Who else has AVENT problems? (I'm ranting)

[lmariana]

We've been using Avent bottles since Gabriel was born (nearly 7 months now), and we've had an okay time with them. Once we figured out the right way to tighten, we had leaks *almost* under control. I was given a whole new reason to HATE them last weekend.

We were at Disney World, and I bought the bottle sealing caps so that we could pre-make some bottles and put them on ice in our little bottle bag, so we'd have a couple feedings while we were out 'n about. The first feeding went fine, no problems, but the second feeding attempt almost did me in.

I pick up the bottle bag (out of my brand new Kiwi E3 stroller basket) and all of the sudden there is (stinky) formula EVERYWHERE...a puddle in the basket, on my shoes, on my socks, on the floor, on the stroller, on my new Ella bag, on the baby....EVERYWHERE except in my Avent bottle with the sealing disc. Somehow, the ring loosened between the first and second feeding, and 8 oz. of formula were all over the place, and I had no food for my already screaming baby.

Looking back, I would have laguhed more, because it was a madhouse, but I didn't find it very funny at the time. Hubby ran to the baby care center and bought some overpriced formula, I calmed a crying baby, formula was baking in the hot sun, and I was on the verge of tears because I didn't want my new, pretty stroller to get stinky. :)

Long story...but the AVENT sealing discs did not work for me. The second bottle was in the basket of the stroller the whole time, not being shaken or jostled around...just sitting. How in the world did the ring come undone??? I found it completely detached.

Does anyone have suggestions for other wide-mouthed bottles? I thnk I'm giving up on Avent.


Mariana
Mother of Gabriel, 08/14/2003

[mik8]

I know a lot of moms swear on Avent bottles but it never ever worked for us. Always end up having too much foam in her formula and chronic leakage was a major problem and catastrophe. Gave it up a long time ago. We're now using wide neck Dr. Brown's (although more parts to clean and for some it's cumbersome)and has work well. When outside home, I use the nurser by playtex with disposable liners. Used it entire trip to Disney last month and never had any leakage at all. Sorry to hear about your fiasco. :(

Hope you'll find the right bottle. :)

[Momof3Labs]

We never had any problems with the sealings discs from Avent; maybe it was just a fluke??

[dotgirl]

We've never been able to get our son to even take the Avent bottles, although I'm planning to try once he's a little older. We have 2 of the large ones and 2 small ones, because they came with my Isis pump, but the only thing he's interested in are the Playtex disposable ones. However, I find that the Avent bottles occasionally leak if I lay them on their side when storing them in the fridge with BM in them. (And I get *sooo* mad when I lose any amount of breastmilk, so I've stopped using them for storage.)

[lmariana]

Thanks for recommending the Playtex ones, I will check those out!

Mariana
Mother of Gabriel, 08/14/2003

[DDowning]

I stopped pre-mixing formula months ago. What I do now when I'm traveling is to have a pre-sorted formula holder (like the ones from Sassy), I carry a bottle of water (Aquafina usually) and empty clean bottles. When DS needs a bottle, I just make it then and there. I had a couple of issues with leaking in the early times and learned my lesson. If you don't want to lug around a water bottle water, you can fill them first with water. If it leaks, its just water. I haven't used the sealing caps yet but another thing I noticed when I put the plastic caps over the nipples is to make sure the nipple is pushed down evenly in the center with the cap - if its a smidge off center, I'm going to have a leak.

[HelenD]

Yes, I've had problems with the Avent bottles, lids, and nipples. And it really chaps my butt because the lactation specialist I used RAVED about Avent for the BF baby. My BF baby *HATED* the nipples, the bottle leak all the time, and frankly, with the way they leak, I'm not very comfortable storing expressed BM in them.

So, yes, they, well, aren't what they are they're cracked up to be.

I recommend the playtex drop in bottles too. Although I hate the idea of having to put in a new plastic liner for every feeding and I don't store milk in them, they don't seem to leak, and DD tolerates the nipples.

Helen

[bnme]

I'm another who has never had a problem with the discs either. I use them on the go and in the house all the time, and have been doing so for over a year. One thing I will say is that I do not put them in the dishwasher - so maybe that is part of it. I know my tupperware and other plastic type lids always seem to warp slightly in the dishwasher.

It would be nice if they had a one piece lid available so this wouldn't be an issue.

[Chelsey333]

I used Avent with my ds when he was an infant, but never used the sealing discs. Can you tell my why you would use sealing discs? I am having my 2nd baby in May and my sil gave me some sealing discs, and I am not sure why I would use them. Why wouldn't I just put the entire bottle together w/the formula in it, then all I have to do is heat it up when baby is hungry. Seems like the sealing discs would be more work. Does the sealing disc just make it easier bec you can take less bottles when traveling?

[lmariana]

Ironically, the sealing discs are supposed to prevent leaks and spillage while traveling.

When I'm just at home, I just use the bottles and nipples alone. I too pre-mix a bunch of formula and then just heat when needed. I mainly use Evenflo bottles, but the Avent have a greater capacity and wider mouth, which is better for mixing formula.

Mariana
Mother of Gabriel, 08/14/2003

[kijip]

As to why the sealing discs are used- Prevent leaks and keep the nipple separated from the milk and thus sterile whilie on the go. They have little plastic things that screw into the rings to seal off the nipple. Thus you have 2 rings, plus a sealing disc and the plastic screw in thing and a cap and a nipple for each bottle. Maybe they like seling you all of these extra pieces.

I have never had problems with the sealing discs but had trouble when shaking up both breastmilk and formula. My son likes the nipples so we use them on the bottles and the sippy cups. We have not have leak issues in awhile.

None of my friends who use Gerber or Evenflo or playtex seem to have the leak problems. Maybe the grass is always greener....

[CarolynRS1]

I came here to post about my AVENT problem as well and was happy to see that I am not the only one.

I am having a lot of problems with leaks. What is the right way to tighten the bottle so it does not leak?

[TraciG]

How is the sassy formula holder, I tried a different brand holder but I feel like when u turn it over into the bottle some formula from the other sections comes out also , do u find this ? I usually carry the formula can with me which is annoying !

My Avent bottles sometimes leaks also, VERY annoying, I would have been pissed off !!!!!!!!!

[hellokitty1]

I use Avent exclusively (invested too much to drop them :)) and we have leaks from time to time. Avent told me two things: 1)While the nipple and ring are still wet from washing, you should place the nipple back in the ring; don't do it when both pieces are dry. 2) Also, you're actually not supposed to overtighten. Go figure on number 2.

But anyway, the moral of the story is that I know turn the bottle over to see if it leaks before I shake it up or store it and if it is leaking, I just atek it off and start over again.

HTH.

[DDowning]

No, the spout only drops the presorted formula I want in there. I've been very happy with the Sassy. The only thing that I think they could improve upon was to make it so that you don't leave any formula powder after dumping from your section. Since the top of the container is flat, I have to shake it back and forth to make sure that everything gets in and none remain. But as far as powder leaking from the other sections - nope the container cap goes on pretty tight.

[babyengberg]

I am having problems with LEAKY Avent products, but it's the Magic Cups, not the bottles that are wreaking havoc in our household. My son is now 1 and has transitioned to the Magic Cup for his whole milk and water. I now get milk in my purse and all over the floor. When DS gets really going, he leaks milk all over himself in the process. It's really, really irritating.

I never really got into the bottles (I have a few) because we've breastfed the whole time. DS decided early on (with his numerous teeth) that chewing on the bottle was more fun than feeding from it and would then bite me in subsequent nursings. We're weaning now, so we're moving full time to the sippy cups.

I've had very good dealings with the Avent customer service (Isis Breastpump), but am having a hard time with these Magic Cups. I'm going to go to Babiesrus today and buying cups from another manufacturer. I don't think the problems with Avent are isolated. I asked my brother about the Magic Cups and he said theirs also leak and that he thinks that they're over-engineered.



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[akc]

Hi -

We had no problem with the AVENT bottles for my first daughter - except, of course, for the stupid leaky problem if you don't loosen the cap. BUT, my second had problems because the silicone nipples were so hard. She just couldn't close her mouth around them, so the formula leaked out the sides. This meant that she was gulping air each time she sucked - not good. Not to mention the mess and the expense of throwing formula down the drain (expensive when it's Similac Advance)!

I went to the mother's clinic at my OB (where I delivered) and the lactation/feeding expert there suggested the Playtex bottles. If you want drop ins they have the Naturalatch nipple, which is really soft and the bottles works well. We went with reusables b/c that's really all we know how to do, and got the Playtex Ventaire bottles (in a wide mouth) with the Ventaire nipples (a little harder but not nearly as tough as the AVENT nipples). We really like them, even though I don't buy into the Ventaire in terms of removing gas - it's just a gimmick. BUT, I found the bottles to be nice to hold, they don't leak, it's all completely interchangeable, and my daughter is feeding very well.

Now, don't even get my husband started since we have 18 - yes, 18 - 4 oz Avent bottles. I can't BF, so we wanted 3 days worth of bottles during the infant stage. Now, they are packed and waiting for the next child...IF there is a #3!

HTH -
Alexa

[kdegnan]

I'm having leaking problems with Avent AND Playtex NaturaLatch! The old playtex nipples (with sort of flat-topped nipples) didn't leak (with DD). Can't seem to find those nipples anymore. So, we have several Avents and several NaturaLatch and all leak. Nothing's worse than popping a bottle into a screaming DS' mouth, realizing it's leaking, and having to take it away from him to stop the leak. Also neither child really likes/d the Avent nipple. A lot of stopping and starting while sucking, which is why we ended up going with playtex for DD.

Ok, granted, I'd rather not let DS get to the point of screaming before feeding him, but chasing my almost-3-year-old around makes it more difficult to pick up on the more subtle signs of hunger. Anyway, the bottle-making companies shouldn't require us to be so precise when tightening bottle lids. It should be simple and easy!

I'm going to try Dr. Brown's.

[div_0305]

We wasted so much money on Avent when DS was born. We had more problems than I have time to type about. The main problem was gas. My DS at 1 week old burped like a truck driver and had painful gas coming out the other end. Like magic, Dr. Brown bottles saved the day, and year! It was a very expensive experience for us. Breathe, breathe, breathe...

[daniele_ut]

We started out using Avent, but hated the leaking issue. Once we figured out how to make them NOT leak, we realized that the nipples were so hard and slow that DS constantly gulped air, giving him horrible gas. After a few weeks we switched to wide mouth Dr. Brown's and it was like having a totally different child.

I then used the Avents as very expensive EBM storage bottles in my fridge for the rest of my pumping career. I used the sealing disks that require you to pop off the nipple and replace it with the disk and those worked fine. I eventually sold the whole set at a great loss to some other poor sap who professed a great love of them.

Eventually, when I got sick of the constant washing of the Dr. Brown's while traveling at around 10 month old, I picked up some Playtex Nursers with the NaturalLatch nipples and we used those until he weaned from the bottle at a year. Since we are trying to avoid polycarbonate next time around, I think we'll start with the Playtex next time.