What bottles should I use.

Hi there,
                    I'm due in a few wks. This is my first baby that I'm going to only give breastmilk. I'm going to be going back to work so I want to bottle feed during the night and try breastfeeding during the day. I wanted to know what is the best bottle out there to use for breastfeeding babies. Any info would be helpful!

Thanks,
AP

[Tarobinc]

I use the Ventair and it works well for Sophia.  We use the bottle system with the wide nipples.  I don't mind the extra parts or putting it together however that part of this system is a con for some people.

Only buy one or two to make sure your baby likes the bottle.  Once you know your baby likes that system, then buy more.  

I would also buy the largest size and just purchase the slow flow wide nipples. The largest size, before you know it you will need it,  comes only with the fast flow nipples.  

And the bottle drying rack that I like is the one by munckin (sp?).  I had the one that is round and has two levels but it took up lots of space and started to come apart.  The Munckin one folds easy for storage and takes up less space.

[ArmyPrincess819]

Thank you so much for all the info. Can I find the ventair anywhere? Also where can I get the munchkin? Does your your daughter have any gas issues with the breast milk? I breast fed my older 2 for a short while but as soon as they went on formula they had such a hard time digesting it. I have heard good things about breastfeeding that is why I want to do it full time. I'm going back to work so that is why I want him to be on the bottle too! Did you go to any classes or a group etc? Thanks again!

AP

[Diane1003]

We use Dr. Brown bottles - we tried a few different ones but for my son the Dr. Brown's stuck.  I also am nursing and my son has gone back and forth between me and the Dr. Brown's no problem.  Good luck.

[ArmyPrincess819]

Thank you so much! When do you use the bottle? Is there a better time of day etc. My reason is I'm going back to work and it will be during the day so I figured my breast at night and bottle during the day! This is the first of my kids to be only getting breastmilk, I'm hoping it goes well! Do you have any tips etc? Thanks again!

AP

[Diane1003]

With my son he was jaundice and the dr ordered bottles of formula. We used the bottles @ the hospital that they supplied.  When we got home and were using bottles we stopped using them after about a week b/c he didn't need the supplement any more.  In terms of when to intruduce a bottle - I've heard different theories.  I've heard nothing but the breast for the first 2 weeks - no pacifier no nothing.  You want to try a bottle sooner rather than later so the baby gets used to it for when you return to work.  Also - you will need to get used to pumping.  My husband would always give the bottle. We were told it's better to have someone other than the mother give a bottle so the baby is less likely to reject it. If it's the mother offering the bottle the baby will sense it's not the nipple on the mother and reject it wanting the 'real thing' if you will.  We were fortunate - my son has gone back and forth all along with no problems.  Good luck.

[Helen72]

I tried Dr. Brown's bottles and Playtex drop-ins.  Dr. Brown's worked soooo much better.  We got a Dr. Brown's newborn set of bottles and it had everything we needed the first few months.
Good luck!

[ArmyPrincess819]

Diane- You have been so helpful I can't thank you enough! I'm trying to be completely optomistic about breastfeeding while working as well! I want nothing more than to breastfeed for at least the first 6 mos. I haven't heard that theory of introducing the bottle so thank you. I will definately have my dh do that. Thanks again!

Helen- thank you very much the dr brown's seem like the best bottle to use! Did you have an easy time breastfeeding? I'm going to definately give it my all!

Is it true if breastfeeding is not done right you can suffer nipple damage?

Thanks again,
Jenny

[Diane1003]

Good luck with things. I had a lot of success with pumping at work and them nursing evenings/weekends when I was home.  If there is anything I can help with in terms of other questions or whatever - don't hesitate!  This forum has been a ton of support for me!

[Joyce49788]

my son is now a month old.. and i had to give up trying to get him to the breast after awhile cause i was pumping and then offering breast... but he would get hysterical and reject the breast only wanting the bottle... so having someone else give bottle makes sense.

my son likes the gerber bottles...just the plain cheapo bottles i think they are like a buck fifty in the store for the differant colored ones.  i went and bought a whole bunch of AVENT and he wont take them AT ALL.. refuses it all together.. but will take these other ones.. hmmm maybe when he gets older i can try him on those again i dont know

good luck AP on finding the right bottle for your baby and i can not believe you are so close to having that little bundle (i just posted new pics if you want to check them out..lol)

[Tarobinc]

The Ventaire wide nipple bottles are everywhere.  They are by Playtex.  I only bf for a very short time period...it just didn't work out for us.  :(

I did take a bf class in a group setting that DH attended as well.  I enjoyed the class and although bf didn't work out for me, I still think the class was worth it.  I also was signed up for a bf class for working moms.  I thought that one would have been useful, too.

Sophia wasn't gassy; she ended up having a milk protein allergy so she has to be on a very specific formula.

good luck!

[motherof1boy]

There are these amazing bottles called breastflow. I have personally never used them, but my cousin does. Her little girl was a VERY picky baby. Would not take any bottles but these things are made so much like the breast she would take it. I know they sell them in the "one step ahead" catalog. But i'm sure if you googled BREASTFLOW you could find them.

[ArmyPrincess819]

ladies thank you so much for all your help it means the world to me! I appreciate everything!

AP
Joyce I will check the pics out! Thanks !

[smjmekg]

I don't know if anyone mentioned them, but bottles with the really wide nipples are best because they are most like the shape of the breast, and probably easier for baby to go back and forth between, be careful because some babies will refuse the breast when given a bottle or the other way around. Good luck!

[ArmyPrincess819]

Thank you so much for the hints! I really appreciate it! I will try to coordinate the 2 of them I'm going back to work so I hope that everything goes smoothly....I will talk with the lactation consultant before I leave the hospital and see what she says to do as well! Thanks again!

AP

[Joyce49788]

well  daniel wouldnt take anything but the regular Gerber bottles... and that is what he is still taking... cheap bottles really though....lol

[tarrah87]

i think its all a matter of preferance for you and your baby i have tried almost every kind of bottle you can find and i love the vent air bottles as well as madison those are we started her out on and she still uses them now 4 months later

[jdamico]

i started out  using the  Playtes drop ins bottles  but my Mckenna  was having issues getting  used to them  we then switch to Avent  which   worked  for a little bit but now she loves the  cheaper Geber or Evenflow bottles. WE also  tried breastfeeding in the hopsital and it  didnt work  out for  us ;(   but     would try those  see if they  help all depends on what the  baby prefers Good Luck

[Mommynurse151]

I love Avent and/of Dr. Browns.....Gerber are good for when baby holds and picks up own bottle, other then that i hated any other kind i tried. speciallt the Ventaire playtex ones, they were horrible for me...nipple collpased and bottles leaked for me