Which bottle is best for baby?

Which bottle is best for baby? 

    "I don't need baby bottles I'm going to breast feed you might say"! Wrong. It is very highly recommended for not only your sanity, but common practicality that you pump extra milk ahead of time. Think about it, it's 2 am, you were just up feeding two hours ago and now you're stumbling into walls and trying to tell  yourself that this is just a bad dream. LOL welcome to reality. There are many benefits to pumping ahead of time, the best of which is that when your breast milk is contained in a bottle you can pass that 2 AM feeding off to hubby, or mom or anyone with kindness in their hearts. You are gonna need to recuperate from that birth lady! Give yourself a break. There are many types of bottles out there, there are the bottle "shells", which you just put a bag containing your milk into and screw the cap/nipple to hold the bag in place. (These are nice because they reduce clean up time), there are BPA free bottles, air-rated bottles, natural flow/vent bottles and SOOO many more (stainless steel bottles, angleneck bottles you get the idea). They all have their benefits and some have draw backs, in this post I'll compare and contrast for you and as always let you make the decision for yourself! Non-biased here of course but remember that choosing the wrong bottle can lead to excessive gas, spitting up, spillage and more. :)  

The Standard 

No matter what brand or style bottle you use the first thing that is of utmost importance is to chose a bottle that is made with out BPA! BPA or (bisphenol A) is to put it simply a bad polycarbonate (chemical) that is in many earlier bottles, sippy cups and other dishes. To choose a bottle without BPA make sure that it is not marked with a number 7 anywhere on the bottle. This is very important as containers that contain BPA can be very hazardous to health. The older the container is and the more it is used the worse the leakage gets. What leakage you may ask? Well, the leakage of the BPA into your babies juice, milk or water. 

*keep in mind that you can mix and match bottles and nipples, just because a bottle comes with a certain nipple doesn't mean that you can't interchange them, sounds silly but your baby will develop preferences!*

Top Pick: Playtex Nurser 

 The Playtex Nurser gets a huge thumbs up from moms! It is BPA free, and especially great for moms who breast feed or are transitioning from breast feeding as it is said to be easier for the baby to adjust. Playtex has a ,"Naturallatch" nipple that is said to be very similar to that of mom. Additionally because of the Pre-sterilized drop in liner it reduces colic. The liner collapses as the baby feeds, which in turn keeps air bubbles which cause colic from reaching babies tummy. Cons: Though the bottles themselves are inexpensive having to replace disposable liners continuously could get expensive, not to mention the environmental waste it can cause!

   

Pick #2 Evenflo TruVent Angled Bottles 

  Truvent nipples have a wider base, they are made of a very soft and flexible silicone that is easy on babies mouth! The angled neck reduces colic and the shape makes it easier for mom and baby to hold on to. Evenflo is a great choice and also pretty inexpensive. TruVent also comes with a slow flow nipple system for babies 0-3 months.  Cons: Some mommies complain of nipples collapsing halfway through feedings, also you have to make sure you screw together the pieces just right or they can leak!

Pick #3 Dr.Browns Standard Bottles 

Dr.Browns bottles are pretty unique in a good way! This is taken directly from the Dr.Browns Web-site, " Favored by moms and dads because they reduce feeding problems like colic, spit-up, burping, and gas. ThePatented Internal Vent System eliminates air and vacuum to allow baby to feed comfortably. It also reduces air bubble oxidation of the milk to help preserve vitamins and lipids, key nutrients to baby's health.

The fully-vented bottle design provides vacuum-free feeding, like breastfeeding, which can also help reduce build-up of fluid in baby's ear. " Cons: The, "vented" system that they refer to includes a straw piece and a couple of other pieces which greatly increases cleanup time, you also have to make very sure when sterilizing to get it completely clean!! (As with any bottle). Dr.Browns site http://www.drbrownsbaby.com/bottles-accessories/bottles Dr.Browns also offers avent bottles, glass bottles, sippy cups and more!

  As always I appreciate and enjoy your questions and comments! Feel free to comment below :) Want more? Check out my other blogs. 

*  Follow the Moon Beams (Advice and guidance for the inquisitive mind) http://followthemoonbeams.blogspot.com/ 

* The Budget Bump (Products for new moms on a budget) http://thebudgetbump.blogspot.com/ 

* The Techie Ninja (Helpful product reviews) http://techieninjareviews.blogspot.com/ 

Which diapers are the best?

Which diapers are the best? 

With so many different types of diapers out  there it can be hard to know which is the best! I have done

extensive research, compiled reviews and taken advice from other mothers to bring you the best list. First I will list the standard (most popular/expensive) and then list your other options below. I hope you find this helpful! (Note that all babies are different, a diaper that might fit a chicken legged baby well will not necessarily work as well for a baby that has chubby legs. Not to mention that some babies are more sensitive to materials than others. This list is meant to be a guide but you may be better off trying each brand to see what works best for you and your baby in particular.)

The Standard 

Pampers Swaddlers 

Most moms agree that for a newborn baby Pampers Swaddlers are hands down the best choice! The "newborn" size has an umbilical cord cut out for extra comfort when changing around the umbilical cord stump before it falls off. They are absorbent and blanket soft on babies skin. It is very important to remember that the dryer that baby stays the less likely they are to get a rash or infection.

Other options 

 The majority of mothers are about 50/50 between Huggies Overnight and Pampers Cruisers for the next step up in your babies diapering  ( IE: When bowel movements solidify and baby becomes more mobile). It really is a case of whatever works best for your babe's particular size, shape and skin sensitivity level but both mark high on the scale. Luv's have very mixed reviews, some mothers swear by them but I have read many reviews of mothers, "hating" them. If Luvs do work for you consider it a score they are typically much more inexpensive than Huggies or Pampers and they are still a highly praised name brand.

Remember that you can contact the diaper companies, Luvs, Huggies, Pampers and so on and request a sample diaper that they will gladly send to you. (Most of the time they will provide free shipping but occasionally you might have to pay a dollar or two.) This way you can test the diapers out before stock piling! You can also find links to coupons to the left of this page!!! 

Store Brands  

If your baby does not have super sensitive skin then store brands can be a GREAT option for you! There is an increased reporting in mothers that with the cheaper, or generic store brands their babies have had increased rashing and blistering. Other mothers have reported that these brands are every bit as good as the name brands, I highly recommend that you be as unbiased as possible. Start with a SMALL package of every brand you can get your hands on and just try them out! You could be very surprised and end up saving a TON of money.

There is another option!!! 

 Cloth diapers can be another amazing option that many moms may not think of. Check out this link for more information on cloth diapering! http://www.realdiaperassociation.org/diaperfacts.php It can have MANY benefits! You can save thousands, um yes, I said THOUSANDS of dollars a year from these babies, not to mention they are free of harsh chemicals and VERY good for the environment! You can buy some adorable cloth diapers on Amazon for pretty cheap. Or you can buy the pattern yourself! 

 


No matter what you decide congrats on your new bundle of joy I hope your nights will be filled with sleep and very, very dry!!!! Please comment below I love to hear from you.