I have a love-hate relationship with milk bottles. When I had my first baby,  J , I was inexperienced in latching and he had jaundice. So due to poor latching technique and advise from PD to go on 72 hours formula milk to conclude it is breast milk jaundice, he took to the bottle at an early age. Even though  I managed to train him to latch fully at 3 months old, once I went back to work, he clearly preferred the bottle over latching. Hence, J took any bottle and any teats readily over latching.

When it came to the subsequent babies, I was adamant that latching is the convenient way (and lazy way, no washing, no pumping, no sterialising) especially with more kids to take care off. So there was no bottle for the first few months so as to reduce nipple confusion (I had my mum feed milk using a syringe). And when its time for me to return back to work, C and small J would refuse the bottle and latched extensively when I am home. I changed several bottles and teats for them until i found one that they didn’t mind so much.

Now that baby C is the fourth child, I was more relaxed in terms of  bottle feeding even though latching will still take precedence. But I still waited till baby C is past 1 month before introducing milk bottle proper.

I was introduced to this range of revolutionary milk bottle created Singapore mum of 4, Ms Yvon Bock. I am sure she fully understand the challenges of breastfeeding in the Singapore context. And her brainchild created this set of revolutionary milk bottles so that mothers can carry on breastfeeding for as long as they want. The bottles are designed to minimise spillage and wastage as every drop of liquid gold is precious. And the bottle can be converted to snack containers once the baby outgrow the 150ml bottles, how ingenius!

photo credit:Hegen

I was so excited when these arrived at my home. I love pink packaging and the packaging for teats has the prettiest pink hue (ok, not a good reason to buy) but wait till you learn about the great features of this range of bottles!

photo credit: Hegen

PCTO Innovation

One of the benefits of Hegen is the Press-to-Close, Twist-to-open. This feature set them aside from the conventionary milk bottle. This revolutionary innovation means there is no screw thread closure. In order to open, it has to be snapped on and twisted off to minimise spillage. You can even use a single hand to open. (when you need to carry baby to make/warm milk)

Its SQUARE!

It is supposedly easy to hold for baby’s hands due to its revolutionary shape, however baby C has yet to show ability to hold bottles, so I cant vouch for this for now!

Ease of washing because its square

One of the main reasons for me being so insistent on latching the baby is simply because I am lazy. I am lazy to wash the pumps, the bottles etc. I dislike using the bottle brush cleaner to clean the milk bottles as I feel it is such a chore. So when I saw Hegen bottles, finally some one has cleverly invented a milk bottle that doesn’t require bottle brush for washing. I can have my whole hand with using a normal dish washing sponge to clean the milk bottle. Good riddance bottle brush cleaner!

Stackable breastmilk storage

The storage lids are made so that it is stackable and it can also be connected to ensure minimal use of space in the fridge/freezer. For mummies with poor organisation skills like me where my EBM bags are in different forms and sizes, this makes breast milk storage so tidy and neat!

photo credit:Hegen

Off-centre teat

Though it takes some getting used to, to insert the off-centre teats into the square bottle rim as compared to the usual round rim (as there is only 1 right way), the teats are created off-centre to enable baby to feed from a more upright position. This claim to lessen the risk of milk back flow which may cause mid-ear complications.  The teats comes in slow flow, med flow and fast flow.

Same bottle for storing and feeding breast milk

The same bottle is use for storage and for feeding. That cuts down lots of washing time as there are less bottles to be washed and sterialised.

Push buttons on storage lids

I was also wondering what are the buttons for. With the buttons, you can interconnect the storage bottles, and you can transport many bottles at one go instead of fumbling with many round bottles from the fridge to the cooler bag. This is great if you need to “transport” baby and milk to infant care or care giver. That is another great idea to help careless mummies who need to pack baby and milk to go in the mornings!

Minimal bottle changing

photo credit: Hegen

I will be picking the 2 winners using random.org . The giveaway closes on 27 Sept 2015, 2359pm. The winners would be required to collect the prize at one of Hegen’s retail outlets. Detail of collection will be advised later by Hegen’s representatives.

The kind folks at Original Sprout send me a package right after I informed them the birth of baby C. The very next day , this was sent to me. (Its always nice to hear door bells bringing gifts for the newborn to break the monotony of staying confined at home 24/7.) Baby C is so blessed to be trying out this range of worry-free luxury.

Previously, I have used California Baby and Mustela for my newborns. I think being newborns they should only get the best in skin care (I dont really care about the price as the baby’s consumption of skin care is low especially with the cases of Johnson & Johnson) Most importantly it must be gentle and chemical free for their delicate skin.

How does these range compared to those i have used before?

Baby C started using the Hair and Body Babywash since he returned from hospital.

Here’s the baby C all ready for bath time…

As my mum worked up a lather, i can smell a very sweet and heavenly smell. According to the label on the bottle, its a mix of Calendula, Cucumber, Rosemary and Arnica. It is easy to rinse off on hair and body leaving the body feel clean and soft and smelling so good! (newborns smell great to begin with). According to the label, this wash is also good for clearing cradle cap and dry scalp. My other kids had this and i had to buy special hair shampoo to help manage the cradle cap. Crossed fingers for now baby C doesn’t seem to have it, but if it ever occur, i hope this wash will clear it too!

After bath, baby C tried the Scrumptious Baby Cream which leave the skin soft and moist. It doesn’t leave an oily residue on the baby nor on my hands. And similar to the wash, it smell heavenly.

My 4 year old girl uses the Natural Shampoo, Deep Conditioner and the Miracle Detangler for her long locks.

The shampoo is non-drying and with a small application of conditioner, her hair is soft and smooth. Frankly, there really isn’t a need to use the Miracle Detangler as the shampoo and conditioner make the hair really easy to comb. I only use it in the morning (as she has a messy hair after waking up) before tying her hair for school so that its easy to comb n tie.

Original Sprout is currently available at Watsons, Kiddy Palace, Motherswork and 1010 Mother & Essentials.

Disclosure: We were given Original Sprout products to review. No monetary compensation was received and all opinions here are our own.

In celebration of baby C’s full month, the good people at Original Sprout have kindly sponsored a hamper worth more than SGD 50 consisting of the products below:-

–          Hair & Body Babywash 12oz (worth $25)

–          Scrumptious Baby Cream 4oz (worth $16.90)

–          Miracle Detangler 4oz (worth $16.90)

–          Natural Shampoo 1.25oz

–          Deep Conditioner 1.25oz

And the hamper will be hand delivered to the lucky winner! (Singapore address only)

a Rafflecopter giveaway