Blogs — Weaning

Learning how to feed a baby may be a huge excitement but it is also a very responsible task. Parents should make sure that the baby bottles are always extra clean. This doesn’t mean purchasing chemical detergents or running an almost empty dishwasher several times per day. There are many natural ways to clean the baby bottles and I guarantee that you will be nicely surprised with the result. You can achieve the required pristine level of cleanliness with hot water, baking soda and vinegar. Keep in mind that it is important to sanitise not only the baby bottles but also the place where you store them.

Here are several ways to take care of the baby bottles, which will bring you peace of mind:

One of the easiest natural ways to clean the baby bottles is to boil a big pot of water and add 2 tablespoons of baking soda. Stir the mixture and place all bottles parts in it. let them soak overnight. The next morning take the parts out of the pot, put them in another big vessel and rinse with water, making sure that the baking soda is removed completely. After that, let the parts dry on a paper towel. Use the bottles directly or put them in their rightful place.

Another easy solution is scrubbing the bottles with natural soap and a bottle brush. It cleans out the formula residue completely. Dissolve a small amount of the natural soap in hot water, dip the brush in the mixture and start rubbing the bottles with it. Use a detachable small brush to clean the nipples, bacteria often hide there. Clean all bottle components and after that rinse them with a mixture made of boiled water and 2 tablespoons of vinegar. 

Here is how you can eliminate the sweet milk smell that all bottles gain with time. First wash the inside of the bottle, using hot water, natural soap and a bottle brush. After that, rinse the bottle and fill it halfway with a mixture of hot water and 1 tablespoon of baking soda. Close the bottle and shake for several minutes. Then rinse it and check if the sour milk smell is eliminated. If necessary, repeat the procedure with the baking soda one more time.

Proper drying is crucial for germ-free baby bottles. Make sure that the bottles, nipples and valves are completely dry before you feed your baby or put them away. Humidity attracts bacteria. Investing in a drying rack is a smart solution. It holds all bottle parts and keeps the countertops dry. As every parent, you also want to give your baby the best from the very start. These natural ways will help you to do that and give you peace of mind.

Please note these are cleaning not sterilisation methods.  It is recommended by the NHS that bottles are sterilised after cleaning until your baby is 12 months old. 

What I try to remember every time I feed my baby is that food is mostly for exploration and fun before the age of 1.  To allow them to try new tastes and textures. They get most of their nutrition from either breast or formula so don’t stress about how much they eat. So our tip on weaning is to let the kids have fun, experiment and enjoy food. Forcing children to eat will not make them like it anymore, infant, it may make feel eating is a chore rather than to enjoy.

Here are some tips from other parents on weaning:

“I carry a small, compact sharp pair of scissors to cut up Claudia’s food.”  Ammy, Melbourne

“Use an old shower curtain under the high chair to collect the mess. Washable too. And embrace mess.” Mimi, London

“The Chicco Pocket Snack chair is def a life saver in terms of having a clean tray every time we go out, it's space saving for home use/easy to clean or like us we leave it in the car for eating out and round people’s house, we took it to Hong Kong with us so baby can always sit at the table and eat with us, it can be used as a booster (without tray) or like a high chair.” Cindy, London

“Bring out a garlic press with you for meals for instant baby food ... it's a bit heavy but really worked for Isabelle.” Sofia, London

Do you feel like you need to pack a suitcase full of baby things when you leave the house? Even if it's only for a couple of hours?  Or do you wonder why you need to pack at all and surely only a couple of nappies will do.  Trust us – a well packed nappy bag will save your day.  Here's our list of what we think you should be packing for your baby and you! 

For your baby

• Nappies – pack one for every couple of hours you’re out and a couple extra.
• Wipes – not only are they useful for nappy changes but sticky hands and surfaces too. Instead of carrying the whole packet, which can be rather chunky and heavy – you can put some wipes in a plastic bag.
• Changing mat  -  some changing rooms have paper towels to cover the changing station but many don’t so having your own lightweight one is a must and it means you can pretty much change your baby anywhere.
• Hand cleaning gel - to clean your hands when there’s no basin
  For cleaning your hands after diaper changes when there's no time or place to wash them.
• Nappy bags – So useful for everything, dirty nappies, clothes, as rubbish bags
• Bottle(s) of milk – if your baby uses the bottle (we recommend Pura)
• Dribble bibs - if your baby is teething
• Meals (if weaning)
• Snacks (for older babies and toddlers)
• Water bottles - we recommend Squeasy or Pura.

Extras, just in case

• Large muslin cloth – so versatile you can use it to cover your baby for warmth, as a shade, nursing cover, burp cloth.
• Extra clothes including bib, vest and baby gro – just for those times when you have an accident of some kind.  
• Dummy/Comforter -  if your baby uses one
• Sunscreen or a hat to protect your child from the sun
• Entertainment – a young baby may not need any toy whilst a toddler going to a restaurant will need more distractions – books, colouring paper, stickers and crayons will make your trip out much easier.
• Medicine – plasters, paracetamol sachets and any other regular medicines
• Sling or wrap for carrying your baby - sometimes your baby doesn’t want to be in the stroller, sometimes you need to park the stroller or for those times you just want to have your baby close to you.

 Don’t forget your own essentials too!

• Nursing cover – if you use a breastfeeding cover then you’ll want to take this in your nappy bag
• Breast pads if you’re breastfeeding

Have a read of some real tips from parents

We all know that having your precious little baby is life changing. Your body changes forever, you can't sleep, you change a million dirty nappies, you are responsible for everything your baby needs: feeding, changing, cleaning, teaching and loving them.  But who knew all the other things that you would do when you have a baby to make life work.  

1. Going to the toilet whilst holding your baby – you’ve held on for as long as you can and your baby either hasn’t finished his nap or just will not let you go without crying, and you have already slightly leaked.   So you go to take a pee whilst holding your baby.  It can be done. This is when you realise those jeans are a pain to put back on … with one hand.
2. Cook whilst holding your baby in one arm -  It’s Wednesday and you haven’t had a home cooked meal since Sunday when husband was at home so you decide to cook dinner but it’s now 6pm and you still haven’t managed to time preparing dinner with your baby.  So you learn the art of one handed dinner preparation and cooking.  The carrots might still have the skin on – it’s hard using a peeler with one hand.  The courgettes might not be perfectly sliced in equal pieces.  Have you ever chopped with a blunt knife before? And the chicken might be overcooked because there are uneven pieces but at least you can say you cooked.
3. Playing tag at meal times with your partner.  On the days you actually manage to cook dinner you’ll want to enjoy your delicious meal whilst it’s hot.  Why do babies always know when it’s our meal time? And wont’ let you eat in peace.  So one of you holds the baby walking around the house, starving.  At least one of you can enjoy your meal whilst it’s hot although you’ll prob eat it in half the time that you usually do so that your partner can have some food.  
4. 1 - 2 minute showers – you know still being in your pyjamas at 4pm is normal but in this heat you can’t wait to jump in the shower except baby just won’t let you… so you put him down, he’s crying as if it was the worst thing on earth you could ever do, so you have the fastest shower on record. Barely getting yourself wet.  Lather up and rinse.  The hair can wait until tomorrow.  Hardly relaxing but at least you are clean. Sort of.  You’re saving water at least.   
5. Breastfeeding on the go – when your baby is half way through his hour long feed and you only have half an hour left of parking and haven’t even picked up one thing from your list of things to get – you’ll find yourself breastfeeding on the go.  As long as he’s being fed you can carry on your with what you need to do. Multitasker extraordinaire!