We then started our bottle feeding journey with formula and its remained that way since. We went through a number of different formulas for her until we found a prescription one that she didn't have an allergic reaction to. Because she's allergic to cows milk and soy milk she has to keep drinking formula for the moment even though she's almost 2, and with her allergies being as severe as they are I don't see that changing any time soon.
Anyone who's prepared a baby bottle knows that it requires perfect calculation to get the bottle temperature right {or a lot of luck}. With the added pressure that if its too cold she won't drink it and if its too hot it could burn her {or will need to spend ages cooling down, which isn't ideal when you have a hungry baby on your hands}. There's numerous ways to try and get bottles at the right temperature including using a bottle warmer or using boiling water then submerging the bottle in cold water until it cools to room temperature. We've been preparing her bottles by sterilising them, half filling them then placing them in the fridge to cool until needed. When needed we boil the jug then fill them to the required level so that the cold water + boiling water combine to create the right temperature. All of these methods take time and that's not ideal when you have a hungry baby waiting to be fed, but there's never really been a solution to the problem. Until now.
closer to nature® realise preparing bottles isn't always straightforward, so to help parents everywhere, they've created the perfect prep™ machine. Specially designed to make preparing bottles quicker and more accurate, this clever device makes a fresh bottle at just the right serving temperature in less than 2 minutes, so your baby’s bottle will be perfect every time. The best part is it actually does work and its designed to fit most bottle shapes and sizes so if you have other brands of bottles you can still use them with the machine.
The Perfect Prep comes with a 150ml bottle, a lid to seal and mix the formula and one filter for the machine. The filter should last approximately 3 months and additional filters can be purchased for $20 from Babies R Us or Baby Bunting. The box is quite large but the machine itself doesn't take up too much bench space which is good because I leave ours on the kitchen bench at all times.
The instructions may look overwhelming to some at first because they're 2 pages long, but that's because they're broken down into step by step photo instructions. The most time consuming part is setting the machine up because you have to run hot and then cold water through the machine to ensure its all cleaned out and set up properly. Once that's done using the machine is really easy though, so easy in fact I made a video to show you {please ignore my sinus voice}.
As you can see from the video, using the machine is quite easy and it produces a perfectly measured bottle at the right temperature in under two minutes. Even though we had our bottle preperation down to a {somewhat} perfect science, using the perfect prep is still quicker then boiling the jug and filling the remainder of our chilled bottles. The perfect prep negates the need for a jug and a bottle warmer when preparing bottles. The only thing that would make it better would be if there was some way to incorporate the formula being measured and dispensed by the machine as well {but that's probably pushing my luck and would probably create cleaning dramas over time with powder residue building up in the machine, hence why they probably didn't do that}. I really love that the machine works well with other brands of bottles because a lot of people receive bottles at baby showers or buy them early on before bub is born and this way if they're not Closer to Nature bottles you don't need to go out and buy a whole new set of bottles just to use the machine.
As you can see from the video, using the machine is quite easy and it produces a perfectly measured bottle at the right temperature in under two minutes. Even though we had our bottle preperation down to a {somewhat} perfect science, using the perfect prep is still quicker then boiling the jug and filling the remainder of our chilled bottles. The perfect prep negates the need for a jug and a bottle warmer when preparing bottles. The only thing that would make it better would be if there was some way to incorporate the formula being measured and dispensed by the machine as well {but that's probably pushing my luck and would probably create cleaning dramas over time with powder residue building up in the machine, hence why they probably didn't do that}. I really love that the machine works well with other brands of bottles because a lot of people receive bottles at baby showers or buy them early on before bub is born and this way if they're not Closer to Nature bottles you don't need to go out and buy a whole new set of bottles just to use the machine.
TIP: Measure out your formula for night feeds into a formula dispenser to make overnight feeds even quicker.I wish I had the Perfect Prep sooner, it would've saved so much time. Especially during the middle of the night feeds in winter when she was really young and all I wanted to do was feed her as quickly as possible so we could both get rugged up and back into bed. I imagine it'd be a life saver for parents of newborns and younger babies who have more regular bottles throughout the day and I'm really glad we've got it to use with any future babies we may have. It'd be a perfect baby shower present or must have item for first time parents.
The perfect prep™ machine is available at Babies R Us and Baby Bunting, RRP: $250. For more information visit: closertonaturebaby.com.au | facebook.com.au/closertonaturebaby | @closertonaturebaby1
PERFECT PREP GIVEAWAY
Good luck everyone
Toni x
P.S. If you're having issues leaving a comment choose the anonymous option and then change the name to your name or include your name and email address in your comment so I can reconcile the entries.
Terms & ConditionsCompetition commences 12:00am May 15th 2015 and ends 12:00am May 30th 2015. Entry is open to Australian residents only, excluding ACT. One reader will win a Perfect Prep machine from Closer to Nature valued at $250. Prize is not transferable. Prize will be delivered by Closer to Nature, Finding Myself Young takes no responsibility for prize delivery. This competition is a game of skill and will be judged as such. All mandatory entry steps must be completed to constitute a valid entry. Incomplete entries will be deemed invalid and excluded from judging. Winner will have 72hrs to respond or prize will be redrawn. This competition is in no way endorsed, promoted or administered by Facebook.
Disclosure - I was sent a Perfect Prep machine in order to provide a review. All opinions expressed in this review are based on my experience with the product as per my disclosure policy. I did not receive payment for this review.
Middle of the night
ReplyDeletefeeding became a fight.
Silent Reflux, tongue tie,
sad breastfeeding my little guy.
This is solution to
feeding problems with #2.
This looks AMAZING!!! Not only would this be helpful for me but also for grandparents and dads who are on duty when I want to go out! Trying to get it just right is hard - as you have said it is an exact calculation. So glad to see Closer to Nature have such a great product out there!
ReplyDeleteI can imagine it'll help out the dad's a lot haha
DeleteThis would be a time saver and blessing for my daughter who has a 1 1/2 yo and 5mnth old twins.
ReplyDelete^ Sharon Whitney's entry.
DeleteI'm terrible at guessing temperature. Even for weather. This is the perfect tool to not have to think!
ReplyDelete^ Shannae entry.
DeleteTo do it right, first time, every time, just like Mummy does and this Dad struggles to do (Ern).
ReplyDeleteNo room for error!!! Perfect bottle in minimal time, and I like the sound of that :) - Di
ReplyDeleteI would love this cos like seriously who wouldn't like to make life a little easier :)
ReplyDeleteHaving three children time is so precious, this will be so valuable in making life much easier for us!
ReplyDeleteWith continuing sciatica pain, rocking and even just holding bub is a challenge but with the added heating and cooling, it's the worst kind of struggle.
ReplyDelete^ Alison Briggs entry.
DeleteHungry bubs with lazy Mum's like me need Perfect Prep
ReplyDeleteI'm ALL for making life simpler and easier particularly with the very near prospect of juggling 3 kids at once! 2 of which will probably be drinking from bottles. I need me a little handy sister like this. It might be just the thing that keeps me from being certifiable.
ReplyDeleteI imagine I'd be certifiable with three kids too just quietly {one day I'll find out}.
DeleteI can remember the early day with my first bub when trying to heat up a bottle in the wee hours of the morning... trying to get the temp right and then making it too hot and having too try and cool it in a cup of water with a baby screaming close by! This is great idea.
ReplyDelete*days *to lol I always proof read after I hit submit!
DeleteThis would be the perfect gift for a friend who is expecting her first bub. :)
ReplyDeleteBecause my prepping skills suck and I need a machine to help me do it!
ReplyDeleteNiceto see Closer to Nature are looking out for the new mums. This would've been a godsend 5 years ago when I had to make2 bottles and it would take forever...
ReplyDeleteIt'd be awesome for parents of twins, so much quicker.
DeleteThis would have been handy when my boys were babies, but I have to say I'm glad those days are over! I'm glad you've found something that works for you. xo
ReplyDeleteIt looks like a little coffee machine for babies! When D was a baby I made all of his bottles up in one go (including formula) and it made things so much easier. Plus I didn't heat his bottles from the start and it made going out where there wasn't always a way to heat a bottle easier too.
ReplyDeleteIts exactly like a coffee machine lol. I heated hers from the beginning because she was a winter baby she wouldn't drink them cold.
DeleteIt does look like a coffee machine for babies. I can hardly remember the bottle stage it was so long ago but this would have been handy when my youngest was born 10 weeks early and all the feeds had to be expressed and then bottle fed. Every 2 to 3 hours. I would just finish one feed put bubs down to sleep, express, clean and entertain/feed my 1 and 2 year old and start all over again.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds exactly like a coffee machine, even the beeping. I can't imagine having that many kids that close! I think I'd lose my mind, although hopefully having a second bub won't be as hard because I'll kind of know what I'm doing next time around.
DeleteI still remember the bottle stage well - this machine would have been a godsend for me back then!
ReplyDeleteAs since our daughter is 25 and her daughter is 10 months we're a bit out of practice in the bottle preparing scene.
ReplyDeleteThis is AMAZEBALLS. My cousin is a first time mum who is struggling with feeding issues. This would be perfect for her.
ReplyDeleteIt is pretty amazeballs haha!
Deletein the dark house when the screaming starts the milk is preped at lightening speed so all can get the sleep they need!
ReplyDeleteI need a Perfect Prep because evolution has let me down! How come Mother's still only have two hands??
ReplyDeleteI'm having an IUGR baby who'll need 2 hourly feeds to grow. Thus, the Perfect Prep would be a lifesaver for my tiny hungry bub.
ReplyDeleteI heard these are so amazing and being a busy mum with an at home business this will be great for my second bubba
ReplyDeleteIt looks like it would be Daddy proof for when I'm out and about.
ReplyDeletewestbrook.maggie@gmail.com
Knowing its the right temperature and not having to stress, making it so much easier and convenient.
ReplyDeleteWould be a time saver and would help with the stress so much especially when baby is up crying their little lungs out
ReplyDeleteFor my daughter, she has just given us grandbaby no 3 Hudson, with 2 toddlers and a newborn on her hands, this would be awesome..
ReplyDeleteThis will be perfect as I am due for my first bub and have never made a baby bottle before!!!
ReplyDeleteGreat for Dad so Mum can get some well deserved rest!
ReplyDeleteWith my sister just giving birth to twins and this is a great way for her to get the bottles ready whilst she tends to them. My mum would have loved this when I was younger!
ReplyDeleteIt takes all the guesswork out of preparing bottles, and gets them ready quickly! It's easy and versatile to use with any size bottle.
ReplyDeleteI was lucky enough to breastfeed but my Sister in law isn't quite so lucky, so I think this would be the next best thing to keeping her Bub happy and healthy!
ReplyDeleteWhen you have a baby nothing seems to be perfect but with perfect prep you know you can at least do one thing perfectly without thinking twice
ReplyDelete