Bottles, nipples, flow speeds, oh my! Choosing the right baby bottle can be a tad overwhelming. That’s why we’ve scoured the market and have come up with reviews of the best baby bottles for you to compare.
Best Baby Bottle
Phillips Avent is made of classic polypropylene, is BPA free, and is opaque in color. It is proven to reduce colic and fussiness in your baby by pushing air into the bottle rather than into your baby’s tummy. The two-piece anti-colic system works by combining the use of the Slow Flow Nipple and the adapter ring. The skirt on the nipple tightens as your little one feeds so there is no vacuum buildup, causing the air to go into the bottle. The nipple is made of soft silicone, and the dual hole works with baby’s natural feeding rhythm, allowing baby to control the flow so that he or she doesn’t spit up or eat too much.
The nipple itself is best used by infants 1 month or older and breastfed babies of all ages. The dome cap makes sure that the nipple is securely fastened to the bottle so that there are no leaks, spills or messes. The wide mouth of the bottle itself makes it so easy to clean, and both the bottle and nipple are dishwasher and microwave safe.
The shape of the container itself, while again easy to clean, is also easy to fill. It is designed ergonomically, so baby can comfortably hold the shape, despite tiny hands. Included with the 5 9 ounce bottles are 5 caps and 5 nipples.
What we like: Simple design means not too many parts to clean and/or lose.
Top 5 Baby Bottle Comparison
Below is a comparison of the top 5 baby bottles based on features.
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Baby Bottle Reviews
Playtext VentAire Bottle Starter Gift
Included in this set are 3 6 ounce and 2 9 ounce bottles, extra slow and fast flow nipples, extra vent disks and extra bottle caps. Using these bottles will reduce your baby’s gas, spit up, colic and general fussiness because the BPA-free bottles feature a silicone vent that improves the rate of flow so your baby has an easier time drinking. Also, the angled designs makes you prone to feed the baby in an upright position, which pediatricians say is best for avoiding ear infections.
What we like: Never leaks, and can use parts with Playtex disposable bottles, too.
Avent Natural
The wide, breast-shaped nipple makes it easy to combine breastfeeding and bottle-feeding by providing a natural “latch-on” that is flexible and comfortable. The twin valve in the slow-flow nipple helps babies feed slowly and comfortably to prevent colic. The ergonomic shape makes it easy for both child and parent to hold, and the wide neck allows for easy filling and cleaning.
What we like: The comfort petals inside the nipple prevent nipple collapse.
Dr. Brown’s Natural Feeding Set
Included in this feeding set are 2 4 ounce and 3 8 ounce bottles, 2 nipples, 2 storage caps and 3 cleaning brushes. The bottles themselves are made of polypropylene and are BPA, PVC, lead and phthalate free, and the nipples are made of level two silicone. The positive pressure flow is similar to breastfeeding, and air is removed from the milk via a vent system, preventing gas and also maintaining essential vitamins like C, A and E. The vacuum-free feeding can help prevent fluid in the ear.
What we like: Great for breastfed babies—they will hardly tell the difference!
Avent Natural Glass Bottle
Using a BPA free glass bottle, made of borosilicate glass, is the most natural way to breastfeed. Glass is also the easiest and safest to clean and sterilize. As for the rest of the bottle, the soft, breast-shaped nipple makes combining breastfeeding and bottle-feeding much easier. Built-in petals make the nipple more comfortable and flexible, while preventing nipple collapse. While the little one is feeding, twin anti-colic valves push air back into the bottle rather than into your baby’s stomach.
What we like: High quality design not only makes the product easy to hold, but also significantly reduces feeding problems.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When do I introduce bottles? If you are planning to breastfeed and use bottles, it is best to allow the baby to get the hang of breastfeeding before adding a bottle to the mix, which usually takes 4 to 6 weeks. If you introduce the bottle too soon, baby might learn to prefer it. However if you wait too long, baby might reject the bottle.
- Why is my baby fussy during feeding? There are many potential causes for fussiness that might mean you don’t have to buy a new bottle. The nipple could be the problem. If he or she is sucking hard and inverting the nipple, try a different level nipple for a faster flow. Or maybe the nipple hole is too big, causing milk to flow too fast. Perhaps your baby is gassy. Reduce this possibility by nursing the baby upright, making sure that the nipple is always filled with milk and no air. Another option is that baby simply doesn’t like the taste of the milk or formula.
- Do I need to heat up baby’s bottle? You don’t need to, but many babies prefer a warm meal. Never microwave it because it can cause hot spots that will burn the baby’s mouth and also destroy vital nutrients and proteins.
- What’s the best way to clean a bottle? New bottles and nipples should be sterilized in boiling water for five minutes before use. After that a good soak in warm, soapy water should do the trick. Make sure to get in all the nooks and crannies with a detail brush and then allow all parts to air dry thoroughly before using again.
How to Select a Baby Bottle
- Try some out. You won’t know what kind of bottle will work best for your baby, or for you, until you try them. Ask friends their opinions, check the online forums, and purchase a couple to compare. Once you’ve found one you like, you can purchase some more along with accessories.
- Usually made of silicone or latex, nipples are a big part of the operation.
- Shape- Traditional nipple shapes are shaped like a bell or a dome, however if you plan to switch from breastfeeding to bottle-feeding, you might consider flat-topped or wide nipples that will feel more like a mother’s breast.
- Disposable- Good for traveling or on the go, these are prepackaged and pre-sterilized. Simply pop on and pop off.
- Flow and size- Usually, younger babies require a smaller nipple and slower flow rate. As they get older and better at sucking, they can switch to a larger nipple and faster flow rate. The milk or formula should drip out at a steady speed, not pour out. You don’t want to overfeed the baby or cause gas or spit up.
Bottles. There are all different sizes, shapes and materials of bottles. It’s best to start out with 4 ounce bottles and go from there, switching to 8 or 9 ounce bottles at around 4 months. Angle-necked bottles are good for preventing fluid in the baby’s ear, which causes ear infections. Glass bottles are the most sanitary and classic types, but plastic bottles are nearly unbreakable. However they do deteriorate, and even if the bottle is BPA-free, this is still cause for concern and you should make sure to change the bottle regularly.