Helping to Introduce Your Baby to the Bottle

There are many reasons why you might consider introducing your baby to a bottle. You may want to start feeding your little one some expressed breast milk; or, knowing that you will be returning to work, you want to ensure that they have some milk whilst you are away from them.

Whatever the reason, this guide will help with how to go about giving your child their first bottle, top tips in the early stages of introducing your little one to a bottle and tactics that you can use when your child refuses the bottle.

How to give your child their first bottle
The common issue for babies being introduced to a bottle is that they will need to use a different sucking action compared to when they were breastfed. It will take them time to get the hang of this new feeling.

To help, try to give your child their first few bottles when they are relaxed and happy as opposed to instances when they're hungry and more likely to want fed by a method that they are used to. It could also be wise to offer your baby a bottle in the evening once their regular feeding has ended - you don't have to give them much milk, as it will be more about getting your child used to the feeling of the bottle's teat.

Another tip is to get someone else to give your baby their first few feeds from a bottle - their dad or a friend or family member - as that way, your baby will not be near you and smelling your breast milk. It may also be best if the mother is out of the house while the baby is being bottle fed, as many babies can smell their mothers even from a distance. You only need to do this a handful of times until your child is used to drinking from a bottle.

Refrain from forcing your baby to feed from a bottle too much, and only feed them enough milk until they let you know that they've had enough. This needs to be a smooth transition, so your child will be more likely to refuse if they aren't enjoying their bottle in the early stages.

What to do if your baby is resisting 
If you are struggling to get your baby to make the transition from breast to bottle, there are some techniques that can help.

You should take the time to find a suitable product for your baby. A bottle with a nipple-like teat that is similar to your child's dummy will likely make it more appealing to your little one, for instance. A slow-flow teat can help if your child gags due to regular teats delivering them too much milk at once.

A First Sippee Transition Cup from Tommee Tippee ticks all of these boxes, not to mention the fact that they are specially designed for a baby's first sips and has a super soft spout that is gentle on your child's sensitive gums. These cups may be well known to you, following a dad's desperate search last year to find a replacement cup for his autistic son. The plea received over 12,000 retweets and the full story can be read on the BBC website.

It's not just the design of the bottle or cup that can help your baby with the transition. Your baby may start sucking from the cup or bottle's teat if you place some breast milk on it and your child recognises the familiar taste.

Let your infant get used to their new bottle or cup in their own time too. Don't be too quick to take it away and give up if they begin to just chew on the teat - let them do this for now as they may switch to sucking on it once they are familiar with the feeling.

Babies may also feel more comfortable drinking from a bottle or cup when they are held in a different position to how you breastfeed them. Feed them from a bottle or cup when they are in a semi-upright position in a car seat, for example, or by having them on your lap but with their back to your chest.

Hopefully with this advice, your baby will be reaching for their bottle or cup for their feed before you know it!

(This is a sponsored post.) 

 

Win a Munchkin Latch Newborn Starter Set

I'm so pleased to share with you all that I am on the Munchkin/Lindam Panel for 2015! Myself and children will be putting some of their products through their paces and sharing our thoughts about them on the blog.

You may remember last month, I reviewed the Munchkin Latch bottles & teats and they've very kindly offered my readers the chance to win one of the Munchkin Latch Newborn Starter Sets worth £29.99!

The set contains:

• 2 x 4oz bottles
• 2 x 8oz bottles
• 4 Stage 1 teats
• 2 Stage 2 teats 
• 1 bottle brush

As I mentioned in my previous review, these bottles are perfect for transitioning from breast to bottle as they mimic the movement of the breast using the unique accordion teat. The baby will control the flow of milk by applying pressure to the base of the teat. They have anti-colic valves too to ensure that air bubbles don't travel through the milk.

For the chance to win, all you need to do is enter through the Rafflecopter widget below. This competition will run from 12th until 25th March and it is open to UK residents only. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Win competitions at ThePrizeFinder.com

Munchkin Latch Bottles

We are huge fans of the Munchkin range, owning the Inflatable Duck Bath, Shampoo Rinser and the Click Lock Trainer Cup so I was super excited to have an email land in my inbox asking if E would like to try their Latch bottle and teats.

The Munchkin Latch bottle is designed to mimic breast feeding, you can automatically note the similarities especially with the shape of the teat. It is an accordion style teat so as your baby feeds, it moves like a breast would. Your baby can control the flow of milk by applying pressure against the teats' base, much like with the nipple. It is also a lot more flexible than any other teat that I have used before. It is the perfect bottle for transitioning from breast to bottle.

I only breastfed E for a short time and she has been solely taking bottles for months. I was a little worried that she may reject it as she wasn't used to it but we didn't have a problem. E suffers with colic and reflux so I was pleased to see the addition of an anti-colic valve in the base of the bottle. This works by eliminating air bubbles in the milk.

You can purchase 3 different stages of teats, starting off one stage 1 then increasing it as your baby gets bigger. E is 5 months old and stage 3 suited us best as due to her reflux, I need to add a thickener to her milk. Stage 3 teats are easier for the milk to pass through.

All in all, I love this bottle and the concept behind it. I only wish I'd known about them when I first transitioned!

The bottles are available in different sizes and multipacks. You can find full information on products and prices here. You can also follow Munchkin on Facebook & Twitter.

(Disclaimer: I received these items for the purpose of this review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.)

#MPBTurns2 Giveaway #4: Milton Travel Sterilising Kit

A few months ago, you may remember that I did a few reviews for sterilising experts Milton. I tried out their Combi Cold Water/Microwave Steriliser (which I still use daily when making E's bottles), the Mini Portable Soother Steriliser and the Travel Steriliser.

Today, as part of my blog birthday celebrations, Milton have offered my readers the chance to win a fantastic Milton Sterilising Travel Kit.

Milton has been a leading name in sterilising baby feeding equipment in the home for over 65 years (my mum used Milton when my sister and I were babies!) and in this time the 'Milton Method' of cold water sterilising was used and it is still used today.

This pack has everything you need to keep your child clean, tidy and germ-free wherever you are headed. The prize includes:

• A Milton Solo Travel Steriliser
• A Milton Portable Soother Steriliser
• Antibacterial handgel
• Antibacterial surface wipes
• Standard Sterilising Tablets
• Mini Sterilising Tablets

The Solo Travel Steriliser is a 2-in-1 microwave or cold water steriliser and it is ideal for sterilising when you are travelling or away from home. It cleans and sterilises breastfeeding equipment, bottles, teethers, plastic toys and other small baby equipment from as little as 2 minutes in the microwave or 15 minutes in cold water.

The award-winning Portable Soother Steriliser is a totally unique method to safetly sterilise soothers in or out of the home. It cleans and sterilises soothers in less than 15 minutes and it can be used as a sterile place to store a spare soother. 

The antibacterial handgel and surface wipes are great for ensuring that all germs are killed on your hands or on surfaces when you are out and about ensuring your baby's safety.

To be in with a chance of winning this bundle all you need to do is fill in the Rafflecopter widget below. This competition will run from January 5th until January 19th and it is open to UK residents only. The prize will be supplied by the company. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Win competitions at ThePrizeFinder.com - See more at: http://www.theprizefinder.com/content/milton-travel-sterilising-kit#sthash.g459DLnU.dpuf

Chillipeeps NEW 3 in 1 Teats & 3 in 1 Spouts - Giveaway

The multi award-winning Chillipeeps are one of the most brilliant baby ideas that I have come across. Launched at the end of September this year, the teats are suitable for babies aged 3-12mths+ and the spouts are suitable for babies aged 6-12mths+.

The idea of Chillipeeps is that they attach on to ready-made formula bottles (such as Aptamil, Cow & Gate and Infatrini), ready-made formula cartons (such as SMA and Hipp) and to Volvic and Evian water bottles.

Chillipeeps were developed by a mum so they know what other mums need and want. They are made in the UK and are BPA free. Also, any standard neck teat or spout can fit into the Chillipeeps adapter. They are easy to wash and are suitable for use in steam sterilisers and dishwashers.

Chillipeeps have been kind enough to offer my readers the chance to win a set of the 3 in 1 Teats and a set of the 3 in 1 spouts! All you need to do is fill in the Rafflecopter widget below. The competition will run from the 18th November until the 2nd December. Good luck! a Rafflecopter giveaway

Win competitions at ThePrizeFinder.com - See more at: http://www.theprizefinder.com/content/1-set-chillipeeps-teats-1-set-chillipeeps-spouts#sthash.xJbDuC8g.dpuf

Baby&More Mum2Mum Infant Wonder Bib - Review

With a new baby, you can never have too many bibs. C as a newborn feels like a lifetime ago and I had forgotten how much babies spit up! 

E was recently given the opportunity to try out one of Baby&More's Mum2Mum Infant Wonder Bibs. We received a white bib (which I love as it goes with any outfit) but they are also available in baby blue or baby pink. 

The Wonder Bib looks like a regular bib but the first thing I noticed was how soft the front is compared to other bibs. I tend to wipe E's chin with the bottom of her bib if she spits up a little and I bet this felt like angels kisses in comparison. 

The back of the bib is a nylon water resistant backing which is fantastic as the sick/spit won't go through onto her clothes and ruin them, eliminating middle of the day outfit changes! Unlike most bibs (with a plastic backing) this one can be put in the washing machine without damaging it.

The neck is adjustable too and it is recommended for babies aged 0-6 months This means that as your baby gets bigger, the neck won't be too tight on them. It buttons at the side which I prefer to Velcro as I think they seem more comfortable. The fastener being placed on the side too means that I can put in on and take it off easily. 

The Wonder Bib retails at only £4.00 and you can purchase one from the Baby&More website. 

(Disclaimer: We received this item free of charge in exchange for an open and honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.)

Haberman Suckle Feeder & Breast Pads - Review

My breastfeeding journey with E was very short-lived. We didn't continue for very long at all because I could feel myself beginning to hate feeding her and I genuinely felt like I was teetering on the edge of postnatal depression. Hindsight is a wonderful thing and I really wish I'd sought advice rather than sending Chris out to buy a tub of formula but what's done is done. 

As I made the transition from breast to bottle, I was a bit worried that E may not take to the teat of the bottle easily as she was so used to nipple. Haberman sent us out one of their Suckle Feeders to try out. 

The Suckle Feeder is a baby bottle that is designed for those who aren't breastfeeding or those who want to introduce combination feeding. 

The first thing I noticed about the bottle was that the teat is off-centre. This is because the baby's jaw applies pressure to the full teat just like it does to the breast milk ducts. The baby's tongue makes a wave, pressing the 'nipple' against the roof of the baby's mouth. The tongue rolls the milk backwards then lowers which renews the negative pressure to let more milk through. It's the perfect teat mimic a breast and make the transition easier for your baby. 

E suffers with colic and the Suckle Feeder helps with that too. The green filter, well, filters out bubbles and froth so your baby isn't swallowing air. The teat also stays full at any angle so similarly to breastfeeding, any position is feasible.  The valve system helps your baby to feed at their own pace by shutting between each suckle. This was my favourite aspect as lots of milk would flow through freely and E couldn't handle it. I found that E took to the bottle very well, surprisingly! I remember when C was little, all Hell broke loose when I tried to introduce a bottle that he wasn't used to. 

I would definitely recommend the Suckle Feeder to any breastfeeding mum who is worried about expressing for having to leave their baby and getting them used to a bottle. It is also a great first bottle for babies who aren't being breastfed at all. 

The Suckle Feeders are BPA-free, hold 260ml and are suitable from birth. They retail at £7.50 and you can find a list of stockists here. 

As I stopped breastfeeding cold turkey, it was very hard when my milk came in. I would constantly wake up soaking and I had really painful and engorged breasts. Haberman also sent me out a box of their breast pads. 

Over the course of my two pregnancies, I have had the pleasure of trying out lots of different breast pad brands and I have to admit that Haberman rank quite highly. 

They're really absorbent and suitable for both day and night but I did find that during the night they didn't quite absorb all of the milk that was leaking. The inner layer of the pads turn moisture into gel so I found that I didn't feel as "dirty" wearing them compared to other breast pads. The pads are actually a lot bigger than regular ones which definitely helps with absorption. 

With all the breast pads that I've used in the past, they only had a tiny circle to stick the pad to the inside of your bra but the Haberman ones have a full strip meaning that they stay in place for longer. They are also all indivually wrapped which is great if you're out and about. You can just pop a few in the changing bag. 

A box of 40 breast pads retail at £5.99 and you can find a list of stockists here. You can find out more about Haberman at their website, Facebook & Twitter. 

(Disclaimer: We received these items free of charge in exchange for an open and honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.) 

Milton Combi Microwave or Cold Water Steriliser & Sterilising Tablets - Review

With the new baby's arrival imminent and us having got rid of all of C's old things, we have been trying to repurchase everything. I am planning on breastfeeding initially but then hoping to express so that Chris can join in with feeding times.

Milton have very kindly sent us out one of their Combi Microwave or Cold Water sterilisers. This steriliser, as you have probably worked out by its name, is a 2-in-1 device. You can either use it in the microwave or just using cold water.

Firstly, I tried it out in the microwave. We have three different brands of bottle to try out with the baby as we want to see which ones she will prefer. This gave me a good opportunity to see how well each brand/size of bottle would fit. Our microwave isn't the largest but this steriliser does fit in but only with the turntable removed. It also, surprisingly, fits a lot of bottles and accessories so it makes my life easier! All I had to do wash pre-wash the bottles, pour exactly 200ml of water into the base, place the bottles in, screw the lid on and press the safety vent down. The safety vent was a completely new concept to me. This aim is to increase the temperature inside for better sterilisation. The highest wattage on my microwave is 800 so it took 6 minutes to sterilise the items fully. This time can vary. It can take 2 minutes at 1100W-1850W or 4 minutes at 850W-1000W.

When I retrieved it and opened the items out, it was clear to see that the bottles were thoroughly clean and sterile. I had no worries whatsoever. I love that it comes with tongs to remove the items too. 

Next, I tried cold water sterilising. Milton also sent us a pack of their Sterilising Tablets (which are clinically proven to kill 99.9% of germs) to use alongside this method (the steriliser does actually come with a pack of 28 tablets already). I've never tried this method before so I was a little sceptical about how clean they could be in just cold water and a little tablet. Again, I filled my steriliser with cold tap water (up to the 5L line this time), added in 1 tablet then submerged my items and closed the lid. I left it for just 15 minutes and upon opening, I was really surprised at how well it worked! You don't need to rinse the items after they have been in the solution and you can even keep the items in the solution until you need them. You just need to make sure that you renew the solution after 24 hours.

I have to say, I don't think I have a method preference. I felt safe in the knowledge that the germs had been throughly killed during both the microwave and cold water methods. I love that it comes with an easy carry handle too as that's something that I felt was missing with C's old steriliser. 

You can purchase your own Combi steriliser for £24.99 on Amazon and the Sterilising Tablets for £3.79 for a pack of 28 also from Amazon.

Are you a fan of microwave or cold water sterilising? I'd love to know your thoughts!

(Disclaimer: I received these items free of charge in exchange for an open and honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.)

OXO Bottle Drying Rack - Review

OXO are mainly known for their useful and helpful kitchen and household accessories that are designed to make day-to-day tasks much easier. 

They have a fab range of baby & toddler products and we've been lucky enough to be trying out the Bottle Drying Rack. Although C is a fully-fledged toddler, he does still have a bedtime bottle and now that I am 30 weeks pregnant we will be beginning to use bottles with the new baby too.

When I first opened the rack out, I was impressed by how spacious it was but it isn't too big that it is a pain to have sitting in the kitchen. C uses tommee tippee bottles but I've got some MAM bottles for the new baby and both brands of bottle fit on comfortably as the tines are flexible and I can even slot it C's juice bottles, plates and cutlery in the little pot provided.

The rack is deep so it holds drained water without spilling and the rounded edges make it easy to pour it out. The ridges are high enough that the items are kept away from the water at the bottom.

I honestly can't believe that I've managed almost two years parenting without using a rack like this as it is so much easier to keep all C's bits away from our regular dishes. I would definitely recommend this rack to any parent to babies/toddlers and it's dishwasher safe too!

You can purchase your own OXO Bottle Drying Rack for £15.32. You can find out more about OXO at their website, Facebook and Twitter.

tommee tippee closer to nature's New Best of British Collection

I love tommee tippee products. We used the plain closer to nature bottles when C was just born and he still uses one for his bedtime bottle. We once had an incident where we stayed at my parents and I bought him a cheap bottle because I forgot his usual one and he was having none of it so he must be a fan too! 

tommee tippee closer to nature is celebrating all things British this summer with a limited edition Best of British collection of bottles and gifts which are a available from Mothercare. 

The collection is a range of essential baby products that are decorated with iconic British imagery and consists of 3 gifts sets containing 2 bottles and 2 soothers in pink, blue or traditional London bus red and 3 single 260ml bottles. Each bottle has a unique London bus design and comes in a gorgeous presentation box. 

The tommee tippee closer to nature bottles are suitable from birth and are designed to mimic the natural stretch, flex and movement of a mum's breast. These bottles make the transition from breast to bottle easy and they have been specially designed in a compact shape, to be held in the most natural position during feeding, allowing baby to be closer to you. All bottles are BPA free. The soothers have been designed with a new style. The test is longer and flatter to support healthy oral development. 

The tommee tippee closer to nature Best of British range is available right now from Mothercare. The single 260ml bottle retails at £5.99 and the gift set is £14.99. The range is suitable for babies 0+ months. 

You can find out more information at www.tommeetippee.co.uk.

(Disclaimer: I received a single 260ml bottle in pink in exchange for this post.)

tommee tippee Royal Baby Range

The moment we've all been waiting for is finally here - the Royal Baby has been born!

tommee tippee® is celebrating the new royal arrival with a limited edition Royal Baby collection available now exclusively in Mothercare.

The range from British brand tommee tippee® closer to nature® consists of 2 gift sets containing 2 bottles and 2 soothers in pink or blue - making it the perfect gift for any little prince or princess. There is also a 260ml individual bottle available. Each bottle has a unique celebration design with bunting and either the royal guard for boys or royal carriage for girls, and comes in a gorgeous presentation/gift box.

The tommee tippee® closer to nature® bottles are suitable to use from birth and are designed to mimic the natural flex, stretch and movement of a mum's breast. Together with the bottle's super-sensitive valve, this encourages your baby's intuitive feeding action for a comfortable and relaxed feed. The range of soothers from tommee tippee® are designed with an orthodontic silicone teat to support healthy oral development.

tommee tippee® Global Marketing Manager, Katy Pigg comments, "With so much excitement around the royal baby, we decided it would be great to mark the occasion with a limited edition range. The exclusive design and gorgeous gift box make it the ideal gift for little princes and princesses everywhere!"

The tommee tippee® closer to nature® limited edition range is available exclusively in Mothercare. There are 2 gift sets and 2 x 260ml individual feeding bottles. The range is suitable for babies 0 + months. Priced at £5.99 for the bottle and £14.99 for the gift set. For more information on the entire ranges, please visit www.tommeetippee.co.uk.