Bottle Recommendations

I have to say I'm proud of myself for updating my blog more often here lately. Perhaps it's because I'm on maternity leave, or perhaps it's because now that I'm a mother, I actually have something to say. Probably a little of both. That being said, most of my posts will probably have to do with babies, motherhood and the like, but that's my life right now.

So here are my thoughts of the day. Sorting through and choosing the right baby products can be quite a daunting task. It's quite ridiculous really - you could compare the baby industry with the wedding industry. Everyone's trying to see you something you don't need for a high price. Do I get the swing the rocks back and forth or side to side? Do I get the pack 'n play with the bassinet hood on top or the one that vibrates and lights up? Do I need a wipe warmer? (shockingly I actually LIKE the wipe warmer...I thought this was stupid at first) Do I need a "day and night bottle warmer, or just a regular one? What the heck is BPA free???

It's all so exhausting. I will be happy to give my recommendations on any baby products as I've sifted through it ALL. However I am so happy with one product in particular, I just had to share.

Savannah is a breast-fed baby. However for practical purposes, we are giving her at least one bottle of pumped breast milk a day so she can be more adaptable when she she's at daycare or with a sitter. She feeds perfectly at the breast, but is SUCH a messy eater at the bottle. Now, my pediatrician does not believe in "nipple confusion" and I have to say, based on my experience with Savannah, I don't either. She will take any bottle you put in her mouth. However, even when I tried the first stage nipple of three or four different brands, she was pretty bad about spilling.

We were going to go with the Dr. Browns bottles, but right before she came, I ended up exchanging them all for the Avent ones. The Dr. Browns bottles come with several different parts (straws and such) and I don't want to have to clean all that. I was just going to grin and bear it and just accept the fact that she would always spill, when I remembered what the "nursing natzis" (AKA lactation consultants) recommended in my breastfeeding classes. They said it was not the bottle that was important, but the nipple - Gerber NUK nipples to be exact. The hole is on the top, and the bottom of the nipple is flat which simulates the breast feeding (and it's supposed to be more natural, even if your baby doesn't breast feed) experience. I figured, what the heck.

I bought a bottle too, just in case the nipples didn't fit on my current bottles. Luckily, they fit the Avent. She didn't spill a drop!!! The small triumphs. She also didn't chug it down quite as fast so I think the slower flow made her less gassy as well. I think a pack of 2 nipples was $4.99 and a single 5 oz bottle was $4.99 as well. You can also get a pack of three bottles for about $13. They now come in BPA free (I won't even get into that now, but apparently, it's what we're supposed to buy). I highly recommend these nipples/bottles! It's nice to have a bib free feeding experience!