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Mom2b needs help with feeding gear . . .
We went into Babies R Us last week, just to wander the aisles & get a sense for what we are going to need. And I felt the tears welling up--I was just so overwelmed. Also, I hate clutter, and I already see our entire house turning into one mini-Babies-R-Us!
I plan on breastfeeding, but I am going to pump & introduce a bottle as early as possible. So I want to have reliable, comfortable gear to hopefully be successful/
Any opinions on the following would be really, really appreciated. And opinions on anything else you want to share with a new mom2b are definitely welcomed!
** A bottle/nipple sanitizer -- is this really necessary? What are my options?
**A bottle warmer -- is this necessary? Is it a really nice convenience?
**Glass vs. Plastic Bottles -- I'm leaning towards glass until she starts throwing her bottle around. I feel that they are more hygenic, easier to clean & heat, less likely to warp, more environmental. But, hey, what do I know? Any brands you like or hate?
**Pumps/Storage Bags/Anything else I need to consider?
TIA!
Re: Mom2b needs help with feeding gear . . .
Don't need the sanitizer and warmer. Waste of $$ IMO. If you have a dishwasher, you'll be fine. For a warmer, you can put a mug of water in the micro for a minute or so and let the bottle sit in that to warm up (assuming you're using pumped BM). If you're formula feeding, you can just make the bottle with lukewarm water. Some moms like to make a pitcher in advance, but I found that too time-consuming.
I registered for the VentAires again-- that's what we used with DD and I liked them. Another option for you are the Playtex Drop Ins. I'm leery about using glass because it can get chipped. I never had issues with warping with my plastic bottles.
See if your insurance will cover a pump before buying one yourself. Many drs and LCs will write a prescription for you if you ask them. You probably won't be pumping right away, so you can wait to see if BFing is going well and then buy storage bags.?
You probably want some kind of nursing pillow and stool as well. Boppys are good because you can use them later on when the baby starts sitting up, but the Brest Friend ons are supposed to be more supportive. I haven't decided what I'm doing about that though.
Plus, pick up a copy of Nursing Mother's Companion. It's an AMAZING book that taught me so much about what I was doing wrong when I tried BFing Maddie and made me feel more confident about BFing #2. GL!?
Hey there...I would say that I sanitizer is a waste of money...hot soapy water or a dishwasher does just fine.
We never headed the breast milk...my DD always took it at room temp. An option I have seen is to get a mini crockpot and you can keep it plugged in and it is always hot.
We use the Glass Born Free bottles...I love them. They are not too heavey, DD has been holding her own bottle for a couple of months now. They also have these sleeve things now you can put over the glass bottle so it doens't break when dropped.
I use the Medela Swing pump. I really never thought I would be breastfeeding this long/pumping as much as I did. My pump is only a single, I would suggest a double pump.
Hope that helps, let me know if you have any other questions.
I never used a sanitizer or bottle warmer. I just used warm, soapy water to clean bottles, nipples, pumping supplies. About once a month, or so, I would use the Medela steam bags (steams items in the microwave) for an extra good clean. When I wanted to warm up breast milk, I would warm up water in a mug and place the bottle inside until the milk was room temperature.
Regarding bottles, I used the Playtex drop-ins.
I also have/used a Medela double pump.
You don't need the sterilizer- All you have to do is wash the stuff in warm soapy water, and boil it sometimes, esp if breastfeeding, b/c you won't go through *that* much stuff.
Your baby might not require a warm bottle. Mine doesn't. Some babies who bf don't mind it cold out of the bottle, but warm from the breast- it'll just depend on the baby, so wait on that, in my opinion.
We have glass, Born Free. Here's the thing, buy the big ones only- like 9 ounces or whatever. They eat less for such a short time that the little ones aren't worth it. As for the botle- some babies won't like a certain one or something- mine took to these as it was the only one we've used. The thing about glass bottles being breakable doesn't seem so bad, b/c Anna (7 mos, breastfed baby) doesn't feed herself her own bottle at this age. We've been playing around with the sippy cup for a month or so, and if needed, she could take milk out of her plastic (safe plastic) sippy.
I use the Medela Pump In Style Advanced. It's a double pump, which probably isn't necessary for a stay at home mom, but it's a convenience. We've used teh Gerber, Medela, Lansinoh storage bags- all were fine. I pump into one of those plastic containers then pour into the bag- and I don't do it often, so it didn't matter if it attaches to pump (for me).
I posted this a few days back; I think it has a bunch of registering/gear suggestions- Although I don't have twins...
I agree that registering was VERY overwhelming! Things that I've loved- Our FP Aquarium for the crib. Anna calms down immediately with it- worth every penny & maybe my favorite baby item. FP newborn to toddler rocker- it's a bouncy seat type of thing- worked well when she was little and still now at 6.5 mos- she can't use the rainforest bouncy that my mom has. A floor gym by gymini- essential. Tiny Love symphony mobile. Disney's lullaby album- we play this in the car... and Anna is asleep by the end of the 2nd song. FP activity center for the crib- it's an old school type of crib toy- keeps her entertained for 15 minutes longer in the morning. Most of these ideaes (i think all) were things that we've used from birth (or about then) till now 6.5 months. For us, she hated the swing, the travel lite pnp is too small for her to sleep in now (she gets stuck when she moves), the changing pad cover is easier to do without- but not as pretty, Moses basket (didn't work for us,with the dog). Exciting!!! Have fun 
Oh! and definitely go to your hospital's mom's group, if there is one!
Please post if you have other questions on anything else!!! It's a very overwhelming process (registering, having a baby, etc) but a wonderful one!
I BF for 12 months and worked full-time and I LOVED the Playtex drop-in bottle system!!
They are BPA free and super easy as you only need to wash the nipples so you don't need many bottles at all (really just a couple). I also used the "One-step Milk Storage System" and you can pump directly into and store milk right in the bottle liners. It saves a ton a time washing containers and transfering milk. I did use the milk bags for long-term freezer storage but it was so easy to pump right into the liners and then have the milk in the fridge ready to "drop-in." IMO you can just warm the milk up in a container of warm water in the sink. The drop-in bottles are also supposed to be good for less gas for baby. Although if you are looking for environmentally friendly, I guess the drop-ins system is not it.
As for the pump I'd rec. renting one for the first month and see how BF goes for you. The hospital should help you set this up while there. You should also get a free pump parts kit from them. I ended up buying a Medela Pump in Style Original (also super happy with that) so it was nice to have an extra parts kit (bottles, sheilds, etc) for free.
I think with BF supplies wait and see is the best approach. I would get a Boppy pillow and a starter gift set of bottles. I also highly rec. the nursing tank tops from Target!
As for your house looking like BRU, I just read a joke about how the first 12 months of your baby's life you house will look horrible with baby stuff everywhere. . .and then after that it will look much, much worse;) My house is an obstacle course of baby gates these days.
I hear you on being overwhelmed at the site of BRU when you're an expectant mom looking for "all the right things." I'd always loved going in there for other people ... but when it was our turn, I was like, "WHERE do we even start?!" Yikes!!
I'm an exclusive pumper so my answers are based on my experiences, but in the end, take all the info and do what you need to with it. As a mom, we're ALL learning, every day, and things change all the time. What you thought you needed, you end up not, and what you didn't think was necessary, ended up being a lifesaver. Try not to get too overwhelmed and let yourself have some fun with it all.
1. Bottle/nipple sanitizer: I did not feel this was necessary, after buying and using one. Washing your bottle and nipples after every single use, in hot, soapy water w/ a bottle brush is totally adequate. If you want to sanitize, by all means do, but save yourself some $ and just sanitize for 5 minutes using a pot of boiling water on the stove. Should you decide you want a sanitizer, I liked the Medela sanitizer bags for the pumping equipment and nipples. SO easy to use and you can use each bag 10 times (I think - or is it 20? I can't remember).
2. A bottle warmer: SO NOT NECESSARY!!!!!! I know this because I don't have one, my friend does, and I've used it when I go to her house. All it does is save me a few extra minutes. They are not cheap and so I didn't think it was worth it at ALL. And I love to spend money, hahaha!!
What we do w/ our bottles is fill a glass measuring cup-thing with tap water, put in the microwave for 1-2 minutes (depending on your mic's strength) and then dunk the bottle in that for about 5 minutes. Warms the bottle up beautifully without making it too warm or w/ hot spots. NEVER put the bottle itself in the microwave because it can cause hot spots and also reduce the vitamins in the breast milk.
3. We use Born Free Glass and we LOVE THEM. Born Free Plastic is also awesome but they didn't have them in stock when we needed them so that's really why we have the glass.
4. For pumps, I have one from the hospital that I rent - Medela Lactina Select. So I'm not sure what's good in the stores. I think Medela Pump In Style is a favorite? For storage bags, I use Medela for freezing, but I use Avent cups for refrigeration.
Any other questions, ask away!!
Sorry if I'm just repeating what's already been said...
** A bottle/nipple sanitizer -- is this really necessary? What are my options?
I think a dishwasher is your best option if you use one already. If not, I wouldn't worry too much about it. You can boil things. Or get some of the steam bags. They are pretty inexpensive.
**A bottle warmer -- is this necessary? Is it a really nice convenience?
Nice convenience, imo!!
**Glass vs. Plastic Bottles -- I'm leaning towards glass until she starts throwing her bottle around. I feel that they are more hygenic, easier to clean & heat, less likely to warp, more environmental. But, hey, what do I know? Any brands you like or hate?
I would go glass if they weren't so expensive! If you can afford it and would like to that's the route to go.
**Pumps/Storage Bags/Anything else I need to consider?
I use a Lansinoh double pump (way to feel like a cow!) and like it. It's a little loud but does the trick. I also HIGHLY recommend the Lansinoh storage bag over any others!!