so feeding from a NUK teat will encourage healthy oral development – which is why the NUK teats are approved by the British Dental Health Foundation. And because the NUK teat is based on the shape of a mother’s nipple, it will also make switching between breast and bottle easy.

This special shape is also found on all our NUK soothers. This is because all babies are actually born with a natural instinct to suck. Some even suck their fingers or thumbs in the womb. NUK soothers are therefore designed specifically to satisfy the natural needs of babies and ensure the correct healthy oral development of their teeth and jaws.

The NUK Air System

All NUK teats have an air vent on the upper side which compensates for the difference in air pressure in the bottle. This helps to prevent the teat collapsing and the baby swallowing harmful air, which helps prevent colic.

The NUK Air System is also featured on all NUK soothers, where the air escapes through a small vent when the mouth piece is compressed, so the soother stays soft and flexible.

British Dental Health Foundation Approval

For extra reassurance, all NUK teats and soothers are approved by the British Dental Health Foundation. NUK is the only brand to have this accreditation, so you know you are using the best quality products for your baby.

“By closely mimicking the sucking action of breast-feeding, NUK teats are designed to encourage your baby’s correct oral development.”

Dr. Nigel Carter BDS LDS (RCS)
Chief Executive – British Dental Health Foundation

NUK Soothers

Babies have a natural instinct to suck, which is independent of the desire to feed. NUK soothers, which have NUK’s unique orthodontic shape, satisfy this need whilst encouraging healthy oral development.

NUK sizes and feed holes

Our teats and soothers are available in different sizes, making sure they can encourage the correct oral development for your baby at any age. Teats and silicone soothers are available in Size 1 and 2; latex soothers are also available in Size 3.

NUK teats are also equipped with different size feed holes to suit your baby’s needs. Teats are available with Medium feed hole, which is suitable for breast or formula milk (and will suffice for most babies), and Large feed hole for hungrier babies or thickened feeds.

¹ 'Jaw development from Infancy to Early Childhood'. Professor D. Bernd Hermann of the Institute of Anthropology, Göttingen University, Germany.

² Source: Research conducted by independent market research institute GFK Healthcare, 2003 from 201 midwives and pediatricians in Germany.

Frequently Asked Questions

Teats
Bottles
Soothers

Teats:

What is the difference between teats made of latex and teats made of silicone?

NUK latex teats are made of natural latex, a high-quality, natural material. As latex is a soft material, it is more nipple-like than silicone, so if you are planning on combining bottle- and breast-feeding, a latex teat may make this easier.

Latex is particularly durable; it has excellent resistance to pulling, helps prevents tears from splitting further and is elastic. As latex is a natural material it contains fat, which can cause it to age. To prevent the teat aging too quickly, store away from direct sunlight and at room temperature. Latex teats should be replaced every 4-8 weeks, as soon as they become sticky.

If your baby initially rejects a new latex teat because of its taste, simply place it in boiling milk for 3 minutes, as this will neutralise the taste. However, the fat in the milk will make the teat age more quickly.

NUK silicone teats are made of high-quality plastic. The transparent silicone material is temperature-resistant; even direct sunlight does not cause the material to age. Silicone is, however, more easily scratched. Silicone teats should therefore be replaced at the first signs of teeth marks or other damage. This is why NUK silicone soothers are only available in Size 1 (suitable for 0-6 months) and Size 2 (6-18 months).

Choosing between latex and silicone is completely up to you and will depend upon your and your baby’s needs.

How can I tell what feed hole my NUK teat is?

The feed hole sizes of NUK First Choice teats can be easily identified by the marks on the base of the NUK Air System valve.

M = Medium hole – for breast or formula milk
L = Large hole (silicone) – for hungrier babies or thickened feeds
L = Cross hole (latex) – for hungrier babies or thickened feeds

Can NUK latex teats turn white at the tip even when they are new?

Yes, if the teat has been placed in boiling water for too long, or has been sterilised upside down. Both of these will cause the latex to absorb water, which causes the change in colour; therefore, once the teat has dried it should return to its normal colour.

Alternatively, the teat may have turned white because it has been sterilised using sterilising tablets.

Do NUK sell Size 3 teats?

NUK teats only come in 2 sizes; Size 1 for babies from 0 to 6 months and Size 2 for 6 to 18 months. Toddlers of 18 months and older are usually able to feed themselves, so from this age we recommend the NUK Learner Bottle.

These ages are only meant as a guide; you and your baby will know what suits you best.

Please remember that a bottle is on no account a substitute for a soother. Constant sucking on bottles containing feed or drinks, including acidic fruit or vegetable juices, may cause tooth decay.

Why are my NUK latex teats becoming sticky?

If a NUK latex teat starts to become sticky and swell up, it is a sign that the teat is beginning to age (typically after 4-8 weeks of use) and that it should be replaced. This is because latex is a natural material.

The life of a latex teat will depend upon a variety of factors, including the fat content of the feed being given and the teat’s storage conditions. For this reason NUK recommend storing latex teats away from direct heat and sunlight.

If you are using a steam steriliser, ensure the teat is placed with the tip upwards. Alternatively, place in a pan of boiling water for three minutes.

Which way round should my NUK teat be when I’m feeding my baby?

Always ensure that the NUK Air System vent is pointing upwards when feeding, otherwise milk will leak out.

Do I have to use a NUK teat with a NUK bottle?

Because the NUK teats and bottles have been designed to work together, we do recommend that you use them this way.

When should NUK teats be replaced?

For hygiene reasons, we recommend you replace NUK teats and soothers after 4-8 weeks of use, or as soon as they show signs or wear or damage. Please check teats before use.

Bottles:

Why can’t I buy bottles without teats?
Can I put NUK bottles in the microwave to heat up the feed or drink?
Can I put NUK bottles in the dishwasher?
Do NUK bottles contain Bisphenol-A?

Why can’t I buy bottles without teats?

There are two main reasons for this. Firstly, there is little demand for bottles without teats and secondly, we can only guarantee optimum function when NUK bottles are used with NUK teats. We only supply NUK feeding bottles fitted with Size 1 teats, as most bottles are bought shortly after birth when Size 1 is the most suitable teat.

Can I put NUK bottles in the microwave?

We strongly advise against both heating up and sterilising bottles using the microwave. This also applies to all accessories including teats and soothers.

With plastic bottles, there is a danger that the material itself may be affected or even become misshapen. The material ages more quickly and fine cracks appear, which can subsequently cause the material to break.

It must be emphasised that improper use of a microwave may result in serious burns or scalding to you or your baby, as the food may be heated unevenly, becoming very hot in one part and only lukewarm in another.

Can I put NUK bottles in the dishwasher?

As a general rule our NUK PC (polycarbonate) bottles should not be put in the dishwasher. Dishwasher cleaning agents are very aggressive and may damage the bottle, causing premature wear of the material and can even result in the bottle breaking.

Do NUK bottles contain Bisphenol-A?

The NUK plastic bottles are made of polycarbonate (PC). To prevent PC plastic from shattering a very small amount of Bisphenol-A must be used. However, studies have shown that in the case on NUK PC bottles, the release of Bisphenol-A into food cannot be detected.

We nevertheless take the public debate about an increase in the release of BPA when heating PC bottles filled with baby food in microwave ovens very seriously, which is one of the reasons we strongly recommend not to put your NUK bottles in the microwave.

If a metal spoon is used to stir the contents when making up a baby bottle, scoring and surface scratches may result. We therefore recommend replacing bottles displaying any obvious scratches – this may occur at around six months.

To read our full statement on Bisphenol-A please click here.

If you are still concerned about using PC, you may wish to consider the NUK glass bottles. These contain no Bisphenol-A and are of course a great environmentally friendly option.

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Soothers:

How does water get into the silicone or latex rubber part of a soother?
Will prolonged sucking on soothers disfigure my baby’s teeth?
What sizes are NUK soothers available in?

How does water get into the silicone or latex rubber part of a soother?

It is important for the rubber part to remain soft in order to retain its orthodontic properties. To keep the rubber part in good condition, air must be allowed to enter the rubber part from the back (via the NUK Air System). This also means that water can enter the rubber part during normal sterilisation.

After removing the rubber part from the sterilisation fluid, expel the water from inside the rubber part by squeezing it gently with tongs or a sterilised cloth.

Will prolonged sucking on soothers disfigure my baby’s teeth?

No, NUK orthodontic soothers actually help stimulate muscle activity and help to develop the dental arches and upper and lower jaws. This ‘non nutritive’ sucking plays an important part in early development and should not be discouraged as long as the child is younger than 3 years old.

NUK soothers are the only brand to be approved by the British Dental Health Foundation for their orthodontic shape, which encourages correct oral development and the NUK Air System, which ensure the soother mouth piece remains soft.

If a vacuum has built up inside the soother, this can be eliminated in most cases by a simple trick: pull the mouth piece in a short and sharp manner.

What sizes are NUK soothers available in?

NUK latex soothers are available in Size 1 (for 0 to 6 months), Size 2 (6 to 18 months) and Size 3 (18 months and over). However, NUK silicone soothers are only available in Sizes 1 and 2. This is because when toddlers reach 18 months their teeth can bite through silicone. As latex is much more durable, it is safe for children over 18 months.