Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature Perfect Prep Machine - Review

I was really excited to become a Babies R Us Babyologist.

The first product they asked me to review was the Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature Perfect Prep Machine.

I was really looking forward to testing the product as Baby M is really impatient and we made his bottles using the kettle.  This means you have to wait for the bottle to cool before he can have it.  This machine boasts that it makes perfect temperature bottles in 2 minutes.

The machine is really easy to set up and the instructions are very clear.  You get an instruction booklet which is easy to follow.  There are also instructions on the box if you need them.

To set up the machine you need to run through some boiling water, then add the filter and run through some cold water and you're done - simple!!

Now all you need to do is fill up the machine with fresh cold tap water and you're ready to go.

I have to admit whilst the machine sounded amazing I was concerned about how the bacteria would be killed in the formula, I didn't want to use something that might give Baby M bellyache.  I needn't have worried though.  The first part of the bottle making sees the machine put hot/boiling water into the bottle, then you add your scoops of formula, mix then put back under the machine for the rest of the water to be added.

Every bottle we have made has been ready to use and Baby M has had all of every bottle.

The only con I have found is that sometimes (every few days) we get a bottle that isn't the correct volume.  When this happens the bottle is usually 7.5oz rather than 7oz.  Also the first time he used it Mr M took too long mixing the bottle and the machine turned itself off.  He is a faffer, you have 2 minutes from the hot water being put into the bottle to add you formula and mix - which is plenty of time - but it's something to bear in mind when making the bottle.  Make sure you don't get distracted by something else or the machine might turn itself off.

The Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature Perfect Prep Machine is £74.99.  I would definitely say that it is worth the money.  The filter that comes with the machine is valid for 3 months, which I think is a good length of time for the number of times you can use the machine in a day.  A replacement filter is £8.99.

Using the Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature Perfect Prep Machine has definitely made feeding easier.  Baby M no longer cries for his bottle as it's ready in minutes.

I would give this product 5/5 and I would definitely recommend it


Disclaimer: I have not been paid for this review.  I was sent this product free of charge to review but my views are my own  

Useful travelling items - what we found useful going on holiday

We found a few items helpful whilst we were away.  Now I know these items won't be helpful to everyone as we were lucky that the caravan is my folks but I would take these items for visiting family too.


Sleeping

We got our travel cot from kiddicare, I was a little worried that Baby M wouldn't like it as he's only slept in his moses basket but he slept fine the first night and the rest of the time we were away.  We got a mattress as well to make sure his sleep was super comfortable and slept him in sleeping bags rather than sheets.  We will also do this when he moves to his cot as he kicks his sheets off at times in the moses basket and I would be worried he will smother himself.  Sleeping bags are a great idea as they keep baby cosy but safe.  We also put him in his sleeping bag before bed so we didn't have to faff about and wake him up.  I don't mind changing his nappy with the sleeping bag on but Mr M isn't so keen.

Feeding

We bought a travel steriliser from Morrison's, it's a kiddicare one.  It was rubbish!! It says you can fit 2 bottles in it, I don't know how!! We had to put one bottle and put it on it's side.  The top didn't fit that great either.  In the end (after lots of stressing on my part) we bought an Avent Classic from Argos and left that at the caravan.  My mum will take it to her house for when we go and visit.  For feeding Baby M on the go we were probably a little lazy and got the pre made Aptamil bottles.  We thought this was a much easier way to feed him as we would be out and about and wouldn't know when we would be feeding him.  I know you can fill bottles with hot water and have the formula in container as we do that at home but we thought for ease the pre made bottles would be easier.  It was a quick way of ensuring Baby M was fed.

Car

My mum bought us a travel mobile from Babies r us.  I wasn't sure whether Baby M would be interested as he sleeps a lot in the car at home but it was a great way to keep him entertained!! He loved the dangling parts and looking at himself in the mirror.  We have kept it in the car since we came home as he loved it so much.  We also have a Lindam mirror so I can see him in my rear view mirror.  Mr M can also see him if he turns round.  It is more for our reassurance as we can see him and check he is ok even when he's sleeping.

Bathing

When my mum said she had found a travel bath I wasn't that convinced but when we used the Tippitoes folding bath we were pleasantly surprised.  The bath is a really good size, it is supposed to last baby until they are 2.  The plug is blue and turns white when the water is too hot.  It also folds completely flat meaning it is great for travelling.