My baby boy and baby girl were born on 23/August/2008, 7 weeks early through an emergency C-section due to my pre-eclampsia. Both are doing well but still in the hospital until their weight picks up.
Baby boy - Kris, born at 4.56pm, 2.15kg
Baby girl - Nisha, born at 4.59pm, 2.05kg
I am expressing milk as they are not able to suckle yet, both taking 50ml every 3 hours. Lucky my milk supply is enough for both.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
The 'Middle Wife' by an Anonymous 2nd grade teacher
I've been teaching now for about fifteen years. I have two kids myself, but the best birth story I know is the one I saw in my own second grade classroom a few years back.When I was a kid, I loved show-and-tell. So I always have a few sessions with my students. It helps them get over shyness and usually show-and-tell is pretty tame. Kids bring in pet turtles, model airplanes, pictures of fish they catch, stuff like that. And I never, ever place any boundaries or limitations on them. If they want to lug it in to school and talk about it, they're welcome.Well, one day this little girl, Erica, a very bright, very outgoing kid, takes her turn and waddles up to the front of the class with a pillow stuffed under her sweater.She holds up a snapshot of an infant. 'This is Luke, my baby brother, and I'm going to tell you about his birthday''First, Mom and Dad made him as a symbol of their love, and then Dad put a seed in my Mom's stomach, and Luke grew in there. He ate for nine months through an umbrella cord.'She's standing there with her hands on the pillow, and I'm trying not to laugh and wishing I had my camcorder with me. The kids are watching her in amazement.'Then, about two Saturdays ago, my Mom starts saying and going, 'Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh!' Erica puts a hand behind her back and groans. 'She walked around the house for, like an hour, 'Oh, oh, oh!' (Now this kid is doing a hysterical duck walk and groaning.)'My Dad called the middle wife. She delivers babies, but she doesn't have a sign on the car like the Domino's man. They got my Mom to lie down in bed like this.' (Then Erica lies down with her back against the wall.)'And then, pop! My Mom had this bag of water she kept in there in case he got thirsty, and it just blew up and spilled all over the bed, like psshhheew!' (This kid has her legs spread with her little hands miming water flowing away. It was too much!)'Then the middle wife starts saying 'push, push,' and 'breathe, breathe' . They started counting, but never even got past ten. Then, all of a sudden, out comes my brother. He was covered in yucky stuff that they all said it was from Mom's play-center, (placenta) so there must be a lot of toys inside there.'Then Erica stood up, took a big theatrical bow and returned to her seat. I'm sure I applauded the loudest. Ever since then, when it's show-and-tell day, I bring my camcorder, just in case another 'Middle Wife' comes along.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
My next steps
I am thinking of what do when the twins arrive...should I continue working or take time off and take care of my children on my own. A friend of mine forwarded me this article from the Oprah show....it gives you both sides of the story, but I still haven't made up my mind on what I actually want to do. I will make my final decision when the babies come.
Excerpt from Oprah’s show on “My Baby or My Job”
Stay-at-home moms and working mothers may disagree on many issues, but psychologist Dr. Robin Smith, an Oprah & Friends host, says it doesn't have to be that way. The bottom line is that all mothers want the same things for their families."America is an either/or country," she says. "We're a black or white, pro-life or pro-choice, Democrat or Republican. There's all this splitting that we do, and we lose the wisdom of both worlds. We lose the wisdom of being able to be women at our best—blessing the journey of someone who has found their way and not trying to make it your way."Dr. Robin says women can't have it all. In fact, no one can. "That's an illusion that any of us can have it all," she says. "The goal isn't to have it all…it's to be attuned with yourself and with your children. Attuned means 'I'm connected.'"If a stay-at-home mother becomes disconnected or exhausted, it's as if she isn't there at all, Dr. Robin says. The same goes for working moms. If a businesswoman is preoccupied with work and checking her Blackberry when she should be cheering on her child at a soccer game, then she might as well have stayed at the office.Dr. Robin says that if she had attended the mothers' roundtable discussion, she would have asked the women to argue the opposite position—working moms explain why it's important to stay home and stay-at-home moms argue why it's better to work outside the home. "We need to be able to drop our egos, and I mean, the way in which you see the world," she says. "[This] begins to expand our hearts, our minds, our spirits, and it takes the judgment away."
Both stay-at-home moms and working moms deal with the judgment of others and feelings of guilt. Dr. Robin says that before you let guilt bring you down, take a step back and see how your family feels."Guilt and having remorse, regret, is really in our lives to teach us not to torture us," she says. "You want to learn, 'What did I need to do that I didn't do? How did I neglect my needs or neglect my child?' … You can experience deprivation as a mother and thinking, 'Oh, my gosh, I'm ruining my child.' When your child, if you are attuned and connected to them, feels full and empowered."Oprah agrees that women shouldn't feel guilty for making decisions that are right for their family—and that society's idea of being the perfect parent and "having it all" aren't realistic. "That's a part of our indoctrination of our culture that we're suppose to make the bacon, bring it home, fry it in the pan, get the kids ready and then strip for your man at the end of the day," Oprah says. "I say you can have it all. You just can't have it all at the same time."
Excerpt from Oprah’s show on “My Baby or My Job”
Stay-at-home moms and working mothers may disagree on many issues, but psychologist Dr. Robin Smith, an Oprah & Friends host, says it doesn't have to be that way. The bottom line is that all mothers want the same things for their families."America is an either/or country," she says. "We're a black or white, pro-life or pro-choice, Democrat or Republican. There's all this splitting that we do, and we lose the wisdom of both worlds. We lose the wisdom of being able to be women at our best—blessing the journey of someone who has found their way and not trying to make it your way."Dr. Robin says women can't have it all. In fact, no one can. "That's an illusion that any of us can have it all," she says. "The goal isn't to have it all…it's to be attuned with yourself and with your children. Attuned means 'I'm connected.'"If a stay-at-home mother becomes disconnected or exhausted, it's as if she isn't there at all, Dr. Robin says. The same goes for working moms. If a businesswoman is preoccupied with work and checking her Blackberry when she should be cheering on her child at a soccer game, then she might as well have stayed at the office.Dr. Robin says that if she had attended the mothers' roundtable discussion, she would have asked the women to argue the opposite position—working moms explain why it's important to stay home and stay-at-home moms argue why it's better to work outside the home. "We need to be able to drop our egos, and I mean, the way in which you see the world," she says. "[This] begins to expand our hearts, our minds, our spirits, and it takes the judgment away."
Both stay-at-home moms and working moms deal with the judgment of others and feelings of guilt. Dr. Robin says that before you let guilt bring you down, take a step back and see how your family feels."Guilt and having remorse, regret, is really in our lives to teach us not to torture us," she says. "You want to learn, 'What did I need to do that I didn't do? How did I neglect my needs or neglect my child?' … You can experience deprivation as a mother and thinking, 'Oh, my gosh, I'm ruining my child.' When your child, if you are attuned and connected to them, feels full and empowered."Oprah agrees that women shouldn't feel guilty for making decisions that are right for their family—and that society's idea of being the perfect parent and "having it all" aren't realistic. "That's a part of our indoctrination of our culture that we're suppose to make the bacon, bring it home, fry it in the pan, get the kids ready and then strip for your man at the end of the day," Oprah says. "I say you can have it all. You just can't have it all at the same time."
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Pressure & lack of love
My gynae has recommended that I take lighter duties at work effective immediately. My blood pressure is high and he does not want me to stress myself out as with pressure like that, I am susceptible to preterm labor.
I still don’t feel any attachment for my twins. I still keep asking myself how I can bring myself to love these babies when I love Mick so much. I just feel guilty. Last night, I slept on the spare bed in the study room as I had bad cough and didn’t want to pass my germs to Mick. In the morning when he woke up, he didn’t say a word, just walked into the study room, carried my blanket and pillow back to my room. Then he said, “I will take care of you, don’t sleep on another bed”. Awwww…I was so touched, and felt even guiltier that in about 10 weeks, I will be dividing my attention to 3 kids.
Mick has always been the center of attention as he is the only grandchild on both sides of the family. Now, with the twins on the way, I am very sure he will be feeling left out. Firstly, the twins will be getting a lot of attention for just being twins, second, he will not be the only grandchild anymore.
I still don’t feel any attachment for my twins. I still keep asking myself how I can bring myself to love these babies when I love Mick so much. I just feel guilty. Last night, I slept on the spare bed in the study room as I had bad cough and didn’t want to pass my germs to Mick. In the morning when he woke up, he didn’t say a word, just walked into the study room, carried my blanket and pillow back to my room. Then he said, “I will take care of you, don’t sleep on another bed”. Awwww…I was so touched, and felt even guiltier that in about 10 weeks, I will be dividing my attention to 3 kids.
Mick has always been the center of attention as he is the only grandchild on both sides of the family. Now, with the twins on the way, I am very sure he will be feeling left out. Firstly, the twins will be getting a lot of attention for just being twins, second, he will not be the only grandchild anymore.
Monday, July 7, 2008
Vapor Balm
While in US, I noticed that they actually sell a different version of Vicks for infants than what we have in Malaysia, called the Baby Rub. I was a little puzzled as why there was a difference, so I did a Google search. The search articles that popped up, stated an ingredient called Camphor that is found in the normal vapor rubs may be toxic to babies as some babies can be allergic to camphor.I wanted to get the Baby Rub but could not find it anywhere in Malaysia. I went to the pharmacy and asked for a vapor rub without camphor and was recommended the 21st Century Children's Vapor Balm. This balm has a nice lingering strawberry fragrance and does not contain camphor. Retails at RM6.95, can be found in all major pharmacies in Malaysia.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
New Mummy Checklist
Breastpump
Breastmilk Storage bottles/bags
Breastpads
Nursing Bras
Maternity pads
Disposable Undies(more hygienic)
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Baby Cotton Buds/Swabs
Experts recommend that we should never use cotton buds(Q-tips) to clean baby’s ears. Earwax is nature’s way of protecting baby’s ear canal and using a cotton bud may push the wax further or damage the ear canal if not careful.I found these really nice and safe bulb shaped cotton swabs at Anakku. This swab can be used to clean babies and young children’s ears and nose. Perfect for newborns, it can be used to remove visible ear wax without going too far into the ear canal. Great for toddlers too, as it teaches them how to clean their own ears.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Cloth Diapers
I was determined to use cloth diapers on Mick even before he was born. Not so much for economic reasons, but for better breathability. Cloth diapers are not as popular in Asia as they are in US, UK and Canada. I bought the Gerber birdseye and prefold diapers from US on my first assignment there.
The birdseye diapers are the normal traditional lampin that are available in retail stores. Prefold diapers are rectangular diapers sewn with more material in the middle. The prefold diaper is not available in Malaysia, however you may be able to get them in some online stores. With these 2 types of diapers in hand, I thought I was ready to cloth diaper Mick upon his arrival.
However, when I tried the birdseye diaper on Mick, it leaked non stop. I ended up changing the sheets each time I changed the diaper. Then I tried the prefolds. Of course this was much better than the birdseye, but Mick was a very, very active baby and I just couldn’t get the pins on the diaper. I tried using the Snappi, but due to lack of experience on my side, I couldn’t get them to stay on. I ended up using the prefolds as burp cloths.
I bought some plastic covers and went back to using the birdseye diaper. But I wasn’t happy with Mick wearing the plastic cover(it was as good as wearing disposables with more cleaning work). I was searching online and I found this really nice looking breathable covers. I ordered them online and after 2 weeks I had a nice system going with birdseye diapers and breathable covers.
However, after 3 months, the birdseye diapers were not absorbent enough to hold the mess. At this point, I gave up on cloth diapers and switched to disposables. While visiting some chat rooms, I learned about fitted diapers. Fitted diapers are just like disposables but made out of cloth. They can come in various sizes or one size. After visiting diaperpin and reading so many reviews, I decided to try the Mother-ease One Size, since my breathable covers were also from Mother-ease. I was really happy with my cloth diaper system.
During my second assignment to US, I discovered more about cloth diapers. There are many other types. There’s the all-in-ones, which is a fitted diaper with a breathable cover sewn on the outside. Then there is the pocket diaper, which I absolutely love. If you are attracted to disposable diapers but want to switch to cloth diapers, these are the diapers to go for. You will notice that your baby is just as dry in pocket diapers. They are very easy to use. All you need to do is to stuff the pocket with inserts. Out of all the diapers available, fitted diapers are the most natural as you still have natural fibers(example – hemp, terry, organic) next to baby’s skin. The pocket diaper has a microfiber material that acts as a barrier between the baby’s skin and the insert. Microfiber is a man-made breathable material, although much better than disposables, the material is still not 100% natural. The cost of cloth diapering a baby is still much less than disposables. Like all good things(like breastfeeding), the initial investment is high and the learning process is a little longer, but you will reach the cost breakeven point after about 6-7 months and the benefits are greater.
The birdseye diapers are the normal traditional lampin that are available in retail stores. Prefold diapers are rectangular diapers sewn with more material in the middle. The prefold diaper is not available in Malaysia, however you may be able to get them in some online stores. With these 2 types of diapers in hand, I thought I was ready to cloth diaper Mick upon his arrival.
However, when I tried the birdseye diaper on Mick, it leaked non stop. I ended up changing the sheets each time I changed the diaper. Then I tried the prefolds. Of course this was much better than the birdseye, but Mick was a very, very active baby and I just couldn’t get the pins on the diaper. I tried using the Snappi, but due to lack of experience on my side, I couldn’t get them to stay on. I ended up using the prefolds as burp cloths.
I bought some plastic covers and went back to using the birdseye diaper. But I wasn’t happy with Mick wearing the plastic cover(it was as good as wearing disposables with more cleaning work). I was searching online and I found this really nice looking breathable covers. I ordered them online and after 2 weeks I had a nice system going with birdseye diapers and breathable covers.
However, after 3 months, the birdseye diapers were not absorbent enough to hold the mess. At this point, I gave up on cloth diapers and switched to disposables. While visiting some chat rooms, I learned about fitted diapers. Fitted diapers are just like disposables but made out of cloth. They can come in various sizes or one size. After visiting diaperpin and reading so many reviews, I decided to try the Mother-ease One Size, since my breathable covers were also from Mother-ease. I was really happy with my cloth diaper system.
During my second assignment to US, I discovered more about cloth diapers. There are many other types. There’s the all-in-ones, which is a fitted diaper with a breathable cover sewn on the outside. Then there is the pocket diaper, which I absolutely love. If you are attracted to disposable diapers but want to switch to cloth diapers, these are the diapers to go for. You will notice that your baby is just as dry in pocket diapers. They are very easy to use. All you need to do is to stuff the pocket with inserts. Out of all the diapers available, fitted diapers are the most natural as you still have natural fibers(example – hemp, terry, organic) next to baby’s skin. The pocket diaper has a microfiber material that acts as a barrier between the baby’s skin and the insert. Microfiber is a man-made breathable material, although much better than disposables, the material is still not 100% natural. The cost of cloth diapering a baby is still much less than disposables. Like all good things(like breastfeeding), the initial investment is high and the learning process is a little longer, but you will reach the cost breakeven point after about 6-7 months and the benefits are greater.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Singleton vs Twin Pregnancy
How is twin pregnancy different from singleton pregnancy? That’s what a lot of people ask me when I tell them that I am carrying twins.
To begin with, I didn’t have a good singleton pregnancy. I was suffering from Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG) with my singleton pregnancy. When people say that twin pregnancy is much worse than singleton pregnancy, I actually would think otherwise in my case since I didn’t quite experience a normal singleton pregnancy.
Hyperemesis Gravidarum occurs in 0.5 – 2% of pregnancies. The occurrence is very low and the root cause of it still cannot be determined. It effects you mentally and physically. The peak incidence is at 8-12 weeks of pregnancy, I had severe nausea that I couldn’t keep anything down. I vomited at least 40 times a day until I was so dehydrated that the skin on my tongue started to peel off. I was hospitalized at 8 weeks and was on medical leave for almost a month. I vomited till my 8th month. Not only I was sensitive to smells, I was also very sensitive to certain colors and sounds. But all that pain was forgotten when I saw my beautiful Mick.
Now, with the twin pregnancy, I do get nausea, but not as severe as my first pregnancy, so I am able to deal with it. Other than that, I also have severe stomach cramps, swelling of the feet, fatigue, insomnia which is also bearable at this point. So, all in all, my twin pregnancy is not that bad, nothing much for me to complain about after going through the whole HG episode.
To begin with, I didn’t have a good singleton pregnancy. I was suffering from Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG) with my singleton pregnancy. When people say that twin pregnancy is much worse than singleton pregnancy, I actually would think otherwise in my case since I didn’t quite experience a normal singleton pregnancy.
Hyperemesis Gravidarum occurs in 0.5 – 2% of pregnancies. The occurrence is very low and the root cause of it still cannot be determined. It effects you mentally and physically. The peak incidence is at 8-12 weeks of pregnancy, I had severe nausea that I couldn’t keep anything down. I vomited at least 40 times a day until I was so dehydrated that the skin on my tongue started to peel off. I was hospitalized at 8 weeks and was on medical leave for almost a month. I vomited till my 8th month. Not only I was sensitive to smells, I was also very sensitive to certain colors and sounds. But all that pain was forgotten when I saw my beautiful Mick.
Now, with the twin pregnancy, I do get nausea, but not as severe as my first pregnancy, so I am able to deal with it. Other than that, I also have severe stomach cramps, swelling of the feet, fatigue, insomnia which is also bearable at this point. So, all in all, my twin pregnancy is not that bad, nothing much for me to complain about after going through the whole HG episode.
Stuff Toy
I got this stuffed toy for Mick from the Cheshire Home booth that was set up in Tesco a few months ago. What I like about this toy is that it’s stuffed with sponge and not fiber. The outer material is made out of cloth, so it’s washable, unlike some other toys which are magnets to dust mites. What amazes me about this toy is that there are so many colors on the body, and Mick actually picked up all his colors vocabulary from this toy, without memorizing. Initially, we had bought him some books and stack-up toys, but he was memorizing the colors. With this toy, he actually took the effort to learn his colors. Plus I got to do my bit for charity.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Breastpump review
My review on breast pumps that I have used....
Avent(manual) –
This is the first pump that I bought. Got it when I was hunting for baby stuff when I was carrying Mick.
What I like about this pump –
- feels natural – mimics the suction & compression of normal breastfeeding
- did not hurt at all
What I don’t like –
- tiring, as the pumping process is manual
- pump has too many parts to clean(about 7)
- made for wide neck bottles
- once you invest in the Avent pump, you pretty much need to get their whole system – the bottles, the sterilizer(yes, I used a cheaper sterilizer and one of the parts for the pump melted)
Medela(semi auto)
I got this as soon as I delivered, just panicked when I only got 1ml of milk when the nurse asked me to hand express.
What I like about this pump –
- faster than Avent since its semi automated
- fits on narrow neck bottles(my storage bottles are all narrow neck)
- battery operated, need not carry power cable around
What I don’t like –
- makes you feel like a cow, nothing natural – just sucking action, no compression
- it didn’t last. First unit lasted a week, then I got it replaced since it was still under warranty, the second unit failed on me after 9 months.
Spectra3
I tried this when I was at the hospital and liked it the most. But hubby asked me not to buy since I had already purchased the above two.
What I like about this pump –
- value for money, cheaper than Medela and Avent
- fits both narrow and wide neck(with adapter) bottles
- fast
- still makes you feel like a cow but the output is 5 times more than Medela
- medela’s breast shield is adaptable on this pump
What I don’t like –
- doesn’t work on batteries, need to carry power adapter around(heavy)
- makes you feel like a cow, nothing natural – just sucking action, no compression
Avent(manual) –
This is the first pump that I bought. Got it when I was hunting for baby stuff when I was carrying Mick.
What I like about this pump –
- feels natural – mimics the suction & compression of normal breastfeeding
- did not hurt at all
What I don’t like –
- tiring, as the pumping process is manual
- pump has too many parts to clean(about 7)
- made for wide neck bottles
- once you invest in the Avent pump, you pretty much need to get their whole system – the bottles, the sterilizer(yes, I used a cheaper sterilizer and one of the parts for the pump melted)
Medela(semi auto)
I got this as soon as I delivered, just panicked when I only got 1ml of milk when the nurse asked me to hand express.
What I like about this pump –
- faster than Avent since its semi automated
- fits on narrow neck bottles(my storage bottles are all narrow neck)
- battery operated, need not carry power cable around
What I don’t like –
- makes you feel like a cow, nothing natural – just sucking action, no compression
- it didn’t last. First unit lasted a week, then I got it replaced since it was still under warranty, the second unit failed on me after 9 months.
Spectra3
I tried this when I was at the hospital and liked it the most. But hubby asked me not to buy since I had already purchased the above two.
What I like about this pump –
- value for money, cheaper than Medela and Avent
- fits both narrow and wide neck(with adapter) bottles
- fast
- still makes you feel like a cow but the output is 5 times more than Medela
- medela’s breast shield is adaptable on this pump
What I don’t like –
- doesn’t work on batteries, need to carry power adapter around(heavy)
- makes you feel like a cow, nothing natural – just sucking action, no compression
Sunday, June 22, 2008
My Choice for Mattress Protector
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Pretty Flowers
I have transformed my clay flower art hobby to create something meaningful for new mums - something unique and functional that stand out from the rest. I received quite a few of hampers when Mick was born. Some were really intricate but just didn’t have the WOW factor. We ended up giving the flowers to the nurses and only taking the hampers back. One day while experimenting, I managed to create my own baby gift using baby blanket, clothes, mittens, socks and handkerchiefs.
Mick
This is a picture of Mick taken for his playschool registration April this year. The picture turned out pretty well. None of my own passport sized photos turned out so good. He even managed to give a smile. Mick is simply Mick. Loves to talk, showing a little bit of cheekiness and also a sense of humor.
I still remember when he first started talking I used to list down the number of words he was able to say, the list started off with 10 words, then within 2 months he had picked up about 50 words. Now at 28 months, I have just lost count. He is able to make 3-4 sentences now. And is starting to use local slang like lah, hor, adoi, alamak and all at the right times too.
We are preparing him for the arrival of his siblings. Hopefully, it will not affect him that much. Initially when we first told him that he was going to get a brother and a sister, he had nightmares. He would wake up in the middle of the night and say “mama, please don’t sayang babies, sayang Mick only”. We stopped mentioning about the babies. Last night, he came and told me that on Saturday he wants to go to Queensbay Mall and Sunshine Square to buy clothes for the babies. Says, he wants to get pink, purple, blue and white colors. That’s quite an achievement on his side.
I have been doing some search on the internet, here are some recommendations from some experts on how to introduce a baby to the older sibling without causing much sibling rivalry.
- a young child should definitely be part of the reception committee, before any other family members or friends arrive
- the mother have someone other than herself carry the baby into the house and she devote herself to the older child exclusively for a short time after coming home
- the child should accompany the father to the hospital to pick up mother and infant
- give the older child one large present to celebrate the birth of the new brother or sister, choosing one that emphasizes his or her maturity, such as a new game or some more sophisticated art materials
- to help yourself feel better and to make your older child feel wanted is to include him or her in every possible part of the care of the baby. Even a two year old can fetch a diaper from upstairs, perch on a stool beside you at the dressing table, or help you pat the baby dry after a bath. Little kids can sort the baby's laundry, help you gently pat up a burp after a feeding, and entertain the baby with nursery songs and finger plays.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Choosing baby bottles
When it comes to choosing baby bottles, no one, not even your pediatrician can tell you which one to choose. Your baby will be the best to tell you which one he or she likes. Just like formula milk, you can decide to give your baby the formula milk with the highest content of DHA, AA and what not, but its your baby who decides whether its suitable for them.
I am hunting for baby bottles for the twins. I already have Avent bottles & nipples that were used by Mick. Just to be on the safe side, I want to get another brand/type so that I don’t have to rush at the 11th hour, if the twins reject the Avent bottle and nipple.
Factors that I need to consider –
Wide neck/narrow neck –
Wide neck is easier for cleaning and less messy when mixing formula milk. However, narrow neck bottles are compatible with most breast pumps.
Material for the bottle –
Recent concerns have been raised about possible negative health effects from exposure to BPA(chemicals used to manufacture polycarbonate). However, studies have not shown specific problems related to this substance unless it is heated for more than 20 minutes with milk or formula inside it. This means that polycarbonate bottles can be sterilized with no issues. When you visit the websites of the baby bottle manufacturers, they stand by their products 100%. With this assurance, I am not going to pay extra for glass or BPA free bottles.
Nipple types –
All bottle manufacturers claim that their nipples/teats mimic baby’s breast-feeding style and allow you to breast-feed longer.
Orthodontic nipples(example - NUK) – elongated and indented in the center to evoke the same tonguing action of breast feeding babies.
Natural shaped nipples(example – Avent, Breastflow) – soft and wider shaped to encourage changing between breastfeeding and bottle feeding.
Traditional shaped nipples(common in the supermarkets) – bell shaped with thinner base. Ideal for formula fed babies.
Material for the nipple –
Silicone – very durable, clear color, heat resistant and causes less allergy to babies(less prone to bacteria)
Latex – brown color, softer than silicone(suitable for newborns), not as durable as silicone(need to check for cracks frequently)
So many to factors to consider, so I have finally decided that I will go for Nuk System with Silicone Orthodontic nipples. Since I am planning on getting the Spectra2 breastpump, I am going to get the narrow neck bottles. I had a hard time juggling with the Medela pump and Avent bottles previously.
I have also decided to make my purchase online so that I can purchase more later without the hassle of leaving my house with the twins.
I am hunting for baby bottles for the twins. I already have Avent bottles & nipples that were used by Mick. Just to be on the safe side, I want to get another brand/type so that I don’t have to rush at the 11th hour, if the twins reject the Avent bottle and nipple.
Factors that I need to consider –
Wide neck/narrow neck –
Wide neck is easier for cleaning and less messy when mixing formula milk. However, narrow neck bottles are compatible with most breast pumps.
Material for the bottle –
Recent concerns have been raised about possible negative health effects from exposure to BPA(chemicals used to manufacture polycarbonate). However, studies have not shown specific problems related to this substance unless it is heated for more than 20 minutes with milk or formula inside it. This means that polycarbonate bottles can be sterilized with no issues. When you visit the websites of the baby bottle manufacturers, they stand by their products 100%. With this assurance, I am not going to pay extra for glass or BPA free bottles.
Nipple types –
All bottle manufacturers claim that their nipples/teats mimic baby’s breast-feeding style and allow you to breast-feed longer.
Orthodontic nipples(example - NUK) – elongated and indented in the center to evoke the same tonguing action of breast feeding babies.
Natural shaped nipples(example – Avent, Breastflow) – soft and wider shaped to encourage changing between breastfeeding and bottle feeding.
Traditional shaped nipples(common in the supermarkets) – bell shaped with thinner base. Ideal for formula fed babies.
Material for the nipple –
Silicone – very durable, clear color, heat resistant and causes less allergy to babies(less prone to bacteria)
Latex – brown color, softer than silicone(suitable for newborns), not as durable as silicone(need to check for cracks frequently)
So many to factors to consider, so I have finally decided that I will go for Nuk System with Silicone Orthodontic nipples. Since I am planning on getting the Spectra2 breastpump, I am going to get the narrow neck bottles. I had a hard time juggling with the Medela pump and Avent bottles previously.
I have also decided to make my purchase online so that I can purchase more later without the hassle of leaving my house with the twins.
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