Mum says: “This bottle was recommended by my child health midwife”
Deciding which bottle is best for your bub isn’t easy. There are so many different brands and styles on offer that it’s hard to know which one your bub will take to.
It’s also not very cost effective to have to buy lots of different bottles to work out which one your baby prefers.
The good news is that reading bottles reviews from other parents can help you with your decision.
There’s one brand of bottle that Tell Me Baby parents are raving about: Pigeon Flexible Bottle (PP). With 62 reviews, it’s been awarded 4.5 stars, which we think is pretty impressive.
“Pigeon was recommended by child health midwife”
One reviewer said the Pigeon bottle was recommended to her by a child health midwife and that it “saved her sanity”.
“LOVED the Pigeon bottles for my daughter, only bottle that worked for addressing her feeding issues,” she wrote.
“Pigeon was recommended by child health midwife after trying so many different ways to feed (positions, taking breaks etc). This bottle saved my sanity, I was so distressed every feed, as was my daughter, so starting her on this bottle with no further issues was a godsend!!!”
“My son transitioned to these bottles effortlessly.”
Another parent said her son took to this bottle without any issues.
“My son loves to hold his own bottles and these fit perfectly in his hands. The plastic bottles are lightweight and durable,” she said. “I love the glass bottles, even after multiple washes and sterilising, the measurements are still perfectly clear and readable! My son transitioned to these bottles effortlessly. I swear by them!!”
Baby can self-feed
Lost of parents said their bubs were able to pick up self-feeding with these bottles.
“When you find a brand that works for you and your baby you tend to stay loyal and that was the case with Pigeon for us,” wrote one reviewer. “We loved them with baby no 1 and still love them with baby no 3. These are lovely and slim so baby can self feed when he wants to, they are easy to keep clean and we haven’t had any leaks. They are affordable, an all round winner.”
Still not convinced? Read more bottle reviews from other parents.
‘Potentially dangerous mould’: warning about popular cot
An urgent health warning has been issued to families who use a Mocka cot.
The Sydney Morning Herald says there has been multiple reports of mould growing under the base of the popular cot.
Additionally, one mum who found mould growing under her child’s bed took to Instagram to warn other parents.
Sharing an image and a warning to other parents on Instagram, mum Katie Williams (@lifeofkatiewilliams) said: “PSA to anyone that owns a Mocka cot!!!!!!”
“I changed my 5-month-old baby girl’s sheets last night and was absolutely horrified at the black mould and spores I discovered on the base of her cot.
“I changed the sheets just 8 days ago and (to the naked eye) didn’t see anything. I am completely rattled by the fact that my baby has been breathing in the severe effects of the toxins caused by black mould.”
The mum adds that there isn’t mould anywhere else in the room, and the mattress is breathable. She also checked her son’s Mocka cot “and saw that it had started growing on his too.”
Check your Mocka cot immediately
The ACCC issued a warning on Facebook telling parents to check their Mocka cot “immediately”.
“If you or someone you know has a Mocka brand cot owned by Adairs, you should check it immediately, as we’ve received a number of reports of potentially dangerous mould growing on the base of some cots.”
If mould is found, stop using the cot immediately and contact Mocka Australia as well as the ACCC, as they’re currently investigating whether the mould is dangerous.
Importantly, “If your child is showing symptoms of mould exposure like congestion, sneezing, coughing, respiratory distress, allergies or other irritations, please consult a doctor as soon as possible,” the post says.
Mocka has also released a statement on their Facebook page saying they are “very concerned about these reports” and have “commissioned laboratory testing alongside a detailed investigation and are working with the relevant regulators to understand the factors that may have contributed to mould growth.”
“We expect to have the results of this investigation soon.”
Worried parents should contact Mocka’s customer support team: enquiry@mocka.com.au
10 lies parents told themselves before having a baby
Before I became a parent, I’m ashamed to admit it but I judged my friends. I couldn’t understand why their kids had to nap right in the middle of the day. If I wanted to meet up with them it had to be early in the morning, or I had to wait around all afternoon until their child woke up from their nap.
One thing was for sure. When I had children, they absolutely would not be taking up our whole day napping.
I cringe whenever I think about this now.
Thankfully, I’m not the only one who lived in a dream world before having kids.
We asked the mums in Tell Me Baby’s private Facebook group “What are some things you swore you would do differently to other parents? Or what did you find out out to be not true about raising kids?”
Here’s what they said.
10 lies parents told themselves
1. “No dummies ”
Lots of parents go into parenting with the mindset that they’re not going to give their baby a dummy. That is until their baby won’t stop crying and they will try absolutely anything to help soothe them. This was a common answer!
2. “I thought breastfeeding was a given and would be easy”
Many mums mentioned breastfeeding as something they wished they were more prepared for.
“I thought breastfeeding was a given and would be easy,” said one mum. “But my daughter was fully formula fed after eight agonising weeks of trying and trying to breastfeed.”
3. “If they sleep in your bed they will never sleep on their own!”
I get told this any time I mention that my son slept in our bed overnight. However, the next night, he goes back into his own bed. It’s not always as you’ve been warned!
As all parents know, and as one mum said, “Some nights you just need to do what gets everyone sleep and it’s not the end of the world.”
4. “That you have to read all the books!”
“I was given books from friends and after finishing work I was too exhausted to even pick them up. I thought I’d failed before our little girl was here,” one mum admitted.
“Now I’m relieved I didn’t read them. I spoke with friends who read multiple books and the stress they had from working out which book to follow as they all contradicted each other …”
5. “Sleep when your baby sleeps”
This one is hilarious. First of all, you have to have a baby who actually sleeps. And if they do sleep, it will be the only few minutes you have to yourself all day – spend them wisely.
As one mum wrote, “Sleep when your baby sleeps. Yeah right! Not when you have dinner to cook and a house to keep clean and washing!”
6. “That a baby will just sleep when it’s tired”
Imagine living in a world where babies just pop themselves to sleep when they are tired. Lots of parents also believed that putting your baby down drowsy but awake for bed would be a piece of cake.
One mum said she learned this lesson “the hard way”.
7. “Size of clothes does not equal age of child!”
“A big one that I didn’t think of until I had kids – SIZE of clothes does not equal age of child!” one mum said. “My son doubled his weight by 2 months old and has just remained above the ‘average’ child. I now have a healthy 2-year-old in size 5-6 clothes who is the size of the child and not a toddler. That one still blows my mind when he plays with his petite friends in their size 2 clothes. I had no idea.”
8. “Going from 1-2 children is hard but 2-3 is a piece of cake (sure!)”
No matter how many children you have, this mum says it’s all hard. “Just had babe number 4 & it’s still bloody hard. Also the whole ‘oh, it’s your 4th, they raise themselves by this point!'” Um, nope.
9. “My husband and I both said we would make noise while the baby slept”
“Before baby, my husband and I both said we would make noise while the baby slept so she got used to sleeping with noise,” shared one mum. “Little did we know we would have a baby that hated sleep, particularly during the day .” No noise it is then.
10. “I’d never want anyone to babysit”
When your baby is so tiny and new, it’s hard to imagine ever being apart from them. But as this mum says, eventually you will need a break.
“I always said I’d never want anyone to babysit and that I’d want to have my baby with me all the time. HA! I was so wrong… this mumma needs a break!”
5 last-minute (non-chocolate) Easter gifts for your baby or toddler
There’s a good reason why kids (well, and adults) love celebrating Easter: chocolate!
But for many parents whose babies are too young for chocolate, or those who want to give something other than just a sweet treat, it can be hard to think of a substitute.
If you’ve left buying an Easter gift to the last minute, here are a few ideas that your child will love.
1. Jellycat bunny
When parents in Tell Me Baby’s Facebook group “Aussie mums due 2022/21/22” were chatting about non-chocolate Easter presents, lots said they were getting their little ones a Jellycat bunny.
Thankfully, these can be snapped up through The Iconic and shipped super fast. At the time of writing this article, David Jones also has 20% off the Jellycat range.
2.Pyjamas
As well as chocolate, Easter usually brings some cooler weather, so why not find some very cute bunny-themed pyjamas to gift your little one.
You can never have too many books, and Target and Big W have lots to choose from.
4. Chocolate custard
If you really hate the idea of your little one missing out on the chocolate fun, you could give them a little chocolate custard treat like this one from Rafferty’s Garden for babies over 6 months. It currently has a 4.5-star rating on Tell Me Baby.
Some mums in our Facebook group said they are getting their baby a card to keep and remember their first Easter. Etsy has some very cute personalised first Easter cards – look for a printable version, as it’s probably too late to order. Otherwise, your local newsagent will have lots to choose from.
Viral video proves clogged milk ducts are ‘no flipping joke’
A TikTok video that went viral last year is doing the rounds again – and it’s easy to see why.
Mum Tyler-Marie Oates shared a video of what a clot looks like after it has passed through the milk ducts, and it isn’t pretty.
“In case your significant other doesn’t believe you that a clogged duct hurts, show them this,” she captioned the video.
Unfortunately, for this breastfeeding mama, her clogged milk ducts led to a serious case of mastitis.
“I went septic from mastitis and this is one of the many clots I passed,” she added
“My boob was going to explode”
In April last year, when Tyler-Marie spiked a fever, she had a feeling it was mastitis so the mum of a three-month-old baby went to the hospital.
Once there, all the tests for mastitis came back negative but she stayed the night while waiting for the results from her COVID test.
“Overnight, I began to get worse and started spiking a high fever again,” Tyler-Marie told BuzzFeed. “The next morning, I noticed my boob had started turning red, was swollen, and extremely full. When I would pump, hardly anything would come out, and if it did, it was blood. There was a crazy amount of pressure, it almost felt as if my boob was going to explode.”
Her fever reached 40°C, her heart rate increased and her blood pressure dropped — the early signs of sepsis.
Finally, Tyler-Marie was diagnosed with mastitis.
For three days Tyler-Marie pumped to try and suck the infection out. She was sent home, only to return two days later, with signs of sepsis again.
“A little thicker than a shoelace string”
Doctors told her she would need to keep pumping or have surgery to remove the clots.
“I was already away from my daughter for almost [a week] and was determined to get back to her. So I took pain meds, and with the help of my boyfriend and the amazing lactation nurses there, I pumped and got it out,” she said.
Tyler-Marie passed between 10 and 15 clots, one of which she shared on Tik Tok.
“It was not pleasant by any means and would honestly burn on their way out,” she said.
“The clot came out of my nipple. It squeezes its way out, and yes it’s extremely painful, but I was on medicine, which helped me get through it. I also dangle pumped and used gravity to help pull the clots out along with a lot of pushing with my hands and fist.
“When the clots would come out, they would be a little thicker than a shoelace string while exiting and in the bottle would form together to make the slime-like ball in the video.”
Commenters who saw Tyler-Marie’s video were quick to offer their sympathies.
“Clogged ducts are no flipping joke!!! I feel you momma. I’m so so sorry,” said one commenter.
Another said: “Both clots you’ve posted look super rough mama, hope you feel better after passing these!”
Others said they didn’t even realise this could happen when breastfeeding.
“I got mastitis with 104 fevers, even had an occasional clogged duct, but nothing like this. As a nurse, I’m baffled how this comes out, how???!!!”
Another added, “Had no idea this was even a thing 😳”
What is mastitis?
So what is mastitis? Mastitis is an inflammation of the breast that can lead to infection.
Speaking to Tell Me Baby in a Facebook Live, Midwife Tylah explained, “It’s caused when those ducts get blocked, and they get infected, and it can even lead to abscesses in your breast that then have to be surgically drained.”
As for symptoms, Tylah says one of the earliest signs of mastitis is flu-like feelings.
“You will feel like you’re coming down with something, but probably, the most visually obvious is that your breasts will go red and they’ll become inflamed.”
“Your breasts need to be kept as empty as possible,” says the ABA website. “Your baby’s sucking is the best way to do this. The milk is quite safe for your baby to drink.”
Feed more often than usual, starting each feed on the sore breast. Let your baby suck long enough on the side to make sure that it is being drained well. However, take care not to let the other breast become too full, as it may cause a similar problem in that breast.”
If that doesn’t work, Tylah has an interesting tip that might help to clear a blocked milk duct: use a toothbrush.
“But some people also use things like electric toothbrushes to try and move the milk down – that vibration could help sort of break it up and get the milk out.
“The biggest thing would be, if you notice mastitis coming on, to try and see a GP straight away and get on top of it with antibiotics.”
50 top baby names set to trend in 2022 (that aren’t Charlotte or Oliver)
Want to know what baby names are set to take over the baby name charts this year? We do too!
Thankfully, the people at Nameberry have taken the time to analyse names from upcoming TV shows, movies, and celebrity birth announcements to bring you a list bursting full of unique names they think we’ll be seeing a lot more of this year. (Think Rhaenyra – the heroine of the upcoming prequel to Game of Thrones.)
Nameberry says, “These names combine all the right ingredients for success right now – blending a fashionable sound and style with influence from pop culture, current affairs, and societal trends.”
So if you’re stuck for a name and after a little inspiration, here’s a list full of names to add to your list.
50 trending baby names in 2022
Arlo
August
Aurelius
Betty
Blythe
Bridger
Bruno
Calanthe
Chance
Cleo
Cosmo
Daphne
Draco
Eloise
Emrys
Estella
Flora
Forest
Imogen
Ivo
Jonah
Kekoa
Hollis
Indigo
Lark
Lavender
Lilibet
Lux
Maeve
Magnus
Mirabel
Oona
Oren
Otis
Ottilie
Perrin
Prairie
Rhaenyra
Rhodes
Romy
Rue
Shiloh
Sienna
Sire
Taika
Theo
Vander
Vincenzo
Wells
Wilhelmina
7 baby products that will reduce stress, according to parents
Any product that reduces stress is a winner in our books – parents have enough to worry about it, so products that can ease your worries are always welcome.
We’ve searched reviews by Tell Me Baby community members to find seven highly recommended products that parents say genuinely helped reduce stress.
1. Rite Aid Baby Nail Trimmer
Eliminate the possibility of cutting your baby’s actual finger when trying to trim their nails thanks to the Rite Aid Baby Nail Trimmer. Its rotary filing function is completely safe for a baby’s sensitive skin and nails.
Parent review: “We bought this after really struggling with a nail clipper and a wiggly baby! It takes longer to do than using a clipper but so much less stressful! Takes a couple of tries to get the hang of it, but it works great and is easy to cut babies nails. It’s also great that it has the difference nail files for different ages too.”
The Britax Back Seat Mirror provides a view of your rear-facing baby at any angle. Best of all, it’s shatter-proof!
Parent review: “Great mirror. Easy to install and does what it is meant to do. It made driving with a newborn easier by being able to see baby’s reflection in the mirror while driving. Definitely took the stress while driving away. Only useful while baby is in the rearview position (approx 9 months) – money we’ll spent.”
Huggies Ultra Dry Nappy Pants are now 25% thinner and 70% more flexible to allow baby to move more freely, and parents think they are pretty great.
Parent review: “We switched to this when bub was fighting nappy changes and it was so stressful for everyone. Easy to put on and remove. Thinner than the usual nappies. Elastic waistband which is more comfortable I think for bub, especially when seated. I noticed though that it doesn’t hold much that’s why we don’t usually use them overnight. These are our go to nappies when we are out as bub always cries whenever in a changing room.”
Kiddylicious Melty Buttons are a yummy snack that will melt in your baby’s mouth while helping them learn how to eat solid food.
Parent review: “My daughter absolutely loved them. Gobbled them up so quickly! I like that they start to dissolve a bit in your mouth so I don’t get as stressed about her choking. I thought the flavour was great too. We got the pumpkin and banana ones.”
With the push of a button, the Milkeo makes a bottle of formula to the perfect temperature and consistency.
Parent review: “A lifesaver for the middle of the night feeds. This is a great formula preparation machine that is easy to use and clean. The temperature and volumes are fairly accurate as long as keep calibrated. Would highly recommend for busy parents and multiple mums. Takes the stress out of measuring formula and checking temperatures of bottles. Expensive but really worth it!
6. Gro Company Gro Egg 2
The Gro Company Gro Egg 2 takes the guesswork out of knowing the temperature of your little one’s room. The Gro Egg 2 includes 4 adjustable brightness levels so you can use it as a nightlight too.
Parent review: “The Gro Egg has really helped to reduce the stress of dressing my daughter for bed. I always know the temperature in her room and can dress her appropriately. I also love that it can double as a nightlight and with several brightness settings it is so convenient. You can easily and quickly see the colour of the egg or the exact temperature and have peace of mind. Great for a first-time parent.”
Parent review: “These straps are great at making the car super safe for the kids. My twins used to pull their arms out regularly making every drive stressful. Now with the Houdini straps, I don’t have to be worried anymore. The kids are unable to get their arms out and I can concentrate on driving instead of having to constantly check their arms are in.”
Paediatrician’s warning to parents this Easter: “These can be deadly”
An Irish paediatrician has taken to TikTok to warn parents about a very common choking hazard that can happen around Easter.
Dr Niamh Lynch, known on TikTok as @tiktokkiddydoc, says that although mini solid Easter eggs are a fun treat for kids, they’re also “rock hard and can completely block your child’s airways.”
Using a pen, she explains that a toddler’s airway is about 4mm in diameter – the same as the pen. And if you look at the size of a mini chocolate egg, “you will see that it is the perfect size and shape to completely block your child’s airway,” she says, blocking the hole of the pen with an egg.
“These things are a major choking hazard,” she adds.
“We’re really careful with grapes and cherry tomatoes and we cut them up small, but these things are so cute and so delicious and we get so excited about them that we sometimes forget that they can be deadly.”
She added that eggs and lollies this size shouldn’t be given to children under 5.
But that doesn’t mean your kids have to miss out on all the chocolatey fun this Easter.
In an Instagram post shared last year, Nikki, the founder of Tiny Hearts Education, urged parents to skip the tiny eggs and choose larger ones instead.
“Many of the Easter eggs we see on the shelves are real choking hazards,” she wrote. “When purchasing please choose larger, hollow eggs broken into small pieces as they are less of a choking hazard.”
So yes, you can still fill your kids up on chocolate this year – just skip the tiny eggs.
When it comes to baby bottles, there are a lot to choose from. But which one is best for your baby?
Our community of parents has rated the bottles they’ve tried and shared their opinions on what has or hasn’t worked for them. Based on their reviews, we’ve compared Minbie vs Tommee Tippee.
Parents can also take a look at our best bottle comparisons to find out the most rated products.
Minbie
Features
The PPSU bottle:
higher heat resistance so its safer sterilisation
tested safe from BPA, BPS, Bisphenol’s, estrogenic and androgenic activity (EA-free).
looks like glass, but won’t break when dropped.
The teat
helps avoid nipple confusion
supports a newborn’s natural development and digestion
allows a newborn to practice the proper anti-mastitis breastfeeding latch
Minbie Premium PPSU bottles start at $17.95 for a bottle without a teat. Buying a bundle will work out cheaper, visit the Minbie website for bundle deals available.
Sizes and Age Suitability:
Extra Slow – 0+ months
Slow – 1+ months
Medium – 3+ months
Fast – 6+ months
Advanced – 9+ months
Pros
A few commenters who were exclusively breastfeeding their baby found bub took to the Minbie bottle without any issues which made them very happy.
One reviewer said: “Being exclusively breastfed she preferred the boob always but thank you to Minbie she now takes a bottle no problem and I can get some freedom.”
Other parents also thought their baby had fewer burps after drinking from this bottle. “She didn’t seem to have as much burps afterward.”
Cons
Some parents said their bub didn’t like the shape of the teat. “I found the teats a little firm and the lipstick shape not quite right for my little man.”
Example review
“Buying bottles for the first time is stressful. So many different teat designs and when breastfeeding, you want something that doesn’t take away from the natural nipple feel. This bottle perfectly complements my breastfeeding journey so that my partner can feed bubs occasionally and give me some personal R&R. The teat design didn’t upset bub like other bulky, round designs. It also didn’t give him gas like some other brands we’ve tried.”
Parents say they found the Tommee Tippee bottles easy to clean, and love that there is a whole range of colours.
“The teats are easy for a baby to take a bottle, especially when transitioning between breast and bottle,” said one reviewer.
Cons
Some parents found the bottles to be too big, but many also liked that about the Tommee Tippee bottles.
“They are on the bigger side but I find them actually comfortable to hold, and my little ones don’t seem to have any trouble holding them,” a parent wrote.
Example review
“My baby loves to have these bottles and only these bottles. They are the closest ones to the real thing and it shows by how well it works. I’ve never had a problem with him taking the bottle from day dot. Which also makes it easier to transition. They also can be laying flat and not spill which helps when they fall asleep and the bottle falls to the floor.”
Confused about the meningococcal B vaccine? Here’s what you need to know
Meningococcal disease is any infection caused by meningococcal bacteria (Neisseria meningitides), and it is a rare but life threatening disease that can progress incredibly quickly.
There are 13 strains of meningococcal disease. You can be immunised against strains A, B, C, W, and Y, and the meningococcal ACWY vaccination is given for free at 12 months as part of the national immunisation schedule.
That leaves meningococcal B.
The meningococcal B vaccine: who can get it?
When it comes to protecting your children against meningococcal, NSW Health says, “Any person from 6 weeks of age who wants to protect themselves against meningococcal disease is recommended to receive the two vaccines available in Australia.”
“Infants and children under 2 years, adolescents, and people with certain medical conditions are strongly recommended to receive both meningococcal vaccines.”
The meningococcal B vaccine is provided free under the National Immunisation Program for Aboriginal children up to 2 years of age, and for people with asplenia, hyposplenia, complement deficiency, or receiving treatment with eculizumab.
South Australian babies and children receive the vaccine for free through SA Health.
Other parents must pay for the vaccine.
If you choose to do this, you’ll need a script from your GP, and then you’ll need to pay for it yourself. The cost depends on the type and brand of vaccine, and where you buy it from, but it’s usually between $100 and $150 for each dose.
Better Health Victoria says the meningococcal B vaccine is effective and safe but like many medications, it can have some side effects.
“Meningococcal B vaccine commonly causes fever, localised pain, redness, and swelling at the injection site,” says the website.
Additionally, they say fever is a common side effect in children under 2 years of age when the meningococcal B vaccine is given.
“It is recommended to use paracetamol (15 mg/kg per dose) 30 minutes before every dose of meningococcal B vaccine given to children under two years of age or as soon as practicable.
“Be sure to give the paracetamol dose that is written on the bottle according to your child’s weight.”
”
.” No noise it is then. 
