You can get tommee tippee starter kits or philips avent ones for about £60-£70 here in the sales, but I just wonder if it would work out cheaper if I bought the absolute necessary things only and did so separately?
Obviously, a steriliser would be first thing on the list. I would prefer electric to microwave, just because I am not too comfortable with microwaving for a newborn all the time.
Bottles, also essential.
What else is necessary though? For those who have bought these kits - what things have you found most useful, and what things have you barely used at all?
Hey I bought the TT starter kit only things I used were steriliser bottles and milk dispensers when out never used bottle warmer. I would say look for the individual prices and see how much it will cost. I saw the Tt milk bottles 6 for a tenner in asda yesterday look out for supermarkets baby events.
Regards to bottle warmers milk can be warm or cooled down in placing bottles either boiling or cold water within seconds.
I wouldn’t bother with a sterilizer. Boil the bottles before first use and put them in the dishwasher afterwards. The minute you open the lid on the sterilizer to get a bottle out, the sterility is gone. It will say this on the box- this is why I never bothered with one.
We had a bottle warmer but it was a huge PITA. The best thing was having a thermos of boiled hot water and a thermos of boiled cooled water and we used to mix those in the bottle as we made it up with the formula. If you will be giving baby BM in the bottle then you can just run it under a hot water tap for a few minutes.
We tried every single bottle brand on the market, and in the end, used the Playtex Ventaires as they were most effective in cutting gas and reflux issues for the kid. I would say hold on and wait for when baby is here.
Establish your supply nursing first and then once you are ready for a bottle, buy it individually initially as you may need to try a few brands and nipple sizes and kinds to figure out what your kid prefers.
On a side note, I’ll tell you what did work for us- a wipes warmer. They are so cold out of the pack and my lovely newborn would always get a shock when we wiped his bum with a cold wipe, esp in the early days, so if a warmer is something you must have, I would highly recommend a wipes warmer instead of a bottle warmer.
SGC - I don’t know what a wipes warmer is. Good advice about waiting until baby comes to see what is suitable for both her and myself. But I still think if you’re going to go to the trouble of boiling water and then cleaning the bottles in that, a steriliser is easier as it does the whole thing in under 5 minutes. Just not sure about the rest of the stuff that comes with the package.
Thanks Glamsy - I know Asda have their baby event on these days I will have a look at individual items. Maybe just a steriliser and bottles are necessary.
Bottle warmer is not necessary at all. Really neither is a sterilizer, but it will save you time and water, so it may be worth it. Bottles are only necessary if you’re not planning to breastfeed or will be away from the baby for a few hours and will miss feeds or if you want help with feedings and such. If you’re hoping to exclusively breastfeed, you can wait and purchase the bottles later, when you know you need them. Also be aware that for SOME babies, figuring out the right bottle/nipple takes time, and you may need to try a few before you get one that works, which means you may not want to invest in several of the same kind.
Again, a pump is only necessary if you can’t or do not want to exclusively nurse. It depends on your needs. I would think an electric one would be simpler, so your hands can be free to do other things, but I don’t know the cost difference. The electric ones can be very expensive, though some are covered by insurance in the US.
You only boil them before first use as per the instructions on the box But if you feel it will be useful, register for a universal one so it’ll take whichever bottle you end up with. Bottles are different shapes and sizes so if you get a specific branded one and the baby doesn’t like those bottles, then you’re stuck, kwim?
Hand pumps are torture devices!!! Get an electric but again, wait and see if you will need it first. Most moms and hospitals carry the Medela line. I am considering getting the Pump in Style Advanced but have also read good things about the Freestyle. Check the Amazon.com reviews!
A wipes warmer is just that- plugs into the wall and you pop baby wipes into it. Keeps them at slightly warmer than room temp vs cold as they are in the packet. Toysrus
I did not get a sterilizer, I boil the bottles first time, later they just went in the dishwasher or I would hand wash them with hot water.
I did not get the wipe warmer either, changing baby using the wipes at their regular temp helps the baby wake up especially for bf. The nurse at the hospital shared this trick and it really helps when bf baby.
Don’t have a bottle warmer either, I just leave the bottle in hot/warm water for few mins and it is good to go.
I have Medela pump in style, it was on of the best investment. I used it with my older son and now using it for the 2nd one
I’ve also heard great things about the Medella pumps. I’m planning to get one of their double electric ones. My friends who’ve had babies recently highly recommend a double electric one because I plan to go back to work and need to minimize the amount of time I spend pumping. But depending on your circumstances, the single electric one may suffice. The manual ones (though much cheaper) are a pain apparently.
What s02 said.. You may not need any of this if you EBF your baby.. With my first child, we used Tommee tippee bottles, no sterilizer and just washed in dishwasher or occasionally sterilized in boiled water in first 3-4 months.
Second baby.. I actually just bought the nipples and planned to use existing bottles.. I have used bottle like 6 times in almost 5 months.. I nurse her no matter where I am.. It’s so easy and convenient once you get the hang of it.. I used to pump in the beginning so my mom or husband could feed her if I was out and about but not anymore.. Since I plan to stay home until she is 1 inshallah I just stick to nursing her.
Point being.. Wait until your baby is here. You can buy all of this later of needed
But if you feel it will be useful, register for a universal one so it’ll take whichever bottle you end up with. Bottles are different shapes and sizes so if you get a specific branded one and the baby doesn’t like those bottles, then you’re stuck, kwim?