Babble Best: Baby Self-Feeding Systems
Five solutions for hands-free bottle feeding.
by Angele Sionna
February 3, 2009
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Being a new parent can be overwhelming. Fortunately, self-feeding systems can give you a break by letting your baby be in control of her formula or expressed breast milk intake. These things are miracle workers for any busy parent, especially those of multiples. An added bonus: the makers of all these products claim they reduce colic and ear infections because baby eats in an upright or semi-upright position. Here's a look at the five best baby self-feeding systems out there. — Angele Sionna
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Babble Best: Podee - $9.75 including bottle or $7.50 without bottle
If I could only pick one baby product to have (outside of formula and diapers), this would be it. The Podee is the original hands-free baby feeding system, invented by a busy dad. This thing looks weird and people will stare — but then they'll come over and ask where you bought it. It consists of a special nipple (available in silicone or latex), two straw-like tubes, and white plastic parts to connect it all to any eight-ounce bottle. You just hook the parts together and voilà! — a happy baby. It can even be used by newborns, or later, configured for toddler use. Podees come with a small bristle brush to clean out the tubes, which can be a pain. But that's why I have three of them. My favorite Podee use: putting my infant daughter in a wrap with a Podee and walking with my two-year-old to the playground.
Get the complete feeding system from Amazon.
Get the bottle-conversion kit from Amazon.
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Baby Self-Feeding Systems: Runners-Up
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Pacifeeder by Savi Baby - $16.95
Similar to the Podee is the Pacifeeder. This self-feeder has a pacifier-like mouthpiece (available in yellow, pink or blue), and a double tubing system made to stop babies from pulling out the tube. The Pacifeeder has a cool velcro handle to attach it to a stroller or highchair, as well as a self-cleaning system that hooks up to a standard faucet. Note: some moms say that if your baby doesn't take a pacifier, he may not take the Pacifeeder either, though the company says otherwise. Pacifeeder is recommended for babies three months and up.
Get it from Amazon. |
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Baby Self-Feeding Bottle Straw by Ai-Non - $7.99
This system works along the same principles of the Podee and Pacifeeder. The big difference: the Ai-Non Straw has a stainless steel ball weight on the bottom of its tube to hold it in place so baby can get the very last drop of whatever it is she's drinking. This weight, however, prevents the Ai-Non Straw from being used with glass bottles. The company recommends it for babies four months and older.
Get it from Amazon. |
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Foogo Leak-Proof Straw Bottle by Thermos - $15.19
This fantastic product (available in pink or blue) is BPA-free, made of stainless steel, and insulated. It can keep drinks fresh and cool for up to twelve hours, making it perfect for a road trip or shopping excursion around town. The Foogo Straw Bottle is also leak-proof, with a push button lid and pop-up straw. The downside: the minimum recommended age is six months, and baby needs to hold the bottle upright for best results. It can be used well through the toddler years.
Get it from Amazon.
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Bebe Bottle Sling by Ergo - red canvas model $14.95, monkey model $19.95
A different take on a self-feeding system for babies, this apparatus needs to be hung on the handle of an infant carrier. Baby eats in a semi-lying-down position with the bottle dangling in front of her. The Bebe Bottle Sling comes in two models: red canvas or a supercute monkey design. Either model holds all sizes of bottles and adjusts to fit all infant car seats. It's not recommended for use in a moving vehicle.
Get it from Bebe Bottle Sling. |
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©2009 Babble Media
About the Author
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Angele Sionna has been a professional journalist for over a
decade, and writes the
national Early Childhood Parenting column for Examiner.com. She has two beautiful girls, Ava and Ellerie. |
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