Formula feeding - Essential items and tips!

Hello!

Formula feeding can seem a very confusing and daunting thing but it really isn't. Once you get into a routine with cleaning, sterilizing and preparing bottles it's fairly straight forward. This post is going to contain my top Formula Feeding essentials and any tips i've learned along the way. I never did breastfeed, no medical reasons as to why I didn't,  just simply didn't want too and that's ok!

Everything in this post is from my own experience, I am not a professional.

My Top Formula Feeding Essentials and tips - 

Which Brand Of Bottles? - Every newborn is different although with Maci we started off using the regular Tommee Tippee Bottles although when she was a few weeks old we realised that she had colic and silent reflux meaning then we swapped her onto the Tommee Tippee Anti-Colic Bottles and they were great. Once Maci was eating more solids (around 6 months) we swapped her from the Anti-colic bottles back onto the regular bottles and we had no further issues. If you think your baby may be suffering from Colic or silent reflux it is best to contact your health visitor or GP and they can provide you with any advice you may need. I also ended up buying a couple of the MAM Anti-Colic bottles too although I had a few issues with these, I found they leaked quite a lot due to the fact the bottom of the bottle unscrews so that they're easy to sterilize.
Tommee Tippee Prep Machine - If you've read some of my other posts you will already know my love for the prep machines. They allow you to make bottles in an instant at the perfect temperature without having to boil a kettle and wait around for it to cool down (which isn't fun at 3am with a screaming newborn!) I have recently only just sold mine as Maci no longer drinks warm milk often so it wasn't needed anymore and it does take up quite a lot of room. One thing you need to know before you make the decision to purchase one of these is that they need filters which are around £9 and need changing every couple of months or so.


 How it works - You select the ounces you're needing to make on the dial, the first time you press the button it will do a 'shot' of hot water into the bottle, the second time you press the button will complete the bottle with cold water. This creates the perfect temperature bottle but always check before feeding your baby.

Milk Powder Dispenser - One of the most frequently asked questions is how I prepare bottles whilst I am out and about. As I said above I always have bottles filled with sterilized water so when I go out they're ready. I measure 8 oz (what Maci drinks now) of formula (so 8 whole scoops) into each section of her milk dispenser meaning when I am out I can simply pour 8 scoops of powder easily into a bottle of sterilized water. You can buy these containers from any local supermarket or online and they're definitely a necessity.
How to clean bottles and sterilize them - There are quite a few different ways as to how people clean their bottles although I find the best way is to allow them to soak in Fairy Washing Up Liquid as it is an antibacterial formula too and then rinse them and clean them with a Bottle cleaning brush. Once I have done this I then place them into my Tommee Tippee Steam Steriliser along with the right amount of water in the bottom of the sterilizer. Once the bottles have been sterilized and removed, wash the bottom of the sterilizer out and it is ready to use again. Every now and then you will need to remove any limescale build up from inside it (there are different methods to do this, I use the milton sterilizing liquid and allow to soak and wash out)













What Formula Brand? - This is a big question for any expecting parent... I remember spending hours researching the benefits of each 'brand' and what they contained etc. For us we chose 'Cow & Gate' formula, simply because it is easily accessible from local shops, contains all the nutrients needed and it is what hospitals provide if you need it whilst you're there. Which in my mind means its been researched and tested enough and I am happy with that! Cow & Gate have different formula combinations for each age for example they have; 0-6 months, 6-12 months (follow on milk) and it continues. This is because after 6 months usually babies have began weaning and the milk goes alongside a weaning diet.

If you're wanting to bottle feed and wondering how you go about starting once your baby is born, you can purchase 'Cow & Gate' starter kits from supermarkets which contain 6 pre-made bottles in each box, perfect for your hospital bag!


How To Make A Bottle - Believe it or not, when I brought Maci home I had no idea how to actually make a bottle and yes, I resulted to the internet.. So this is my contribution to anyone who may be holding a newborn wondering how to feed them!


Newborns usually drink warm milk meaning you either need a prep machine to make instantly warm bottles or boil a kettle a while before the water is needed. Allowing the kettle to cool is difficult because newborn drink milk very, very regularly
The number of ounces is the same as the number of scoops of formula. For example if you're making a 4oz bottle you will need 4 whole scoops of formula powder.

Now Maci is older I boil the kettle and fill her bottles and leave them on the side and put the formula in as and when she is hungry. I always have filled bottles with water in them so I am ready!

I hope I have covered everything in this post - I am aware it can seem very daunting and like you've got a lot to learn but honestly once you get into a routine it all becomes second nature. If you have any questions please leave them below and I will be happy to answer them! 

Until next time,
Storm

Baby Playgroups - Don't knock it till you try it!

Hi, how are you?

I'm guessing you're here to read about my slightly controversial opinions on the benefits of baby playgroups and classes.



Since Maci was three weeks old we've been regularly attending local playgroups and classes. The point of this post is to hopefully address some of the misinterpretations of what playgroups are actually like... It is not to make anyone to feel guilty for not attending groups, that is the last thing I want. I am actually hoping that by reading this post it may actually give you the confidence to go to a group near you and see what im talking about first hand and then form your opinion about them. 

The most frustrating thing for me is when I recieve messages or comments about how other parents don't like groups/classes but have only ever been to one, there are many different types and it may take a while to find one that you're comfortable with. But every group you go to that you may not go to again, provides your baby with new experiences which are teaching them new things.


(Tiny Maci!)

 First of all I would like to say that these groups/classes are not always as expensive as one may think. A big reason I hear mums use for not taking there little ones' to groups is that they're 'too expensive' well most of them are free!

 Myself and Maci go to three playgroups a week, one of which costs £1.50 for two hours of playtime (including a hot drink for the parents, drink and snack for the children) and the other two are entirely free because they are at local libraries. When Maci was younger we did attend a few more groups, we went to a fabulous one ran by Adventure Babies which was a weekly sensory class and cost around £40 a term (this was the most expensive group/class we've ever gone too) but this group was ran by a lovely lady and had more structure than the 'playgroups' we attend now. 


Since Maci was very little she has always been advanced (professional opinion also, not just a crazy mummy!) and she gets bored very easily. I find it very hard staying at home all day and entertaining her and to be honest I don't want her to be cooped up, I want her to experience new things! At Maci's 8-12 month check she was asked to do numerous tasks which tested her social and emotional developmental skills and once again she was advanced. Maci knows how to interact with other children, share toys, pick toys up using her whole grasp or fingers, points at toys and can say words. I genuinely believe that these skills have been excelled by attending playgroups and having playdates too. 


Another misinterpretation of playgroups/classes is that the mums are extremely 'clicky' - This is not the case at all! I have only ever had one negative experience at a playgroup and even then I went back the following week to see if the atmosphere was different but it wasn't, so we didn't go again. I also find being a 'young mum' I am more likely to receive an unfriendly welcome at groups but I don't! 

One thing you have to remember is that most of the parents there are in exactly the same position as you, they're learning about their baby every single day and they're likely just as anxious as you about walking through those doors into the group. I can honestly say I have met some fabulous people through attending groups and now call them my good friends. You all have something in common, your beautiful babies - so conversation rarely 'dries' up! 


I ask for some questions on Instagram on this topic, here they are! 

What groups/classes would you recommend for different ages?

I think that babies (0-1 year) really benefit from a 'sensory' based class. As I mentioned about we attended our local Adventure Babies classes but there are different ones all over the country. Not only do these classes help your baby to develop but it also helps improve your bond as parent/s and baby. Experiencing new things with your baby is truly magical. 

I cant speak for babies older than 10 months currently but I always find a typical 'playgroup' session is a big hit with Maci. There's always a big array of clean toys to stimulate her brain and teach her new skills, it also means you don't waste lots of money buying toys that they won't like. You can find what they like at groups and then purchase them for your home. 

Anything you dislike?

The only thing I can think of is that there simply isn't enough groups/classes around. I'm not sure if this is just my area but there isn't a massive choice. 

What do you find useful?

Once again I find not having to buy lots of toys that Maci doesn't like is a great thing, meeting new friends with children is also great as you already have something in common. I find just getting out the house useful, it gives Maci and I something to do instead of driving each other crazy at home and getting bored.


At the end of the day we all want what's best for our children, the thing with playgroups/classes is that you shouldn't knock them till you try it! 

I really do hope this post has inspired some of you to see what groups/classes you have near you. I would love to hear from you if you do decided to attend a group alternatively if you're still a little worried please feel free to pop me a message via Instagram. 

I find this app (HOOP) very helpful to find groups/classes near me (your local libraries should also be running FREE baby playtime and rhyme time sessions weekly!) 

Until next time,

Storm 

Maci's Baby Shower (Rustic, Floral Theme)


Hello!

You may be wondering why you're only just seeing this post and that is because I simply forgot to write it at the time (terrible I know!) some details may be slightly inaccurate but I shall try my best to recreate the day of my baby shower back last year. I was lucky enough that this baby shower was organised by a family member who is also an event planner hence the extravagant event, I hope it may inspire some of you in the future! This post is mainly an excuse to relive the day through photos...


For any expectant mum a Baby Shower is a big deal, it's a celebration of how far you've come in your pregnancy journey so far and a celebration of what's to come in the next few weeks/months. As we found out Maci's gender at 16 weeks of course the theme was pink! Gender Reveal Post


My Baby Shower was hosted in a 16th century rustic barn which added a beautiful rustic theme to the day, the barn also has large gardens in which we had picnic tables and live music. It was a truly unforgettable day. We had pink lemonade on tap, pink glitter cupcakes, confetti balloons and cake pops, what more could you want?!


The ceiling was covered in fairy lights and other decorations.



I knew for this I didn't want lots of trivial games because to be honest at the time I could barely stand without wanting to be sick and I just wasn't in the mood for silly party games and I don't regret it at all! I handed out some little 'guessing sheets' for my guests to fill in and I then kept them all in a book to show Maci when she's older. They included things like 'guess the name, weight, length, birthday etc' and I really enjoy looking back at them now!


One feature that made this day extra special was that we had a polaroid camera, I waddled around taking photos of my guests and then I also stuck them into an album with little handwritten notes next to them too.


I remember at the time I was concerned about what to wear. I brought numerous dresses which I remember crying once I tried on due to the fact that I was almost 31 weeks pregnant. In the end I decided to go for comfort over anything else and I am so happy I did. I wore a white blouse with a black and baby pink pattern and leggings. No fancy dresses here! 


I am extremely privileged to of had such a luxurious Baby Shower but you don't need all of this to have a truly priceless and memorable day. All you need is your friends and family with you to celebrate how far you have come in your Pregnancy journey so far and to celebrate the miracle/s that will be coming into the world in the upcoming weeks/months. 



If you are currently looking for inspiration for your own shower i'd like to take a moment to say Congratulations and enjoy every second. 

(I am extremely sorry that this post has taken me a year to publish...)

Until next time,

Storm