Help me figure out what bottles to get

vtkgirl77

I am now primarily feeding DD by the bottle (expressed milk and formula) so I need to purchase more bottles. For the past few weeks, I've just been using the Ameda bottles that came with my pump. I've been avoiding buying bottles because I am totally overwhelmed by the choices and the prices.

I want to get plastic bottles that are BPA free. I don't want drop-ins because I believe those don't work with formula (not sure if that is correct). After that, my primary concern is price. What is a good brand that's reasonably priced? Also, if there's anything else I should know about the differences in bottles, let me know. I'm totally a newbie at this (for example, I just learned that I need to look at the nipple type to make sure I get the right flow for her age). TIA.

MrsKLS

DD was formula fed and we used Playtex drop-ins...they were awesome..so much less to clean!!! It also helped make her less gassy (we had reflux issues).

SBMBride406

We use Born-Free bottles. They work well for us...they have one insert (venting system) but they are not super complicated like the Dr. Brown's. They are sort of pricey, though ($10 a bottle).

vtkgirl77

MrsKLS:

DD was formula fed and we used Playtex drop-ins...they were awesome..so much less to clean!!! It also helped make her less gassy (we had reflux issues).

Okay, this may be a dump question but how do you mix the formula in a drop in? I've never used them before so I don't know how they work. Do you have to mix the formula first?

vtkgirl77

I meant to say dumb question (not dump question). I'm sleep deprived...

JenGK

I used to keep a separate measuring bottle off to the side that I used to measure the amount of water, add the water to the drop in, add formula, cap and shake.  You can also measure the water in the drop-in itself, but I was a dork and wanted more precise measurements (the plastic is sometimes wrinkled and bunched together).

Sofka

I only use BM but we use the Playtex drop-ins and love them. DD gags every time I try to increase nipple size so at almost 10 mo old, she's still on 0-3!

I originally did not want to change b/c I didn't want her to reject the breast since I can't make those holes bigger LOL but now she's just stuck on those nipples and is fine;

she can also drink out of a sippy and straw cups but that's not on the horizon for your DD just yet:)

Ana0927

I use Born Free and we love them. I tried to use the Palytex drop it but I found that they leaked too much and made too much of a mess in my purse.

tracy042206

We use the drop ins with formula as well.  You just mix it up in a separate bottle.  At first we used the small 5oz bottles to mix each one but evetually when you know how much they take each day you just mix up one big batch and put it in however many bottles they take.

MrsKLS

I just filled the bottle with the amt of water I wanted - added the formula and shook it for a minute or two. the formula usually dissolves pretty easily. If you want a more precise measurement you could mix it in something else and then pour it into the bottle.

You don't need to know this just yet - but when you move on to 8-10oz of formula at a time pay attention to the liners. they changed them so the quantity doesn't quite match up to what is shown on the bottle. I "think" the liner was for more oz then the bottle was.....It messed us up in the beginning!!!

MrsKLS

One other little tidbit....not sure what formula you have..but Similac has these wonderful little "formula sticks". I think it was basically 2 oz of formula...i loved these for my diaper bag. So if I was going out on errands and I knew I would need to feed DD, I prefilled my bottle and put it in the bag and then mixed it in when i needed it!!!

AWESOME!!!!

BabyHatch

We use the Born Free bottles. Not cheap but have worked really well for DD. I buy them with the 20% off coupons at BBB and have gradually built up a stash of bottles.

Artslvr

Didn't read all the responses but we use Dr. Brown BPA-free plastic ones for DD #2.  We used the Dr. Brown BPA-ful ones for DD #1 before we knew about the whole BPA thing - guess she'll hit puberty late. 

bh2720

I started out using Avent, but even their slowest nipples were too fast for Warner, plus the bottles often leaked. So I tried out Born Free and really liked them--I've been using them ever since.

They are a little more expensive, but I've only ever bought them when they were on sale or had a coupon, so it hasn't been that bad.

vtkgirl77

Thanks so much everyone. I'm going to Target tomorrow to get a Playtex drop-in to see if I like it. If not, I'll try the Born Free. I appreciate everyone's advice.

KristinandChris

We got a Playtex VentAire bottle as a gift and that's all we've ever used.  We had registered for the Born Free bottles but we didn't receive any and I nursed DD for the first few months.  When we decided to try a bottle we used the one we had on hand and she took to it really well.  The bottles are not expensive and my only complaint is that the oz writing on the sides have worn off on some of them.  Other than that, they are great.  We used the smaller fat ones, I think they go to 6 oz, and now we're on the taller 8oz bottles.  I definitely wanted plastic and something inexpensive and they've been great!

cands

We tried a million different types of bottles, and the only ones my girls liked were the Gerber Clearview bottles.  Which worked out great because not only are they BPA free, they are only about $3 for a pack of 3.

AnnaBananaBelle

You could get the Evenflo glass bottles, BPA free and cheap.  All bottles at BRU now are BPA free.

apb8-6-05

The drop-ins were nice for expressed milk that was in a bag.  You can use the bag  instead of the liner.  My sitter was the only one to use them and she figured out a good way to do it.