New to this website...ok--My hubby and I are trying to get pregnant with our second child. My first son, now a healthy 8 year old, had major tummy issues as an infant!! Very colic-gas-spit uppy baby. So...my question is do any of you other Mamas use the Avent or Dr. Brown's bottles?? I used the regular type with my son and I am hoping to use something different with the next one (trying to ward off all those sleepless nights!) Let me know if the extra cost is worth it or if you have any other recommendations. Of course, I will breast feed until time to go back to work :)
Mamas!! Thanks so much for everyones GREAT advice. One Mom even offered me some free bottles! This sight is soooo cool and I look forward to trying the wonderful suggestions.
Featured Answers
N.R.
answers from
Killeen
on
I suggest watching "The Happiest Baby on the Block" DVD. It will teach you some great ways to sooth a "colicie" baby. It worked for my daughter just as the video says it would. Each time I was amazed and thought "I can't believe this really works". I had many a peaceful night thanks to that video.
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L.A.
answers from
Houston
on
The best bottle for my baby was the drop in bottles she may have had colic once and that was when she was first born and I was using regular bottles.
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P.A.
answers from
Houston
on
I used the playtex bottles with the liners to reduce the air. Also the tummy drops for babies work great! My daughter who is almost 3 had some tummy issues but these things made life easy for both of us! Best of luck to you.
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S.H.
answers from
McAllen
on
Hey N.,
I currently have 2 Dr Browns bottles that I do not need! They are not brand new however, I kept them clean, if you would like them you are more than welcome to them! I have an 8 month old girl who was diagnosed with GERD's and was coliky, so she is fine now! Let me know! My husband and I had to switch from Avent to DR Browns to the Playtex drop in system! Dr Brown is realy good however, they all work different on all babies! Anyways let me know!
S. H
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S.W.
answers from
Houston
on
hi there! Well my first pregnancy and child were both sleepless nights for about 1 1/2 years. I used a specific nipple ( can/t tink of the name) and the gas free bottles they say!!!! So wrong. I went to a regular bottle and nipple and its ased up. I don't beleive in all that special stuff. I beleive from my grandparents that REALLY what did they do back then when there were no doctors, carseats, etc. I have since than have had 2 more children and neither one of them were colic. How the pregnancy were quite the same but the children all so different! GOOD LUCK!
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L.M.
answers from
Austin
on
If you can breast feed that will be the best because very little air gets in the tummy with that and also it calms the baby (and you). But, if breast feeding is out, try the playtex nursers bottle with the plastic sack, the sack contracts as they suck and doesn't let air in.
Also, every baby is different. Just because your first one had tummy problems does not mean this one will. Try not to worry.
L.
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W.R.
answers from
San Antonio
on
Hi N.,
Did you know that colic in babies is called acid reflux in adults!!! Same thing! A friend of mine has been using a natural juice and her baby does not have colic anymore.
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H.L.
answers from
Wichita Falls
on
I have used Avent with both of my girls and had no problems with tummy trouble or gas. I used them from the start so I don't know if I just got lucky or if it was because of the bottles. I used to be a nanny and all of my families used Avent too so it was just the natural choice for us. I hope this helps!
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C.D.
answers from
Dallas
on
I got both...I was a new mom and wanted to have both on hand in case one didn't work as well. My avent ones leaked and with me not producing as much, it was horrible to see my milk leaking out of the bottle!
I switched to the Dr. Browns and love them! No tummy issues. We got enough to cover us for 2 days. We run the dishwasher every night before we go to bed. There are alot of pieces to the Dr. Brown's which was a pain at first when I wanted to hand wash it all after using. But, then I got a handle on putting them in the dishwasher and life is good!
Good luck with your new little one!!!
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L.D.
answers from
Dallas
on
I'm sure everyone has different results with different things that they tried! My suggetion: try everything until SOMETHING works... Here's what helped us: Dr. Brown's bottles! Yes, they are time consuming, and yes they are a huge pain in the butt, and yes, they are more costly, but they helped us out 100%!!!!! My son was very gassy and colicy... the moment we tried these bottles, it all slowed down- He still was gassy, but nothing to the extent as before-- my advice: try them! What worked for one, won't necessarily work for the next. We went through about 10 different bottles before we found these and I won't use another type for another baby-- it's just not worth it! Good luck!
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B.R.
answers from
Victoria
on
I had great luck with the Avent bottles with my son. Dr. Browns bottles are time consuming when trying to clean properly and for the number of bottles you go through I wanted easy. Avent also has a larger size when your little one gets older. Also Hyland's homeopathic Colic and teething tablets were a Godsend.
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C.G.
answers from
Houston
on
New to this website too! My little one who is now 5 months old had very similar problems. She was 6 weeks early and major tummy issues too. We were gived the Dr Brown's bottles from someone who didnt end up using thiers. We also tried the Advent bottles. We still fought with the colic and gassiness. Im not sure if any kind of bottle really helps or prevents gas. We tried everything we could think of. I wouldnt spend the extra money.
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T.B.
answers from
Houston
on
I have a 6 week old, and one thing to be sure of is that the nipple size is not too big, or small. If they are drinking too fast they swallow too much air. I tried playtex and Advent size 1,2 and 3. The 2 works best now. Also, recommended by my Dr, when he is fussy try chamomlie tea. Once a day....has to be pure chamomile(no other herbs). Steep the tea for about 6 min. Then 1/2-1oz of tea to 1/2-1oz of water, with a little sugar(about 1tsp per oz). Sometimes it helps and others it does not. I usually try to give it to him before he gets too fussy.
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T.L.
answers from
Beaumont
on
Use whatever bottle you choose. In my day we just had plain bottles. However, if your angel has a tummy ache and is gassy, put wam water in the bottle and put 1/2 a peppermint in it. Shake it good. The peppermint will melt very slowly and may not melt totally but it will settle a tummy. It works very well. I promise it kept me from staying up MANY MANY nights.
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G.W.
answers from
Dallas
on
We only used Dr. Browns and were happy with them. I did have trouble with them leaking when we were using them alot. I think it had something to do with heating the pumped and refrigerated breastmilk in the bottle warmer. Other people I've asked haven't had this problem so I think it was something we were doing. We plan to use glass this next time but I worry about them not being as good on the gas reduction.
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T.S.
answers from
San Antonio
on
I am a mother of three 5,3.5,2 I used Fennel which you can buy at any Health Food store; Sun Harvest or Whole Foods. I used Fennel Tea. Prepare as a tea add a hint of sugar so the baby will drink it. I only had to use it once with my oldest and twice with my middle child and they never had a problem again. Fennel is used to aid digestion. It is awesome!!!
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S.D.
answers from
Houston
on
Hi, my son had colic very bad from months 0-3. He is 5.5 months old and it is much better now. I breastfed him, but for the times I was at work, we used Avent. I have not tried them, but my friend had a preemie and her pedi suggested Dr. Brown's. You should also invest in some Mylicon. It is just symethicone, which is like GasX for adults and it really works wonders!
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R.
answers from
San Antonio
on
We used Dr. Brown and it worked great. Well worth the price.
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J.S.
answers from
Austin
on
Watch out for Avent and Dr. Brown - both contain BPA (bisphenol A, a nasty chemical that can leach into milk). We were having terrible feeding issues with our baby. Turns out that she has infant reflux and many of the babies that were previously diagnosed with colic really had reflux. One major symptom is that they baby will cry and arch their back really hard. For bottles, we have been using the Playtex nursers with drop-ins (the drop-ins are BPA free) and have had great luck with those reducing the amount of air she swallows.
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T.M.
answers from
Dallas
on
Hello,
With my little one i am using the Dr Brown bottles, you can get them at Wal Greens, Wal Mart. These keep air from getting into the mouth. Good luck
T.
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M.S.
answers from
Corpus Christi
on
With my first child I was able to use any bottle my son did not care what kind it was. With my second, my daughter things were different I had bought a couple of different bottles but she would not take any of the bottles I had gotten and would scream and spit up..of course the only bottle I had not bought was the Dr. Brown's my neighbor happen to be over and had a brand new one and told me to try it so I gave it a shot.....yeah..they did the trick she instantly started sucking down the bottle and no longer would scream or spit up.....of course I sent my husband out to the store asap to buy the DR. BROWN'S bottles. I LOVED THEM!!!! I highly recommend them to you alot of my friends had colicky babies and tried it and loved it more than the Avent. My suggestion would be to buy maybe one of each and see which one works best for the baby. That way you aren't spending a ton of money on one set only to find out it isn't working out. Dr. Brown's bottles are awesome the only negative is they are harder to clean but definately work the extra effort.
M.
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D.N.
answers from
Houston
on
I had twins that were colic. One was much more so than the other, but I HIGHLY recommend Dr. Brown's bottles. They make a difference!!!
I'm pregnant and I'm going to go with the BPA-free Adiri Natural Nurser. They are more expensive and somewhat difficult to get, but I have a friend using them and they are totally worth it for a breastfeeding mama.
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E.H.
answers from
Houston
on
My little one didn't have colic, but she had severe reflux and gas issues. Dr. Brown's did a great job in helping with that. Avent was horrible for us!!! She wouldn't even finish the bottle without a colossal spitup after a couple of ounces!!! Another good one that seemed to help her tummy issues (and easier to clean!) was the Playtex Ventaire. I would consider Dr. Brown's and Playtex Ventaire as almost equal. Also, they have medication that really helps with the reflux issue. The one that worked (works) best for her is Previcid Solutabs. It is a miracleworker for reflux in babies!!! I hope this helps you!
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M.G.
answers from
Dallas
on
I use Avent.... love them, so does my little one.
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J.R.
answers from
Houston
on
We use Avent and they work great - they have nipple stages like the others, which is good. We preferred them to the Dr. Brown because with the Dr. Brown you must individually clean the tubing down the center. The Avent worked just as well for us - my son Dylan is 5 months old and he was diagnosed with acid reflux and he just has tummy issues in general. Now he is on liquid Zantac 2x daily, Mylecon once in a while, and we use the Avent bottles. He is much,much better! Hope this helps.
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R.M.
answers from
Austin
on
Hi N.-
I have a 3 month old baby girl who struggled with colic especially for the first 2 months. We were using the Playtex drop in system but just switched to the Playtex Vent Air bottles. So far (a week in) the bottles are a dream!! She sleeps so much better and I doesn't seem to have as much painful gas. It could be that we have just gotten over the 3 month hump, but regardless we really love the bottles and Playtex is going to give me a full refund for all the dropin bottles I have left over since that switch, which I thought was pretty cool of them.
Good luck on a baby girl!!!! Hopefully soon!!!
R.
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D.B.
answers from
Houston
on
Hi N. C!
I too had an EXTREMELY collicy first born son. He was so bad that he screamed from 6 pm to 1 or 2 in the morning every night for three months! You could almost see the big hand on the clock move to the 12 and he would begin being fussy.
Nothing, I mean nothing worked! The only way I could get him to quiet down was driving in my car...but then if I had to stop at a stop sign or a red light he would start screaming again! Not good for a over tried, over stressed new mama to be driving around the streets of Houston at midnight!!
I am telling you this because (1.) if it really is colic, a special bottle will not help, neither will gas drops or any kind of medicine, or changing your diet if you are breast feeding, they simply have to grow out of it. and (2) my second son did not have colic at all and my child #3 (a girl) was a very easy baby. Most of the bottles today are designed to help reduce air which could cause an upset stomach (which is not colic) so I would say save your money and relax your baby is probably going to be just fine and you will be a great mommy!
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L.R.
answers from
Sherman
on
I agree with everyone. Every child is different. I used Dr. Brown's bottles and loved them. We seldom had gas problems and when we did mylecon worked wonders. I have several friends that had true collic. One went to the chiropractor and never had another problem. Another just toughed it out and got little rest. They were all miserable. It just depends on you and your child. The Dr. Brown's bottles are harder to clean. But Avent does the same with the air just different technique. Your baby will tell you which bottle to use just by the feel of the nipple. Dr. Brown's have very soft nipples and Avent is almost as soft but a little different. I definitely won't use a regular bottle.
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L.S.
answers from
Austin
on
Hi N.,
My baby boy had a bad case of reflux for at least the first 8months of his life. Here is what helped the most: Dr. Brown's bottles, feeding upright and sleeping on an angle. The absolute best sleeping accomodation for him was an Amby bed. It is a hammock like bed that lets the baby sleep at an angle and gently rocks the baby when he stirs. Our son has always been a restless sleeper and he slept great in the bed. Google it and it will take you to their website. You might be able to buy a used one on Craigs list. It is expensive but was worth every penny. Oh yeah...we also had to give him baby prevacid in addition to all of the. good luck!
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H.F.
answers from
San Angelo
on
I have to say that I don't think it is the bottle that is causing the colic, some children have it no matter what, for example I breastfed and my daughter had terrible colic. I eventually used the Playtex "vent air" which are bent at the end and have a rubber "valve" at the bottom which allows air to come in and push the formula out during drinking. Whatever bottle you use, you just need to make sure that you burp the baby until it literally burps. Please understand that I am not trying to insult your intelligence, but just to help. From my experience with three kids, colic is at least partially personality related. Typically you won't get two children in a row that are colicky...that said, just when you think it won't happen...anyway, I used "Little Tummies" brand symethecone drops. They are the same thing as Mylecon brand, but for some reason they worked much better and really dissolved the gas in her tummy. I also got a vibrating bouncer seat and that helped the gas work its way out. Also, I really believe my little one was "colicky" because she needed a ton of stimulation. I remember her screaming from 10pm to 4 am every night! I would give her the drops, put her in the vibrating bouncer and turn on Baby Einstein videos (even when she was a few months old) and she would settle right down. Not sure if it was one thing or a combination. Hope this helps and that you don't get a colicky one this time!
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A.B.
answers from
Wichita Falls
on
NO experience with the bottles - I BF for 10 months with first and then 18 months with second.
But in 8 yrs the doc have made more advances and admit that babies can have reflux. Your 8 yr old probably had reflux. Don't worry it can be treated now. Both my girls had reflux that was treated until about 1 yr of age. I had to cut out trigger foods in my diet while BF and also remove those foods from their diet while they were learning to eat. Don't worry, enjoy getting pregnant!
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E.D.
answers from
Dallas
on
For us Dr. Browns did the trick.
The ROCK.
You can get wider ones, taller ones... LOVED THEM!
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T.T.
answers from
Houston
on
N.,
As someone with a colicky baby too (and an older home with no diswasher) I did my best to avoid the Dr. Brown's bottles with the additional parts & pieces. I had a bunch of the Avent bottles that were not making an impact on the colic & had about decided to try Dr. Brown's when I gave the Playtex Ventaire bottles a try. These worked great for us and we continue to use them.
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J.E.
answers from
Corpus Christi
on
Hi! I'm new here too! My first child had horrible colic for the first 4 months also, so I totally understand! We must have changed formulas every month and she ended up having to go on Alimentum($$$). I tried Dr. Brown's w/her and they worked well, so when my son was born I was a little concerned he would have the same problems, so I had bought Dr. Brown's for him as well and I used Avent also. After the first month, the Dr. Brown's would leak, so I tried the Soothie brand which I loved! He never had colic though, thank goodness! He did have acid reflux, so we did have to elevate his mattress w/a pillow and feed him sitting more upright and more slowly. He was a tad premature so the dr. thinks that is why. He also had to be on Alimentum, which is a pre-digested formula. Now I am due again in March and I plan to use Playtex (w/the bag), they are supposed to work well for gas/colic and if you are breastfeeding they seem to be convenient! I always start out pumping and breastfeeding because it is easier for me this way, so I will use a bottle from the beg. I also keep on hand Little Tummy's for colic/gas for those nights when nothing seems to work! HOpe this helps! Good Luck!
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S.M.
answers from
Dallas
on
DR. BROWN'S They are absolutely the best. I used them for my 6 year old daughter and then when I had my son, new things had come out on the market and so I tried them instead of going back to the Dr. Browns bottles. Well, needless to say, they are all junk and DR. BROWNS is the best. Threw the others away and bought all new ones. They don't just help with colic, they help with the ears to. So good luck!!!
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L.R.
answers from
San Antonio
on
Hi N. -
I am also new to this site. About the bottles, i personally used the Avent bottles for both of my daughters. I will not use any other bottle if we may have another one later. I think these bottles are the best and I never had any problems with gas, or colic. Once you start using formula, you will notice that after you put the powder and water, and after you shake it together, the bubbles it makes go away after a few seconds. My husband would also recommend these bottles. Like i mentioned, we did not have any problems with late nights from gas or colic. We just love Avent bottles! Good luck!
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C.M.
answers from
Dallas
on
Dr. Brown's worked miracles for us!
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K.H.
answers from
Austin
on
My daughter had colic and Dr Browns was a life saver!! :0)
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C.S.
answers from
Dallas
on
I used Dr Brown...I thought they worked really well! I tried avent, but my daughter didn't like or take to the large nipple. I have heard great things about both!
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R.M.
answers from
Houston
on
I used Dr. Brown bottles and they helped more than a regular bottle. However, I quickly found a remedy for the colic when a friend of mine told me that her chiropractor helped her baby. I took my son to the chiropractor (pediatric certified!!) and after 3 or 4 visits (1 1/2 weeks) he no longer had colic. It was freaky and amazing!!! If colic is a problem with your new baby, I highly recommend it! After the great success with my first son, I was on that bandwagon. So, when my second son was born, we took him to the chiropractor on the way home from the hospital. He checked him out and said his spine was in perfect alignment and did nothing to him. He never had colic, but did have issues with ear infections. For those, I take him for an adjustment, the mucus starts pouring out within the hour, and I've never had to give him an antibiotic. Sounds unbelievable, I know, because I never would have believed it without seeing it myself!!
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C.W.
answers from
Waco
on
I don't have any suggestions for bottles. I breastfed my kids and still had a problem with colic.....so I know it was not swallowed air. We used mylicon drops or most Drug stores have homeopathic colic tablets. I think that is what they are called. Both worked almost instantly.
Good luck
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C.K.
answers from
Austin
on
Enfamil A.R. formula(has rice cereal in it)saved our life. It was incredible how much less our daughter spat up once we switched to that (soy didn't help.) We liked the vent aire bottles by Playtex with the extra parts in the bottom (worth the hassle of washing/reassembling.)
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B.C.
answers from
Wichita Falls
on
We only had mild gas problems, and Avent worked great for us. But I have several friends who SWEAR BY Dr. Brown's for their colicky babies.
From what I hear, you will be amazed at what all is available 8 years later. Babies are a major business these days!
Good luck!!
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K.M.
answers from
Austin
on
My neice spit up badly with regular bottles, including the Avent. She switched to Dr. Brown's (yes, they are a pain to clean), and he spitting up dropped to next to nothing. Good luck!
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M.S.
answers from
Austin
on
Hi, N.,
I hate to tell you this, but my experience with colic is that there is no cure. You just have to suffer through it. My daughter had colic for the first three months and we tried everything--every pacifier, different bottles, gas drops, warm baths, driving in the car, walking in the stroller at night, swaddling, etc. People will tell you all of the old wives tales--it's gas, their feet are cold, whatever. I talked with our pediatrician a lot and read many things about colic and, though all of them gave suggestions, they said that it just comes down to waiting it out. I know that there's a belief that colic is due to gas, but we tried everything with that and it didn't work. I stopped eating everything--dairy, broccoli, cauliflower, chocolate, caffiene, fried foods, pasta sauce--that was on the bad list for nursing and it didn't help. The one thing that worked was standing in the bathroom with the fan/vent on because it seemed to soother her and she stopped screaming and usually fell asleep. Driving in the car never worked. Turning on the vacuum often worked (you get to clean while putting her to sleep). Anyway, sorry to sound negative, but we really tried everything for colic and, in the end, just had to wait it our. Sure enough, after about three months, it stopped.
Good luck.
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S.B.
answers from
Abilene
on
I used the dr. Browns with both my kids! They worked just fine but i would suggest something different! They leak! There is a line that says to avoid leaking do not fill past this line, but even when you dont pass that line they still leak! I dont know if they really worked on colic or not, my kids would seem colicky with the bottle and with different bottles. I dont think the bottles have alot to do with how colicky your child is, even though everyone says they do! I think it had to do with how well you burp and what position they are in when feeding! Good luck!
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K.S.
answers from
Dallas
on
Hi N.! First of all, good luck!! My hubby and I are trying for baby #3 and hoping for a girl, too! (of course a healthy baby no matter what would be just fine!).
On the the bottles..... My first son used the avent bottles. I thought I would do the same with my second and he did terrible on them! We tried several different bottles and finally the Ventaire bottles worked for him. They have a vent in the bottom and they are angled so that the bubbles rise to the top and the baby just gets the milk. They are much cheaper than dr. brown! There is another new bottle that someone I know tried but it has more parts too, called the breastflow. My friend likes it.
Well good luck with everything!
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L.L.
answers from
Dallas
on
The Dr. Brown's bottles are a miracle. My baby had bad acid reflux and we tried every bottle in the book. The Dr. Browns pull the air to the top of the bottle and not into the baby while eating. They were a life saver when it came to the laundary. Everytime she spit up we would have to change clothes as well as hers.
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J.T.
answers from
Dallas
on
Avent all the way. My daughter had colic really bad and we used the Avent and I love them. They are alot easier to clean then the Dr. Brown's. Also you may want to try Gripe Water it works wonders. You can get it at a Health food store all natural. My doctor said it was good to give to her. Best wishes.
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A.J.
answers from
Dallas
on
I love the dr. browns bottles. they work great for us all 3 of my boys had colic and severe reflux and it really helped.
A. J
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L.Q.
answers from
San Antonio
on
If your baby ends up being colicy (1 month it all starts) and you are breastfeeding try giving up all milk products in your diet - even cream in your coffee. Both my daughters had colic I suffered for a few weeks with the first and then only had a short couple of days with the second. This was advice from a breast feeding consultant and it made a huge difference for us. I did both avent and dr brown's not convinced there is a big difference.
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C.M.
answers from
Dallas
on
I see lots of people are wanting to help out :) I love this site!! I'm with about 90% of these other people... I have a 5yr old and a 6month old.. and Dr Brown's bottles were our savior!!! I was also advised by our doctor that there is a lady in Garland (Im sure there are others) that is the most amazing Chiropractor ever.. she doesnt adjust anything there is just a special massage they do on their backs and supposedly it really works.. I have a friend that did it.. and saw some real results. just a thought! GOOD LUCK!
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S.P.
answers from
Dallas
on
I have used both of those. I like the Dr Brown's best. They worked wonders on both of our youngest children. However, our youngest, now 14 months, had acid reflux as well as being allergic to milk. So it wasn't just colic. Just be aware that it can be that also. Now he isn't allergic to milk at all, and doesn't seem to have the acid reflux anymore. They say it can heal itself.
Good luck to ya!
S. P
Stephenville, Tx
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S.M.
answers from
San Antonio
on
My son had colic really bad. He would be fine until it was time for bed and then he would scream and stretch out his tummy like ge was just in so much pain! There were three adults in the house and he completely wore out everyone of us! Then my portugese grandmother gave me her tried and true cure! And it worked from the very first try! You buy some fennel seeds in the spice isle (it is natural and has a licorice flavor) you take 1 tsp.of fennel and brew it in a little water to make a tea, letting it steep so the fennel can release it's magic! Put it in a bottle ad a little sugar so the baby will suck it down (make sure it is cooled to a warm temp) and give it before bed or when ever your baby usually gets colic! I'm telling you mamas it really works! Grandmothers are awesome! Try it!