Bottles, nipples, drop in's,.... oh my?

Question

I am a mommy to be, I already know because of my illness that I can't breast feed. I am thinking of avent bottles, or playtex with drop ins. If I plan to use a bottle warmer how do I make the forula from the drop ins warm? I think the drop ins are better for the baby, but what if it takes me ten minutes to get the bottle ready?LOL Also, i would never buy anything for my baby second hand without washing or cleaning it. Is it okay to buy used bottles from Ebay if I sterilize them? Also how many different nipples do you get, and how do you know which one your baby likes? Your opinions ladies, help. I know its kinda far off for me but I want to get started on the small stuff and people buy the bigger more expensive things for the shower,LOL. Thank you FYI Im 4 mos preg

If you can go back and look at this. I have a thyroid disease and just wont be able to produce breastmilk. I want to breast feed, be close with by baby, bond. Thanks all. There is a lot on ebay very nice Avent warmer bottles etc ofcourse I will buy new nipples, bottles I think are fine. Thanks

Answer 1

I would go with avent, they are the best bottles ever. Now about buying on ebay, no. You do not buy used bottles for your baby!!! The nipples I wouldn't worry about different ones, your baby will get used to the nipple you use, it might get him a try or 2, but he will adapt, the reason I like Avent better is because I tried the drop-ins bottle, and I really don't see much on them. Avent nipples are design to mimic the moms breasts, so the baby will take easily to it. Good luck and if you need any more help, feel free to email me

Answer 2

Avent bottles are great, and my 6 mo old son also likes the plain boring $1 Evenflo bottles (go figure). Just start with stage 1 nipples (come with 4 oz bottles) and then when they start to collapse when baby sucks (maybe 3 months old or so) switch to size 2 and see how baby does. I also really like the munchkin angled bottles from Target- they have adjustable nipple for whatever flow your baby likes. I never have used a sterilizer- only soap and hot water or dishwasher (I mostly breastfeed but also work full time). If you are just bottlefeeding you will want plenty of bottles so you don't have to wash as often- we have 12+ between home and babysitters house. Don't get too many 4 oz because most baby's only drink that little for a few months. Or if you are unsure buy 1 pack Avent and 1 pack Drop ins and see which baby likes better and go buy more. Its so hard because you never know what baby will like or what works best until you try- believe me! Good luck!

Answer 3

I liked the Avent traditional bottles, the drop ins were messy and leaked easily, and were hard to mix the formula in. Used bottles are fine, but if they are too old they may have developed a weak seal and will leak. The avent has 3 nipple types, slow medium and fast. My son used the slow for 2-3 months, medium for a few weeks (he was greedy, lol) and fast until he was weaned.

Can you not breastfeed at all? Is it because you may pass something to the baby, or because of medication? You CAN nurse if you have a breast deformity, you may just have to supplement with formula. I did both, I can only produce milk on one side, so I gave a bottle after each nursing session. But if you can't nurse at all, you can still bond wiht your baby. Feed her close to your skin, even with your shirt off and her head right on your chest. Its the best thing in the world to be a mommy! Good luck!!

Answer 4

I am a Mommy-to-be, also.. And I have yet to have my baby or feed him.. But Avent Naturally, and bought the "Newborn Starter Set".. I picked Avent Naturally because it is the only bottle I could find that says it allows "NO" air through..

I don't like the 'drop-ins' because it seems like a lot of work to keep replacing them and you have to clean it any ways..

YES, it is okay to buy bottles off of eBay, but I wouldn't. Any used bottle you get, deifnately steralize it!

Once you pick a type of bottle, I would advise using only those nipples. Buy those specific pacifier/binki nipples and bottle nipples, because your baby *WILL* get used to it.. But if you pick a bottle that you like because it is good for your baby, but allow your baby to use other things as well, he or she may reject the bottle you origonally chose!

As far as thyroid disease goes involving pregnancy...

Good news is that, in most cases, if you have thyroid problems, you can safely breastfeed, whether your thyroid condition developed before, during or after pregnancy. Of course, you should always talk to your doctor or your baby's doctor for the best recommendation for you and your own case. See the detailed Frequently Asked Questions list for answers to some common questions about thyroid problems and issues regarding lactation and breastfeeding for nursing mothers with thyroid disease:

http://www.thyroid-info.com/articles/breastfeeding.htm

Good lucky, Mommy!

Answer 5

Don't buy anything from Ebay. It's your baby. Splurge on new bottles, for heaven's sake. Make sure that your baby likes the nipple on the bottle. Both of my kids liked different ones. You can tell because they either nurse too slowly or they gag. I used drop ins and they worked great. I always had a big jug of formula made up in the frigde and would reheat as necessary, in a pan of hot water. Test the temp by putting some on your wrist. It should be luke warm.

Answer 6

With my second son I breastfed for about 2 months. After that it just wasn't happenin. I used the Playtex Vent aire bottles and they seemed to work. He was never colicky or spit up. He was never very picky about the style of nipple either. However, my first son was VERY picky about the nipple. It's more just how the baby is, and you won't be able to know until your child is born. I would buy just a couple of different styles and try them out. Then after you figure out which one is more comfortable for the baby go back and buy more. I would also think that if you buy stuff off of Ebay as long as you sterilize it and clean it really well then it should be fine. Hope everything works out! Congrats!!!

Answer 7

My kids all used the regular Gerber bottles. Cheap, but they worked just fine.They all did great, no problems with air or anything. Don't buy stuff from E-Bay, register for the bottles you want to use. I had a dozen bottles to start with, so I wasn't constantly washing bottles. I got lots of bottles for my shower, just tell people what you want. It's never to early to start getting ready, I'm a planner so I was ready for my babies when I was six months along. Congrats to you!

Answer 8

If you know you will have to supplement, I want to give you some advice about different options. The first is not so radical, it is a device called an SNS (supplemental nursing system) or Lact-Aid. This allows you to feed your baby formula or donor milk at the breast and thereby give him/her nutrition and the bonding and possibly build a small supply. i know mothers who have undergone breast reduction or adopted babies that have used this with great success.

The second idea may be a bit more radical, but it is perfectly okay to ask friends, family and others to donate breastmilk. i have friends that have done this, but it may be a bit to "out there."

MysticEye has a lot of good info. How do you know for sure you won't be able to produce milk if this is you first baby? If your doctor told you, i would reccomend getting a new doctor ASAP because you want somebody who will spport you in nurturing your baby, not undermine you before you even start.

Answer 9

Ok I am not an expert not a lactation consultant or a doctor BUT to the best of my knowledge almost all thyroid problems do not prevent breastfeeding outright.

It is possible that you are getting bad advice from your doctor(s) many are very uninformed about breastfeeding.

Please do some research! I would hate for you to miss out on breastfeeding, which sounds important to you, just because you got some bad information!

Here is some info on thyroid problems and breastfeeding:
http://www.kellymom.com/health/thyroid/thyroid-links.html

Also talk to La Leche League:
International:
http://www.llli.org/webindex.html

US LLL Breastfeeding Helpline
1-877-4-LALECHE

If you have questions about specific medications and their safety during breastfeeding call Motherisk. Dial a 10-10 number and it will cost less than $2 to get access to some of the best information in the world:

Motherisk's Home Line - [phone] - for information about the risk or safety of prescription and over-the-counter drugs, herbal products, chemicals, x-rays, chronic disease and infections during pregnancy. [This is a toll call to our Toronto call centre. Callers may have to wait up to 10 minutes to speak to a counsellor.]

These Helplines are open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST

Answer 10

Well, drop ins are messy and confusing. I just went with Playtex Vent aire bottles with the natural nipple. When your baby gets a bit older try the teething aide nipples. They caused my son to have virtually no gas and no spit up. They are fantastic. Give em a try. You'll love how convinient and practical they are.