First-Time Feeding - Product reviews from new parents

Medela Breast Pump Nuby Rapid Cool

For a new mum, anything that is easy to use and provides quick results with minimal effort is very welcome and I found just that with the Medela Solo Breast Pump. Following the arrival of my son in May this year, we’ve been on quite the feeding journey together. Now landing on a combination approach, the Medela Solo Breast Pump has enabled us to reach a point whereby he gets all the benefits of breast milk and I’m a much more relaxed mum! I found the pump quiet enough to use at any time, even in the early hours (when milk production is at its highest) without disturbing my son or husband sleeping in the same room. I’ve also used it whilst on the phone without a problem; mummy multitasking never stops! The pump itself is compact, breaks down to a couple of components for cleaning and sterilising and goes back together really easily. Overall it’s really straightforward to use. It is tactile and stylish in appearance with a small fabric loop which I found great handy for scooping up the unit with one finger whilst having my hands full holding my baby. It has four simple operating buttons including a pause function which I’ve used a lot with an unpredictable newborn, as I can pause mid-express then start it running again when convenient. There are a couple of different settings to allow you to tailor the strength of pump to your personal preference and ensure it’s comfortable. It also comes with a handy base to ensure the bottle stays upright and avoid spills; every drop is precious! The unit is charged through a USB cable. I found the battery life to be just what I needed for expressing 2-3 a day. The charge would last for about 6-8 sessions depending on length of each session. If I was being really picky, a helpful addition would be if the unit had a lock function to avoid accidentally pressing the power button in transit but it doesn’t detract from what a great product this is overall. It’s transformed my expressing routine into a much more efficient process meaning I have more time for those precious baby cuddles! One of the most challenging things in trying to adjust to life with a newborn is figuring out just how you’re going to feed them safely, especially on the move when you don’t have your steriliser to hand. As new first time parents, we’re naturally concerned with keeping equipment clean and sterile but also want to be able to get out and about. That’s where the Nuby Rapid Cool has become a real game changer for us! The kit comes with a hot water flask and two Rapid Cool (white) flasks. Two formula pots are also supplied together with a miniature bottle cleaner for the lids of the two white bottles which can’t be submerged in water to clean. The kit itself is really easy to use, simply pour freshly boiled water into the grey flask and seal. Then measure the required amount of formula out into the individual pots and you’re good to go! When the time comes to make a feed, taking the grey flask first, pour the required amount of water into the white unit. There’s a measure on the inside of the white unit to help guide you on the right amount to include. Pour the formula in with the water and place the lid on tightly. Shake really well to mix then turn the flask upside down for 5 seconds. Turning the flask back upright, press the circle on the lid and the colour will tell you if the mix has reached optimum temperature. If it’s green, it’s good to use. Any other colour and it needs a little more time so keep shaking and checking, it’ll only take a minute or so more. When the green shows, pour the mix into a sterilised bottle for feeding. Check the heat as you usually would on the inside of your forearm before offering. The whole process is really smooth when you get the hang of it and really does make a perfect bottle in a matter of minutes. We trialed the set out in both a cafe setting, on the floor of a baby group and even the changing rooms of the local swimming pool without any problems so would be fairly confident it’ll perform regardless of where you happen to be going! The other great thing is the everything can be popped in the UV steriliser before and after use so you can be sure it’s safe to use again and again. Overall, the Nuby Rapid Cool has transformed our ability to produce clean and safe feeds for our newborn on the move and has become an invaluable piece of everyday kit!

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