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The 10 Best Baby Bottles, Parent-Tested and Baby-Approved

Whether you're breastfeeding or formula-feeding, you and baby will love these tried and proven baby bottles, including this year’s Best of The Bump winner.
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profile picture of Christine Carpenter
Updated February 9, 2024
best baby bottles
Image: Léa Jones
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In a nutshell:

Based on advice from a lactation consultant, a survey of over 300 new parents from The Bump community and the author’s hands-on product testing, we chose the Chicco Duo Hybrid Baby Bottle as the overall best baby bottle. In particular, this option stood out because of its innovative hybrid material, minimal, easy-to-clean design and ergonomic shape.

Whether baby will be having formula, breast milk or a combination of both, you’re probably going to need some baby bottles—and deciding which brand or style to go with can be daunting at first. Ultimately, the best baby bottles for your little one will come down to personal preference, and even that will change as your infant grows and needs evolve.

There are dozens of baby bottle brands on the market, all claiming to be among the best, and the sheer volume can feel overwhelming. But I’m taking out the guesswork for you; as the mother of a 2-month-old baby, I’ve tested all types of bottles—from BPA-free plastic to glass baby bottles and everything in between—and narrowed the field based on how the options actually held up in real-life scenarios. Read on for shopping tips and browse The Bump picks of the best baby bottles, including this year’s Best of The Bump winner.

How We Chose and Tested the Best Baby Bottles

For more than 10 years, The Bump has been recognizing the absolute best baby and pregnancy products on the market. To help you find the best baby bottles out there, The Bump editors did extensive research to identify the best-selling, most innovative and all-around top-notch products. Then, we put them to the test. Here’s how we created this roundup:

  • We chatted with a lactation consultant to understand essential features and safety considerations you should keep in mind while shopping for and using baby bottles.

  • We read relevant articles from organizations like the FDA and adhered to their guidelines.

  • I personally put 17 different baby bottles to the test. I cleaned, sanitized and filled an array of bottles (and of course, fed my baby with them!) and evaluated each for ease of use, ease of cleaning, effectiveness, quality and value for money.

  • We surveyed over 300 new and expectant parents in The Bump community for additional insight on the ins and outs of specific baby bottles.

  • We leveraged our familiarity with leading baby brands and trusted online retailers and combed through dozens of options.

  • 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.

  • We read user reviews to see how these bottles have worked for parents and their little ones, and didn’t consider anything with less than an average four-star rating.

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

Image: Christine C., JacPfef

Best Baby Bottles

Overall best baby bottle

What We Love
  • Anti-colic valve reduces gas and discomfort
  • Skin-like nipple for easy latching
  • Very easy to clean
Things To Consider
  • Some parents say the nipple collapses when baby is feeding

What could be better than a baby bottle that offers the resilience of plastic and the safety of glass? The Chicco Duo Hybrid is designed with an outer shell of plastic, wrapped around and bonded with a patented glass material. The glass is the innermost layer of the bottle, ensuring that it's the only surface that touches baby’s milk. I love so many things about this bottle that I awarded it a 5 out of 5 score in every testing category, making it the overall Best of The Bump award winner for best baby bottle. (Head here to see all of this year’s Best of The Bump winners.)

With only three pieces to put together (four, including the cap), preparing for those middle-of-the-night feedings is a breeze! The instructions are concise and simply written, clearly explaining step-by-step cleaning, heating and nipple size, so there’s zero confusion about how to use and take care of this product. It was also easy to see how much milk my baby drank, because the ounce measurements were etched rather than printed onto the bottle—meaning the measurement indicators will never fade over time, unlike other brands that only print the measurements.

The slightly curved bottle shape makes it incredibly easy to hold and position at an optimal angle when feeding my baby. The nipple is designed to position baby’s tongue for an optimal latch. My breastfed baby loved the skin-like texture of the nipple, and the anti-colic valve prevented any major gas and spit-up after feedings. Feature after feature, this bottle just kept delivering, earning its spot as the year's Best of The Bump winner.

Number of bottles: 2 | Capacity: 9 oz. | Material: Plastic (outer); glass (inner) | Number of parts: 4 | Dishwasher safe?: Yes

Our product tester says:

“The thin layer of glass is one of my favorite features—the bottles never have a cloudy look and feel much cleaner than other plastic brands on the market.”

Buy Now

Best bottle for breastfed babies

Nanobébé Breastmilk Bottle
Image: Target
What We Love
  • Milk warms easily and evenly due to wide shape
  • Accessories to pump directly into bottles
  • Stack together for easy storage
Things To Consider
  • Wide shape won’t fit into some diaper bag bottle compartments
  • Milk flow slows down at the end of the feeding

The Nanobébé Breastmilk Baby Bottle is scientifically designed with a wide, recessed bottom that not only mimics the shape of Mom’s breast, but also spreads breast milk out to allow for faster cooling and warming. Some bottle warmers can overheat baby bottles, creating dangerous “hot spots” and damaging breast milk nutrients—but that won’t be a problem with these. Thanks to their unique design, Nanobébé bottles can be easily heated in a warm bowl of water and gently swirled.

This was one of the easiest baby bottles I've ever cleaned and earned a 5 out of 5 score for ease of cleaning. The wide bottle shape made it simple to reach all interior areas, even the wide base parts, and I found the nipple to be one of the most straightforward breast-like nipples to clean. Plus, it dried beautifully on my plastic “grass” drying rack and looked brand-new after drying.

With its wide base, the bottle was slightly awkward for my relatively small hands to hold during feeding. My husband, however, easily held it, and my baby absolutely loved the nipple—he latched on easily and controlled the milk flow, feeding very contentedly. That makes it a win for us! And even better—if you order direct from Nanobébé, you can take 15% off sitewide with the discount code BUMP.

Number of bottles: 3 | Capacity: 5 oz. | Material: Plastic | Number of parts: 5 | Dishwasher safe?: Yes

Our product tester says:

“The design of the nipple was a seamless transition for my breastfed baby.”

Buy Now

Best bottle for newborns

What We Love
  • Wide nipple base for easy latching
  • Easy to clean
Things To Consider
  • Some parents say the nipple collapses during feedings

Philips Avent Natural allows baby to control their feedings, much like breastfeeding. The nipple is designed to only release milk when baby is actively drinking, which prevents newborns from being overwhelmed by too much milk. I found that the slow, even flow was just what my 2-month-old baby needed—he transitioned seamlessly from my breast to his nighttime feeds with this bottle. I gave the Philips Avent Natural a 5 out of 5 for effectiveness and ease of use; his latch was instantaneous and the feeding felt completely “natural,” as promised!

This baby bottle is very simple to put together: The large pieces make it easy to quickly assemble and take apart, a fact that was much appreciated during those groggy nighttime feeds. I especially loved that the bottle didn't leak when assembling and filling, even when turned completely upside down. The instructions were short, concise and simple to follow. The measurement markers clearly indicated whole and half ounces, and while it did lack quarter-ounce markers, the printed dark gray measurement markers made it easy to see how much milk my baby consumed. I particularly loved the bottle's curved shape, which made it easy to hold and position properly for effective and air-free feeding. Plus, this bottle was a breeze to clean, earning it another 5 out of 5 score; the nipple has a soft tip, so it was simple to reach with bottle brushes. Thank goodness—because if there's one thing a parent of a newborn doesn't need, it's another difficult task!

Number of bottles: 1 | Capacity: 9 oz. | Material: Plastic | Number of parts: 4 | Dishwasher safe?: Yes

Our product tester says:

“Feeding my baby with this bottle was a pleasure. The flow (even with a size three nipple), was slow and even, and I felt that my baby controlled the milk flow.”

Our community says:

"Ease of use, easy to clean and minimal pieces." – Laura, nursing mom

Buy Now

Best baby bottle for preemies

Dr. Brown Natural Flow Anti-Colic Narrow Baby Bottle with Preemie Flow Nipple
Image: Target
What We Love
  • Can be used with or without the vent system
  • Reduces amount of air babies swallow
  • Narrow design is easy to hold
Things To Consider
  • High price point compared to other options
  • Many parts to clean and keep track of
  • Bottles leak when not tightly secured

For over 27 years, parents have been using the vented feeding system in Dr. Brown’s baby bottles to preserve nutrients in babies’ milk and help prevent gas and spit-up. The Preemie Flow Nipples included with Dr. Brown’s Natural Flow Anti-colic Baby Bottles bring this decades-long expertise to premature births, with a design specially made for premature infants in the NICU, making this our pick for the best baby bottle for preemies.

Assembling the bottle's vent system is time-consuming, and it has to be secured properly to prevent leaks. That being said, the extra complexity of this product doesn't create a fragile or ineffective bottle. I was concerned about the vent system holding up in the dishwasher, but it maintained its shape through multiple washings and cleaned nicely on the top rack.

I have a personal history with Dr. Brown's bottles that goes farther back than this round of testing: When my first child was born, he suffered from reflux. Though he wasn’t premature, he required a preemie nipple. Dr. Brown's Preemie Flow Nipple was the only one that could control the milk flow to a tolerable speed for him without a tremendous amount of spit-up, and the internal vent system was a game-changer when it came to avoiding excess gas in an already agitated baby. It should come as no surprise, then, that I awarded this bottle a 5 out of 5 for effectiveness; I can personally attest to how well it works.

Number of bottles: 2 | Capacity: 2 oz. | Material: Plastic | Number of parts: 6 | Dishwasher safe?: Yes (top rack only)

Our product tester says:

“The bottle and parts are thoughtfully designed and well-made, and definitely meet the manufacturer's claims of reducing gas. The preemie nipple is a game-changer if you have a preemie or newborn who can’t tolerate the milk flow on even a 0-month nipple.”

Our community says:

"This bottle has the best flow rate of all bottles I’ve tried. The anti-colic and anti-gas insert is very effective." – Leah, nursing mom

Buy Now

Best affordable baby bottle

What We Love
  • Recyclable and sustainable
  • Tempered glass is difficult to break
  • Easy to clean
Things To Consider
  • Can't be used in a bottle warmer
  • Heavy to pump into

Evenflo Vented+ Glass bottles prove there’s nothing like a classic. At first, I wasn’t sure how my breastfed and bottle-fed baby would take to a narrow nipple, but he latched easily—in fact, this bottle was one of his favorites! My 2-month-old had complete control over the milk flow without struggling or gulping. Evenflo’s ergonomic design made it a pleasure to hold while feeding; the twisted shape is easy to grip and grasp during feedings without dropping, which is especially important when using a glass bottle. This bottle had absolutely no leaks while I was making the bottle, feeding and even transporting it in a cooler bag. The Evenflo Vented+ Glass bottle scored 5 out 5 not just on value for money, but also quality, effectiveness and ease of cleaning.

One of the best features of this baby bottle is that you can sanitize it in the dishwasher, and the glass comes out crystal clear. The nipple, nipple screw top collar and cap were also top rack dishwasher-safe. I love this feature! I washed the bottle and all parts with hot soapy water and all four components came out brand new. The nipple is a little narrow, so at first glance, I thought it might be more difficult to clean, but it turned out to be very easy.

At a little over $3 a bottle, Evenflo bottles are so affordable, easy to clean and most importantly, my baby fed very well with this bottle. Evenflo Vented+ Glass baby bottles prove that you don’t have to sacrifice quality for price.

Number of bottles: 6 | Capacity: 8 oz. | Material: Glass | Number of parts: 4 | Dishwasher safe?: Yes (top rack only)

Our product tester says:

“What did I learn from testing this bottle? Don't rule out a classic. This bottle was one of my babies’ favorites.”

Buy Now

Best baby bottle for gas and colic

What We Love
  • Easier to clean than other anti-colic vent systems
  • AirFree Vent system eliminates air during feedings
  • Ergonomic shape is easy to hold
Things To Consider
  • May leak if the vent isn’t secured correctly

Behold, an anti-colic vent system that does exactly what it promises! The AirFree vent on Philips Avent Anti-Colic baby bottles truly works to eliminate gas, and that’s why they’ve earned our vote as the best baby bottle for gas and colic. While my baby had a little adjustment latching onto the nipple at first (he’s primarily breastfed), I was really impressed with how well he fed once he was latched. The milk flow was steady, controlled and not at all overwhelming for him, and the AirFree vent seemed to have a lot to do with this. The vent system closed off the nipple, keeping it full of milk rather than air. I tested this during a period when my baby was doing a lot of spitting up, and he didn’t spit up or have any gas issues after any of his feedings with this bottle. I was truly amazed at how it met the manufacturer's claims!

This baby bottle feels sturdy and extremely well-made. While the nipple is thick, it also has the qualities that make it more breast-like than other brands. While other anti-colic bottles on the market have a lot of parts that have to be secured together and are difficult to clean, Philips Avent Anti-Colic only has one main vent part. The unique design cleans easily and prevents gas, and as a result, I gave it 5 out of 5 scores for effectiveness, ease of cleaning and ease of use. I would recommend this bottle not just for colicky babies, but for any infants!

Number of bottles: 1 | Capacity: 4 oz. | Material: Plastic | Number of parts: 5 | Dishwasher safe?: Yes (top rack only)

Our product tester says:

“I would definitely recommend this bottle, especially to parents whose babies are experiencing colic and spit-up. I feel that this cost-effective, brilliantly designed bottle is a wonderful alternative to Dr. Brown’s bottles.”

Buy Now

Best silicone baby bottle

What We Love
  • BPA-, PVC- and phthalate-free
  • Wide bottle with minimal parts for easy cleaning
  • Easy to grip
Things To Consider
  • Measurement markers can be difficult to see
  • Nipple vents can clog
  • Manufacturer recommends replacing all parts after six months

With thousands of 5-star ratings on Amazon, it’s clear many parents agree that Comtomo offers some of the best baby bottles on the market. The brand’s silicone baby bottle is designed to mimic nursing and avoid nipple confusion in breastfed babies. Composed of high-quality, food-grade silicone and only four, easily cleaned parts, it’s no surprise that this is our pick for best silicone baby bottle.

What I love about this bottle is that even though the parts look and feel substantial, it's still lightweight and comfortable to hold during feeding. The parts washed up beautifully, with 5 out of 5 scores for quality and ease of cleaning, and I felt comfortable sterilizing the pieces using my existing sterilizer. The flexible silicone holds up to even the highest temperatures and maintains its shape.

When it came to feeding, I loved that I could turn this bottle completely upside-down and milk wouldn't leak out. This meant that my baby had complete control over the feeding, much like when he breastfeeds. The grippy silicone bottle is great for both parents and toddlers to hold onto and easily position in the mouth.

Number of bottles: 2 | Capacity: 5 oz. | Material: Silicone | Number of parts: 4 | Dishwasher safe?: Yes (top rack only)

Our product tester says:

“I loved how the bottle and parts looked like new after drying; there were no water spots or cloudiness.”

Our community says:

"Very realistic and no nipple confusion after introducing the bottles! Also, it's great quality. We ordered quite a few because [our baby] loved them so much." – Greta*, nursing mom

"Baby liked it and it's easy to clean." – Frances*, nursing mom

Buy Now

Best baby bottle for easy cleaning

What We Love
  • Very lightweight
  • Easy to get completely clean
  • Minimal parts
Things To Consider
  • Nipple may collapse during feedings
  • Flow is fast, even at the smallest size

Tommee Tippee bottles offer a ton of features for parents to love, but my absolute favorite? They’re a dream to clean! The Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature scored a 5 out of 5 on ease of cleaning; it has a wide bottle shape, so it’s a breeze to reach all corners and crevices with a bottle brush. Cleaning the nipple and nipple screw-top collar was also straightforward. The brand suggests using their bottle brush with warm soapy water to ensure a thorough cleaning, and as a bonus, the pieces are all top-rack dishwasher friendly, so sterilization is simple and convenient. The bottle dried nicely on a bottle drying rack and looked very clean after drying.

The bottle also scored 5 out of 5 on ease of use. Tommee Tippee’s thoughtfully designed bottle shape has an ergonomic curve that makes it simpler to grasp and position during feedings, and many parents say the bottle shape also makes it easier for their little ones to grasp themselves as they grow. Closer to Nature has an anti-colic valve that prevents air from entering baby’s mouth, and the brand boasts a 95 percent nipple acceptance rate—in short, this is the bottle that makes feedings easy-breezy.

Number of bottles: 3 | Capacity: 9 oz. | Material: Plastic | Number of parts: 4 | Dishwasher safe?: Yes (top rack only)

Our product tester says:

“The quality of this bottle's parts is very good, and the bottle itself feels substantial, even though it's lightweight.”

Buy Now

Best glass baby bottle

What We Love
  • Sleeve keeps the glass bottle secure and avoids breakage
  • Removing sleeve is optional when cleaning
  • Transitions into a sippy cup
Things To Consider
  • Checking milk levels can be tricky
  • Taking the silicone sleeve on and off can be cumbersome

Lifefactory glass bottles are the modern-day parent’s best choice for a glass baby bottle. Why? They offer a ton of features that the previous generation of glass baby bottles never had! They feature the safety of high-quality, thermal shock-resistant glass, making them super strong and really difficult to break. The bottle itself is encased in a brightly colored silicone sleeve that not only protects the bottle from breakage but also makes for easy gripping when handling the bottle and feeding baby.

The measurement markers are molded onto the silicone sleeve, so you can see what baby has consumed and offer burp breaks when necessary. The nipple is thick and robust, yet maintains softness and flexibility for easy latching and optimal feeding. While the Lifefactory nipple had a bit of a faster flow that was slightly too quick for my baby, the bottle was compatible with other brands and could easily be swapped out with other nipples. I’ve found that both of my babies have changed bottle nipple sizes frequently, so I love this interchangeable feature! And it doesn't stop with nipples, Lifefactory makes convertible sippy cup caps so their bottles can continue to grow with your child’s ever-evolving needs.

This bottle scored 5 out of 5 for a number of categories, including quality, ease of cleaning and value for money. It's definitely on the pricey side, but in my eyes, the quality of the materials means you're getting what you pay for in a high-value item. I personally appreciated that this bottle seemed to prevent gas and spit-ups for my little one without the need for any extra anti-colic valves or systems. Lifefactory’s simple glass baby bottle system was well-loved by my little one, and the added features kicked it up a notch, making it our choice for the best glass baby bottle.

Number of bottles: 1 | Capacity: 9 oz. | Material: Glass and silicone | Number of parts: 5 | Dishwasher safe?: Yes (top rack only)

Our product tester says:

“I would definitely recommend this bottle; it’s a great option for those who prefer to use glass over plastic bottles. I like the narrow design and the silicone sleeve for gripping—this bottle won't slide out of your hands and break.”

Buy Now

Best stainless steel baby bottle

Pura Kiki 5oz Infant Bottle
Image: Amazon
What We Love
  • Shatterproof
  • Easily converts into a sippy cup
  • Compatible with parts from other manufacturers
Things To Consider
  • Can't see how much milk baby drank without unscrewing the top
  • Gets very hot in an electric sterilizer
  • High price point

I'll admit that I was skeptical about stainless steel as a material for a baby bottle, but it ended up being surprisingly effective! There is so much to love about stainless steel for feeding your little one, and after testing several options, Pura Kiki was the clear winner. I used to think of stainless steel as something heavy, but immediately upon opening this bottle I couldn’t get over how lightweight it was, and yet it still felt substantial—I gave it a 5 out of 5 score for quality. The silicone cap is genius, as it doesn’t add to the weight of the bottle in your diaper bag. It also comes with a silicone sleeve, offering a great grip on the bottle while you prepare the milk and feed your child. The sleeve stays put when you want it to, but easily slides on and off to make for simple cleaning.

I especially loved that the bottle didn't leak during feedings or while being transported around. When placed in a cooler bag with an ice pack, the milk stayed notably colder than plastic bottles. And while opaque stainless steel makes it difficult to see how much milk baby has consumed, Pura Kiki has gone the extra mile with measurement markers inside the bottle, so you can unscrew the cap and confirm how much baby drank.

While these bottles are a little pricier at $18 apiece, I gave them a 5 out of 5 for value for money. As the manufacturer notes, there's no need to throw away or replace your bottles as baby matures. This bottle is compatible with straw lids and sippy cup lids, so the product lasts through several phases of childhood development. Plus, unlike plastic bottles, stainless steel doesn’t retain any milk smells, making them truly an investment bottle that can be used from child to child.

Number of bottles: 1 | Capacity: 5 oz. | Material: Stainless steel | Number of parts: 5 | Dishwasher safe?: Yes

Our product tester says:

“I would absolutely recommend this bottle to other moms and dads. I love that this is a toxin-free option for feeding my baby—that's the beauty of stainless steel!”

Buy Now

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

Baby Bottles Comparison Chart

Overall best baby bottleBest bottle for breastfed babiesBest bottle for newbornsBest baby bottle for preemiesBest affordable baby bottleBest baby bottle for gas and colicBest silicone baby bottleBest baby bottle for easy cleaningBest glass baby bottleBest stainless steel baby bottle
Overall Best
Chicco Duo Hybrid Baby Bottle
Nanobébé Breastmilk Bottle
Philips Avent Natural Response Baby Bottle
Dr. Brown Natural Flow Anti-Colic Narrow Baby Bottle with Preemie Flow Nipple
Evenflo Vented+ Glass Baby Bottles
Philips Avent Anti-Colic Baby Bottle with AirFree Vent
Comotomo Baby Bottle
Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature Baby Bottle
Lifefactory 9oz Glass Baby Bottle
Pura Kiki 5oz Infant Bottle
Price$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
MaterialPlastic (outer); glass (inner)PlasticPlasticPlasticGlassPlasticSiliconePlasticGlass and siliconeStainless steel
Number of parts4546454455
Anti-colic valve
Dishwasher safe
Size range5 oz., 9 oz.5 oz.4 oz., 9 oz.2 oz., 4 oz.4 oz., 8 oz.4 oz., 9 oz., 11 oz.5 oz., 8 oz.5 oz., 9 oz.4 oz., 8 oz., 9 oz.5 oz., 9 oz., 11 oz.
Nipple flow optionsSlow, medium, fastPreemie, slow, medium, fast, Y-cutStages 1 to 5Preemie, stages 1 to 4, Y-cutMedium, fastStages 1 to 4Slow, fastExtra slow, slow, medium, fast, Y-cutStages 1 to 3, Y-cutSlow, medium, fast, Y-cut
Buy NowRead Full ReviewBuy NowRead Full ReviewBuy NowRead Full ReviewBuy NowRead Full ReviewBuy NowRead Full ReviewBuy NowRead Full ReviewBuy NowRead Full ReviewBuy NowRead Full ReviewBuy NowRead Full ReviewBuy NowRead Full Review

Types of Baby Bottles

When my mom came over to help out with my little ones, she was floored by the variety of bottle shapes, materials (hello, stainless steel!) and nipple styles available. They’ve come a long way from the limited options available way back when I was a baby. Some of the types you can buy today include:

  • Glass baby bottles: The OG in baby bottles, glass is a fantastic material for feeding your child. Since glass is naturally BPA-free, toxins and chemicals aren’t generally an issue. Glass is easy to sterilize, is a conductor of heat (so it warms milk quickly) and is durable enough to be kept and used for your next baby (if you’re intending to grow your family). While the worry years ago used to be that the material was easily breakable, many glass baby bottle options today are made with tempered glass so they’re far stronger. They’re also recyclable, making them an eco-friendly bottle option. According to our survey of parents in The Bump community, 19 percent of respondents opted for this type of bottle.

  • Plastic baby bottles. Plastic is the most commonly used material for baby bottles. Due to its low weight, break resistance and cost-effectiveness, many caregivers find it to be the most convenient option. In fact, plastic bottles were the most popular among our survey respondents, 70 percent of whom told us they preferred this type. However, as with any option, there are some drawbacks to consider: Plastic can retain smells and doesn’t last as long as glass. While plastic bottles of years past may have contained toxins (BPA) that could leech into baby’s milk, this hasn’t been an issue for more than a decade; the FDA banned the use of BPA-based materials in baby bottles in 2012.

  • Silicone baby bottles. Silicone is a relatively newer material for baby bottles, and there are plenty of reasons for parents and caregivers to love it. It’s BPA-free and can withstand higher temperatures than plastic for sterilizing and warming. Silicone baby bottles also last longer than plastic options, and because silicone is non-porous, it won’t retain odor from milk.

  • Stainless steel baby bottles. Stainless steel baby bottles are one of the best material options for infants. They’re easier to clean than plastic in most cases, and are durable yet lightweight. One issue to watch out for is that stainless steel is opaque, so it’s difficult to know at a glance how much milk baby has consumed.

Features to Consider When Buying Baby Bottles

Not sure what you should keep an eye out for as you browse baby bottles? Below, check out our list of the top features to consider:

  • Size. In general, you’ll find bottles ranging in size from 2 to 10 ounces. Two-ounce bottles are tiny, but they’re also pretty pricey and often sold individually. These are often considered specialty bottles to be used for premature babies. For full-term babies, many popular brands offer a 4- or 5-ounce starter bottle, and then a larger bottle, ranging from 8 to 10 ounces for older babies. Consider your child’s feeding habits and how much they tend to eat in a sitting.

  • Usage. Baby bottles have lots of specialty features, so consider what your family needs the most. If you’re concerned about avoiding gas or spit-up, a bottle with a good venting system is a must. If you’re hoping to regularly switch from the breast to the bottle, look for something with a wide neck and a nipple that’s as similar to the breast as possible. If you have a premature baby, get a bottle that has an appropriate nipple flow and can be sterilized easily.

  • Parts. Some bottles are simply vessels with nipple attachments, others have complex parts. Venting systems and specially designed straw filters can help with gas and colic, but they can also make cleaning pieces and parts more labor-intensive. It’s a matter of priority and personal preference. If baby doesn’t seem to have any tummy troubles, you may not need anything fancy. Opt for a bottle with wide openings and few parts that can go in the dishwasher.

How to Choose the Best Nipple for Your Baby Bottles

While all of the previous considerations are worth noting, one important feature often gets overlooked. “Rather than focusing on a bottle’s shape or size (although 4- to 5-ounce bottles are most practical for the first few months), one should consider the nipple,” says Diane Liscia, RN, a maternal and child health nurse and certified lactation consultant at the Putnam County Department of Health in New York. “The goal in choosing a nipple is for the infant to mimic the same mouth position and tongue movement that he or she would achieve on the breast as much as possible.”

Liscia suggests a slow-flow nipple to start, to encourage an active suck and comfortable flow of milk. “Avoid nipples with a fast flow that can result in overwhelming the baby, causing a disorganized suck and a difficult feeding,” she explains. Choking, leaking of milk and general distress are all risks.

While so many brands claim to mimic mom’s breast, Liscia advises that nipple shape is even more important than bottle shape. “A flexible silicone nipple that gradually changes shape from a narrow tip to a wide base helps achieve a good latch, allowing the tip of the nipple to go deep into the mouth as well as helping the infant to maintain a tight seal with a wide gape.”

About the writer:

Christine Carpenter is a mother and storyteller from New York. She approaches her craft with the goal of making women feel less alone in motherhood. Carpenter is a mama to a beautiful baby boy and a loving and curious toddler. With a rich professional background in product development, she has a keen eye for quality and managing all steps of the product supply chain from inception to delivery. Carpenter’s writing has been published in Motherscope, The Kindred Voice and Mantra Wellness, among others.

Interested in becoming a product tester for The Bump? Head here to apply.

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.

Sources

Diane Liscia, RN, PHN, MS, IBCLC, is a maternal child public health nurse and certified lactation consultant with the Putnam County Department of Health in New York.

US Food and Drug Administration, Bisphenol A (BPA): Use in Food Contact Application, November 2014

The Bump May 2023 Survey. Editors conducted a survey of 300 new parents from among The Bump community, and asked what brand and type of baby bottles they used.

Learn how we keep our content accurate and up-to-date by reading our medical review and editorial process.

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