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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To consider giving this as a Christmas present?

83 replies

Neverwouldhave · 27/10/2019 20:24

My sister is pregnant with her first baby, due in February. I don't have any kids, so don't know a great deal about caring for babies.

I've been thinking about what to get her and her partner for Christmas. I wanted to avoid getting her anything to do with the baby, because it's her Christmas present. Anyway, I've thought of a couple of nice things for her that she'll like.

However, I came across an automatic bottle maker which makes the baby's bottle in 8 seconds, and which can be connected to their phones via WiFi and made to make a bottle from anywhere. I was considering getting both her and her boyfriend one each to be opened together at Christmas, so they could keep one downstairs and one in the bedroom. I thought that might be nice so they don't need to be trailing up and down stairs in winter in the middle of the night to do the nighttime feeds.

Is this a really bad idea? As I say, I don't have kids so I don't know if it's practical, and I don't know if an expectant mother/father would be upset to receive something baby related for Christmas? As I say, it won't be her only gift.

AIBU to consider it?

OP posts:
Redwinestillfine · 27/10/2019 20:48

I would steer well clear of it. Breast bottle feeding is such a personal decision you don't want to be wading in on it trust me! Coffee shop/ meal out vouchers much better at this stage if pregnancy Flowers

Original poster
Neverwouldhave · 27/10/2019 20:50

Get some thing nice for each if them separately.

As I said, this was as well as, not instead of, presents for them.

I thought pressing a button to have a bottle made up in 8 seconds would be easier than making a feed yourself, Nora.

I will still get them it, but I'll not give them it for Christmas.

OP posts:
buzzkills · 27/10/2019 20:51

Also, there is no need to trail up and down stairs. Thermos flask of boiling hot water. Sterile container of cooled boiled water. Pre-measured formula pots, and you can do the same thing as the machine also in about 8 seconds.

Add boiling water
Add formula
Add cooled water (use a 2nd sterile bottle to measure out the correct amount)
Mix
Voila!

Original poster
Neverwouldhave · 27/10/2019 20:51

I would steer well clear of it. Breast bottle feeding is such a personal decision you don't want to be wading in on it trust me! She's definitely not breastfeeding.

OP posts:
buzzkills · 27/10/2019 20:52

@Neverwouldhave unless they have said they would like one, it's not a great thing to give someone.

A quick google and you'll see all the very questionable info and reviews, quite a lot of babies have got sick from them as they can grow mould inside. I'd never use one.

elp30 · 27/10/2019 20:53

OP, your gift idea is interesting but there are so many things to consider regarding it.

Plus, you said that you wanted to buy a gift, "for her".

I had two January babies and my sister bought me a camera (it was the early 90's) to photograph whatever I wanted and I kept it until my second son arrived in the late 90's. My SIL bought me and my husband gift certificates to our favorite restaurants to enjoy before the baby arrived.

Those two gifts reminded me that I was still me and not just a mother.

So, think of something just for her, like you intended.

ScruffGin · 27/10/2019 20:53

I'd get her a voucher for a some beauty treatments/spa day, that was my favourite present when pregnant!

buzzkills · 27/10/2019 20:54

If you she doesn't have an amazon prime subscription I'd suggest that. It's the best thing you can get for a new parent!

Thehop · 27/10/2019 20:55

Please don’t buy it. It goes against NHS guidelines and nobody recommends them in a professional capacity. They’re responsible for so many upset stomachs.

Vulpine · 27/10/2019 20:55

Maybe she'll change her mind about 'definitely not breast feeding'

OrangeTwirlGate · 27/10/2019 21:00

Mother of three here.

For my first two I made bottles from scratch
Third I used the machine you’re talking about.

I don’t recommend the machine at all and would never buy again.

BillHadersNewWife · 27/10/2019 21:00

I would hate that sorry. When I first had DD1 and people gave me things for her for ME I was upset.

I appreciated the gift but not that I was now invisible.

WhatTiggersDoBest · 27/10/2019 21:02

I was definitely not breastfeeding when I was pregnant. I absolutely didn't want to, until I held my baby for the first time and suddenly it felt like the most natural thing in the world. I've been mostly breastfeeding my 11-week-old for 11 weeks now. Grin
Also you don't know if she'll use ready-made milk or if she'll need special milk that has to be prepped differently etc (e.g. anti-reflux milk is made at room temp). It's a lovely idea, but maybe buy it for her after the baby's arrived when you're sure she wants/needs it.

mauvaisereputation · 27/10/2019 21:03

Nah, don't get her a baby gift for a Christmas pressie. Especially something like this -- it sounds like something not everyone would want. If you get a gift for the baby, make it something they'll definitely use (clothes, or if you want to get a bigger item agree it with them beforehand imo). If someone had got me this then it would have gone unused.

category12 · 27/10/2019 21:04

She might change her mind about breastfeeding when the baby arrives.

BikeRunSki · 27/10/2019 21:06

Sorry, I should have included that she's 100% definitely not considering breastfeeding. She's told me that.

But the baby has told anyone what they prefer yet. I know babies who have refused bottles, and babies who have refused boobs, mostly contrary to their mothers’ preferences.

Avenilson · 27/10/2019 21:07

I think you are on the right track. and a nice idea, but in reality, there is just no getting away easy from night-time feeds whether you have a warmer in the room, prepared milk has to stay in the fridge and if you prepare it fresh upstairs you'd be as well off with a flask... but then you may need to cool it and go downstairs anyway etc... etc...

Get her a voucher for some clothes, she'll be so sick of maternity wear at the end of it and might not fit into her old stuff easily for a while.

Original poster
Neverwouldhave · 27/10/2019 21:08

I'd get her a voucher for a some beauty treatments/spa day, that was my favourite present when pregnant! I did consider a spa as it happens, but she isn't a spa kind of woman. I do have other presents for her, this was as well as, not instead of.

Plus, you said that you wanted to buy a gift, "for her". I am buying gifts for her. This was to go with her presents, not replace them.

If you she doesn't have an amazon prime subscription I'd suggest that. It's the best thing you can get for a new parent! Oh that's a good idea. I'm not sure if she does. I'll find out.

Maybe she'll change her mind about 'definitely not breast feeding' Maybe, but I'd place a fair bet against it.

Please don’t buy it. It goes against NHS guidelines and nobody recommends them in a professional capacity. Ah, I didn't know that. I got the idea because my friend was upset that she never got a bottle maker as a gift when she was pregnant.

OP posts:
Original poster
Neverwouldhave · 27/10/2019 21:10

I know babies who have refused bottles, and babies who have refused boobs, mostly contrary to their mothers’ preferences.

What would happen to a baby who refused bottles and whose mothers were unable to breastfeed because they were too ill?

OP posts:
babycatcher411 · 27/10/2019 21:11

I’m going to go against the grain here, I think it’s a very thoughtful present, you know your sister and you’ve had the conversation about feeding, so she’s not going to interpret the gift giving badly. I would however give anything like that with the gift receipt, just in case. (I’d also check whether it’s one of the machine associated with hygiene issues before you buy)

What I would say with any Christmas baby related present you buy is address to ‘the bump’, whilst in essence it is for her, in that it’ll make her life easier, you’re making it clear it isn’t really a replacement of a gift that’s actually for her.

wrongside · 27/10/2019 21:11

Why would you want to be able to "make a bottle from anywhere" when you need to be beside the bloody machine to pick up the bottle to feed the baby thats in your arms ? Fools and their money are soon parted

BillHadersNewWife · 27/10/2019 21:11

What would happen to a baby who refused bottles and whose mothers were unable to breastfeed because they were too ill?

They would be fed intravenously.

Original poster
Neverwouldhave · 27/10/2019 21:12

I think you are on the right track. and a nice idea, but in reality, there is just no getting away easy from night-time feeds whether you have a warmer in the room, prepared milk has to stay in the fridge and if you prepare it fresh upstairs you'd be as well off with a flask... but then you may need to cool it and go downstairs anyway etc... etc...

Oh right. I didn't realise that there would be prepared milk. These machines just seemed to be powder and water.

OP posts:
Naillig222 · 27/10/2019 21:14

Unless she doesnt use aptamil. Then she will be disappointed. I'd also be so annoyed to have to store a years worth of formula in my house.

Original poster
Neverwouldhave · 27/10/2019 21:15

Why would you want to be able to "make a bottle from anywhere" when you need to be beside the bloody machine to pick up the bottle to feed the baby thats in your arms ? Fools and their money are soon parted

I assume it's so if you're in bed you can press the button & the bottle would be ready by the time you get to the kitchen. Or so you can set the timer when you leave the supermarket or wherever so it's ready for you getting home.

OP posts:
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