When Ewan was born I really wanted to breastfeed him. I went to a class at the hospital and even watched some YouTube videos, but it wasn’t in God’s plan for me. We made the decision to switch to formula after I was diagnosed with postpartum depression. (Read my story here!) This allowed me to hand off feeding to family members while I was able to get some much needed sleep. It also allowed my husband to bond with Ewan when feeding. How great is that!
Now that Ewan is 6 months old we have a pretty good idea of what things we need and want to make life easier.
Formula
Even if you are planning to breastfeed, it’s always a good idea to have some formula on hand. You might have to go through some trial and error to find the right one for your baby. Ewan has acid reflux and uses Enfamil AR. Don’t be afraid to buy the store brand of formula either! More on why we don’t later on this list.
Bottles
You might have to try different bottles as well. We use Dr. Brown’s bottles because they were rated high for gas and colic. They have been great! The only downsize is that they have a lot of parts to clean.
Travel caps (Dr. Brown’s Bottles)
Travel caps are a must have for the Dr. Brown’s bottles when you shake the formula (you aren’t suppose to shake the bottles with the parts inside) and to transport water or formula in the bottle. They are great bottles, but they sometimes tend to leak.
Formula Dispenser
Formula dispensers are so helpful. They are great for on the go and night feedings. We use the Dr. Brown’s Formula Dispenser. It has three sections that hold enough powder for three 8 ounce bottles. You can turn the opening to one section at a time and is the perfect fit for the Dr. Brown’s narrow neck bottle.
Formula Pitcher
I really believe the formula pitcher is a must have for daycare if you need to pre-make bottles. You can make 32 ounces of formula at once with the Dr. Brown’s Formula Pitcher. It has a cool blade inside that mixes the formula fast and without clumps. It’s a miracle worker!
Microwave Sterilize Bags
These are bags that you put bottles and water in after they are washed. It then goes in the microwave and is sterilized by steam. Make sure to follow the instructions for the amount of water needed. This is an area to do some research on for yourself. Ask your pediatrician for their recommendation. From what I understand hot soapy water or a run in the dishwasher is good. We like to put Ewan’s bottles in the Dr. Brown’s Microwave Steam Sterilizer once a day for piece of mind against all those daycare germs. Unlike the bags, you can reuse the sterilizer as much as you want without having to throw it away. So, in the long run you are saving money.
Baby/Nursery Water
Whether you use baby/nursery water for the formula is up to you. Do what you feel comfortable with. We mix Ewan’s formula with nursery water. I know people that use tap water. Talk to your pediatrician for their recommendation.
Bottle Cleaner
This might seem a bit extra, but I like knowing the inside of the bottles are clean. We use the, you guessed it, Dr. Brown’s bottle cleaner. The next one we buy will be the silicone brush version, just seems more sanitary.
Drying Rack
The drying rack is where our bottles live after being washed and sterilized. The Boon Lawn Countertop Drying Rack has served us well. We use it for bottles, syringes, teethers, pacifiers, and anything else. The water drains down to the pan, and it’s easy to clean.
Baby Breeza Formula Pro
I saved the best for last! Although pricey, this machine is worth every penny. There is a water tank on the side and a formula container on the top. You pick how many ounces you want it to make (2, 4, 6, 8, or 10) and it comes out warm in about 30 seconds. It’s like a Keurig for formula! You can’t beat how convenient this makes making bottles, especially for night feedings. There are specific settings for different formulas. We could not get the store brands of formula to work even though it was on the list of approved formulas. Ewan will eat the store brand, but we decided to stick with Enfamil AR to continue using the Baby Breeza Formula Pro. Totally worth it!
Whether you chose to formula feed or it chose you, never feel guilty! Physically, I was perfectly capable of breastfeeding, but I had to take care of myself and focus on getting better from postpartum depression so that I could take better care of Ewan. Fed is best!
I would love to hear your must haves and splurges! Leave a comment below!
My Beloved 