Best Baby Stuff » Bottle Feeding

Medela Quick Clean Bags

Maisie — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 17:33:01 +0000

Product Overview
Medela’s powerful Quick Clean Micro-Steam Bags use steam-cleaning to disinfect breastpump parts and feeding accessories like bottles and pacifiers. These bags are proven to eliminate harmful bacteria and germs by 99.9%. A complete cleaning can be done in 3 minutes using just a microwave and a little water. Each bag will hold two breastshield and valve assemblies or two, 5oz collection bottles and caps. Each bag can be used 20 times.

Why I Like It
For me, pumping is not the greatest part of the day. Not only did it make me feel literally like a milk cow, but it takes time out of my day and my time is extremely valuable to me. At least these steam bags make clean up a breeze. Imagine how much more time it would take to sanitize breastpump parts in a pot of water! With the Medela Quick Clean Micro-Steam Bags and a powerful microwave, my breastpump parts are cleaned and sanitized in a minute and a half.

Some microwaves will require 3 minutes for the bag. Be careful when opening the bag as the steam release is extremely hot. Each bag can be used 20 times and there are checkboxes on the bag to help you track how many times you have used the bag. These bags are easy to fold and put into your pump bag and takes up almost no space at all.

Where to Buy
Amazon
Babies R Us
Target

Medela Pump and Save Bags

Maisie — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 04:36:37 +0000

Product Overview
Medela’s Pump and Save bags will store up to 5 ounces of pumped breast milk. The bags are double-walled making it safe for long term breast milk storage. The pre-sterilized bags come with a zipper top that will not leak. The no-spill, stand-up bottom makes it easy to use. The bags are BPA-free and are compatible with all Medela pumps except for the Freestyle.

Why I Like It
I started storing breast milk in little bottles at first. After I ran out of little bottles I did not want to spend the money purchasing more little bottles. These bags are cost effective and easy to use. If you own a Medela pump these bags will attach to your pump so that you can pump directly into the bag. Even though I use a Medela Freestyle pump that the bags do not attach to, I still used these bags by transferring pumped milk into the bags. The stand-up bottom made it easy to transfer the pumped milk.

I freeze the bags as flat as I can and store them in a deep freezer. These bags take up a lot less room than the bottles I was originally using. Defrosting the bags is easy as well. Just place the frozen bag into a warm bowl of water.

You can purchase these bags in 20 or 50 quantities.

Where to Buy
Target.com
Amazon.com
BabiesRUs.com

ITZBEEN™ Baby Care Timer

Maisie — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 03:32:41 +0000

Product Overview:
ITZBEEN™ Baby Care Timer invented by sleep-deprived parents, this multi-purpose nursery tool helps new parents remember details of baby care such as feedings, medications and nap times. This little gadget takes the place of paper charts and has four timers that count up with a touch of a button. With this tool new parents will always know “how long it’s been”. This gadget comes in 3 different colors.

Why I Like It:
This product was recommended to me by another new mommy. She started using it when her son was first born and it helped her to remember feedings and when to give him medication. If her son was ever fussy, she would be able to take one glance at the ITZBEEN and know that he was either fussy because he needed a nap, needed to eat or it was time for his medication. This little gadget is simple and easy to use and replaces the need for keeping your charts and pen handy.

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Chicco Polly High Chair

Maisie — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 01:21:01 +0000

Product Overview
Chicco’s Polly Highchair has the slimmest fold in its class! The Polly highchair features seven height positions, three reclining positions, and one-hand tray removal. The bright buttons on the chair make it easy to adjust the chair. With the Polly, cleaning is easy, since the tray comes with two inserts that are easily snapped on and off. There are also two cushioned fabric seat pads that are easy to wipe clean.

Why I Like It
Storage is short in my house. Especially with all the baby gear that seems to be taking over. I didn’t want the highchair to take up that much room, so I was thrilled to see the Polly highchair fold up to be so small! I can store the folded highchair in a closet or next to my fridge.

The two inserts make it easy to clean up a mess after meal time. I just snap off the insert and wash it off in the sink. There’s always an extra insert that I can use as well.

Even though the highchair comes with a five point harness, I removed the two over the shoulder straps because I could not get them to fit tight enough on my daughter.

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Fresh Baby Food Trays

Maisie — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 00:34:14 +0000

Product Overview
Fresh Baby Food Trays are designed to simplify feedings and reduce waste of baby food or breast milk. The trays contain 12 pre-portioned servings, each about one ounce. A cover allows for an easy way to store breast milk or baby food. The trays are stackable and will not spill. To release the frozen cubes just twist the trays and the cubes will release. Clean up is easy since these trays are dishwasher-safe. There are two trays and lids in each pack. Trays are FDA-approved food-safe plastic. #4 LDPE (Low Density Polyethylene) and #2 HDPE (High Density Polyethylene).Contains no PVC, Bisphenol-A, or Plasticizer.

Why I like It
These trays make storing extra milk and baby food super simple! Just portion out any extra expressed milk or baby food into the cubes, snap the lid on and stick it in your freezer. When you need to use it just grab what you need and thaw it out. If you use a wide baby bottle these cubes will fit perfectly into your bottle. If you are using a narrow baby bottle, you may need to thaw the cubes in another container before putting it into the bottle.

I love that the cubes are already portioned out. It helps to keep baby food waste down to a minimum. I use these trays every week when I make my baby food. I just spoon the food into the trays and lay the trays flat in my freezer. When the food is frozen, I pop them out of the trays into freezer bags, label and date them and they’re ready for me when I need them.

Where to Buy
Amazon ($11.87 + shipping)
iHealthTree ($8.69 + shipping) Best Price
Mom 4 Life ($13.95 + free shipping)

Boppy® Pillow

Maisie — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 16:00:41 +0000

Product Overview
The Boppy® pillow is a must-have item for every mommy-to-be. The pillow features a new Miracle Middle® stretch panel to fit every waist size, so that every mom and dad can feed their baby in an ergonomically correct position. It provides support for arms and necks and is a great product for babies to lay, play and learn to sit. There are a variety of slipcovers, ranging from everyday material to designer fabrics.

Why I Like It
This should be the first product you purchase! It is so easy to use and provides great support while breastfeeding or bottle feeding. I can rest my arms on the pillow and my baby has a comfy, cozy place to feed. I use this pillow along with a firm standard pillow behind my back which allows for correct posture when feeding. This makes meal-times much more comfortable for both my baby and I.

I also use the Boppy for tummy time. I just place my baby on her tummy, with the pillow under her armpits and she’s able to reach the toys in front of her and hold her head up high.

Be sure to purchase two slipcovers, one to use and one to wash.

Where to Buy (without slip cover)
Amazon ($24.99 + shipping)
Baby Center ($24.95 + shipping) Best Price
Target ($24.99 + shipping)

WubbaNub Pacifier

Maisie — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 15:43:42 +0000

Product Overview
The WubbaNub Pacifier is a one piece silicone pacifier connected to a plush toy. The toy helps to keep the pacifier close to your baby without clips or cords, and provides soothing comfort and security. The pacifier is available in bright fun colors and animals including a frog, horse, penguin, dog and kitten.

Why I Like It
The Soothie pacifier was one of two different pacifiers that my daughter would actually take. Unfortunately, the pacifier would constantly fall out of her mouth so I would have to hold it for her. After a week of doing that, I had to find a different way to keep the pacifier in her mouth.

When I received the WubbaNub I immediately put it to use and it was perfect! I could strap it into her car seat with her and the pacifier would stay nice and close to her so she could take it if she wanted it. It was also great in her crib with her. She would hold onto the toy which also helped to keep the pacifier close to her.

Where to Buy
Amazon ($9.95 + shipping)
Ebay ($9.89 + shipping)
Mom 4 Life ($10.00 + free shipping) Best Price

Razbaby Keep-It-Kleen Pacifier

Maisie — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 20:09:09 +0000

Product Overview
This pacifier by Razbaby is made with a shield attached to it. When dropped the shield closes instantly around the pacifier to keep the nipple clean. The nipple is made from silicone and is available in a variety of colors and designs. The nipple is also designed to all age groups. The Keep-It-Kleen pacifier meets all of U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s requirements for pacifiers.

Why I Like It
I received this pacifier as a gift from my husband’s family, not knowing that it had a shield that closed when the pacifier was dropped. When I opened up the package, the pacifier dropped out and I was surprised to see the shield close over the nipple. I had seen babies drop pacifiers on the floor before and cringe when parents dunk the pacifier in water or just wipe it off before popping it back in their baby’s mouth. Imagine all the germs and dirt it can pick up on the ground! The Razbaby Keep-It-Kleen pacifier is definitely more hygienic which is why I love it.

My daughter is extremely picky about her pacifiers. She will only take the Soothie pacifiers and this Keep-It-Kleen pacifier. It fits perfectly in her mouth and actually stays in her mouth. Plus I don’t have to worry if she spits it out, because it will still stay clean. No worries about dirt and germs for me!

There is only one other pacifier with a similar stay clean shield on it, however, I like the Razbaby brand of the pacifier because it comes in such cute designs (including a panda bear!)

Where to Buy
Amazon ($4.97 + shipping)
Baby Planet Boutique ($5.59 + shipping)
Baby-Wise ($3.95 + shipping) Best Price
Walmart ($6.98 + shipping)