Review: Milk Bottle Nuk vs Playtex vs Tommee

Hi everyone!
It's been a long hiatus since my last entry. Pardon this new mommy as mommy's duty is no joke at all. Sleep deprived, and overweight are my current problems and I'm still working on it.

Today I'm gonna talk about perfect milk bottle!!! Recently, I developed an obsession in buying milk bottle for baby Edward. Spending times in baby department has beaten my previous interest in fashion or so, and getting the perfect milk bottle has been on top of the chart.

Up to date, Edward has been only using 3 milk bottle brands (only...?), which are Nuk, Playtex, and Tommee Tippee. And the billboard gonna be:

Best for:
Newborn-6 months: Playtex Ventaire
6 months onwards: Tommee Tippee (Breastfeeding baby) / Nuk wide neck bottle


1. Playtex Ventaire

I came across this brand when I was still pregnant with Edward. Was flipping some British Motherhood magazine which recommended this product as a colic reducer bottle. We didn't use this bottle until the second month when I got the chance to shop. I got one at Takashimaya and came back for another 5 after using it.

Pro: The bottle comes with a genius design like below. I have problems describing it in words.

Images from ToysRUs

I think it really reduces the colic problem in newborn. As we know, most newborn has burping problem. With bottle that allows more inflow air, the higher chance colic problem will come in the middle of the night. But eversince we use Playtex Ventaire, we realize sudden decrease of burping needed on Edward and lesser fussy times for him too.

Cons: Limited choice at Takashimaya. In addition, the 3 different parts make it 2 times more hassle in washing the bottles. And when baby screamed for milk, it takes longer time for us to prepare because we have to assemble the bottle parts ...So if you have to master the art of crying music in order to use this bottle :)

Tips: Get the crystal clear series. It's beautiful and easier to clean. :)

Will I recommend this product? Absolutely yes for newborn especially.


2. Tommee Tippee

I've heard many raves on TT bottles but at that point in time, I was pretty happy with Playtex bottles up until Edward was 5 months old and my itchy back turned me to invest on 1st TT bottle. Turned out that Edward loves the bottle so much that makes me loving it too. The fact that it has extra wide neck makes washing it a breeze task and the ultra soft teats are supposed to replicate mother's nipples. They are available in 4 teat flows:
Slow for newborn. Medium for 3mths+. Fast flow for 6mths+. And varies flow for 0mths+.

Will I recommend this bottle? ÝES. If you are breastfeeding and switching to bottles, plus your baby has no colic or reflux problems.


3. Nuk
This is the first brand that was introduced to Edward. On the 2nd week of breastfeeding, I had sore nipples due to poor latching and had no choice but sourcing it to bottle feeding. I was told that Nuk has the best nipples for newborn and I personally think it was just alright. Maybe it's because Edward sucks very well, hence the standard nipple was usually almost all into his mouth.

I stopped using Nuk up until we got him the wide neck bottles. But honestly, I dont find any special factor to make this bottle 'a must have'.

Will I recommend this bottle? Probably only if you have hard time buying other brands because this brand is easily found in major supermarket unlike TT or Playtex.

That's my review and happy bottle hunting,mamas!

Signing out,
Jumpbeemama

Pregnancy 1: Edward's Arrival

After 37.5 weeks being pregnant, there was one thing I wanted badly, was to be un-pregnant ASAP. The pressure on the pelvic, the trouble sleeping, the backache, and many more had my pregnancy physically unpleasant and worrying.

Baby's initial estimated due date was 2nd november, however doctor diagnosed me with short cervix, which means I wouldn't be able to make it full term to the date (last post: preterm labor threat) Therefore, hubby flew in early to anticipate earlier labor than the estimated date. So here we were waited and waited on week 36 onwards for his arrival with the help of tons of medicine and hormone injections.

After waited for a week or so, all of us (inclusive my family) were getting impatient and over anxious for baby arrival. Many suggested me to walk more to induce the labor naturally. Some readings suggested yoga. Some even said eating spicy food may help. So out of desperation & over-anxiety, I did try all the above mentioned.

Saturday, 15 Oct 2011

I was silently wishing that baby might be out on that day because 15 is always special day for both hubby and me. My mom suggested us to go to temple and pray for smooth delivery. We went and I was joking about how I will give birth the day after because the Goddess of Mercy had heard my prayers.

When dinner time arrived, hubby suggested me to walk the long way to our dinner place. May I add, the long way is also an incline pathway for disabled or cycles. It's a long slow walk but it sure triggered the contraction the day after

Sunday, 16 Oct 2011

I can still remember vividly every single details of the day. I woke up around 0730 and found that my water might have  broken. I was hesitating if I should wake hubby up because I was unsure if it's the case. Finally, I woke him up and he was surprised cum unprepared for the morning news.

Pain level: 1/10

We rushed to TMC immediately with my mom and younger sister too. I was still bubbly, goofy and excited about the labor. We bumped into Lilian, a lactation consultant whom my elder sister always brag about. She wished me smooth delivery and there we off to the admission counter. As of then, I could feel the water stream was getting stronger. Pain level: 2/10

We were then told to proceed to labour ward. And coincidentally my gynae Dr. W.K. Tan was also there, perhaps there was another mother delivering too under her care. 16 Oct must be a hot date for delivery. The observation room was actually full house. There was no bed for me! Dr. W.K Tan swiftly asked one of the nurse to guide me to delivery room. So, I wasn't kept at the cramped observation room for waiting. Instead, I was placed at a spacious delivery room to wait for full dilation.

Doctor then checked my dilation, and informed I was actually 1.5cm dilated. She was pretty sure that I should be able to deliver before dinner (another 8hours to go). At that point of time, pain was minimum and bearable. I was texting friends, joked around with my nervous hubby.

Pain level: 3/10

At noon time, a sharp continuous pain started to attack. A severe menstrual cramp like. And I know this was going to get crazier. Nurse informed me that I was 5cm dilated. I shouted for epidural after laughing gas failed to comfort me

Pain level: 100/10

By the time the anaesthetist came, the pain was intense. Honestly, I just wanted the needle to go in fast and end the pain. The pain level was 1000/10, but when the epidural went in,... It is all fine! Happidural as the nurse said

At 1600, I was fully dilated. After pushing for an hour, doctor finally vacuumed baby out of me and baby Edward was born.

I can remember vividly Edward's look and cry when he was just born. Couldn't help myself but crying for the happiness too. He was a tiny baby but cried loudly.

Was eversince blessed with his arrival and enjoying watching him grow up.

That's how God send me my little angel

Pregnancy 1 : Week 33 Preterm Labor Threat

Friday, 10 Sep 2011
I woke up with pretty unusual pressure on my left hip. I figured it must have been the side sleeping posture that caused it. Told my mom about it, read some books and articles about it and concluded that it was just part of the pregnancy parcels.
I was supposed to attend my afternoon yoga class held at Tanglin mall, but after many consideration, i decided to miss the class. (wise decision, now i think back)

Saturday, 11 Sep 2011
Couldn't manage to sleep till 1 am morning as the hip pain was getting from bad to worse. Finally found peace by sleeping while sitting upright. However, woke up at 4am as i felt minor frequent contraction on my lower abdomen. I suspected it as braxton hicks or any other false alarm, however, boy it is getting stronger. I decided that i must go to my gynae the first thing in morning before other patient reaches, and couldn't put my mind to sleep anymore.

Thank God that my younger sister was off work that Saturday and managed to company me to clinic. We rushed to the clinic and was the first one checking in (winner!). But wait, nurse told us, Dr WK Tan was on leave and only be back by the next day. As I told them, I had this contraction, nurse directed me to the 2nd floor for observation right away. I was attached to a machine which tracks my foetal heartbeat and contraction.

The result was brought to Dr Benjamin Tham, and I thought to myself this will be just a procedure where he will say.."don't worry, nothing is wrong" but turned out, he told me that he will admit me for a day for monitoring and steroids injection. This is because I am experiencing cervix shortening and may deliver the baby by the next day. I was flabbergasted.

I was immediately bombarded with lotsa medicine to stabilise uterus contraction and all. I was still dumbfounded that I might be delivering my baby by the next day. Hubby was rushing to Singapore as well as my parents. I was injected with 2 steroids injection to mature baby's lung and bombarded with medicine and monitoring device to make sure no more contractions happening before I could be discharged

Sunday, 12 Sep 20011
Dr WK Tan finally is back, although it was Sunday. She visited me and ensured me that everything was under control and I was discharged. However, I was to meet her again few days later to monitor the pregnancy. I was also put under bedrest (of course, with toilet exception)


After my meeting with Dr WK Tan, she told me that I might be born with short cervix. This means she is almost positive, my pregnancy will end up as preterm labor. However, as long as I can keep the baby inside until 36 weeks, it should be fine, she said.

I'm praying hard that baby will be fine and calm until week 36. This is to ensure that he can be treated like a normal baby instead of admitted to NICU.
Please pray for me and baby...

Pregnancy : Overcoming the Fear

This maybe a pointless rant post...

Recently, I started to develop fears against the labour process. Baby is now 30 weeks old and it is only 6-10 weeks away from welcoming him to the world. However, as closer to date, I realized that it won't be too far from the pain which many women failed to find the perfect word to describe it. Agonizing is just underestimation of the pain, they claimed.

1 month ago, my elder sister gave birth to my healthy nephew, Lincoln. We often share information during our pregnancy as we only differ by 3 months away. I deliberately asked her how the experience was, and how painful the process was. She told me: 1000 x our menstrual cramps. I was not too encouraged with that. When I had my menstrual cramps, I literally curled myself in the bed and swearing while panting. So, if that is magnified by 1000 as she described, I may lost my mind.

My hubby just texted me few mins ago to share about water birth and asked me why we were not offered this option in TMC. I told him right away, I can't go pure au naturale for this birth. I don't think I have the courage. I will absolutely opt for epidural to minimize the pain.

I have frequent nightmares about giving birth. I'm not sure if it's normal, but it is not pleasant. Last night, I dreamt that my gynae telling me to c-sect my baby out because it's already more than 30 weeks..duh!

I tried yoga, reading books, talking to my mom, getting some wise words from hubby, but none is helpful. One of my friend told me to just don't think about it cos the baby is already there and no turn back this time. I guess she is right, but.....

6 weeks away ....wish me a smooth delivery, people

I see you, my son!

So, yesterday, we decided to give 4D a go after contemplating for sometimes. Looking at my sister's adorable son makes us curious about how our son will look like.
So, here it is, our 28 weeks old baby boy and we can't wait to finally hug you in our arms.

Xoxo,
Mommy Bee