I am debating about a couple of things right now. I am doing research, reading reviews online, asking around at work etc. but I wanted to get some advice from people I know and trust on a few things. If you don't have an opinion, that is fine, just leave me a comment and let me know you are reading...I am not sure who is out there....but comments make me happy!:)
Okay, first thing, formula, what do you prefer? what do you think is best?
1. Enfamil or Similac?
2. Powder or Ready to Feed?
3. How do you prepare/store the water for powder?
Second, baby carriers, what did you use? which brand or style is best?
I have some lower back issues so I am trying to get the best one that disperses weight from the baby out front to the rest of my body and I can't find much info or reviews out there!
Baby Monitors....
1. Do you have a video one? If so, do you like it?
2. Which brand is best?
3. Does it interfere with your WI-FI?
Bottles....
1. Which brand worked the best for your baby?
2. I am currently looking at Avent or Born Free. Any recommendations? Everything I've heard/read said they are pretty comparable. I am just wondering opinions on how they work for baby, cleaning etc.
Last thing...What are FIVE things that you cannot live with out when it comes to baby gear?
I would love to hear your opinions, even if you are not a mom or mom-to-be, doesn't mean you haven't heard, seen or know people who have used certain products out there!:) Thank you, it will really help me out!:)
1.Formula? I cannot even remember what we used..Similac? Maybe? I never used the ready to feed. I thought it was WAY over priced. BUt, that is just my personal opinion.
ReplyDelete2.I had a Bjorn and HATED it. It will kill your back!!!! With Ruby, I had a Moby and I really liked it, but the downside is it takes a few tries to get the hang of wrapping it. I have heard great things about the Ergo. Jess Tappan has one and loves it. I borrowed Jane's baby hawk and liked that a lot too.
3. Never had a video monitor....I had a regular monitor and I still use it when I am outside doing yard work and Ruby is inside taking a nap. :) I do not know if I would get a video monitor. Maybe? Who knows. It's funny how baby stuff has changed so much even since I have had the girls. Crazy!
4. We used Avent for Reyna and they worked really well. I got rid of them because Avent had a recall on their bottles (nice, right???) and with Ruby I used the Medela bottles and she loved those. I started with Dr. Brown's with Ruby, but gave them away. They had SO many pieces to wash and I think they were causing her to spit up a little bit, but it could have been I didn't want to wash all the pieces!!! haha. :) I have heard great things about Born free and I think they are very similar to Avent. :)
5. The things that I couldn't live w/out???? Hmmmm...We LOVED our bouncy seat! It had a vibrator to put the girls to sleep and then when they were old enough, it had toys on it to play with. The exersaucer. The playmat/gym thing. :) Get the packages of white cloth diapers/burp cloths. I think they come in packs of ten. They are the best burp cloths. Make sure you register for lots of sheets. :) When Reyna was really little, she peed thru her pj's almost every night. We were constantly changing her bedding.
Hope this helps~ :))
Thank you Les!:) It really does help. Do you think the Avent bottles are okay now? Have they had any recent recalls?
DeleteNo, they have not had any recalls since. :) Almost all baby bottles were recalled with bpa in them after Reyna was born.
DeleteI obviously have no practical experience yet, but here is what we are going with so far from our info from doctors, birth classes, friends, etc.
ReplyDelete1. Formula - they have said in my classes at the hospital that for the first few weeks you are not supposed to use powder, only concentrate or instant feed. Powder has a higher risk of contamination and they are now advising against it for newborns.
2. I have actually used some of these with my nephews! I really like the ring/sling and wrap styles, I have heard rave reviews about the ergo too since that is all my sister used with her 3rd child.
3. John says I can't have a video monitor because I will check it and worry too much. I don't think it is necessary. We just made sure we got one that reduced interference with other models since John says that will reduce interference overall.
4. I am trying a couple different types of bottles, the only advice I was able to get on it is that every baby is different so it is good to have 2 options or so at birth and then get more of whichever one they like better. I am going with Avent and Tommie Tippee (since I am going to breastfeed also, this brand was recommended as a good transition). I heard horror stories about the Dr Brown's ones being not worth the effort and million pieces.
5. I'm not sure yet. I am focusing on lots of onesies, an easy to use stroller (and easy car seat attachment), the rocker/bouncer like Jim & Gail have, the cloth diapers as burp clothes like Leslie said, and friend/family support!
Thanks for the advice!:) So, with the powder formula...Does that mean that they are no longer feeding newborns with ANY powder formula in the hospital the first few days? I know they do formula with them until you are ready to breastfeed/milk comes in.
DeleteI went back over my handouts, the hospital said they will use the liquid concentrate if they need to or if you are not planning to breastfeed but no powder until after the first 2 months (I didn't realize it was that long when I wrote the first response). At my hospital they said they do not do formula at all if you are breastfeeding unless you ask and they have a lactation consultant there to ensure that you are able to breastfeed within a couple hours of birth.
DeleteJust a warning, I think those rock n' plays played a bit part in Evie's flathead. They are great, but just add more padding behind the babies head.
Delete-Gail
Thanks Gail! We will definitely do that.
DeleteKristin,
ReplyDeleteI hope this isn't too forward of me to butt in but I see you mentioned supplementing with formula "until you are ready to breastfeed or until your milk comes in" but if you are planning to breastfeed, you shouldn't give formula at all at first. Before your milk comes in, your breasts make colostrum (they make it when you are pregnant)and that is the only food newborns need until your milk comes in. Supplementing with formula can cause your milk supply to take a hit because it's the baby feeding that encourages it to come in more. If you are only planning to formula feed then that's fine...I just wasn't sure if you were aware of that since you mentioned breastfeeding! Sorry to butt in! To answer your questions:
1) We haven't used formula with either boy
2) I love, LOVE, LOVE my mei tai. I've tried them all (Bjorn, moby, slings, etc) and the mei tai is the first one I have liked and doesn't kill my back. I got the infantino brand off Amazon for 34 bucks but if you google "mei tai" there are 100s of brands that are basically all similar
3) We have a crappy Graco monitor and it's been fine with both kids. I can hear them screaming everywhere. haha!
4) I used Born Free bottles with both for when I pumped milk. I also use the little bottles that came with my breast pump.
5) Top 5 things...hmmm....definitely my mei tai for one, binkies, bundle me for the carseat(for my winter baby), tons and tons of onesies because if your kid is anything like either of mine they barf and/or crap on everything, and a good exersaucer (baby crack)
You are not butting in! Thanks for the advice! I really appreciate it!:)
Deleteoh and if you are planning to breastfeed (like I said, if you aren't no big deal and sorry to butt in!) and you have any questions, I LOVE to talk breastfeeding. I considered getting my lactation consultant certification after nursing school but decided to get my masters in pediatrics instead. I am still very interested in breastfeeding and helping others with it though :)
ReplyDeleteThank you...I might be taking you up on that!:)
DeleteI have a Chicco baby carrier you can borrow if you want to try it on and see if you like it. Seems to fit pretty comfortably when the baby is facing you, but looks like it cuts into their legs when you have the baby facing out. It keeps all the weight usually to my upper back and shoulders.
ReplyDeleteThings I cannot live without: Bibs, Pacifiers, Musical toys, Lots and lots of onesies, and not like I need to tell you but - a camera.
Liquid vs powder: Liquid for the diaper bag, powder for at home to save money.
-Gail
Thanks Gail, maybe I will borrow it and see how it works...I love that brand!
DeleteI am going to send you a link through Facebook for this Boppy head protector that I saw on a mommy blog. They don't sell it in stores, only on Amazon, but people swear by it to help with flat head because so many babies have it now...I just read about it a week ago.
Thanks for the advice. I really appreciate it!:) How do you get the water ready for the powder?
No problem!! I usually avoid having to heat it up since microwaves can cause hot pockets and boiling it just is a hassle. I always just wait until they are ready to eat and turn the facet water to the right temperature, test it on my wrist to make sure it's not too hot and fill the bottle to however many ounces I need. I do the water first - then add the powder, so the water can be measured out. If they don't finish all of it and I have to heat it up later I just use the microwave and shake it up (gently) to even out the temp. If you are warming up breastmilk it is best to set it in hot/boiling water until warmed up because the microwaves will destroy some of the nutrients I guess. (Not sure why they say that's just for breastmilk..maybe it's not)
ReplyDelete-Gail