I started Cameron on a bottle/formula at 8 months, I used the Avent system as that is what I tried to use with Matthew and had on hand and that is what was recommended by the lactation experts. They told me that if I was going to use a bottle the Avent was the best as it was the least likely to cause nipple confusion.

Now I see why. I bought the Playtex system today for Cameron as he seems to want to sit upright and drink his bottle, (the Playtex system has a bent or angled bottle neck) this is part of the reason that I decided to stop nursing. He's all over the place and has to see what is going on at all times and with Matthew around I don't always have the option of taking Cameron to a quiet, calm place to nurse or drink his bottle. He is also demanding a lot of independence right now and wants to drink his bottle on his own but sitting upright. With the Avent system this is not really practical as he is sucking in too much air because he can't hold his head way back and sit up and drink all at the same time. I've tried the Avent sippy nipples but it's the same problem.

So to my problem (not really sure if it's a problem actually) . The Playtex bottles/nipples are super fast. It would take Cameron 10 minutes to get through 6 oz using an Avent bottle nipple 1 or 2 (relates to size of hole), many times he would fall asleep and leave almost 2 oz in the bottle, with the Playtex there is one nipple size and it takes him 2 mins. to empty the bottle completely. Is this too fast? Won't this upset his tummy? I guess it just might take a few days for him to get used to this, perhaps I should just go to a drink cup with a straw? He usually spits most of it down his shirt though.

I don't know what do you think?

By Reds9298 on Saturday, July 15, 2006 - 09:05 pm:

We had the opposite problem! We used the Playtex bottles because Natalie wouldn't take an Avent (I had a million of them, too!) The Playtex nipples come in stages, don't they? Fast flow and slow flow? I remember that the slow flow was still too slow so I doctored all the nipples with cuticle scissors because the fast was still way too fast. That was pretty early on, too.

Could you maybe slit the Avents a little more to make them a little faster?

By Boxzgrl on Saturday, July 15, 2006 - 10:00 pm:

Playtex has a slow and fast nipple. I use them for Nathan when I pump. Fast is WAY too fast but slow is just perfect.

By Heaventree on Saturday, July 15, 2006 - 10:09 pm:

Thanks, Melissa! I'll try to find the slow flow.

Deanna, I could get the Avents in a faster flow a 3 or the variable flow, but I need something with a bent neck so he can sit up and drink. The flow with the Avent is not a problem it's that he wants to sit and drink not lay down. I just don't think it's a good thing that he drink 6 oz in 2 mins. flat.

By Trina~moderator on Sunday, July 16, 2006 - 09:34 am:

Have you tried a regular sippy cup? At 10 mos. I don't think I would want to encourage a bottle.

By Annie2 on Monday, July 17, 2006 - 09:42 pm:

Don't substitute a bottle with a sippy cup.
It will wear down the teeth and inhibit proper tongue movement promoting improper speech development. BTDT with nine month old ds who stopped nursing cold turkey. If the baby wants to suckle you must find a nipple he likes.

By Heaventree on Tuesday, July 18, 2006 - 09:41 am:

Ok so now I'm really confused. Two opposing opinions. I used the sippy cup Avent (rubber) nipple with Matthew for about 4 months and it was ok, but he didn't mind laying down to drink. Cameron hates sitting up and tilting his head back so he gets frustrated with the sippy.

Trina, why not encourage a bottle at 10 months? Just curious about your reasoning. Some people nurse into the 2nd year so why not a bottle?

By Trina~moderator on Tuesday, July 18, 2006 - 10:04 am:

Bottom line, follow your mommy instincts and do what you think is best for your kids. There are differing views and personal preferences coming into play here. From my experience with my kids: DS - I breastfed for 6 mos. and transitioned him to a bottle with no problems. At 10 mos. I was encouraging the sippy cup, and he was totally off the bottle by a year. DD never ever took a bottle, no matter what we tried. She nursed for 16 mos., but I had started the gradual weaning process at about 10 mos.. If I had had it *my* way she would have been done BFing at a year, but she's very strong willed and would have it no other way. LOL!

By Heaventree on Tuesday, July 18, 2006 - 10:09 am:

Thanks Trina, just wanted to understand where you were coming from. Matthew was off the bottom fairly fast as well, by Cameron is different seems to need it more.

Thanks again.

By Kaye on Wednesday, July 19, 2006 - 01:33 am:

I am in Trina's camp, go to a sippy cup. However you have to recognize the need to suck. If he is still really wanting to suck you can always offer a paci. You don't want him sucking from a sippy cup.

By Eve on Wednesday, July 19, 2006 - 08:08 am:

If you are looking for a soft sippy, I just picked up one of the Nuby sippy cups at WalMart and it's great. The "nipple" is really soft like a nipple, but it's non leak. It was under $2, so I thought I would give it a try. Mason mostly just chews on the Avent sippy cup nipples. I think he really likes the new one!

We are fans of Avent bottles. Mason didn't care for them after I weaned him from nursing, so we used the Gerber Nuk nipples. We still use those at night for his bottle with cereal in it. (The fast flow works well for that!) As far as the Avent nipples, I make the holes larger. I take a wooden skewer and just poke it through the hole and make it a little larger and that seems to work well. HTH

As far as introducing a bottle now, do what works for you. I know how difficult it is sometimes and you just have to do what works in the present moment. DD took a bottle until around 14 months, mostly her evening bottle and her Dr. said that was just fine. Good luck. Keep me posted on anything good you find!