Which Bottles Are Best???

I liked the playtex drop-ins. They were so easy because all you had to do was change the liner and the nipple and not clean an entire bottle. They never leaked. I used them with breastmilk and with formula. I loved them and my baby loved them!

There is a new botttle called Beastflow. My daughter is pretty much only breastfeed, but when need she takes that bottle just find. I even use avent bottles on occasion.

A. M

Avent worked well for us. I primarily breastfed, but used a bottle at least a few times a week. My daughter never had any trouble with gas or anything.

My nephews have used Dr. Brown's and those have worked really well for them, but they do have more parts to clean.

If you are going to pump I love my medela pump with medela bottles they are also BPA free which is a big plus. Be aware that your milk might start to dry up if you are only pumping. Your body needs the close contact to continue producing in large quantities. Good luck any breastmilk is better than none.

I love the Dr Browns bottles. My son had really bad gas until we started using the Dr Browns bottles. My child wouldn't latch so I had to pump and bottle feed and he didn't latch until I was back to work full time so I still had to pump and leave bottles for my hubby to give him.

The great thing about the Dr Brown's bottles is they reduce gas and they fit the Medela breastpump so I was able to pump directly into the bottle and just put a travel cap on it (travel caps are sold separetly but don't cost much) so I had less to wash since I didn't have to use Medela bottles to pump into. The downside is, if you don't put the travel cap on the Dr Brown's bottles, they will leak. So I just kept the insert, nipple, etc in a zip lock bag until I was ready to use the bottle.

Dr Brown's DOES have glass bottles and BPA free plastic bottles. I was happy to find them at Babies R Us in Pineville a few days ago. I also loved the various levels in nipples from premie to y-cut (high flow).

Don't let anyone make you feel bad for whatever decisions you make. It's your child and your decision. You know what's best for you so please don't feel like you need to explain why you're going to bottle feed. I felt like a failure because I couldn't get my son to latch. Now, I realize that he still got breastmilk even if it wasn't "from the tap" and our family members got to experience the joy of feeding him. They were able to share in the bonding experience of feeding an infant. My husband really enjoyed feeding our son and I think that helped them bond so quickly (they still share a close bond).

Enjoy your baby. They grow up too quickly.

any BPA free bottles are great.... I'd only get one of each that you like best and see which one the baby likes best and then go on that to buy more. it will be the baby's call on the bottle and nipple based on her pallat(sp) ;). We used Avent at first then switched to http://www.newbornfree.com/?gclid=CP_v29_zkpUCFQJvswodEAglhA - the nipple made a difference for our son. Toward 10 months old we were able to start trying to transition to the Born Free sippy's and he did well with that.

Good luck - and don't let anyone bully you about your personal decisions with your child and breastfeeding. That's an intimate relationship that is yours to keep.

**edit - the BornFree product is sold at Babies R Us now I think...

I really liked the Playtex with the drop-ins because the bottle collapses more like the breast would and therefore the baby gets less air. I used them with both of my children. Best of luck wit your super hectic schedule. Somehow us Moms find time to do it all!

As a mom and former daycare provider, I like the Playtex with disposable liners the best. The liners collapse and keep the amount of air swallowed down to a minimum. The nipples on them are also more like mom and made it easier for me to switch back and forth between bottle and breast. I had to go back to work when my first child was 6 weeks old, so I pumped and DH fed the baby with a bottle while I was at work, then I nursed the baby when I was home. We made it almost 6 months like that before my supply started drying up and baby found it was faster with the bottles.

One piece of advice with pumping, start early! My doctor told me to start at least 3 weeks before going back to work to get a supply in the freezer built up. I nursed the baby then pumped after he was done. That increased my milk supply a LOT to where I was able to feed him and then get enough for him to eat again by pumping. My body responded like it was feeding twins, which helped me build up a nice supply of milk in the freezer for when I went back to work.

Good luck!

Personally, I think that the BPA free Dr Browns are the best on the market. My little one had horrible colic and these were a godsend. They are a little more effort to clean...but well worth it! Good luck juggling everything! Don't forget to take time to enjoy her!

First of all, CONGRATS!!!! Second, don't apologize for the way you want to feed, raise, etc. with your child. Advice is GREAT, but make sure you let everyone know that, that is what it is...advice. As for breastfeeding, there are more studies now that say that the most important is the first 2 weeks to the first month. I had my son July 8, 2007, and I could breastfeed him, he was in the NICU for 5 days. So, he wouldn't take to me, I pumped...which I recommend MEDELA, and he would only take a bottle...not for my lack of trying, because I wanted to breast feed. Also, my mother used Playtex Nursers. She SWORE by them. I tried AVENT, but they still let in too much air, which in turn gave my son gas, which does not make a happy baby. So, she bought me a starter set. You do have to buy they plastic inserts, and shouldn't reuse them, but you can actually SEE all the air you push out of the bottle once you have mixed up the formula!!! That way you KNOW there isn't any air in the bottle. I have seen Dr. Brown have the same exact concept. But, I used the Playtex Nursers. You can buy the starter kit, and by the bottle. They also say that it is the closest to mothers nipple, and ergonimically comfortable for baby. No matter the brand, I recommend a bottle with the plastic liners, because you can SEE the air being pushed out, which is less air in baby's belly. The only thing that does make it annoying, is don't forget to put the liners in before you put the formula in...something I have done many times!! Good luck, and CONGRATS again!!! Jen

Since you are trying to find the safest bottles and formula, I thought you may want some useful vaccine information: I wish I had read up more on vaccines and other health issues like these that affect health in the long-term. Being a mother/consumer is perilous these days. Informed consent is the only avenue left to educated parents. I wish you and your baby the best!

"A 15-member Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices at the CDC decides which vaccines should be on the Childhood Immunization Schedule. It calls for one vaccine, against hepatitis B, to be given on the day of birth; 7 vaccines at two months; 6 more (including booster shots) at four months; and as many as 8 vaccines on the six month well-baby visit. Before a child reaches the age of two he or she will have received 32 vaccinations on this schedule, including four doses each of vaccines for Hemophilus influenzae type b infections, diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis – all of them given during the first 12 months of life. Seven vaccines injected into a 13 lb. two-month old infant are equivalent to 70 doses in a 130 lb. adult.

The schedule states, "Your child can safely receive all vaccines recommended for a particular age during one visit." Public health officials, however, have not proven that it is indeed safe to inject this many vaccines into infants. What's more, they cannot explain why, concurrent with an increasing number of vaccinations, there has been an explosion of neurologic and immune system disorders in our nation’s children.

Fifty years ago, when the immunization schedule contained only four vaccines (for diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, and smallpox), autism was virtually unknown. First discovered in 1943, this most devastating malady in what is now a spectrum of pervasive developmental disorders afflicted less than 1 in 10,000 children. Today, one in every 68 American families has an autistic child. Other, less severe developmental disorders, rarely seen before the vaccine era, have also reached epidemic proportions. Four million American children have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. One in six American children are now classified as "Learning Disabled."

Our children are also experiencing an epidemic of autoimmune disorders – Type I diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, and bowel disorders. There has been a 17-fold increase in Type I diabetes, from 1 in 7,100 children in the 1950s to 1 in 400 now. Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis afflicts 300,000 American children. Twenty-five years ago this disease was so rare that public health officials did not keep any statistics on it. There has been a 4-fold increase in asthma, and bowel disorders in children are much more common now than they were 50"

http://www.lewrockwell.com/miller/miller15.html

http://www.ewg.org/node/25637

Breast milk is best, but whether you’re feeding breastmilk or formula in a bottle, use this guide to feed your baby safely. Read this report's press release or go to study findings.
Nipple: Start with a clear silicone nipple.

Latex rubber nipples can cause allergic reactions and can contain impurities linked to cancer.
Bottle: Use glass.

Plastic bottles can leach a toxic chemical called bisphenol A (BPA) into formula. Avoid clear, hard plastic bottles marked with a 7 or “PC.”
Plastic bottle liners: Don’t use them.

The soft plastic liners may leach chemicals into formula, especially when heated.
Water: Use filtered tap water.

If your water is fluoridated, use a reverse osmosis filter to remove fluoride, which the American Dental Association recommends avoiding when reconstituting formula. If your water is not fluoridated use a carbon filter. If you choose bottled water make sure it’s fluoride-free.
Formula: Choose powdered.

A toxic chemical called bisphenol A (BPA) can leach from the lining of metal cans and lids. Liquid formulas have higher levels. Powdered formula is a better bet. If you're concerned about BPA, click here to tell infant formula manufacturers to remove it from their product packaging.

FORMULA BUYING GUIDE

1. Your first choice should be powdered formula in a can with as little metal as possible, such as the brands in this order:
BETTER Nestlé, Enfamil & Similac powdered (BPA in top and bottom of can)
GOOD Earth’s Best & Bright Beginnings powdered (BPA in entire can)

2. Second choice: concentrated liquid formulas

3. Avoid all ready-to-eat liquid formulas in metal cans
Heating: Warm bottles in a pan of hot water.

Microwaving can heat unevenly and cause chemicals to leach from plastic bottles into formula.

Details
More details for bottle-feeding parents:

Breastfeed whenever possible!

Breast milk is the best source of nutrition for babies, and contains essential fatty acids that help bolster babies' bodies against the impacts of toxic chemicals. However, there are many reasons why families rely on formula for some or all of their baby’s diet. Most babies in the US receive some formula during their first year of life, with 70 percent of babies receiving some formula by 3 months of age (CDC 2007). These babies need a safe and healthy source of food, and formula should be manufactured in a way that avoids contamination with hormone disrupting chemicals.

Formula-feeding

Powdered formulas are the best choice for parents who want to avoid bisphenol A in their baby's diet. While powdered formula has not been tested for BPA, it is diluted with much more water than liquid formulas which reduces the amount of BPA that the baby consumes in each feeding. Nestlé has made unsubstantiated claims that they don't use any BPA to line their powdered formula cans. Nestlé, Enfamil and Similac use a mixed metal and cardboard package with less BPA-coating. Second best are Earth's Best Organic and PBM's store-brand powdered formulas that use a fully metal can.

Some liquid formulas are sold in plastic, mostly polyethylene and polypropylene which do not contain any BPA. Avoid any plastic containers that are rigid and transparent, marked with "PC". All liquid formulas sold in metal cans are lined with BPA-epoxy, which has been shown to leach into the product. If you buy formula in metal cans choose the concentrated type which is diluted with water prior to feeding. Avoid ready-to-eat formula in metal cans, which has the highest BPA leaching potential.

Bottle Nipples

Choose bottle nipples made from silicon. They are the most durable and inert options. Latex rubber nipples can cause allergic reactions and can contain impurities linked to cancer (Freishtat 2002; Westin 1990). The same goes for pacifiers. Throw away any nipple or pacifier that is discolored, thinning, tacky or ripped.

Bottles

There has been a lot of attention recently about BPA leaching from baby bottles and sippy cups. It appears, however, that babies fed liquid formula could have much more intense exposure to BPA from the formula itself. Even so, parents should still choose bottles that don't leach any BPA. Glass bottles are an excellent choice. More manufacturers are also making bottles and sippy cups out of safe plastics which are polyethylene, polypropylene or polyamide. Avoid all polycarbonate which are transparent (either clear or tinted) and rigid or inflexible plastic. These bottles may be marked with the letters “PC.” Polycarbonate plastics are sometimes marked with the recycling #7, which is a miscellaneous category, so not all #7 plastics are harmful.

Your pediatrician may recommend plastic bottle liners if your baby is colicky. If not, avoid using them - the manufacture and disposal of plastic liners raise environmental concerns. And never overheat formula in a plastic liner. The soft plastic liners may leach chemicals into formula, especially when heated.

What type of water?

If your water is fluoridated, use a reverse osmosis (RO) filter to remove fluoride, which the American Dental Association recommends avoiding when reconstituting formula (ADA 2006). If your water is not fluoridated, use a carbon filter, either a pitcher-style or one that attaches to your tap. If you choose bottled water make sure it's fluoride-free. Be aware that the cost of bottled water may add up to more money than a home reverse osmosis system.

Expressing breast milk

Medela breast pump tubes, shields, and jars are BPA and phthalate free. This is important as pump parts withstand repeated washings in hot water.

Cleaning and sterilizing

Bottles, nipples, pacifiers, breast shields, pump tubing and containers should be sterilized before first use. After that, washing with hot soapy water or the top shelf of the dishwasher should be sufficient. Avoid sterilizing in the microwave or frequent use of boiling water since both will speed the breakdown of the plastic.

Warming a bottle

Warm bottles of formula or breast milk in a bowl of hot water. Do not microwave them or place them in boiling water. In addition to creating a hazard for baby, these extreme heats weather the plastics.
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Print full report.

Soy formula it is genetically modified. If you do go to formula you may be looking at even an even worse scenario. A friend of mine with a 2 month old figured out any soy she ingests makes her baby ill when she breast feeds. Here is some information to help you make an informed decision.

" Soy Formula's Role in the Peanut Allergy

Additionally, recent studies out of the University of London highlight the role that conventional soy (and soy formula) play in the development of the peanut allergy.

As a result of these studies, the British Dietetic Association advises parents to avoid exposing infants under the age of one to soy. In France, parents are advised to avoid soy for children 0-3 years of age given the risk that it may present.

As the first independently funded research organization, we have sought the expertise and advice of leading pediatric specialists with the highest integrity whose only interests are in protecting the health and well-being of our children. http://www.allergykids.com/index.php?id=4&page=Our_Re...

"Corn's Role in Ethanol and Its Impact on the Allergy Epidemic

Hi W. -
Congratulations! This is a very exciting time for you. I, too, chose not to breastfeed and you would have thought I had abused my child from the reaction I got. I learned very quickly that worrying about others' responses wasn't worth it. My children (10, 8 and 4 months) are all very healthy formula-fed babies. I have used Avent bottles, the bag in the bottle kind, and just the regular plastic ones. You could spend lots of money on special bottles but I have not noticed a difference in any of these. The only thing I would recommend is to have a couple with the little crook in it toward the nipple - it is easier to get the last drops of the milk without having baby in an uncomfortable position. I have found these most important when we are traveling - baby can't recline far enough so the bottle shape makes it easier to feed without baby getting air near the end. Good luck!
Jenny

Good for you! I must say that I loved the Avent bottles. They were wonderful for my little colicky one. They were also easy- not a lot of parts to put together and find in the middle of the night. Good luck! :)

What kind of pump do you/will you have? I used a Medela pump in style with the medela bottles and those worked well for us and they are bpa free. We also used Evenflo Comfi which I do know now have bpa, but Evenflo has come out with bpa free versions of their bottles now. The Comfi are angles which makes it easier to feed. Congrats!

Hi W.,
I almost exclusively have breastfed my babies but don't think I would have had I had to work outside the home. When I have supplemented, I used to like Avent bottles. Then I found the Soothie bottles. They are great! They have the same nipples as the pacifiers that the hospitals give to the newborns so they are very similar to the breast.
Hope this helps and congratulations!
T.

we used playtex ventair and were happy with them

W., have you gone to eOpinions.com?

There you can put in anything and people like you and me can rate the items that they have.

I went to eOpinions as they are unbiased reviews by REAL people.

There were over 75 pages just on my search of Baby Bottles
http://www99.epinions.com/kifm-Baby_Equipment/submitted_f...

I am almost positive that you will find what you are looking for and MORE... They also have them listed by name brands so you can see for yourself.

W., just remember TO DO WHAT IS BEST FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.

I say this as I did nurse but it isn't for everyone... I know people who have chosen to do the 'cry it out method' I knew that wasn't for me... That is the best advice I ever rec'd and guess what it came from my La Leche League Leader. :)

Good Luck to you and your family!

Looks like you have tons of advice, one more for you. If you don't end up using the drop-ins, and elect to go with a reusable, you might want to consider Born-Free (I found them at Babies R Us) they are like Avent (which I used and loved for my two boys) but I used these for my daughter (they are a little more expensive) but they are BPA free.

HI W.,
Even though you plan to breastfeed right at birth I really like the bottles that are sold my Medela. They do not have BPA so you do not need to worry about them leaching toxins if you plan to dishwash them regulary. Medela also sells a product that looks like a fancy ziplock that you put a small amount of water and microwave for 90 seconds to sterilize. I loved these bags and used them for much more than 10 uses. Just a thought of what worked for me. If, on the other hand you know that you will be hand-washing your bottles you may want to go with a larger bottle since you will be using formula. (if you opt to handwash the BPA should not be an issue. Cheers,

I liked the playtex nursers with the baggies, virtually gas free, also, you will want to bu several kinds of nipples - each kid is different. I had one that liked rubber &one that liked silicone.

I am glad you will be making the effort to Pump!! Good luck to you!

P

dont let anyone hassle you about breast feeding.. yeah its great and all but lets face it there are plenty of healthy kids who wernt breast fed. anyway as for the bottles i used dr browns and they saved my life. they help alot with gas... good luck!

My daughter swears by avent. I don't think it matters. The nipples are the most important, do they leak.

Pumping sounds great. Ask the lactation consultant for resources for pumping mom, they are out there and very supportive. As for bottles, I would suggest simply using Evenflo Glass Bottles, and Evenflo COMFI style silicon nipples. The nipples worked better for me than the Evenflo Classic which are more narrow. The Comfi nipple is more full but not even close to the giant Avent. They are a little more difficult to find but I know they are available at Babies R US and Walmart. I recommend glass too because of the BHA toxins in many plastic bottles. Also Evenflo is VERY economical. If you are worried about breaking the glass there are bottle covers available made of silicone, check silikids.com for more info. It would be worth buying 2-3 of them.
Some recommendations on using the nipples - I only mention this because my sister didn't understand how a bottle works and nearly starved her baby. When you put the nipple and ring on the bottle make sure it is secure but NOT TIGHT. When you suck on the nipple, air should flow through the nipple and through the small air holes/vents on the base ring of the nipple. The nipple should not collapse. If it does make sure the ring isn't too tight and that the little holes on the ring are not blocked by dried milk. My sister would put the rings on so tight I couldn't loosen it and the little air vents were squeezed shut - caused a lot of feeding problems until we discovered the issue. Plus it was and Avent bottle and I don't like those.

There you go! Good luck with all of your endeavors! Remember to find people that support you. suzanne

Personally, we liked the Playtex ones. Just the cheapo ones. They were great. We liked the drop in liners with them too. We tried the old fashion liners taht came in a roll. The cost difference was not worth the mess I made with them.

Evenflo glass bottles. They are very traditional and can be put in the dishwasher w/o fear of the BPA found in plastic. I also bought the Enfamil 6 oz glass formual https://www.enfamil.com/app/iwp/consumer/productCategory....
to use as a supplement. They are great for traveling b/c you can just screw a nipple onto the bottle. After we were done w/ them, we just washed them and sterilized them. We just bought some extra nipples and caps ... much cheaper than buying new bottles.

W....I think it is so great that you are going to give your baby breastmilk even if you are pumping and giving it to them in a bottle! I commend you for doing the best thing for you, your baby, and your family! Congratulations on being a mom...it's fun! I have 14 mth old twin boys and I used Advent bottles for them...I pumped my milk and breast fed them for almost 7 months...they started taking formula as well as breast milk at 4 mths...the longer you can breast feed...the better but your body and your baby will decide for you! Advent bottles are the best! They are made in England and they are wonderful for breast feeding babies...and they're affordable! My boys were able to make the transition from the Advent bottle to the sippy cup very well, too...Good Luck and God Bless you and yours!

Hi! I am breastfeeding and pumping/using bottles. I am using a Dr. Brown's electric pump and Dr. Brown's glass bottles. I have been very pleased with them! My son is 4 weeks old and has had no problems going between bottle and breast. Good luck!

We used the playtex drop ins.

Hey W.. I know what your going through. We used Soothie bottles and pacifiers and we also used the Vent Air I think its called they are curved at the top and have air holes on the bottom. I hope this helps!!

I am in a similar situation & need to both bottle & breast feed my 9 week old...so I do lots of pumping & nurse as often as I can. We do what you have to!
We have two different bottles...one is Avent (fast flow, very good for when you need to feed very quickly), and Playtex Vent Aire (slow flow, more like the breasts). Both off these bottles have the large nipple, which are better for switching between bottle and breast.
If you do enjoy breast feeding, these are great. With these at least you have the option of breast feeding also.
Let me know if you'd like any more info!
Good luck!

WOOO HOOO AMEN SISTER! I am so tired of Nursing nazi's lookin down on those of us who chose not to! I wish I had as lofty a plans as you do! :) I just plain didn't like nursing :) Anywho, I pumped exclusively with my little guy. you are free to call me ANYTIME to commiserate about pumping :)

Make sure you don't skimp on the pump. Get a good one! I had the Pump N Style from Medela and as pumps go...Caddillac :) I can share some more info on that if you like and other thingst hat are freakin awesome -- stock on up santizing bags for the microwave, they will make your life SOOO much easier!

Anywho- the question that youa ctually asked :) --- the "best" bottle is the one your little one likes. I would suggest getting one of each type and letting her see which she likes. I delivered at Rex and they use AVENT. They are awesome but a little pricey...they're about middle of the road really. My little guy coulnd't get the regular sized nipples to work out.

A benefit of regular sized bottles (Avent necks and nipples are larger than regular), the pump will actually screw into the bottle itself and you don't have to wash an extra set.

but it just depends on your little one. so I wouldnt' go hog wild buying bottles. Put some different ones on your registry and let people buy them :) You'd think the little boogers wouldn't be so choosy, but they can be PICKY about their bottles :)

GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!and let me know if you need to give me a call!

The Dr. Brown's bottles are working well for us. But, every baby is different, so what works well for one baby might not work for another. That being said I would buy just a few bottles until you know what works for your baby. I bought a bunch of the Mam's bottles and they gave my daughter terrible gas, so we switched to Dr. Brown's and I had to buy a bunch more bottles.

As far as the breastfeeding goes - don't feel bad. I had intentions to breastfeed, but it just didn't work out. Your daughter will flourish and thrive whether on formula or pumped breast milk! Congrats and good luck!!

Whatever one the baby chooses (and that can get tricky)! LOL I sent you a personal note, also.

Congratulations!! I'm also expecting a girl on Oct. 21st. Aren't we lucky?! I'm going thru the same thing with picking out a bottle. I have an almost 3 yr old son and we used Dr. Browns bottles with him because of his gas issues. They worked really well. Yes, there are more parts to them, but it's worth it not to have them crying because their little belly hurts so bad.

The type of formula you use also has an impact on gas too. We found that when we switched from regular Enfamil to the Gentlease Enfamil, he did much better. Then we were forced to get WIC since my husband got laid off from his job and they didn't pay for that, but they did pay for the Lacto-free Enfamil. His gas was history after that. He's not lactose intolerant either. I was told by WIC that most babies do a lot better on the Lacto-free. Please keep that in mind when choosing formulas. He never had any problems switching to whole milk at 1 yr either. WIC told me they hardly ever hear of anyone having problems switching from Lacto-free to whole milk, so that was a relief.

Just make sure whatever bottles you choose, they are either glass or BPA free. I am planning to breastfeed so I was looking for the BPA free or glass wide neck bottles and as of right now, Dr. Brown's doesn't have any available, at least at BabiesR'Us. I'm going to try the Born Free brand and see how that goes. It's pretty much just trial and error, but your baby will let you know what she likes.

Good luck with everything and don't stress about what other people think and say. It's always hard to hear all their opinions, but you know what's best for you and your baby. Don't let anyone make you feel guilty or bad for your decisions. I probably wouldn't breastfeed if I had all that on my plate either. Hope everything goes well! Take care.

The ones that fit on your breast pump, in the beginning even the four ounce ones are great ... just be aware the baby is likely to require 1 ounce more than you pump at any given time as s/he can suck better than an electric pump! good luck
C.

I have to say that choosing a bottle for either of my kids I thought would actually be fun. MY son is now 3(in Oct. & was only nursed for 3 days) and when we had him I started out with the Avent bottles. They were great to start out with. I personally got annoyed with them because they always made a deep whistling sound when i would feed my son. So a friend of mine let me try her Dr. Browns bottles for a week. I and my son LOVED THEM!!!!! They actually did reduce his gas intake. My only gripe with them is there are a bunch of pieces. We used them for about 8 months. Then I got tired of washing bottles and many pieces so another friend of mine suggested the Playtex Drop-ins. I was so much happier with the bottle washing situation because all I had to really wash were the nipples. You toss the insert and rinse off the actual bottle and nipple ring and your done. Only thing is you have to buy the inserts, I feel that it was worth it though. I would suggest getting a 3pk of the Dr. Browns 4oz bottles and a 3pk of the Playtex drop-ins. Try them each for a week and see which ones she likes best.

I can tell you that all babies are different because when we had our daughter 7 months ago, I tried the bottles we had from my son and no luck. I nursed her for 6.5 months but my hubby also fed her with a bottle. Bottle feeding was a major struggle. We went through 6 different types of bottles before we found the ones she likes. She likes the Playtex Vent Air (they are angled) Wide. I am pretty sure though that it is not really the bottle, it is the nipple. If your little girl turns out anything like mine, she'll let you know for sure which one she likes, Don't you worry!!! Good Luck!!!

Hey W.! Congrats on your upcoming baby! My husband and I had our first sooner than planned also (I was 6months pregnant on our anniversary!).

I can tell you what works best for me and my little boy, but as you will soon find, many things you just have to wait and see. Some babies take well to bottles, some do not- some are picky about what bottle they will use, some don't care. I used Dr. Browns Natural Flow with my son and they worked great. Some people complain about cleaning them- but I just stuck everything in the dishwasher and it worked with me (the bottles have a few extra small parts to help reduce gas)

Hope this helps! Good luck with everything!

Honestly, it may take a few tries before you find a bottle and nipple that work best for you and baby. I would recommend either glass bottles or using playtex bottles with the liners. However, I have not researched if the liners release the same carcinogenic toxins that the plastic bottles do when heated, so that will be something you want to look into before purchase. Also, if you're pumping and storing in bags (I liked the Lansinoh bags) the easiest thing to do is drop it in the playtex, put on the nipple, then defrost and push all the air out....that's what we did while pumping....

I went through seven bottles and four different nipple styles before I found something that worked for my first-born. He was significantly tongue-tied, I eventually discovered at four when we changed pediatricians, and thus couldn't latch on to literally save his life - to breast or nipple. He also had severe colic, GERD, reflux, and a hernia. The playtex liners push up so you physically push all the air out of them thereby disallowing the baby to ingest the air that causes common colic and spit-up problems. After we started using those and a synthetic formula called Alimentum, he was a whole new baby!

We just stuck with the playtex for the second child, and the news about the toxins in plastic didn't break until after she was using a cup.

FYI, if you do go playtex, we used Kroger's drop-ins instead fo playtex once we went to formula. They were half the price and worked just as well. Also, the contoured playtex bottles worked better than the straight ones (easier to get an adult hand inside) but if you go with generic liners it doesn't matter anyway....

Good luck finding something that works for you! Don't you wish they sold bottle sampler packs like they do with baby bath and medicinal products?! LOL

I have three children and tried different bottles with all three of them. I found the best type was the Avent one that I discovered with my third child. And, if you are planning on pumping the Avent hand pump was my favorite pump and most efficient (even better than the dual electric pump that I used for my first baby). It was very quiet, comfortable and had a let down cushion on it and the Avent bottles fit with this system. The nipples are most like the breast nipple of any of the other bottles I have used. Good luck!

I personally like the Playtex Nursers with the drop-ins. I also pump and feed, and with the drop-ins, I can just get one of my Medella bottles out of the fridge, pour the milk into a drop-in and put the bottle in some warm water in a cup to heat it up a bit. Very simple. I did this with my son for a year and currantly with my 9 month old daughter. If you are going to freeze your milk, then basically any bottle will work as you will just thaw it in the freezer bag and pour into whichever bottle you choose!

Congratulations and best of luck!!

Hi. I have mostly breastfed, but we introduced a bottle of expressed milk when our son was 2.5 weeks old. We have slowly started introducing formula now that he is 6 months. He had every feeding issue in the book. I started with Dr. Browns which were great. When the whole BPA thing came about, I switched to the Avent Temp, but they leaked, and the nipples were either too fast or too slow. I then discovered the Born Free. I love them! They are very similar to Dr. Brown's, but are still plastic and BPA FREE! They have the wider neck so they are easier to pour BM or formula into. I hope this helps. Congrats and best of luck!

I tried so many bottles that were too expensive and had way too many parts that supposedly keep the baby from getting gas. It was such a bother to clean all the pieces that come with the Dr. Brown bottles, Avent are good, but I also liked the gerber bottles with the purple tops. They have them at Walmart and they are affordable, easy to clean, and don't leak. They seemed easy for my son to hold also. Hope this helps :o)

Hey there busy mom. Congrats on the new baby!
You've gotten some really good suggestions about bottles so I won't repeat all that you've already heard, except to say it's okay (and should be expected) to go through a few before you find what's right for baby. Yeah, it may be a waste of money, but that's how you will find what works for her.
Kudos too, for planning to pump. But I feel the need to tell you that actually breastfeeding is less work than pumping. But you can also do both. You can nurse her while you're together, or just at night, then bottlefeed the rest of the time. Really, there are no rules here, just what works for you and baby. Don't feel guilty about forming your own path!
You got a good tip that I also agree with---don't start the bottle too early nor too late. There does seem to be a window of opportunity between 6 and 10 weeks where introducing a bottle to a breastfed baby is ideal. Although we did not give our baby a bottle until 6 months and it was not that big a deal.
Here's my last bit of advice: you need support! First from your family and friends and second, a mommy support. You may not know this, but there is an entire community of moms who "exclusively pump". You can find a great group of them on kellymom.com. They will give you great advice about pumping, storing breastmilk, tips on increasing production, etc. I only skimmed the other responses so maybe this was already mentioned, but it's so important, I should say it again. Formula in a bottle is waaaay different than breastmilk in a bottle. Please don't get these two confused. You may use the same bottle for both kinds of nutrition but how much milk goes into the bottle and how often baby is fed is waaaaaay different. This can be confusing to a new mom. Check out kellymom for medically-sound advice so you can be sure baby is getting enough. It's OK if you end of giving baby formula and breastmilk, just know that the same rules do not apply to both.

My daughtere would not latch on so I pumped for 3 months. Pumping drained me but I fel like it was what I was supposed to do to be a good mother. Please don't feel like you have to give your child breast milk. She will be fine either way it goes. As for the the bottles. Dr. Brown's or Ventaire. I use both. Avent allowed to much air and caused alot of gas for my daughter.

First of all, this topic is my "soap box" topic. Breastfeeding is a personal choice. I am a mother of two and pregnant again. I work full-time and part-time jobs. I breastfed minimally (very minimally). Don't let others make you feel like you are doing the wrong thing. Formula fed babies are just fine!! As far as bottles go, I tried every one under the sun for both of my boys and ultimately went back to the cheap gerber bottles (like the cheapest ones you can get). Those are the ones that both of mine loved and latched to with ease. Good luck with your upcoming delivery and don't ever underestimate the power of your God given maternal instinct. It is there for a reason.

Hello, I too am a first time mommy. I exclusivly bottle fed my little girl and went with Doctor Browns bottles. I loved them, they reduce gas, spit up and all. If we have another child I will definatly be using them again.

Best Wishes,

Congratulations on your soon-to-be new arrival! Don't worry about what other people think about breastfeeding or not breastfeeding. I originally planned to breastfeed for at least a little while, but ended up not producing near enough milk. I didn't even make it out of the hospital before going to bottles. Anyways, I like the Playtex nursers with the drop in liners. They're easy to clean & the store brand liners are just as good & a lot cheaper (we use Wal-Mart brand). They have latex (not available in all flows) & silicone slow, medium (new), fast & variable flow nipples. We really like the silicone nipples because they are dishwasher safe, whereas the latex nipples are not. We started out with the slow flow & and switched to the variable flow when we had to start thickening her formula. Also, we really liked the starter kits. We ended up getting 3. That gave us enough bottles to prepare ahead of time (just measured the right amount of water) for the whole day. Now that she is almost 7 mo. old, we have enough 8oz bottles to prepare 9 the night before & that will get us through the night & next day. Plus we still use the 4oz bottles just in case she needs a little more to "top off".

I pumped ALL of my daughter's meals for the first 4 months and Dr. Brown's bottles worked the best. Congrats and Good luck!

First of all, don't feel guilty at all for not breastfeeding long. I did it for a short time due to MANY issues, had to stop (my daughter even had to be put in the hospital at four days old due to some of these issues) Anyway, she turned out FINE! My son was never breastfed and he's perfect too!

I first got Avent, because that is what is everyone said to use and neither of my kids liked them very much. So I then got Dr Brown's and loved them! They help reduce air and help babies with colic and the nipples were easier to adapt to for both my babies. Give those a try, everyone who uses them loves them! But I will tell you, every baby is different so expect to maybe try a couple different brands. Just buy a few of each type and let the baby see what they like. That way you don't waste alot of $$$. Congrats and good luck!

I used Avent bottles with my son and was able to simultaneously feed him using breast and bottle. I am 35 weeks pregnant now and in the midst of the BPA scare earlier this year looked up the levels in Avent bottles and they had the least of all the other bottles on the market. Just this past Friday I was watching NBC Nightly News (the one with Brian Williams) and apparently they are now saying that BPA is no longer an issue to be concerned about and the previous scare was just that; a scare, so you never know! As far as everyone giving you grief over not breastfeeding as long as they would ideally like you to - people are going to say what they will but the truth is that no matter how long you nurse your baby it will undoubltedly benefit. Good luck!

My kids (and I) loved the Avent bottles. The nipples are nice and the top of the bottle has a larger opening, making it easier to fill and clean. Avent comes in 3 sizes...the oz. on them are a little different because they a useable in Europe, like they hold 5 oz, 9 oz or 11 oz, instead of 4, 8 or 10. That was never a problem for me. I didn't really use the small size very long. The nipples come in stages as well. Avent also has a breast pump so the bottles screw right into it. Hope this helps!!! My first was a surprise, and she is the best thing ever!

W., each child will take different bottles. However, if you plan on breastfeeding and pumping to bottle feed shortly after then you may want to try the playtex bottles. The nipples are suppose to be more like the human nipple on the way it gives. I am currently pregnant with my first child and will have to pump once I return to work. Do not let others bring you down because you will be pumping and using a bottle. Just remember the baby is still getting the full benefits from your breast milk even if you use a bottle. Good luck!

I used plain old Gerber bottles. I tried the expensive Avent bottles but my daughter never liked the nipples.
I would start out with a small set of the Gerbers and if your baby doesn't seem to take to that type of nipple try something else. It is all about her preference.
I also liked the Gerber bottles because the lids were pretty much leak proof and I could put the water for the formula in the bottle and just carry a continer of premeasured formula to dump in when she was hungry.
Congatulations!!

I vote for Dr. Brown's, either the bigger around or slimmer ones. I used them at a friend's recommendation, and had a great experience with them. My sister-in-law then used my hand-me-downs and also was pleased with them. It's a few more parts to wash, but a happy baby that doesn't spit up is worth it.

I see that you've gotten lots of responses, and I didn't read them all. Forgive me if I duplicate. My twins were premature, and the NICU nurses all recommended Dr. Browns. I love them! We never had any problems with colic on either baby. They're not hard to clean even with the extra parts. They will leak if you fill them too full. I think the best advice I got though is not to buy a lot of bottles before you see how your baby does with them. Every baby is different, and some are picky about what bottle they like. If you read the reviews you will find people that loved and people that hated each and every brand. I think it's awesome that you are going to try pumping with your crazy schedule. IF it doesn't work well for you, do not beat yourself up. Even if you only breastfeed for a few weeks, your baby will get awesome benefits from it. Every person has to do what's best for them and their baby. Pumping takes a lot of time and committment. Congrats on your pregnancy! Being a mom is the greatest thing in the world. They don't come with manuals, and we all get to learn as we go. Enjoy your precious little one! Good luck.

First of all, congratulations on becoming Mom and Wife! And how in the world you are going to add student and teacher in the mix is beyond me. I hope that you are blessed with good help and a good husband because you are going to need it. Next... I think that the most important thing is what you are feeding your child and since you are planning on pumping and bottle feeding the breast milk you will be giving the best. Also, something that I learned a little too late, you really only have a short window to slip in the bottle. You don't want to do it too early because it will interfere with the breast feeding which is not instinctual... so be patient with you and your baby during this learning process, and don't give up... and you don't want to give the bottle too late because he/she will refuse it and only want the breast. 6-9 weeks is your window. When your child is 6 weeks old start introducing the bottle. After 9 weeks, you can bet that your baby will not take the bottle and will scream for you. As for the bottle itself... we took 2 routes(after many trials and errors). First we used the Adiri nurser.. the one that looks like a breast(adiri.com or nurser.com). Then we switched over to the Playtex nurser bottles with the drop ins. Both are BPA free and this is the most important thing!!!! These are the only bottles that my child would take ever. We still use the Playtex drop in style (our child is 8 months old) and I still pump and bottle feed during the day and nurse at night... this also may be an option for you. Oh... start pumping right off the bat, if you can... get as much stored as possible. Only wait until after your little one eats, then pump.. another hard lesson to learn. I know this is more information than you asked for, but maybe it will be of use to you. Good luck.. you are going to love being a Mom no matter how tired you get. Take care. One more thing... definitely don't heat in the microwave!!! It's kills all of the goodness from the milk and leaches(from plastic) toxins into food. We just place the bottle in a cup on warm, not hot, water for about 5 minutes and it brings it to almost room temp.

First let me say that whatever option you choose is best for ALL of your family, good for you! A happy family is the most important thing! While I did breastfeed both of my daughter's for 6 months each, I had much success with both Avent & Playtex (nursers & vent-aire) brands; with no "nipple confusion." My best friend (who never breastfed her son a day in his life & is a healthy, happy 5 m.o. now) and my sister (who had a lot of trouble breastfeeding my nephew and switched to formula 2 weeks later) both used the Dr. Brown's bottles and love them. They swear by them (my sister also tried the Avent but like Dr. Brown's better). I hope this gives you a little more insight. Be proud of the decision you make and don't be afraid to stand up for it... more women need to cheer each other on rather than pass judgement on their decisions! God Bless!

Hi W.! First I would like to congratulate you and your husband on becoming first time parents. You are in for a thrill of a life time. I am a SAHM of a 7 1/2 month old son, Kaiden. I also have three other children,one is a stepson but loved all the same. I have used just whatever bottle with the other babies but with Kaiden, he was very colicky and I wish the Dr's would rec. this bottle to all new mom's to start with, wiether first time moms or not because technology is always changing. I have been using "Dr. Brown's" bottles this time. They have helped so much with gas and fussiness. I would rec. them to anyone. I bought mine at Walmart. They are alittle more, but they are worth every penny to know that my little angel's belly wasn't hurting anymore. I wish you and your husband the best of luck and you have the best blessing that God could ever give someone on the way. As for breastfeeding, don't feel bad, I breastfed my other babies and not this one due to personal choice. So DO WHAT'S BEST FOR YOU!

Hi,

I think it is great that even as busy as your life is, you are being intentional to make a way to still provide your baby breast milk. I believe that it is okay and your baby will still benefit. I, personally, really liked Avent. You can actually get a pretty inexpensive pump that fits right on top of the bottle and then put a lid on it and refrigerate it. My son had reflux and these bottles help to prevent further gassy problems. They also say they that the nipple is very close to the mother as in how well the baby takes to it. I would definitely check them out and see what you think. Besh wishes on your new life with your precious little one!

I will promote the Born Free bottles as well. I used Avent at first and then all the news about the bad plastics came out and I switched. My daughter has never been picky about bottles so I was thankful for that. I breastfeed and pumped...manly pumped after 6 weeks except in the middle of the night. Breastfeeding was easier in the bed in the middle of the night instead of fixing a bottle. But anyway...I always say do what is best for you and your sanity. Good Luck! I love newborn babies. You should check out my "Baby Bath Towel Apron". I love this for new moms!
www.mimimisspearl.etsy.com

W.,
Alot of it will depend on your baby. I had three boys and all three of them used different bottles. One of them used the old fashioned playtex bottles that have the plastic bags or drop ins. The second used Avent bottles (came with the pump) and they were great as well. With number 3 I used the playtex Airvent bottles. All of them worked well - the two platytex ones do not let baby get quite as much air. Good Luck - and you do what you know is best for you and your family when it comes to breastfeeding. I have done it both ways - and even exclusively breastfeeding like I did with #1 - about the time he started solids at 5 months old - he was done with nursing. If it is too much for you to work, go to school and nurse - pump away and don't feel guilty!
T.

I am also a new mom to a 4 month old little girl. Like you I am in my 20's and go to school full time which makes breast feeding very difficult! I have tried just about every bottle made and I have found that my favorite are the Platex Drop In bottles. They allow you to push all the air out of the bottle so there is no possible way your baby can suck air! I also found that using a faster flow nipple after she was about 2 months old also prevented her form sucking in extra air. The fast(medium)flow nipples also work well for making feeding sesions faster in the middle of the night! Hope my advice helps! Whatever you do do avoid the medela bottles that can be purchased for the brest pump they make, they are not very good bottles even though they do not contain BPA (which is a plus, and very hard to find!)

First I wpuld like to say congrats on your baby!!! T o be honest it is kinda hard to actually pick a bottle untill you baby is born He/ she will let you know what they like. Me personally i use the Playtex drop in system because they are more sanitary then regular bottles. but good luck in which ever you choose. hope this works for you

I'm sure you have a lot of responses by now, anyway. My daughter will be 7 months in about 9 days. When she was born I didn't produce enough milk, so the doctor put her on one formula bottle a day. Because of that she was kinda use to the bottles, no nipple confussion thank god. I used the gerber bottles, still do. She just others for a few days in the beginning but the gerber was the best for use. It has the maual breast pump, the bottles attach it. The Gerber bottles are shaped like the breast and have slow, medium, and fast nipples as well as the 4 and 8 oz bottles. It also has a 7 oz transtion cup with the suck value. If your daugher is anything like mine, when she gets use to holding the bottle she will wean herself. Atleast that is what mine did about 3-4 months old maybe 4 1/2 don't remember that well. I hope that helps answer your question, the main thing you need to do is make sure if you are going to but her on a bottle make sure it is closely shaped to your nipple as well or she probably won't take it. Not an expect, I am still a learning mommy too. I have my daughter of course and a 12 & 16 year, they were already past the baby stage. Let me know if this helps or you need anyother help. Best of luck!

First I want to say congrats!!!! There is nothing better then the feeling of your first child growing inside you... If you plan to formula feed you have a few things to consider. Are you going to use ready to feed formula in cans or powder formula. To be honest I used powder formula it is cheaper. If you use RTF you have many choices of bottles to use. But if you decide to use powder I would stay away from the playtex drop ins, you can not measure accurate. I used the dr. brown bottles with my son, and he loves them... hope this helps..

Hi W.:)Our boys were both on bottles, but they were already recommended. Just wanted to say that the first time you hold your baby girl you might be surpised how your piorities and plans will change:)

I think you should do what works best for you and your family!! I have two daughters and neither one was able to latch on well, so I pump and fed with a bottle. This worked out for us, but it is twice as much work as breastfeeding. You feed the baby, then you have to pump which takes away from your sleep. I did this with both daughters for 4 weeks (that was all I could take!), then I switched to formula and got a lot more sleep at night. Anyway, we used the playtex bottles with the drop in liners. The nipples are very similar to the breast, and you get to throw away the liners so there's not as much cleaning to do!! I hope this helps, congratulations!

First of all, don't let them get you down about not breastfeeding longer. It is a PERSONAL decision and apparently some people have forgotten that. I did not breastfeed my first child at all. My second for only a couple months and my third for only 6 months...mainly pumping and feeding from a bottle. I am also a wife, a mom (and stepmom) of 5 now, and I work full time. As long as your child is well nourished and well cared for, that is what matters. As for bottles, again it may come down to a personal choice-that of your baby! I usually used the Playtex nursers with the bags. My last child preferred one nipple type over the other (a larger, more "bulbous" nipple, instead of the smaller round nipple) My first child preferred teh smaller round nipple type..Thankfully, I didn't actually have to buy a bunch of bottles to figure this out. I was given quite a few at baby showers and through trial and error, figured out what was best for them. Good luck with your new addition!

Hi W.~
First off, please don't feel that you have to explain to others what your preference will be for feeding - bottle vs breast. I think it's great that you want to try to BF and even if it only lasts for a short time, it will be great for you and your baby. But this is a decision to be made by you and not the world. That's too bad that all others not involved in your life want to tell you what's best, instead of what you think is best. I'm sorry that you have to feel that stress. I don't think it's fair that others feel the need to share their opinion with you because of what worked best for them. That may not be what works best for you.
As far as bottles go, you'll just have to see what works best for the baby also. It may not be the bottle so much as the nipple. There are so many competitive brands out there. I personally used the "Dr. Brown's" brand and that worked for us. Also keep in mind that whatever you choose now may not always be what you use. Somewhere down the line the baby may want to try a new type, so just be flexible. This will work the same with sippies (something to keep in mind later on down the road).
Good luck with your new family and cherish every moment you get to spend with your little one as you sound like a busy mommy!
If you need any other advice feel free to email me ____@____.com

P.

Hello W.
I wish you a wonderful birth expereince and continued happiness as you welcome home your new baby. As for bottles the only expereince I have is with the Born Free bottles. I choose them because they are BPA and chemical free. They have worked very well and I am very happy with them. No leaking, very easy to use and easy on my babies tummy.
Good Luck
T.

We started out with the Medela bottles because they hooked right up to my pump and they're BPA free, but after a few weeks they started to leak really badly. We went online to look at prices for BPA free bottles and chose the Nuby Non-Drip bottles (by that point I had weaned the twins and was formula feeding). Don't know if they will work best for you or not given that you'll be pumping - inserts might be a better bet - but they were inexpensive ($6 for a 3-pack), they're safe, and they don't leak at all. Plus they come in lots of colors...not that that matters, but they are cute. I can't remember the website we used...I would just Google "Nuby Non-Drip Bottles + BPA free" or something.

Hi W.!

I understand exactly what you mean about breastfeeding. I was unable to for various reasons but here is what I experienced with bottles. For me and my son the platex drop in seemed to be the best. We did use the Doc brown's when he was a newborn to help with his gassiness. They can be a pain because of the parts to wash but they did help. We used the glass ones because of the BPA issue but I see that now they have bpa free plastic ones. The drop in's are my favorite because there are less parts to wash and they still seem to help with my son's gas issues. He also seems to like the latex nipples (platex) better than any other bottle I've tried. Hope this helps....don't feel guilty about doing what's best for your family :-)

I say buy a few different kinds... and then let your little girl decide. Good luck.

First tell everyone to mind there business when it comes to how long you breast feed. It is up to you.
The best bottles I loved were just the playtex ones with the plastic liners. You could pump milk in them and freeze it and then take it with you when you couldn't nurse in public. Later on, you just pre fill with powder, add h20 and you are good to go. My friends like the Avent bottles, but they are expensive and just a pain in the tail to clean etc.
As for nursing, all I will say is just get to a point where you just nurse at night. I nursed a lot at the beginning and then got to do bottles during the day (work school etc) and then nursed at night for the simple reason that I am lazy and nursing is so much easier than getting up to make a bottle. The usually fall right back to sleep so it is win win.
Good luck girl. You will do great!

This probably won't be your favorite response, but it really is best to wait until baby gets here to pick out bottles. Babies are so particular about what they like, that it's tough to decide which bottle they'll like. I got a couple in several different styles to try them out and see what my little guy would like. Another thing to keep in mind since there are so many on the market--day cares generally won't accept glass bottles. I'd suggest a couple of Dr. Brown's or Avent to start and see what your baby likes. Then you can stock up! Congrats and good luck!

hi i used the soothie bottles and the Gerber Nuk Orthodontic bottles they both were great bottles for my daughter

Good for you for trying to be realistic. For my first, I didn't even have bottles, so imagine my surprise when she physically wasn't capable of nursing and I had to rush out and get bottles for my jaundiced newborn! :) You should really try to buy a couple of different types. My daughter preferred the Aventi, my son (after 10 months of breastfeeding) preferred the playtex drop ins. I have to be honest - I preferred the Drop ins because they were SO easy.

Good luck!

I use the Playtex with the drop in liners for a few reasons- they work great for pumping b/c you can use the gerber milk bags as drop ins, or premeasure formula into the bags for easy travel, or pack a few drop-in liners in one bottle with a couple extra nipples for space saving. Another reason is the super easy cleanup which is wonderful, I have extra nipples and dont have to wash bottles much! They are BPA free if that is important to you. But what I wanted to suggest most was- Don't get the "starter set" if you do decide to use these, you can use the little 4oz liners in the bigger bottles just as well as the little bottles. I got the set which has 2 small and 2 large bottles and after a few months had to go buy more large bottles because he was drinking more than 4 oz. The little bottles are a waste of money. And it's a good idea to start with cheaper bottles and work up to the more expensive ones if you do have to switch a few times. You can get just one Playtex bottle and use it for days to try out at first.

Formula can work just fine especially given your hectic life, and besides, if you are willing to nurse for those first few weeks or even first few days, you are giving them that little extra boost. If nursing causes extra anxiety that is never a good thing.

One more suggestion on formula- I don't use much so I have only had to buy it a couple times, but not knowing how nursing would go I signed up for coupons from every formula maker out there before my son was born. Most brand-name formulas are very similar as long as you don't have a specific dietary need. If you don't, I recommend Enfamil. I noticed I get tons and tons of coupons for Enfamil, but hardly any for other brands.

W.,
Congrats! Everyone recommended the ventaire to me, you know the crooked ones. So thats what we started with but she still got alot of air from those so we switched to the playtex drop-ins which work great for us, plus the liners are bpa free if that is a concern to you. Just remember to squeeze all the air out of the bag before you start feeding her. I have found that the tv remote control is the best tool to use that fits up in the bottom of the bottles. The only problem I have with them is that you cannot accurately see the ounces on them so just measure out the water in a measuring cup then pour it in the bottle. Oh, and she likes the latex nipples (brown) as opposed to the silicone (clear). We also use the Similac Advance formula. Don't use the wal-mart brand or you'll have one constipated baby on your hands.

I highly recommend Medela bottles and their pump. I breastfeed and pumped for 2 years with my son and I am currently breastfeeding and pumping for my 1 year old daughter. Just remember to do what is best for your family. I found with Medela that they are simple to use and BPA free. Also, if you plan to primary pump, Motherlove makes a wonderfully gross, but truly effective tincture called More Milk Plus that will help to keep your supply up. MIx the recommended amoung with your favorite juice. I wish you and your soon to be new addition to your family the best of luck. Cheers, J.

.

DON'T BUT MORE THAN A SAMPLING UNTIL YOUR LITTLE ONE GETS HERE!!!

I've known several, my little one included, who had their own preferences in mind. After spending WAY too much on expensive bottles, nipples, etc., he chose the playtex nipple, so we used the drop-ins and they seemed to work just fine!!

I have found that Dr. Brown's bottles are great. They help with keeping your babe from getting alot of air on their tummies.

Dr Brown's bottles are wonderful, they help with gas and all around are the best bottles on the market in my opinion. Also if you baby was like mine I had to use the drops you give them for gas it is great forgive me it has been five years but I believe they are called mylicome drops they are with the baby stuff. Good luck. Breast feed as long as you can it is a great experience. Just remember to get a great lactation nurse. I would also get someone to instruct you on how to use your breast pump so you dont have problems once you get home with a hungry baby. M.

While you will find breastfeeding a little challenging, I found pumping a trial. It was very difficult for me with my hectic schedule and I had to wind up going to formula after 3 months. Do what is best for you and baby and don't worry about what others think. If I were a SAHM I would have breastfed exclusively but I'm not afforded that luxury. Anyway, I love the Playtex nursers with the drop in's. The nipples are most like breast nipples and they are east to clean and store. But it all depends on what your little will adapt to best. I would buy a sample of a few different kinds and see what she will adjust to best.

Hi, just my opinion but, if I were to use bottles right now I would get BPA free. I saw a couple responses recommending these. You can get them at Target, I think, and definitely online. The package should say BPA free. I know Dr Browns is good. I read somewhere recently that they are starting to discontinue / ban using plastic bottles with BPA. Not sure where I read that, but pretty sure I did. Good luck with everything!
L.

even if you just breastfeed for a short time it will benefit your child. some thigs you just have to let go in one ear and out theother. but trust me you will get lots of unwanted advice. i really liked the avent bottles with my son. i breastfed but i went back to work for a few weeks until they found a replacement and i loved the avent they are the closest thing to the breast. just push the nipple in and let the air out before you give it to baby.also the avent pacis are great if you are planning on using one. drop ins are a pain in the butt and messy

First, I want to say that any breastfeeding is better than none at all. So don't worry about what others are saying and do what you think is best for you and your baby.

As far as the best bottle for your baby, that is not such an easy answer. There are many types of bottles and nipples available. You almost have to wait and see what type works for your baby. Some babies are pretty easy and don't mind what type you use, others are very picky. I think that I like the bottles with the disposable inserts, myself. They are practical and make cleaning up much easier.

Good Luck with your baby. A piece of general advice, use your instincts, even when those instincts say do something someone has suggested!

First of all, congratulations on the new baby! And second of all, don't let anyone make you feel bad about not breastfeeding (or any other decision you make as a parent). I wasn't able to breastfeed my daughter and she's perfectly healthy so don't stress. As for the bottles, we ended up using the plain old plastic gerber bottles that have been around for a million years and the Nuk nipples. For my daughter, it didn't matter what bottle her nipple was attached to, as long as it was a Nuk. You may find that your new baby will only use a certain type of nipple, or that they have a sensitive tummy and need one of the special airflow bottles. I wish I could give better advice but for us it was trial and error, so my best advice is don't stock up on anything until you have an idea of what will work. Good luck with the new baby!

Avent bottles really allow a lot of air in-- I switched to Dr. Brown bottles after my son had so much gas from the Avent bottles. Now, with the plastic scare, I would likely use the playtex liner/drop-ins or glass bottles. By the way, I did not breastfeed at all with both of my kids (I work full-time)-- so don't stress about it.

Mel

Congratulations on your pregnancy and pending birth!! I see that you have had a lot of responses but I still wanted to put my two cents in... I found that using the playtex drop in system worked best for our family. I would pump the milk at work or at home, transfer the milk into the breastmilk storage bags, and depending on where my supply was, I would either freeze the bag or put it in the refridgerator for use that day. My husband would place the bag in warm water and breastmilk warms really quickly. I was suprised at how fast frozen breastmilk thaws. Anyway, you simply take the storage bag and put it in the playtex nurser. I used the gerber milk storage bags because they were the cheapest but I am sure that any of the bags would fit in the playtex nursers. I never had a problem with them leaking. They make several different types of nipples for the nursers and have a few different speeds (slow flow, medium flow, fast flow) so if your baby girl doesn't like the first nipple you use you don't have to start with a whole new bottle system. It took a few weeks to find the nipple that my son would take. I still have all the bottles and plan to use the same system for my new baby. Good luck to you in school and with your new baby.

PS: don't stress yourself over how you are going to feed your baby. Even though there are definate advantages to breastfeeding, there is more of a disadvantage if you stress yourself out over it. She will sense your anxiety and you already have a lot on your plate. Healthy babies have been raised on formula. Do what you need to do for the both of you. She will be fine either way!!

W.,
I didn't breastfeed long either, mostly because I couldn't produce. I got a lot of flak about it, but hey don't sweat it because no one else is making decisions except you and the babies father. After trial and error I found that the playtex bottles that have the collapseable plastic lining that is replaceable best fit what I needed from a bottle, but again only you can decide. Good luck,
B.