Product Spotlight Series: Bottles (w/o Jan 29)

doxiemoxie212

This is a place for FTMs to ask questions and S+TMs to share the wealth of knowledge they've accumulated on baby products. Each week we'll spotlight a new category of product to help streamline and make it easier to refer back. This week it's.... bottles!  

Please use the prompts below to try to share as much relevant info as you can in a format that is easy for those reading to absorb/respond to. If you'd like to recommend/ask questions about more than one product, please copy/paste the prompts as needed.  

For S+TMs:

• Any lifestyle factors that might skew your reco:
• Favorite [bottle]:
• Link/picture:
• Cost (either actual dollar amount, or just $, $$, $$$, etc.):
• What you like about it:
• What you don't like about it, if anything:
• Is there a [bottle] you don't have but are considering? Why?:
• Additional thoughts on [bottle]:

For FTMs:

• [bottle(s)] you're interested in:
• Link/picture:
• Cost (either actual dollar amount, or just $, $$, $$$, etc.):
• Any questions about it/them for S+TMs?:

ETA: schedule for reference, and past links here:  https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1gjNtxy2Kd2JceTYYR5wkwVcpTbU-khgazhjcZnfI1y4/edit?usp=sharing
message me if you want me to add categories! 

ramennoodlegif

• Any lifestyle factors that might skew your reco: none
• Favorite [bottle]: MAM Anti-Colic bottle
• Link/picture: 
• Cost (either actual dollar amount, or just $, $$, $$$, etc.): Around $3.50/each
• What you like about it: Self-sterilizing, just the right size for a pouch of breastmilk
• What you don't like about it, if anything: kind of a PITA to clean, but then again I think most bottles/sippy cups are.
• Is there a [bottle] you don't have but are considering? Why?: Nope. I have used these bottles for both kids and never had any issues. 
• Additional thoughts on [bottle]: Not too expensive, easy to find replacement nipples,  and they have cute designs. Plus, DS would only take MAM pacifiers, so it made it easy for DH to remember which to buy in the event of an emergency. 

sunshineandwhiskey

• Any lifestyle factors that might skew your reco: DD HATED all bottles.  
• Favorite [bottle]: ComoTomo
• Link/picture: Here
• Cost (either actual dollar amount, or just $, $$, $$$, etc.): $23-$24 for two
• What you like about it: Um, everything.  Dishwasher safe.  Has a WIDE opening, which makes it so much easier to clean.  They are a soft silicon, which was easier for DD to hold when we got to that point.  The nipple is more boob-like than most
• What you don't like about it, if anything: The price kinda sucks.  But we only ever kept enough 5oz or 8oz for one days worth.  We washed bottles every day *shrug*
• Is there a [bottle] you don't have but are considering? Why?: Nope, we will use the ComoTomo as long as this kid will use them.
• Additional thoughts on [bottle]: Don't go crazy yet.  Wait to find a bottle that works before you buy tons of them.  I would recommend registering for a bunch of different ones so you are buying for them.  

icecubeinthedesert

Question about bottle sterilizers... Necessary or silly luxury?

sunshineandwhiskey

@icecubeinthedesert I think it is a personal preference.  I maybe sterilized bottles once - when we first got them, but that was it.  Honestly, it just wasn't something i wanted to add to my ever-growing to do list.   

ramennoodlegif

@icecubeinthedesert Necessary! I would recommend this Munchkin sterilizer: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000V9DXGS?tag=hello-baby-20. It's $10 on Amazon right now and can be used for bottles, pacifiers, small, dishwasher-safe toys. I used it for all kinds of things (specifically breast pump accessories) and it only takes 3 minutes to sterilize, which is great when you're in a hurry. 

krash_

Did any one have success just using the bottles that came with their breast pump? 

doxiemoxie212

Do any other FTMs feel completely, irrationally overwhelmed about bottles? I feel like there are so many options, but beyond that, even if I figure out which one I like best, it just seems like so much - so much cleaning, so much storing. 

And I'm still not clear about which ones work with the breast pumps? Or like, frozen breast milk... you thaw it, and then open the plastic bag thing, and empty that into the bottle? Or there are bottles that you just put the pouch in and then drink from that sort of?

Ugh it's like I have a mental block on this topic. 

marcus7676

We used munchkin latch.  They were easy to clean and DS liked them.

I encourage people not to stock up on one kind until you know your kid will take it. Start with the bottles that come with the pumps (a lot of my friends had success with medela bottles).  

@icecubeinthedesert we used the medela steam bags to steralize pump parts and, if need be, the bottles. I didn't buy a separate steralizer. 

sunshineandwhiskey

@doxiemoxie212 I was right there with you as a FTM.  I just ordered random bottles off Amazon until we found one that worked.  We did have the Kiinde bottle/breast bag system, and in theory it would've worked great if DD like the bottle part.  With pumping - I always just pumped into the Medela bottles or Dr brown (they work with the Medela pump), and then poured it into her bottles.  If i had it in a bag, we would thaw and then pour into her bottles.  A lot of transferring. 

@krashke my friend did!!  

stephcat421

@doxiemoxie212 I'm glad you mentioned this! There are so many options! And I was always wondering if for a breast pump if any bottle could fit or if you had to use the brand from the pump.

Thanks @sunshineandwhiskey for saying you transfer.... Obviously not ideal but answers my question on the bottles needed for the pump.
Also, I really have my heart set on comotomo which I see you love. Did you notice the bottle tip over often because of the silicone base? That's only negative/issue I heard but not a deal breaker for me.

rnielsen321

I agree with @sunshineandwhiskey ... register for a few (or save the samples from the registry welcome packs, I have at least 2 this time around) as your wee one may pick a preference. 

We went with Playtex Ventaire (after DD picked it over the Avent)
https://www.walmart.ca/en/ip/playtex-baby-bpa-free-ventaire-baby-bottles-newborn-gift-set/6000043237909

These are nice as they come right apart (5 pieces), widely distributed, can get your bottle brush in and really clean. Really like the bent angle! Made for easy feedings, as it mimics how you are holding the wee one. We are still using them for DD, for her bottle pre bedtime. So they last! We washed bottles daily. 

As for sterilizing, (just pour screaming   hot boiling water over and let sit on clean equipment), we do that with any new bottle or paci. Then maybe once a month for the first 6-8 months. A good scrub with hot soapy water, and rinse, separate from our dishes, was all that was recommended.  Our GP, and hospital baby care class recommended not to over sterilize for most babies. (Unless there is a mitigating  health factor)

This time around, we have a dish washer. I want a bottle cage like this: 
https://www.munchkin.com/deluxe-dishwasher-basket-blue.html

Does anyone have any feedback? 

krash_

@sunshineandwhiskey I looked into the Kiinde system but the bags just seem so expensive because you have to toss the bags after each use, correct?

@doxiemoxie212 & @stephcat421 here is my basic plan as a FTM going back to work: 
I've looked into the Lansinoh storage bags that you can pump into directly. I will pump into the bags at work, freeze them when I get home, clean all the parts and sanitize in the microwave bags. Then I can thaw and dump into whatever bottle my baby likes and send them to daycare with it in the bottles ready to go. 

ugh typing it all out makes it seem exhausting. 

sunshineandwhiskey

@stephcat421 If it ever tipped over, it was because i was overly tired and not paying attention haha  We never had an issue with it tipping.  While its a nice soft silicon, it is sturdy  

sunshineandwhiskey

This is what i did at work: 
Pumped into 8oz/10oz bottles, put everything in fridge after wiping with a Medela wipe
Pumped into same 8oz/10oz bottles, put pump parts in a gallon bag, and put in my bag, kept milk in fridge
Take bottles home
Pour into bottles for next day

**I would never pump more than 10oz per two sessions, otherwise I would just use additional bottles.  If i had extra, i would transfer to a medela bag, and freeze.  I didn't feel like i was wasting bags this way

krash_

@sunshineandwhiskey you pumped multiple sessions into the same bottles? Liked mixed them? 

sunshineandwhiskey

Didn't see this before!  Sorry for the multiple replies - My brain sucks today

@krashke Correct!  The bags are super expensive compared to all the other ones, and they are one time use.  I loved the Kiinde system in theory, and i really wanted it to work.  ugh.  

ramennoodlegif

I pumped everything into the Medela bottles that came w/my pump, and would never mix sessions, unless I forgot to wash enough bottles. Then, I would not refrigerate between sessions, and would make sure that no more than four hours elapsed before putting them in the fridge.

sunshineandwhiskey

@krashke Yup.  And i talked to my pedi and LC about this - but as long as you allow both sessions (the cold one, and the new fresh milk) to cool to the same temp before you use it, you're good.  I would only ever do it at work though because it was easier, and I knew it would sit in the fridge over night before DD used it the next day. 

icecubeinthedesert

Oh jeeze. I'm realizing just how little I know about pumping. It's like a foreign language to me. 

bearmoons

I've had one person give me a gushing recommendation about the Comotomo bottles, however I've heard they have like 6 parts? I keep going back and forth...I initially had a bunch of the glass Avent bottles on the registry, and then reduced it, then increased again. I'm so overwhelmed with some of this stuff, it's crazy. I think I will take the advice of so many of you above and just register for some different ones and hope for the best. I'm going to be mostly exclusively BF initially and slowly transitioning to bottle use for when I go back to work. My SIL also gave us a few glass bottles but no nipples, so I have to figure out what fits those. 

I spent almost my entire weekend looking at baby stuff and I literally had dreams (nightmares??) about strollers and car seats. 

sunshineandwhiskey

@bearmoons There are three parts - the nipple, ring that holds the nipple and screws onto the bottle, and the bottle itself.  The Dr Brown bottles have like 6 parts i think haha

ramblebee

I'm definitely the "figure it out as we go" type so I'm trying not to get too overwhelmed. These recommendations are helpful! We'll be buying a variety and trying samples until we know what works. Lucies List was a helpful guide for me too.

One little word on pumps since they kinda go along this topic... on our hospital tour this weekend the lactation consultant who gave us the tour said if insurance is involved with getting your pump - start looking into it now because it can take a really long time to sort that out. I had no idea.

aharv77

With DD, I used the same MAM bottles that @kfren posted. She took the MAM pacifiers so it I gave the bottles a shot after trying Avent bottles with no luck. I liked the MAM bottles because they can be self sterilized in a pinch. And also for washing, I liked that the bottom comes completely off. Just helped me feel better than everything was getting 100% cleaned. The price was reasonable and they do have some cute designs. 

For pumping, I pumped into the Lansinoh bags and sent milk to daycare that way. I never gave her bottles myself at home since it was just me. I only made three months breastfeeding with DD but my goal is one year this time.

I have two samples of the MAM bottles from the registries we've done that I'll try with our little guy and see if it works. If it doesn't we'll probably just get a few more in different brands to see what he likes best. I'm not planning to stock up on bottles ahead of time. And we probably won't introduce bottles until after the first month.  

bearmoons

@sunshineandwhiskey ok, 3 is way more reasonable. haha. 

krash_

Some what related and I don't see that this would fall into another week, so what are your recommendations for bottle warmers or how do you warm your milk? 

I baby sat for a friend recently and they used their keurig to heat up the water in a mug and then put the bottle in the mug. That was kind of a PITA. We have an electric kettle that we could use the same way. Did you find that an actual bottle warmer was a necessity? 

doxiemoxie212

@krashke I think someone here mentioned a while back in the randoms thread or something to try not warming your bottles at first to see if baby will take it that way since if baby will only take warmed bottles you can get screwed at, say, the mall or something if you don't have access to a bottle warmer and only have pre-pumped milk or formula. 

ramennoodlegif

@krashke Daycare uses a small crock pot to heat up water, but that seems like a lot for one baby. DH just filled a mug halfway and boiled water, then sat a bag of BM in it, prior to putting it in a bottle. 

buffalove1211

Bottles - I used Playtex VentAire.  They were the only bottle the LCs at my hospital recommended because it has a very slow flow that mimics the breast.  It has 5 pieces, but all 5 pieces were easy to clean.  We also used Doctor Browns, but the flow was a lot faster and I hated cleaning the long tube with the little cleaner stick.  I gave bottles wayyyyyyy too much thought before DD was born, but really its as simple as having 2 or 3 brands on hand, try them, and if baby hates them go to Target and try another one.  I remember feeling hell bent on needing to be prepared ahead of time, but it wasn't that big of a deal.

Work pumping - I would pump into the Medela bottles at work, and I would combine the milk from my 3 work pumps and put them all into bags after I got home.  I HATED pumping directly into the Medela bags that clipped onto the pump.  It was an extra step cleaning the Medela bottles every night, but it made work pumping easier with less chance of spills.  Up&Up bags used to be my favorite, but I heard somewhere the quality went down hill??  Lansinoh was my other go to.

Bottle Warming - DD was an August (hot AF) baby, so we used to give her bottles without warming them and she didn't care one bit.  When we did warm them, I used to heat water using the electric kettle, pour the water into a wide glass measuring cup, and then dunk the bottles in.

Lipase! - PSA - This kinda sorta fits here.... Be careful how much of a freezer stash you build before you start testing out that frozen milk.  Many mamas - myself included - have what is called 'high lipase' milk.  After a period of time (different for everyone) the milk starts to take on a soapy and/or metallic taste.  Some babies do not mind the taste, but some do.  If you have high lipase, you can scald your milk before freezing it, and it helps prevent the problem.  DD didn't mind the taste, but it totally grossed me out, so I used to scald my milk before freezing it anyways.  It does kill some of the beneficial properties, so babies are advised not to drink 100% scaled milk.  I fed her straight from the breast when we were together, sent fresh milk to school whenever I had it from the day prior, but scalded everything before I froze it for later use.

MissKittyDanger

I know there was a plastic that was bad for awhile, is that still a thing? I know our dollarama sells name brand items, but wasn't sure if there's a thing I should ensure isn't there {was it the number 7?}

Brands to avoid in general?

doxiemoxie212

@buffalove1211 how does one find out if they have high lipase milk? Just freeze some and taste it...?

lisa2589

@krashke for formula we did room temp with no problems! I’m not sure how it would work with breastmilk, but I have heard some babies will take it straight out of the fridge. I think it really depends on what your baby gets used to. 

Bottles- guys, I tried them all- MAM, muchkin latch, Avent, Dr Brown..... my kid would only drink from the super cheap Evenflo originals. We are talking like 12 pack of these for $10 bucks. My SIL gave me them for the baby shower and I scoffed at them. Was I ever in for a surprise when DD refused all the expensive, boob like things.  You can also buy them as glass bottles which I felt were nicer but once she started holding her own bottle they were too heavy for her. 

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Evenflo-Classic-Twist-BPA-Free-Baby-Bottle-8oz-Tinted-12-Pack/39444486

Edit because FFS that link was a mile long.

buffalove1211

@doxiemoxie212 Yup just taste or even smell it!  Mine used to take about 48 hours to start to change.  I've heard it ranged from as quickly as a few hours up to multiple days.

murraydog2008

So much info in this thread!!Any lifestyle factors that might skew your reco: I work outside of the home and DH stays home with the babies so we wanted to choose a bottle that would alternate back and forth between breast and bottle easily. Favorite [bottle]:Tommee Tippee closer to nature are my absolute favorite!Link/picture: https://www.amazon.com/Tommee-Tippee-Closer-Nature-Bottles/dp/B004I42GQK/ref=sr_1_3_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1517256539&sr=8-3&keywords=tommee+tippee+bottlesCost (either actual dollar amount, or just $, $$, $$$, etc.):I think they are very reasonably priced - $13.95 for 3 pack of bottlesWhat you like about it: I like the design of the nipple seems to be similar to the breast so there was less nipple confusion going back and forth. I like that there are only a few parts to clean and it has a nice wide opening so it's easy to get in there and wash them out.  I also like that they are short and wide. Baby's cute little chubby hands could hold on very easily and they packed into a cooler very easy.  What you don't like about it, if anything: I love these bottles.  I do not love the Dr. Brown's bottles.  We tried a few from a friend who swore by them and I just was not a fan.  Too many different pieces to clean and I really disliked the shape of the nipple on that bottle. It's totally contradictory to the breast and wanting your baby to have a wide latch while feeding.  I struggled with my daughter latching onto the breast so it was very important to me to find something that emulated that same latch as closely as possible. Is there a [bottle] you don't have but are considering? Why?: nope. Just trying to decide if I need to replace the whole bottle or just the nipples on this one.  The bottles I have are 5 years old now and we used them with DS. Additional thoughts on [bottle]: There was lots of mention up there on the how to's of pumping and all of that.  My routine was - pump at work and use the Lansinoh storage bags ( https://www.amazon.com/Lansinoh-Breastmilk-Storage-Bags-Count/dp/B00YX3DUV6/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?s=baby-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1517256998&sr=1-1-spons&keywords=breast+milk+bag+storage&psc=1 ) I didn't have access to a fridge at work, so I carry a cooler with me with ice packs in it.  I'd write on the bag how much and when I pumped and then once I got home, I'd freeze it flat. Once it was frozen, I could put into the line up organizer thing I had in the freezer so the oldest would always go in the back.  DH would then pull the frozen milk out and put it in a pan on the stove of warmer water and transfer into the bottle for baby to have.  I was able to get quite the milk stash going in the freezer before I went on maternity leave so that was really super nice. I'd pump 3 times a day at work and then nurse when I was home.  It worked really well for our set up. Pumping is a pain in the butt, but worth it to me.

rnielsen321

We were 50/50 for about 4 months for Boob/Formula, then she had solids and boob was too much work!

And to warm anything I pumped it was hot water in a glass, insert bottle, wait, test, feed. And for formula, we used warm water, from the tap. No need to heat. If we premade formula, (rare) we reheated in the bolting water in glass method. A good kettle is a great investment. 

Didn't get into pumping, as a 1 year mat leave is a luxury, in that I didn't have to pump at work. I do want to see if a pump may help my production with this new LO. So I may look at getting one... especially as the summer heat picks up. 

becca_123

Soooo appreciative for all this information!  Bottles/feeding is all so overwhelming and alien to learn.  I'll just be reading and taking in the suggestions 

srb1028

• [bottle(s)] you're interested in: MAM bottles
• Cost (either actual dollar amount, or just $, $$, $$$, etc.): $18 for a 4 pack set on Amazon (2- 5oz & 2- 9oz + a pacifier)
• Any questions about it/them for S+TMs?: @kfren and @harveyabbey77 have either of you ladies had trouble with these bottles leaking? I understand that the bottom of the bottle unscrews and have read reviews that some moms experienced leaking. This seems to be the only negative review on this bottle.              I do plan on adding a few others to my registry as well to see if baby has a preference. I have Dr. Brown's and MAM added so far, but unsure about Dr. Brown's due to all the parts involved and a lot of mixed reviews. 

ramennoodlegif

@srb1028 The only times that they have ever leaked were times when I assembled them incorrectly in a sleep-deprived stupor. You have to make sure that the bottom is seated properly or they will leak. 

marcus7676

@doxiemoxie212 @krashke I recommended trying cold / room temp milk (BM or formula) with the baby.  DS always took milk straight from the fridge or room temperature.  When daycare warmed it, he would refuse.  It made life so much easier when we weren't at home.

As for pumping, I pumped into the medela bottles.  Most of the time, I would be able to combine both bottles into one bottle and I'd put it in the fridge.  I'd put my pump parts into a wet bag (highly recommend) and throw that in the fridge too. The next session, I would use one "old" but empty bottle and a new bottle.  Repeat 3x per day.  Towards the end, when I was only pumping 1-2x per day, I wouldn't combine bottles since I would typically fill both bottles.  I never produced enough to have a freezer stash, so DS would just get what I pumped the next day.  

I washed and steralized my pump parts every night.

One warning about dishwashing silicone - - if you use a scented soap or scented dishwasher soap, the silicone may smell like that scent. I recommend finding an unscented soap to wash all bottles, pump parts, pacis, etc.

aharv77

@srb1028 I don't remember having any issues with leaking!

jsl82

So I was able to stay home with DD until she was 9 months old- which means I BF'd almost exclusively.  I would pump every morning (we were able to get her to sleep through the night at 2 months old with the use of the sleep sack) when I would wake up wet from leaking in my sleep (stomach sleeper).  Because of this I had a pretty good freezer supply and was able to enjoy a few nights out with MH or have some drinks with dinner and give her a bottle.  Since we didn't depend on bottles for all of her meals I never noticed a preference for one bottle brand over another- but my husband and I both had our own preferences (and like everything else in our marriage they were not the same brand).  I preferred the Dr. Browns.  I found the pieces all fit together really well and I didn't notice any leaking.  They also work with my pump- which means I don't need another bottle brand for pumping only.  MH preferred the Philips Avent bottles with the wider neck.  We have a few other random bottles that I got from free samples.  I think that DH liked the wider neck bottles more because transferring milk from the bag to the bottle was easier with the wider neck bottles.  As we didn't bottle feed on a regular basis, we transferred to the bags everyday.  I found that warming frozen milk in a bag was MUCH faster than in a bottle- and when your baby is crying faster is better.  

Once I went back to work, DD was 9 months old, she was on solids and I had just found out about this pregnancy.  My milk supply was pretty low, so I only pumped 1x a day.  I pumped directly into the bottles I sent her with to my mom's house the next day.  I loved that the Dr Brown bottles fit onto the pump for this reason.  I also gave her the Medela bottles with Dr. Brown nipples/ collars to drink from. 

With this baby, I will probably just buy more lids, collars and nipples for Dr. Browns and maybe another box of bottles.  I will be returning to work after 13 weeks this time, so will need more bottles for pumping, and probably will not have as much of a freezer supply. 

I also agree with @marcus7676 that the dishwasher detergent was not a hit with DD.  She would drink for the bottle much easier if we handwashed vs. used the dishwasher.  Even now I find that the nipples that I run through the dishwasher are filmy.  I barely used my bottle sterilizer when DD was an infant, but now that she is over a year I am finding myself putting her bottles and sippy cups in the dishwasher and handwashing the nipples than sterilizing them.  I also remember that the Dr. Browns box came with a tiny brush for cleaning the anti- colic parts that was the only tool I found that was able to reach into the pump valves.  If these were not cleaned well they would easily get moldy.