Baby items questions

[lovetruly2015]

So I wondering, especially from yout STM what kind of baby carriers you guys are fond of? I'm not sure where to even start looking. Also what kind of bottles and nipples did you find helpful to assist with breastfeeding. Im going to pump also so I'll need some bottles but again I have no idea where to even start. FTM what suggestions have you been given or items do you want to put on your must have list?

Help me please!

[pismoduo]

After reading about a billion reviews and watching a lot of videos, I ended up registering for the K'Tan. It seemed the simplest and most comfortable to use, and since I'm going to be working from home and dragging this kid along with me to a lot of HOA events, that was very important to me.

I also registered for the Phillips Avent bottles. H and I did some research, and they're supposed to be comparable to the Dr. Brown's in terms of being good for nursing babies, but they don't have as many complicated parts so they're easier to clean and put together when you're sleep deprived.

[LadyNymeria]

Based on research and talking to people around here, for carriers I think I'm going to get a K'tan for right at the beginning and a Lillebaby for when he's a bit bigger.

Bottles I don't have specific suggestions on, but I hear you generally need to try a few types to find out what your baby will happily take. I know a lot of people like Dr Browns. I also read a suggestion online somewhere that for moms planning to breastfeed it can be helpful to find a bottle with a nipple shape similar to your own nipples to promote easy transition between bottles and breast.

[LadyNymeria]

Per BabyList on the Philips Advent bottles:

WHY WE LOVE IT

The AVENT Natural features anti-colic valves in the bottle that push air back into the bottle rather than into your baby’s tummy. But this bottle still has a simple design that makes it a snap to clean and assemble. And, it’s nipple has molded petal shapes at the base to increase softness and flexibility of the nipple without collapsing under a hungry baby’s sucking motion; this is great for babies frequently going between breast and bottle feeding.

Sounds like a good one to try out.

[cbowl]

I had the k'tan, a ring sling, and a the ergo. I found the ergo to be the easiest to use although i didn't start using it until my lo was about 3 months. I used the k'tan a few times in the beginning but honestly it was kind of unwieldy and I didn't feel fully confident that the baby wouldn't fall out. I only used it at home.

After I started using the ergo, I fell in love. It's so so easy to use and I felt completely confident that the baby was in securely and I could get her in by myself. I didn't buy the newborn insert so I just watched youtube videos on how to roll up a baby blanket to make sure she was in there snugly.

I used the ring sling when she was about 6 months old and on and when I was carrying her on my hip. It was really easy in and out but I felt like she was more comfortable in the ergo.

I think I will be getting the Ergo 360 this time around bc I want the new one to be able to face forward.

Not a big help with bottles bc my LO never took one. But I tried about a million....I think it totally depends on what works best for you and the baby.

[singingsea]

I used the Avent natural bottles and nipples. As far as carriers DS hated the one I bought so I'm probably going to try a different one. Maybe the moby wrap or something similar.

[mc13]

We loved the ring sling and Tula for DD. We still use the Tula multiple times a week at 16 months old/23 pounds and it's so comfy.

This time, I ordered a Wrapsody Breeze since the twins will most likely be born in August and I want something that can be used longer term tandem carrying than a moby/solly baby/etc stretchy wrap. We will definitely be getting another Tula or two so DH and I can wear all 3 kids at the same time (between the two of us, not at once lol).

And we loved the Avent naturals bottles. We ordered new nipples for the ones we have plus a few new ones.

[lpj]

I used a boba carrier with DD. I found soft wraps just too complicated!

DD wouldn't take any bottle (we had the Medela ones are first). We eventually found the Mimijumi ones which cost a fortune but were lifesavers. I really wouldn't put all your eggs in one basket with bottles as babies are so particular!

[cbrandt1]

For the first 2-3 months, I used the Boba wraps. Then I switched to soft structured carriers because they are simpler and much faster. I have a mesh Ergobaby that I love in the summer. But my all time favorite is my Lenny Lamb SSC.

Here is the mesh one (took this in November)


This is my Lenny Lamb. I don't have a photo of me wearing him in it where you can see the pretty design.


As far as bottles, we offered them so little (1-2 a week) that the Medela ones were just fine. Later, we switched formula (at 6 months) and we used the Dr Browns. They are great, but there are a LOT of parts to clean so we prefer the Avents.

[LadyNymeria]

cbrandt1 - Is the mesh Ergo the Performance version? I had been looking at that one for a while because they had it on Zulily cheap but then I found the All-Seasons Lillebaby which has held my attention longer.

[cbrandt1]

May 18, 2016 16:02:14 GMT -5 LadyNymeria said:

cbrandt1 - Is the mesh Ergo the Performance version? I had been looking at that one for a while because they had it on Zulily cheap but then I found the All-Seasons Lillebaby which has held my attention longer.

I believe so, I got it on Zulily too! My May board is actually talking about Tula having a mesh one out now. They are HUGE Tula fans!

[lovetruly2015]

Thanks ladies this helps alot. I know I'll look into a few different kinds of bottles I just needs a place to start every time I walk through the bottle section I get so confused and overwhelmed I just walk away.

[danielle]

I had a K'tan with DS and loved it when I was on maternity leave. I didn't use it much after that. I found an Ergo for cheap, so I have that this time too. I also want a Tula because they're cute, but I'm probably too cheap to buy one since I already have an Ergo.

We used Tommee Tippee bottles with DS and have purchased new nipples to use them again this time around. I nursed for 19 months and he had no issues going back and forth from breast to bottle.

[pismoduo]

May 18, 2016 15:03:31 GMT -5 LadyNymeria said:

Per BabyList on the Philips Advent bottles:

WHY WE LOVE IT

The AVENT Natural features anti-colic valves in the bottle that push air back into the bottle rather than into your baby’s tummy. But this bottle still has a simple design that makes it a snap to clean and assemble. And, it’s nipple has molded petal shapes at the base to increase softness and flexibility of the nipple without collapsing under a hungry baby’s sucking motion; this is great for babies frequently going between breast and bottle feeding.

Sounds like a good one to try out.

This is exactly why I chose the Avent.

[pismoduo]

cbrandt1, I'm dying at your LO reaching for your food in that picture. Such a serious expression, such determination.

[pismoduo]

May 18, 2016 16:07:12 GMT -5 lovetruly2015 said:

Thanks ladies this helps alot. I know I'll look into a few different kinds of bottles I just needs a place to start every time I walk through the bottle section I get so confused and overwhelmed I just walk away.

My Google search history is full of "Best (insert baby thing here)". Between that and Amazon reviews, it's gotten a little easier to pick stuff.

[annapunkalunka]

We used Avent naturals bottles with DD and will be buying new nipples to use them with DS. We had a bit of trouble introducing a bottle, but we were persistent and she figured it out soon enough. Other than that we had zero issues and loved them!
As far as carriers go we have 3 (and I just bought a 4th). I used the moby wrap a lot when she was squishy, then the ergo when she got bigger. Once we were ready for a back carry we switched to a Tula because I couldn't get the ergo to sit on my hips comfortably. I just bought a solly baby wrap. It's similar to the moby wrap and I'm super excited to try it out.

[cbrandt1]

May 18, 2016 19:37:41 GMT -5 pismoduo said:

cbrandt1, I'm dying at your LO reaching for your food in that picture. Such a serious expression, such determination.

Well it was a deep fried Oreo, I think I'd side-eye him if he didn't want it. Even at 6 months lol

[pismoduo]

May 18, 2016 19:41:05 GMT -5 cbrandt1 said:

May 18, 2016 19:37:41 GMT -5 pismoduo said:

cbrandt1 , I'm dying at your LO reaching for your food in that picture. Such a serious expression, such determination.

Well it was a deep fried Oreo, I think I'd side-eye him if he didn't want it. Even at 6 months lol

Oh, well in that case, definitely sympathize with the little guy.

[cbrandt1]

Do I need to buy new nipples for the bottles we have?

[annapunkalunka]

May 18, 2016 19:41:47 GMT -5 cbrandt1 said:

Do I need to buy new nipples for the bottles we have?

I'm just assuming we should. I'm also buying new pacifiers. I'm sure they'd be ok after a boil, but I'm just going to get new ones. I've done zero research on this, so I'm anxious to see what others say.

[sodapop]

May 18, 2016 19:41:47 GMT -5 cbrandt1 said:

Do I need to buy new nipples for the bottles we have?

I was wondering the same thing.

[merryrissmas]

May 18, 2016 19:41:05 GMT -5 cbrandt1 said:

May 18, 2016 19:37:41 GMT -5 pismoduo said:

cbrandt1 , I'm dying at your LO reaching for your food in that picture. Such a serious expression, such determination.

Well it was a deep fried Oreo, I think I'd side-eye him if he didn't want it. Even at 6 months lol

Ha! That's amazing.

[fem]

After trying a million kinds the only bottle my bottle refusing baby would take was the Lansinoh Momma ones. They are supposedly shaped more like a real nipple.

[thekatezombie]

We had Avent bottles (regular ones, not the naturals), Medela, and glass Born Free bottles last time. He would only use the Avent. I still used the Medela ones for pumping because they fit on my pump, then poured into bags, but he wouldn't drink from them.

For carriers we had a Moby and a mei tai. He hated the Moby and sort of tolerated the Infantino mei tai sometimes once he got older. I had plans to look for a good deal on an Ergo or Boba,, but he hated carriers so I decided not to spend the money. I picked up an Ergo this time, though. I got a good enough deal that if she hates it I should be able to sell it and break even.

I basically don't get terribly attached to any piece of baby gear because if I think it's cool or useful they're bound to hate it.

[merryrissmas]

We used born free glass bottles and I'm planning to use them again with new nipples, unless this baby hates them for some reason.

I had a peanut shell sling eith DD that I hated and never used, and last time we had a Bjorn we used a little (though I think they're not great for baby's hips IIRC). I'm considering a Beco or something similar this time but haven't looked into anything yet.

[serendipity731]

We use tommee tippee, I think I picked them bc they looked the most like boobs. DS never had a problem with them and I'll use them again and get new nipples. Although I considered the Avent and might get a couple.

When we registered we picked several different brands but we didn't receive any though and just started with the tommee tippee. I also bought and then returned the Kiinde system. It's the one where you attach the bag to the pump and then the bag goes directly into a bottle sleeve. Kinda like the Playtex drop ins but you can pump right into them. I ended up having a low supply and didn't pump very much so I'm glad I never opened it. It looked super cool though!

As far as carriers, I used the K'tan when he was teeny tiny and then a Boba 4g soft structured after that. I don't like that the part around his legs isn't as cushy as others and want to get a Lillebaby this time around.

cbrandt1 I haven't done research on it either, but I threw away our old nipples when we were done with them so I don't have a choice. I think my thought process was that the rubber breaks down over time?

[NJgirl84]

We used a K'Tan in the beginning and then I had an ergo, but he never liked it and I found it uncomfortable. I kind of want a Tula this time but I'm cheap.

As for nipples you need new ones, the rubber breaks down from time and babies sucking/chewing them. Same with pacifiers, you actually should replace pacifiers every few months.

[Deleted]

Carrier wise, I find my mei tai and ring slings best for the itty bitty newborn stage. For DS I almost exclusively use the Tula or Lenny, but the nice thing about the mei tai is it's still good for quick ups, even at 2 years old and 26 lbs.

As for bottles and breastfeeding, I can't help you there since DS was formula fed due to my useless boobies. We used the playtex drop ins and they worked well for us since the nipples can be switched out for different shapes and flows.

[jennybeans]

We kept it simple in carriers and had a k'tan for newborn stage and ergo for bigger.

As for bottles, lots of good advice here. The only thing I will add is that we never ended up moving on from level 1 nipples since I didn't want him to be able to get milk so quickly from the bottle that breastfeeding became frustrating. I'm sure that was annoying to daycare to some extent since it took longer to feed him, but continuing to breastfeed was my hill.