Bottles - what do I need?

[Daisysandviolets]

As a first time mum, in case I can't breast feed what do I need for bottles like sterilisers etc and also I didn't realise there were so many brands like Mam, Tommy tippee etc, which is best?!

Sorry if this has already being asked just feel a bit lost with it all!

[Anni3getyourgun]

Bottles (maybe 4 to start with? We used Tommee Tippee which were fine for DD. Others swear by other brands. Trial and error!)

Formula - tub. Again choice of brand is up to you, but try and pick something that is widely available. DD was fine with Aptamil.

Bottle brush for washing out bottles.

Some kind of steriliser. There are all sorts, but we had a Tommee Tippee one that went in the microwave and sterilised 4 bottles at once.

I’d also recommend having a trial run of making up a bottle following pack instructions. We didn’t and had to do it for the first time in a terrible fluster with DD screaming because I couldn’t breast feed her.

[Daisysandviolets]

@Anni3getyourgun this is really helpful, thank you! I never would have thought of a trial run but probably not a bad idea like you said!

[Anni3getyourgun]

Definitely! Or get some ready made milk in. It’s more expensive but all you have to do is pour and go! I’m planning to take this with me into hospital when DC2 arrives...

www.tesco.com/groceries/en-GB/products/283468059

Just screw on the lids and good to go. I didn’t even know it existed first time round

[Clemmie83]

@Anni3getyourgun Those ready made bottles look great! Do you just give them at room temperature?

[AllTheCakes]

I knew I wanted to breastfeed so decided not to get anything in as it would have been too easy to give formula whilst my supply was still establishing. We love very close to shops though and I appreciate not everyone does!

[Anni3getyourgun]

@Clemmie83 yep it’s all pre sterilised so you just screw on the lid and feed.

[Clemmie83]

@Anni3getyourgun Amazing! I've seen they also do 200ml and 1 litre bottles that they say you can keep in the fridge once opened...might be a stupid question but how do you serve it if it's been in the fridge?

[BadAlice]

If you plan to breastfeed and have reasonably good access to a Tesco express or similar I wouldn’t bother buying anything in advance.

[Graphista]

I would actually caution against buying too much of any one particular item inc formula.

For starters hopefully as you want to you'll be able to bf and even if you can't (which is rare) not all items suit all babies.

I bf to start then milk dried around 10 months in.

It was very expensive trying to find the bottles, trays and formula which best suited dd

The 1st 3 formulas we tried made her instantly vomit, she couldn't manage the silicon teats and we had to find old fashioned rubber ones (much softer and more like a natural nipple) and the long style thin bottles made her very windy.

So get a couple "options" of each thing.

Eg I've heard SMA suits actually quite few babies as it's quite rich. Aptamil suited my dd best.

With the ready made milks now I wonder if that's a slightly cheaper way to test formulas? I know per ml they're expensive but short term might be cheaper than buying a large tin of a formula that turns out no good for your baby - which is what we ended up with! Several large expensive tins of powdered formula that only got used for 1/2 feeds!

A good bottle brush is essential, we had an electric steriliser which worked fine, but I hated doing sodding bottles such a faff!

Wash, rinse and then sterilise and then if you bloody drop something or otherwise cock up gotta start all over again!

I know it's frowned on now but I used to make up a days worth of bottles in one go as found that easier.

As long as you cool the bottles quickly and store in back of a well functioning fridge it's fine.

I wouldn't bother with a bottle warmer they take bloody ages! Far quicker to have a designated jug or similar which you pop bottle into then pour boiled water into so its surrounding the bottle and it quickly reaches a suitable temp if you've a baby who won't countenance cold/room temp milk

If you're out and about a lot insulated bottle carrier also good to have although again with the ready made milk if you can afford to use that instead then you won't need.

[Graphista]

That should say TEATS not bloody trays! Ugh

[sqirrelfriends]

Personally I didn't buy anything and didn't need to in the end. My friend who bottlefed went in with the pre-made bottles with teats, I think they're called starter packs.

That way, if you do breastfeed you haven't lost too much money, and if you don't you have everything you need while OH pops to the shops.

[Hatscats]

I’m not buying anything, if formula is needed I’ll send someone to get some premade bottles as above. I’ll invest in a breast pump once bf is established.

[Anni3getyourgun]

@Clemmie83 you can serve it from the fridge of your baby doesn’t mind it cold (it doesn’t have to be warm - it’s just their preference).
Or else I imagine you could just take the chill off by standing it in a cup of warm water for a few mins...

[strawberry2017]

Prep machine. Can be used with any bottles and is a life saver.

[okiedokieme]

Everything you need can be bought from a 24 supermarket or next day delivery from amazon so I would wait and see - why spend money if you don't need to? As an emergency have a couple of bottles with slow flow teats (my kids prefered the brown ones) plus ready made formula (maybe 3 single serve cartons). You can sterilise in a saucepan of boiling water. If you end up bottle feeding you will need more kit than back up for breastfeeding (my bottles were mostly used by my dm who discovered super fussy I won't drink from a bottle dd liked tea)

[croberts1208]

As PP said just order on amazon if needed. I would recommend (after trying tommee tippee, dr brown and mam) that mam bottle are the best. Self sterilising (in the microwave) so no need to purchase a separate steriliser. Formula, we tried cow & gate and we're now on SMA and we personally find it better. Kendamil formula is free from palm oil (and I think so is Sainsbury's but not 100% sure). I know a lot of people also recommend HIPP milk as well.

[passthemustard]

I used Avent bottles for my first DD and just carried on with them for all my other DC.

I had a steam steriliser as it was cheap and didn't need chemicals.

You will need a bottle brush as well. But that's about all to start with.

[croberts1208]

@LisaConnor30 I've been told you've mentioned me but can't see the post?

[AegonT]

I didn't get anything for bottle feeding. I didn't leave hospital till I was happy I could get my baby latched on successfully without the midwives' help anymore. I also made sure I had some phone numbers for breastfeeding advice if I needed it.

[MnM156]

Following the thread. Need this info badly. I plan to breastfeed but then it may not happen.

[MnM156]

@BadAlice

If you plan to breastfeed and have reasonably good access to a Tesco express or similar I wouldn’t bother buying anything in advance.

I am very confused about this. I definitely do plan to breastfeed like 100% but I have heard that some women are unable to. What if I am one of them? How do you cope in the hospital if you have nothing? We are told that due to Covid they won't let anyone come and go with things in the ward/room. So should I buy the bottles/steriliser or not?

[Belle1983]

I'm a FTM to be too, and this has worried me.
A friend has recommended the MAM bottles to me as they can be steriliser in the microwave.
No idea if baby will accept it, but I've bought 1 new born one just incase and also recommended the starter packs of milk to put in hospital bag just incase BF is an issue to start with.
Really hoping I can BF though so any other stuff will be bought after arrival.