Help about what bottles and nipples to get

Emily - posted on 02/03/2009

And I definitely agree with the extra sheets and waterproof pads. We co-slept with our kids, so I was more worried about my bed... plus, I leak gallons at night and needed something to protect my sheets. I still only have 2 sets of sheets for my bed, but I have about a dozen waterproof pads that I sleep on with newborns. They're soft on both sides and waterproof in the middle so they are still comfortable to sleep on. Then if baby spits up or poops, or if I leak all over, I just change that one pad and go back to sleep. (I keep extras within reach at night so I don't have to get up). I can also use these pads to change diapers in the middle of the night and never have to leave my bed. (I quit changing diapers in the middle of the night once they stop pooping at night... if it's just wet, they can wait until morning.)

Alice - posted on 02/02/2009

Quoting Emily:

If you plan to be pumping often, definitely invest in a good double-electric pump. Bottles are a bit trickier because babies often have a preference. We went through about 12 different kinds before we found one our first would accept.

However, I decided with our second and third that it was just easier to take the baby with me everywhere rather than pump and leave a bottle somewhere. (I am a SAHM which also helped.) My second nursed for 2 1/2 years and never had a bottle, my third is still nursing strong at 13 months, and still comes most places with DH and I because it's still a nice break to only have one kid when we're used to three all the time. :)

My nursing NEEDS for my last two babies included some good nursing bras, several boxes of Lansinoh nursing pads, some nipple cream and some good pillows (I liked my boppy with my first and second, but didn't really use it with my third). I also really like my nursing glider... though it wasn't a necessity... we were living with my parents when #3 was born and the glider was in storage... I made it work without it.

I also really like slings, mei tais, wraps and other baby carriers. They're so much easier than lugging a car-seat around with you, and you can nurse in them while walking around the house (or the mall ;) ). Especially with my last two babies... carriers were a necessity... they allowed me to get other things done and to chase after my older ones while still attending to the babies needs.

Congrats and good luck with everything!! Babies are the most wonderful thing in the world. :)

I'm a first time mom.....agree with the slings.  I've got a Munchkin sling and a Moby Wrap.  I like them both.  the Munchkin sling is a little more user friendly, but the MobyWrap keeps baby wrapped up and more secure.

Alice - posted on 02/02/2009

Quoting Krystal:

i would recommend an electric double breast pump if you plan on pumping. A hand one isn't much fun, but good for emergencies! A single one is okay if you plan only on pumping every once in a while. A double one means that you only have to pump for 10-15 minutes instead of with a single one that is doulbe that.

I agree that bottles can be tough because baby may have a preference. I loved the breast flow bottles. they have an insert in the nipple which makes it seem more like real nursing because they have to suck a little harder than with other nipples. That being said my son only would use those bottles and my daughter never took a bottle at all, i just put her on a sippy cup.

Do you have any friends with kids? taking them with you to register may help. It's good to hear what they use a lot and don't use at all. I never knew i would need 3 sheets and 3 sheet protectors. i figured 2 sheets and 1 protector - until my son got sick and i didn't have anything!

Congrats and good luck!

yes yes and more yes for the sheets/protectors/waterproof pads.  My baby didn't get sick....she just decided to pee on one, then immediately poop on the second set after i changed everything.  BABIES!!!

Emily - posted on 02/02/2009

If you plan to be pumping often, definitely invest in a good double-electric pump. Bottles are a bit trickier because babies often have a preference. We went through about 12 different kinds before we found one our first would accept.

However, I decided with our second and third that it was just easier to take the baby with me everywhere rather than pump and leave a bottle somewhere. (I am a SAHM which also helped.) My second nursed for 2 1/2 years and never had a bottle, my third is still nursing strong at 13 months, and still comes most places with DH and I because it's still a nice break to only have one kid when we're used to three all the time. :)

My nursing NEEDS for my last two babies included some good nursing bras, several boxes of Lansinoh nursing pads, some nipple cream and some good pillows (I liked my boppy with my first and second, but didn't really use it with my third). I also really like my nursing glider... though it wasn't a necessity... we were living with my parents when #3 was born and the glider was in storage... I made it work without it.

I also really like slings, mei tais, wraps and other baby carriers. They're so much easier than lugging a car-seat around with you, and you can nurse in them while walking around the house (or the mall ;) ). Especially with my last two babies... carriers were a necessity... they allowed me to get other things done and to chase after my older ones while still attending to the babies needs.

Congrats and good luck with everything!! Babies are the most wonderful thing in the world. :)

Sara - posted on 02/02/2009

I stocked up on the breast flow bottles only to find when we went to feed her, she wouldn't take them! We ended up trying four or five different types of nipples before we found one she would take. (She endedd up taking Nuk) And by then we had already opened them and washed them and lined them up prettily on the shelf... Ah well, live and learn...

Krystal - posted on 02/02/2009

i would recommend an electric double breast pump if you plan on pumping. A hand one isn't much fun, but good for emergencies! A single one is okay if you plan only on pumping every once in a while. A double one means that you only have to pump for 10-15 minutes instead of with a single one that is doulbe that.

I agree that bottles can be tough because baby may have a preference. I loved the breast flow bottles. they have an insert in the nipple which makes it seem more like real nursing because they have to suck a little harder than with other nipples. That being said my son only would use those bottles and my daughter never took a bottle at all, i just put her on a sippy cup.

Do you have any friends with kids? taking them with you to register may help. It's good to hear what they use a lot and don't use at all. I never knew i would need 3 sheets and 3 sheet protectors. i figured 2 sheets and 1 protector - until my son got sick and i didn't have anything!

Congrats and good luck!

Alice - posted on 02/01/2009

Any kind of bottle is fine....it's all in the nipple you choose, and you won't know what he/she prefers until you try it.  i was lucky....my baby girl isn't picky.  None of this nipple confusion/preference stuff with her.  However, she needs the slow flow nipples.  It should say on the package of nipples you buy whether they are slow or moderate flow.  Definately go for SLOW!!  otherwise your poor babe will drown.  I prefer Playtex nursers.  It has helped with the burpy/gassy thing going on.  Plus, the breastmilk storage bags I freeze my milk in can go directly onto the Platex nurser.  I did register for some of these items for my baby shower.  Go for BPA free products.  You can get lists on the internet of items that are and aren't BPA free.  If you choose glass bottles, great!.  But if baby will be going to a daycare area, they don't usually allow glass bottles, so have some others handy.

Amy - posted on 02/01/2009

Bottle is a hard one to register for I ended up trying about 12 different kinds with my first daughter atleast that is what it felt like but my youngest daughter took the first one we tried her on so alot of that is baby likes and dislikes and how the flow is from the nipple for baby I was told that Avent is the best for BF also it doesnt come out really fast and it is shaped more like the breast but like I said it is up to baby and as far as a pump I like medela the mest and they have different kinds depending on how often you plan to use it I hope I helped and you can always message me if you have any questions

Joyce - posted on 02/01/2009

 I mostly breast feed my daughter (she too is my first) I just bought an electirc breast pump ( one that is suitable for your needs i.e. going back to work, occasional pumping, etc) the type of bottles I got were dr browns, check the ype of nipples, you need to get ones that are for newborns stage 1 or something like that.  Also, you can go to pretty much any store and can talkw tih them about specifics on what you choose.

Marianne - posted on 02/01/2009

I only every tried one brand of bottle designed not to confuse baby or make them prefer bottles, it's called 'better by nature 'breast flow' and we never had a problem with her accepting it, although we did start her on expressed breast milk when she was only about 1 week which is against all the advise they give you. She is 3 1/2 months now and probably only has 1 bottle a week, but she never refuses. I couldn't tell you if that's the bottle or because we started it so early on. hope that helps a little and congratulations.