https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 22 Apr 2026 18:55:59 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/bottles-amp-nips#post-1912805 Thu, 23 Oct 2014 12:31:31 +0000 BabyTsMom 1912805@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Echoing what others have said: don't get a lot of one type of bottle because your LO may or may not be picky. I thought the same about my LO (oh, he'll take anything I give him), until I actually tried. And we started pretty early, too. He hated the first 3 brands I tried to give him, and we are now happily using 2 other brands. Lot of trial and error. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/bottles-amp-nips#post-1912775 Thu, 23 Oct 2014 12:25:24 +0000 ShootingStar 1912775@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We never had any problems with nipple confusion, and here's what I would recommend. Pick one type of bottle to try and get one multipack of them. We ended up liking the Avent's the best, Tommee Tippee 2nd best. And Avents come in 3 packs. </p> <p>The benefit to buying one brand is that you won't spend a lot on having several different types of bottles. And then once you've landed on the type of bottle you and baby like, then you can invest more money in having several of those around. I always liked having a ton of bottles and nipples. Once you hit the daycare stage it's a LOT of work keeping up with bottles every day, both of feeding and for pumping. It's nice to be able to go a couple days between washing.</p> <p>Then when baby is a week or two old, start giving them a bottle EVERY day. I honestly don't believe nipple confusion is all that prevalent with young babies. DS was able to switch back and forth from several different bottle types, boob, and pacifier with no problem because we did it from the beginning. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/bottles-amp-nips#post-1912532 Thu, 23 Oct 2014 10:57:07 +0000 Mamasig 1912532@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Here is my experience after two babies:<br /> 1. I registered for two kinds (Tommee Tippee and Dr. Browns) to first see which ones the baby liked. I had no idea which ones to pick but I knew that Dr. Browns were used a lot and I liked that Tommee Tippe went up to 9 oz.<br /> 2. DS1 used Tommee Tippee with no problem so that's what we went with. DS2 also had no problem with them.<br /> 3. I only BF for a few weeks with each I needed more bottles. I don't want to be washing bottles all the time so I'd rather have more. I also WOH. Right now I use 12 bottles - DS2 drinks about 6 bottles a day so I always have some clean ones ready to go. By the time DS2 was 1, he only drank 3 a day so I was able to pack away about 6.<br /> 3. DS2 used the same bottles - I just bought new nipples. I haven't changed the nipples on the bottles yet - they are still at the slowest flow and it doesn't seem to bother him. With DS1, he followed the natural progession with flow. So I guess it totally depends on baby!<br /> 4. I agree not to buy the small size bottles - just go with the larger. DS1 had outgrown that size by about 2 months and DS2 did at about 3 months. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/bottles-amp-nips#post-1912506 Thu, 23 Oct 2014 10:46:43 +0000 Mrs. Lion 1912506@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We had one 4 ounce bottle and 3 8 ounce bottles and it was plenty for us. We had 3 level 2 nipples and 3 level 3. I mostly bottle fed but I am a SAHM so taking a minute to wash the bottle after every feeding wasn't a big deal. It kept the dishes from piling up. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/bottles-amp-nips#post-1912489 Thu, 23 Oct 2014 10:42:15 +0000 cmomma17 1912489@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: nope, never heard of them! I just used medela bottles and medela nipples. I also never used bigger bottles. I will say that I'm going to buy extra for baby #2 though (bottles, nipples and pump parts), just because washing all of it every day is such a drag as an exhausted working parent. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/bottles-amp-nips#post-1912406 Thu, 23 Oct 2014 10:12:14 +0000 catomd00 1912406@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrs. bird: I have a ton of bottles, because I don't want to wash them every night! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/bottles-amp-nips#post-1912399 Thu, 23 Oct 2014 10:11:00 +0000 catomd00 1912399@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: I think you can eventually get a baby to take a certain type of bottle if that's all you give them. It's a learning experience for them. However, I tried Avent with my daughter first and it was awful (the flow was reallyyyyy fast and the nipple seemed really long, so she was gagging.) That's where my recommendation for getting a bottle that looks more like your breast comes in. </p> <p>Gerber first essentials is what worked best for us (plus side they are super cheap!) The bottles with the wider nipples just weren't her thing (and interestingly don't come close to my small boobs!) </p> <p>Also, if you have a Medela pump, the Gerber First Essentials bottle fit the pump, which is awesome because they're way cheaper than the medela bottles. Even if your LO doesn't eat out of the Gerber bottles, I'd still get them as extras to pump into. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/bottles-amp-nips#post-1912370 Thu, 23 Oct 2014 10:03:37 +0000 mrs. bird 1912370@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>i'd buy a couple different ones to try &amp; them buy more if you need them &amp; know which you and baby like. honestly, i think most people over buy with bottles, i nannied for twins and guess how many bottles we had.... TWO! well, the babies &amp; i had two and mama had two pumping bottles, but the babies only drank from two &amp; they were exclusively bottle fed from 8wks on (the first few wks we had other bottles and they nursed for some feeding, but then we found the bottles that worked best for them &amp; got rid of everything else, just bought some extra nipples for when those wore out). i know some ppl need more for daycare, but i can't see how you'd need more than a day's worth &amp; certainly not any big ones until you know which kind works for you. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/bottles-amp-nips#post-1912358 Thu, 23 Oct 2014 10:00:51 +0000 nana87 1912358@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: I don't, I use the regular slow-flow nipples. I maybe should have, but tbh, we didn't do much research before starting bottle-feeding: LO wasn't getting enough from nursing and we needed to start supplementing immediately, so we just got what seemed like the easiest as fast as possible! but, that was almost 5 months ago that we started supplementing, and it's gone really well--every once in awhile she'll refuse the breast and prefer the bottle, especially in the afternoon when my supply is lower, but for the most part she'll nurse first. especially motn or first thing in the morning--I have no problems getting her to latch then! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/bottles-amp-nips#post-1912352 Thu, 23 Oct 2014 09:58:34 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 1912352@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@cmomma17: same question for you too, did you use the Calma nipples with your Medela bottles? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/bottles-amp-nips#post-1912340 Thu, 23 Oct 2014 09:51:21 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 1912340@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@nana87: do you use the Calma nipples too? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/bottles-amp-nips#post-1912296 Thu, 23 Oct 2014 09:28:35 +0000 nana87 1912296@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I use the same Medela 5-oz bottles that came with my pump, and we have about 16 of them. It's a lot, but I'd rather have extra than not enough! Plus, I supplement, so even when I nurse I usually end up having to give her 1-2 oz of milk to top her off. I send LO to daycare with 4 bottles/day and she drinks 2-3 of them (I'd rather have her go with more), and then I take 4 bottles with me to pump into (even though 2 is usually enough). I also have like 4 bottles in my fridge right now--2 that I pumped into this morning, and a couple with extra milk that LO will drink tonight or tomorrow. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/bottles-amp-nips#post-1912277 Thu, 23 Oct 2014 09:20:43 +0000 Smurfette 1912277@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If wouldn't buy 4 oz bottles. Even when R was on BM, she would take 5 oz bottles. At first she took Advent and then she wouldn't touch them. We tried tons of bottles, TT were the ones that she put up less of a fight. </p> <p>I wouldn't buy a lot till you know what the baby likes. I bought individual bottles and tried them all. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/bottles-amp-nips#post-1912268 Thu, 23 Oct 2014 09:16:14 +0000 Bluebonnet 1912268@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: I love the Comotomo bottles because they are so easy to clean. The bottle is only 4 parts - the bottle, nipple, ring, and lid. No small parts to lose or straws to clean. We put everything in the dishwasher and it all comes out clean (we do use the sanitize cycle, but I'm not sure that is necessary). They fit in a regular bottle pocket in our diaper bags just fine. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/bottles-amp-nips#post-1912245 Thu, 23 Oct 2014 09:07:41 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 1912245@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Boheme: as much as I hear Tommee Tippee is the gold standard most "professional" reviews put a caveat that just as many people don't like them. I had not come across the Lansinoh before, thanks for the recommendation. </p> <p>@Bluebonnet: the Comotomos are so aesthetically pleasing, how were they when it came to cleaning? Anything to look out for when it comes to storing them in the diaper bag?</p> <p>@Pumuckl: thank you for the Calma nipple recommendation. That's good to know if my ACA pump comes complete with bottles. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/bottles-amp-nips#post-1912201 Thu, 23 Oct 2014 08:50:32 +0000 Boheme 1912201@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mamaof2: God, mine too. He would completely strike feedings during the day, then nurse all night until we got the right bottles. Shoot me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/bottles-amp-nips#post-1912191 Thu, 23 Oct 2014 08:48:42 +0000 Bluebonnet 1912191@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have 2 LOs that are 2 years apart. Both were EBF and we've only used Comotomo bottles. </p> <p>I agree with other posters - don't buy a ton of bottles until you know what LO likes. If you want to try the Comotomo bottles, buy 1 bottle (or a two pack) to see what you think. If you are EBFing, LO will likely only get one bottle a day while you're on maternity leave (so you don't need to have a ton of bottles until you figure out what you are doing).</p> <p>Both LOs would get 2-3 bottles while I work, so I think we had 4 small bottles and 6 large bottles. The small bottles come with level 1 nipples, the large bottles come with level 2 nipples, so you'd definitely want to buy the smaller bottle.</p> <p>Like @gilmoregirl: my EBF babies drink more than average (up to 7 or 8 oz per bottle). So don't stock up on the small bottles assuming you can use those. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/bottles-amp-nips#post-1912169 Thu, 23 Oct 2014 08:44:10 +0000 Mamaof2 1912169@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: My DD refused the bottle and reverse cycled until I found one she likes. Reverse cycling SUCKS!!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/bottles-amp-nips#post-1912161 Thu, 23 Oct 2014 08:43:12 +0000 Boheme 1912161@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: My baby would straight up scream and refuse certain brands of bottles, and was totally cool with starving himself if it meant he had to drink out of a Tommee Tippee (which most babies LOVE!). I found I got a lot of free bottles from doctors offices, when I registered at places, etc. and we found a winner out of those options (Lansinoh mOmma - breast shaped design). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/bottles-amp-nips#post-1912146 Thu, 23 Oct 2014 08:39:59 +0000 cmomma17 1912146@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: I know everyone's experience is different. But we never gave our baby a choice. We had one type of bottles from the very beginning (Medela) and that was that. We used the same bottles the whole time (til almost 12 months). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/bottles-amp-nips#post-1912138 Thu, 23 Oct 2014 08:37:42 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 1912138@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've heard the whole babies are picky thing, but exactly how does that play out during a feeding? There are so many bottles on the market that we can give our babies choices, but in the old days babies drank from what they could get. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/bottles-amp-nips#post-1912083 Thu, 23 Oct 2014 08:13:56 +0000 Pumuckl 1912083@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'll also tut the same horn: Don't get too many bottles before you know your baby.</p> <p>Also if you want to pump you might find that using bottles that work directly with the pump (like Medela if you use a PISA or Freestyle) are fine for your baby. We ended up using the Medela 5 oz ones with the Calma nipple where LO has to also build up a vacuum as they have to do on the breast. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/bottles-amp-nips#post-1912080 Thu, 23 Oct 2014 08:12:30 +0000 MamaG 1912080@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'd also skip the small bottles. Even though C was FF, we only used the small bottles for a few weeks. This time around, we got just Avent 9oz bottles. We currently have 10 total. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/bottles-amp-nips#post-1912073 Thu, 23 Oct 2014 08:06:23 +0000 loveisstrange 1912073@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Dont buy lots of one brand! That has already been said but I wanted to repeat to stress it. Babies are crazy picky! They may hate the bottles you chose.</p> <p>Also, be very careful with Avent. Myself and several other people I know had a lot of issues using them with a newborn. Their nipples are just way too fast flow and it caused a lot of gas and vomiting issues for us. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/bottles-amp-nips#post-1912070 Thu, 23 Oct 2014 08:05:05 +0000 gilmoregirl 1912070@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I registered for a starter pack of Dr. Brown's which my baby will have nothing to do with. It took a LOT of trial and error to find a bottle that he would tolerate. The Dr. Brown's ended up not being a total waste though, because they fit onto my pump (Medela PISA), so I use them to pump into. </p> <p>My breastfed baby appears to be an anomaly because he takes anywhere from 5-7 oz from a bottle. Right now I have three 9 oz bottles for him, but I'm not back at work full time.</p> <p>I pump into the 4-5 oz bottles that I have, but I have an oversupply so I am always wishing I had bigger ones. </p> <p>Basically, I'd pick one, maybe two brands to get a newborn/starter kit for and then wait and see how you use them and what your baby prefers. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/bottles-amp-nips#post-1912069 Thu, 23 Oct 2014 08:04:48 +0000 illumina 1912069@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We used the Avent bottles, but the 8oz ones from the start. We had 3 to begin with, as we were mostly BF, then when we switched to FF we bought another 3 bottles. We used the smallest teat size, up until she was about 9 months because it helped to slow her down ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/bottles-amp-nips#post-1912060 Thu, 23 Oct 2014 07:58:51 +0000 lawbee11 1912060@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wouldn't buy that many to start. Maybe just 1 or 2 of each brand you like because you never know what your baby will take and what he/she will refuse. LO was EBF and we had a lot of success with the Tommee Tippee bottles. We registered for the newborn starter kit then eventually bought more. Because she was EBF she never drank more than 5 oz at a time so we didn't use the 9 oz bottles. Had she been FF we would've needed those, though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/bottles-amp-nips#post-1912058 Thu, 23 Oct 2014 07:58:07 +0000 Mrs. Jump Rope 1912058@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: I planned to BF my oldest, but we FF pretty much from the start. We used playtex drop ins and loved them. We had 12 bottles and I could prepare them ahead of time with formula (powder) and add water as needed. I had a great system for traveling too. </p> <p>I had an extra nipple per bottle- so 12 bottles and 24 nipples. I had a mix of 4oz and 8oz bottles but once she hit 6 weeks we stuck to the 8oz size. </p> <p>With my youngest, I've been able to breastfeed. I bought all new bottles just in case. We got playtex drop ins again since we loved their system last time. They've changed them a bit and we aren't as crazy about them so I wouldn't really recommend them. </p> <p>I EBF the first week, then started pumping. I had a small supply built that's now gone. Then we supplemented with formula a bit, and now I've got a decent supply so she's 99% EBF with the occasional bottle here and there. She really prefers breast so it's unusual for her to take a bottle.</p> <p>That said, I've got 12 bottles. There's 2 on rotation. The 4oz bottles we have were a complete waste of money and the 8oz bottles are, so far, a waste of space. </p> <p>I'm glad we have them because you never know how things will go BUT I wish we'd have waited to see how BFing was going before we bought everything -- or got one or two bottles instead of a whole set! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/bottles-amp-nips#post-1912056 Thu, 23 Oct 2014 07:55:01 +0000 Mamaof2 1912056@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree - don't stockpile just because you like the bottle - I went trhu 3 brands before finding one DD will take! Target sells single bottles so I bought one of each until I found one she took.</p> <p>Neither of my EBF kids ever took more than 4oz at a time so I used the small bottle only. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/bottles-amp-nips#post-1912045 Thu, 23 Oct 2014 07:35:00 +0000 looch 1912045@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wouldn't bother with the 4 ounce bottles, the 9 and 11 have a longer life. </p>