Disclosure: I am part of the PTPA Brand Ambassador Program with Philips Avent and I received compensation as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.
When Addie was born, thoughts of laying in bed, blissfully breastfeeding my new, perfect baby filled my head. She was born 4 years ago, just last week, and I was on cloud 9. Watching her chest rise and fall, nothing was as I’d expected… starting with 36 hours of (mostly unmedicated) labor.
![A feeding journey + #giveaway: #LoveIsInTheDetails [ad]](https://i2.wp.com/aisforadelaide.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/addie-feeding-her-baby-bottle-philips-avent-classic-ad.jpg?resize=686%2C1024&ssl=1)
As the hours passed, so did my initial letdown from maternal bliss. My baby didn’t crawl to my breast, searching for milk as I’d seen in viral videos. In fact we both ended up crying over the struggle. I’m not sure if it was the continuation of tears or my grievance at attempting to nurse with a shield in public, but eventually, the dream of exclusively breastfeeding my darling daughter relented, and I gave myself over to the pump.
![A feeding journey + #giveaway: #LoveIsInTheDetails [ad]](https://i0.wp.com/aisforadelaide.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/breastfeeding-adelaide-philips-avent-classic-baby-bottle-ad.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&ssl=1)
I’d heard horror stories about which bottle to choose, colicky babies, gas bubbles and upset bellies, unclean bottles (which was a BIG concern for me since we didn’t have a dishwasher), and rejection. I headed to the store and scooped up the simplest bottles- Philips Avent Classic+ Baby Bottle– hoping the parts would be easy to clean and care for, and that Addie would appreciate their simple design.
![A feeding journey + #giveaway: #LoveIsInTheDetails [ad]](https://i1.wp.com/aisforadelaide.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/classic-baby-bottles-philips-avent-ad.jpg?resize=1024%2C732&ssl=1)
Indeed, my girl took to her bottle like a champ. Hungrily drinking my breastmilk from the Avent Classic+ bottle, my heart soared. I learned a lot from that first moment of bottle feeding.
Babies just need to be fed. #LoveIsInTheDetails with @Avent_US Classic+ #giveaway Click To Tweet![A feeding journey + #giveaway: #LoveIsInTheDetails [ad]](https://i2.wp.com/aisforadelaide.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Philips-Avent-Classic-review-giveaway-ad.jpg?resize=306%2C408&ssl=1)
![A feeding journey + #giveaway: #LoveIsInTheDetails [ad]](https://i2.wp.com/aisforadelaide.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Adelaide-and-Daddy-feeding-journey-ad-avent-classic-baby-bottles.jpg?resize=150%2C150&ssl=1)
Addie and I eventually ended our breastfeeding journey altogether. I relinquished my dream for that of reality- which was even better. My baby was flourishing, full of milk, and Dave LOVED being a part of feedings. They would stare at each other, locking eyes, exchanging smiles well into the late hours of the night and early hours of the morning. Even our puppy loved watching his baby sister eat! This was what defined success for me. I finally understood: Happy baby. Happy family.
The simplicity of the Avent Classic+, with just 3 pieces to separate and clean, made cleaning, washing and drying easy- even without a dishwasher, and the wide mouth design meant I could always get into the bottle and be sure all parts were clean inside.
![A feeding journey + #giveaway: #LoveIsInTheDetails [ad]](https://i2.wp.com/aisforadelaide.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/parts-to-the-philips-avent-classic-baby-bottle-ad.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1)
The new version of the Philps Avent Classic+ Baby Bottle is even better- these 4 years later so much is- with a new one-piece anti-colic system. There’s an innovative valve integrated into the nipple, which helps ease airflow- lessening the chance of baby getting gas due to ingesting air during feedings. Keeping baby happy, means keeping everyone happy, right?
While my entry into motherhood and our feeding journey was bumpy, once we found our way it was smooth sailing. Having the best for my Addie gave her the start she needed to be the beautiful, smart, witty 4 year old she’s become- and truly gave me a life lesson in parenting I won’t soon forget: very little goes as planned, so be more prepared for change than anything else!
I want to give you the same gift of a happy feeding journey with you and your babe(s)! Don’t forget to enter the #LoveIsInTheDetails giveaway below, and get ready to begin your beautiful journey.
The only story worth your telling, is your own. #LoveIsTheDetails @Avent_US #giveaway Click To Tweet
Philips Avent Classic Giveaway
![A feeding journey + #giveaway: #LoveIsInTheDetails [ad]](https://i0.wp.com/aisforadelaide.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/philips-avent-classic-baby-bottles-ad.jpg?resize=1024%2C1024&ssl=1)
Oh, man, I miss those days of snuggling a baby w/ a bottle! I too thought I would be a breast feeding warrior. And it didn’t happen. Choosing bottles is so difficult. I’m glad they have such great products for the new mamas out there.
It was hard for me with Addie, too! SO thankful for Avent!
My kids are 9-14 but we used Avent when they were babies. A brand I really trusted.
That is awesome!
Nothing goes as planned when it comes to motherhood! My son was NOT into breastfeeding and you know what – I was ok with it. I feel like it was just as special to feed him with a bottle – he needed me just as much!
Amen to that!
I had a hard time with breast feeding as well. Those bottles were lifesavers for me. Great post.
Lifesavers, for sure!! #fedisbest
I miss breastfeeding my son! He is 3 years old now. Amazing post! Thanks for sharing.
Aww. I am still BFing my 19 month old… I am so not ready for it to end!
I’m trying to be as prepared as possible to breast feed when my time comes this summer. But I’m also prepared to roll with the punches. Don’t know what might happen with these girls! Great post!
It’s all a learning curve- Addie I pumped and bottle fed, Millie is all breastfed, and still loves her booboos at 19 months. I wish you all the luck with whatever works for you, mama!!!!5
I am so sorry nursing didnt work out for you, but am glad you did find what worked for you. Moms do their best and it sounds like you did what was best for you and your baby. 🙂
I love our story- which is so different than her sister’s. Motherhood is a wild journey!
I am sorry you didn’t get to nurse. With my second child I couldn’t as I didn’t produce a single drop of breast milk 🙁
We used Avent bottles with both kids! Such a good brand!
I loved pumping for her and that she was so happy being a chubby, fed babe. My Millie is BF… and still loves nursing at 19 months- and it is taxing!
I have a baby due in June, so I’ll use it for her!
Oh yay!!! Early congratulations to you!!
I formula fed from day one and always used Avent bottles. They were awesome 🙂
They really are!
My daughter used Avent bottles with both of her kids, loved them. Would highly recommend them to anyone that chooses not to breast feed.
We really loved them!
We were able to do nurse exclusively, which was good for us because I cannot pump. I tried so hard and couldn’t do it. The bottle you chose is the one that I wanted to use if I could’ve pumped.
I EBF now, but my first was mostly pumped milk. Without Avent, I don’t think she ever would have eaten!
My kids are all grown up now but I miss those days. My oldest was the easiest to nurse but my middle child had terrible food allergies and he was malnourished and dehydrated. It was a scary and frustrating time.
Oh no- sounds like it!
You know what makes you so impressive? You’re the very definition of why you shouldn’t judge a book by it’s cover. On the outside, you look like such a total bad ass. And you probably are on a lot of levels. But then you have these pictures of you and your daughters, and they’re so tender. They’re so NOT what you would expect from your “cover”. I <3 it!
I’m a total badass 😉 But more like a tender mama, for sure. I love my babes- and I hope they exude nothing but love.
OMG she is absolutely the cutest kid ever!!! Feeding her baby….so sweet! My sister ONLY uses Avent products!
They really are the best!
I breast and bottle fed and I also used Avent with my babies. I get them as baby shower gifts as well.
I always gift them!
I loved Avent products. I was not able to breast feed when my son was born. I was able to pump and fed My son through Avent.
That is so wonderful! That is my story with Addie!
I do miss those days. We had to use bottles a lot and Philips Avent were the only ones we used. They were shaped a little differently back then though.
When I used the, even a few years ago, they were different!
I love the Avent bottles. They have always worked wonders for me. Some of the best bottles to use for babies.
SO true!
We’ve had great luck with our Philips Avent bottles. A good bottle is so important with those young babies!
It really is so important!
These bottles are great.
Indeed!
I’m so glad bottle feeding worked out so well for her! A great bottle feeding system is totally key for less stress for mama and happy eating for baby.
That is SO true!
Aww, these pictures of Addie with her little bottles are too cute! We also preferred Advent after our breastfeeding journeys.
Awesome!
Thanks for sharing your precious memories of Addie. That is so cute how she is now bottle feeding her own little “baby” doll.
She loves to nurse and bottle feed her babies! I love that she is so comfortable with either method depending on her mood 😉
Hey there! I’ve been reading your blog for a while now and finally got the bravery to go ahead and
give you a shout out from Houston Tx! Just wanted to mention keep up the good work!
Jim recently posted…Jim
Thanks so much!
we would keep this for the little one we’re expecting in january!
How exciting!