The Best Anti-Colic Bottles, Tested and Reviewed by Moms

In a nutshell:

Based on first-hand product testing and expert advice, we chose Dr. Brown’s Natural Flow Anti-Colic Options+ Narrow Baby Bottle as the overall best anti-colic bottle. While it can be a bit challenging to clean and assemble, this choice consistently stood out in both our testing and survey feedback as the top-performing bottle for reducing the effects of colic.

Is your little one crying uncontrollably for seemingly no reason? If you’ve run through the checklist of needs and baby’s been fed, burped, changed and cuddled, it could be colic. The root cause of colic isn’t exactly clear, but potential triggers include milk allergies, overfeeding, gas and even overstimulation. “Colic is an all-encompassing word for different scenarios,” explains Leigh Anne O’Connor, an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) with more than two decades of experience offering in-person and virtual support for breastfeeding, chestfeeding and bottle feeding. O’Connor encourages parents to determine, “Is it colic, is it reflux, is it a food allergy or intolerance? Is it over feeding?” Whatever the case may be, a prolonged period of colic can leave parents (and baby) feeling distressed, upset and utterly overwhelmed.

The good news? If you suspect gas or reflux is playing a role in baby’s teary outbursts, anti-colic bottles may help ease the symptoms. They work by helping baby get the proper amount of milk or formula per feed and by decreasing the amount of air bubbles swallowed, explains Neela Sethi Young, MD, a pediatrician and lactation consultant. To help you through this difficult stage, we’ve gathered the facts and selected and tested the best anti-colic bottles to reduce gas and reflux in infants.

How We Tested and Chose the Best Anti-Colic Bottles

The Bump editors conducted extensive research to identify four top-rated anti-colic baby bottles on the market, and from there, we did the following:

• I, along with an independent product tester, cleaned, sterilized and filled a variety of bottles (and, of course, used them to feed our babies). We evaluated each bottle for ease of use, ease of cleaning, effectiveness of anti-colic features, quality and value for money.
• We interviewed a pediatrician and an IBCLC to understand essential features to look for as you shop, as well as advice on how to use an anti-colic bottle.
• We surveyed over 650 new and expectant parents in The Bump community for additional insight on the ins and outs of specific baby bottles that they’ve used. Plus, we asked what they do and don’t like about them.
• We considered several factors when sourcing baby bottles, such as capacity, material, number of parts, size range and nipple flow options, to name a few. Because no two babies are alike, we conducted extensive market research, scouring forums and user reviews to see how these bottles worked for a variety of families.

Editorial integrity is at the heart of everything we publish. Read about how The Bump develops and reviews all articles, including product reviews.

Best Anti-Colic Bottles

*Note: Some names have been changed due to privacy requests.

Do You Need Anti-Colic Bottles?

Truth be told, there’s no cure for colic—different things work for different babies. That said, anti-colic bottles can help ease symptoms caused by feeding issues. “A baby’s stomach capacity is limited, and if you’re filling that with food and gas, baby will get full and uncomfortable until you either get a burp out or they pass gas,” says Young. Additionally, when baby’s tummy fills with air, they’ll feel fuller faster—but, because they aren’t actually getting sufficient breast milk or formula, they’ll get hungry again soon.

Does this sound familiar? If baby goes two nights in a row with colic-like symptoms, Young recommends trying an anti-colic bottle. Moreover, if your little one seems uncomfortable or fussy after feeding, it can’t hurt to give it a shot. In fact, 71 percent of our survey respondents noted that they use anti-colic baby bottles as a preventative measure even though their little one isn’t currently experiencing symptoms.

When to stop using anti-colic bottles?

According to Young, there’s no real need to stop using an anti-colic bottle. That said, most babies would be fine doing so once they hit the three-month mark. At this point, colic symptoms tend to taper down, and baby will begin burping and passing gas comfortably. Young encourages parents to trust their instincts. If baby can gulp milk and isn’t fussy or having colicky moments in the evenings, take that as a green light to wean them from an anti-colic bottle. If baby is frustrated and needs a faster flow of milk, you can try trading up to a larger nipple size. On the other hand, if your little one is doing well and is able to gulp at a steady pace, there’s no need to make the switch.

What to Look for in an Anti-Colic Bottle

While all anti-colic bottles are designed to prevent baby from swallowing air, not all brands take the same approach to combat this common feeding issue. Remember that, just like adults, babies can show strong preferences, so finding the best anti-colic bottle may be a matter of trial and error. To help streamline your search, here are three common features to look for in bottles that combat gas, reflux and colic:

• A valve or vent system. First up is a must-have feature in any anti-colic bottle. Infants that ingest air bubbles as they feed may suffer from gas, reflux or colic. Fortunately, a valve or built-in venting system helps release trapped air from the bottle.
• Slow-flow nipple. If baby is gulping air or choking while they drink, it’s a sign that the milk is flowing too quickly. A slow-flow nipple lets baby feed at a more steady pace with fewer breaks, which can reduce gas and tummy discomfort. Moreover, 32 percent of parents who responded to our survey told us that they opted for anti-colic bottles that offered a range of nipple flows. This way, you’ll be able to seamlessly adjust the speed to align with baby’s ever-changing needs.
• Nipple shape. O’Connor adds that the shape of the nipple can make a difference. “There’s the traditional elongated nipple, bulbous nipples, round nipples. Some babies have a high palette and the more bulbous nipples can help them because they can feel the nipple in their mouth. A baby needs to have contact with the roof of their mouth to elicit the suck reflex.”
• Easy to clean construction. According to our survey respondents, 48 percent of parents indicated they looked for anti-colic bottles that were easy to clean. That’s because (due to the venting systems) these designs often have multiple parts that will need to be sterilized and cleaned. Where possible, opt for bottles that are dishwasher-safe or have a wide opening so that they’re straightforward to hand wash.

While these are the top features you should consider as you look for an anti-colic baby bottle, there are plenty of other factors that may come into play, depending on you and your child’s preferences. Below, check out several additional reasons parents from The Bump Community opted for these bottles in particular:

About the writer:
Christine Carpenter is a New York-based storyteller and devoted mom of two little boys. With firsthand experience testing and using over 10 types of baby bottles, she understands the challenges parents face in finding the right bottle to reduce colic, reflux, and gas. Having navigated these issues with her own son, Christine draws on her experience and background in product development to offer well-informed insights into the best choices parents can make for their little ones.

Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.