Avent breastfeeding range
The most solid planks that Avent has, since its inception in 1984, built up its reputation in the industry of baby-and-mother-care, are invention and innovation. While the rest of the market was complacent in manufacturing the same old products that had brought up quite a few generations hithertofore, it was Avent that, with its revolutionary concepts, blazed a trail that its competitors found very difficult to keep up with.
The Avent saga began with the plain-vanilla nipples that are attached to standard milk bottles used for feeding children who are not nursing at the mother's breast. The nipple that was ubiquitous in all breast-fed infants' homes, was the first to get a facelift. The new, improved nipple caught the fancy of parents very quickly. Realization, that they were sitting on a goldmine of opportunities, motivated the promoters of Avent to move fast; and within a short span the company came out with a diverse range of breastfeeding products. Almost all of these products have some or the other first to their individual credit, and almost all of them have some or the other patented technology incorporated into their design. The company has positioned itself in the market such that, having walked into a retail outlet selling Avent products, a mother need not have to go anywhere else for any of her breastfeeding requirements.
The Avent Nipples are the first, and the most durable of the breastfeeding range of the company. These Nipples are designed to prevent, or atleast reduce, the incidence of colic in infants. There are different holes in the tip of the nipple that can be regulated, thus altering the rate of flow of milk in the child's mouth. This is especially useful when the child grows, and its demand for milk changes over a period of time.
Pacifiers brought out by Avent are symmetrical and so designed as to ensure proper development of the baby's mouth. These pacifiers come with a snap-on cap that keeps the nipple clean, which means that all that a travelling parent has to do is to throw the piece in the bag, and move. Some of their models come with glow-in-the-dark handles too!
When it comes to breastfeeding, sterilization of all equipment is a must. The company offers Sterilizers that can be used to cleanse bottles, cups, storage containers and the different components of the breastpump quite effectively. It is recommended to undertake the cleansing exercise periodically, and as frequently as possible, in order to keep all equipment germ- and bacteria-free.
Avent also has a Food Warmer in its repertoire, that safely heats breast milk that was kept in the freezer. The heating process happens quite evenly, so that the entire milk reaches the same temperature in double quick time. A microwave is usually not adviced to be used for warming breast milk, since the heating process might be uneven.
Infants graduating to toddlerhood, say somewhere in the 8+ month range onwards, begin to look at the world around them with wonder. They are grown up enough to move to the Magic Trainer Cups, that have special spouts that are firm and can handle the teeth that are pushing out in those tender jaws. As the infant grows older, it tends to "throw" those cups around, creating the risk of spillage. Fortunately, Avent's Magic Cups are spill- and drip-proof, even when they are tossed, dropped, or held upside down. The valve opens quite easily though, when the baby actually "sips" at the spout, and "magically" closes on its own when the drinking stops. So much for creativity!
The VIA Kits are stackable, disposable containers that can be used to express, store and transport breast milk. A VIA base is affordable to the extent that it can be thrown away. Alternatively, they can be recycled to up to a recommended three times.
The company's Natural Feeding Bottle changed the traditional designs of milk bottles from long, narrow ones to short, broader ones, forever. Not only are these designs easier to hold for the child, they are also quite convenient to clean for the parent, too. Their specially designed nipples also prevent the child from contracting colic.
The ISIS breast pump has become the company's mascot product. The manual pump has a patented Massage Cushion that has petals that massage the area around the nipples and the areola, such that, in tandem with the silicone diaphragm, a natural flow of milk is obtained.
The company's products, in a sense, help busy parents with taking care of their child every step of the way. Till the child outgrows its requirements of feeding from the breast, Avent is the baby's best friend!