The 9 Best Bottles for Breastfed Babies
Breastfeeding offers a host of benefits, from boosting baby’s immune system to preventing food allergies in infants and helping you to bond with your newborn. But exclusively nursing is not a plausible option for everyone. Introducing a bottle—whether it’s filled with expressed breast milk or supplemental formula—opens up a world of possibilities. It gives you the freedom to return to work, include your partner in the feeding schedule or simply take some time out for yourself.
But before you can experience this game-changing transition, you’ll need to figure out which bottle works best for your little one. To make your search easier, we checked in with a lactation consultant for tips on how to introduce bottle feeds—plus, discover the best bottles for breastfed babies.
Introducing a breastfed baby to a bottle is a process of trial-and-error, and there’s no perfect time to get started. That said, Leigh Anne O’Connor IBCLC, LCCE, a certified lactation consultant in New York City, advises parents to get their breastfeeding routine well-established before trying to introduce another method of feeding. “I typically recommend introducing the bottle after a six-week growth spurt—somewhere between 8 to 10 weeks,” O’Connor says. Of course, you need to do what works for your schedule, so take that timeline with a grain of salt.
Every child is different; while some infants will take a bottle on the first try, others may be a little more resistant. Here find a few tips on how to make the transition a little easier.
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Get comfortable. According to O’Connor it’s important that both you and baby are comfortable during feeding sessions. Set up a cozy station with a place to hold the bottle, and have a burp cloth handy. Ensure that you have sufficient lumbar support, and try to avoid leaning over, as this can cause neck and back strain. Talk to baby and make eye contact to help make feeding time a positive bonding experience.
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Be patient. Baby may downright refuse to take a bottle at first, but practice makes perfect. Try to foster a calm environment for bottle feeds in the same way you would for nursing sessions.
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Plan ahead. Don’t wait until the last minute, when a bottle becomes a necessity, says O’Connor. If you have a set return-to-work date, try introducing a bottle well in advance, so that baby has time to get used to it.
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Position baby correctly. “Baby should be in either a fully upright position or slightly reclined in the caregiver’s arms,” says O’Connor.
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Paced feeding. As they nurse, breastfed babies tend to stop and start. Paced feeding with a bottle echoes this natural rhythm. Keep the bottle in a horizontal position to avoid the fast flow of milk, and to pause for breaks.
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Take it slow. “Feeding babies should be like fine dining,” says O’Connor. Carve out ample time for bottle feeding, and don’t rush the process.
There’s a lot to consider when it comes to baby bottles—from price and nipple type to anti-colic features. Before you buy a large multipack, it’s best to experiment with a variety of bottles to find one that works for your little one. Here, find a few examples of the best bottles for breastfed babies.
Overall best bottle for breastfed babies
- Breast-shaped design
- Triple-vented nipple to reduce colic
- Stackable bottles
- Can’t be used in standard bottle warmers
Nanobébé bottles for breastfed babies are truly unique—which is why they earned a spot in our Best of The Bump roundup of the best baby bottles. Our product tester loved how the breast-shaped bottle mimics the natural curve of mom’s body, helping to ease the transition between breast and bottle. You can also count on the triple-vented nipple to alleviate post-feeding fussiness, gassiness and discomfort. Plus, the dome-shaped design allows liquid to spread out in a thin layer, meaning you can heat up milk or formula two times faster than with other bottles on the market. The best part? The included breast pump adapter allows you to express milk directly into the bottle for quick and easy feeds. Bonus: Get 15 percent off sitewide on Nanobébé with code BUMP15.
Number of bottles: 3 | Capacity: 5 oz. | Material: Plastic, silicone | Number of parts: 5 | Dishwasher safe?: Yes
“The design of the nipple was a seamless transition for my breastfed baby. I love the feature of the pump parts which are compatible with my Spectra pump and allow me to pump directly into the bottle. This was a huge value for me as I am both breastfeeding and offering expressed breast milk to my baby.”
Best anti-colic bottle for breastfed babies
- Unique internal vent system reduces colic
- Soft nipple with a consistent flow
- Our product tester mentioned that they’re not easy to clean
- Some parents report leaking
Feeding your little one can be accompanied by several challenges—including tummy troubles like gas and colic. That’s where this bottle for breastfed babies can come in handy. Each is equipped with a unique internal vent system to prevent your infant from swallowing air while they eat. To further reduce discomfort, every nipple is made from soft silicone and offers a consistent, naturally paced flow, which was a big hit with our product tester. With all of that in mind, it’s easy to see why this anti-colic design earned a spot on our list of the best baby bottles.
Number of bottles: 3 | Capacity: 8 oz. | Material: Plastic, silicone | Number of parts: 6 | Dishwasher safe?: Yes
“The anti-colic vent system certainly did what it is designed to do—reduce colic and prevent gas bubbles from entering baby's system during feedings. The breast-like nipple worked really well for my son and even though the nipple didn't allow for a wide flange, it definitely didn't pose a problem from transporting from bottle to breast.”
Best transitional bottle for breastfed babies
- Nipple designed specifically for breastfed babies
- Travel cap reduces leakage
- BPA-free
- Some parents report that the flow is too fast, despite the slow-flow nipple
Lansinoh bottles for breastfed babies draw on 50 plus years of research to provide parents and infants the best possible feeding experience. Made from durable BPA-free plastic, they design features an air-ventilation system to counteract gas and colic. They also happen to be dishwasher-safe, and come with a convenient travel cap to reduce leaks while you’re on the move. But the real standout feature is the slow-flow nipple, made of soft, flexible silicone. It has a matte surface that enables your little one to latch securely and prevents nipple confusion—making it the best transitional bottle for breastfed babies in our eyes!
Number of bottles: 3 | Capacity: 5 oz. | Material: Plastic (bottle); 100% silicone (nipple) | Number of parts: 4 | Dishwasher safe?: Yes
Best bottle for breastfed newborns
- Soft, natural-response nipple
- Anti-colic valve
- Heat- and thermal shock-resistant
- Some parents report that the bottle leaks
Searching for the best glass bottles for breastfed newborns? The Natural Response bottles by Philips Avent are hard to beat. Made from pharmaceutical-grade glass, the bottles are heat- and shatter-resistant for added peace of mind. Anti-colic valve technology vents air away from baby’s tummy to prevent discomfort—plus, a flexible, silicone nipple mimics the shape and feel of a breast, helping baby to latch on and feed comfortably. Our product tester highly praised the bottle for these reasons! Better yet, the bottle works with your child’s natural feeding rhythm; liquid is only released when baby actively drinks, so when your newborn needs a breather, the milk stops flowing.
Number of bottles: 4 | Capacity: 9 oz. | Material: Polypropylene, silicone | Number of parts: 5 | Dishwasher safe?: Yes
“I would absolutely recommend this bottle, especially to breastfeeding moms. The transition from breastfeeding to the bottle was seamless and the curve of the bottle and the shape of the nipple made it a pleasure to feed my baby.”
Best silicone bottle for breastfed babies
- Soft, squeezable yet durable design
- Made from BPA-free, food-grade silicone
- Available in four colors and two sizes
- Nanobébé recommends heating formula or breastmilk before putting it into the bottle
Silicone bottles for breastfed babies offer a flexible, soft alternative to standard plastic options. Our top pick? The Nanobébé Flexy Silicone Baby Bottle, which is squeezable yet stable, thanks to its non-tip base. Plus, it’s complete with an anti-colic, triple-vented nipple, so you can count on it to prevent post-feeding tummy discomfort. To suit newborn and infant needs, it’s available as a five-ounce or nine-ounce design. And at the end of the day, pop it into the dishwasher for a fresh bottle again in no time—easy peasy.
Number of bottles: 3 | Capacity: 5 oz. | Material: Silicone | Number of parts: 3 | Dishwasher safe?: Yes
Best colorful bottle for breastfed babies
- Soft, colorful design
- Offset nipple for easy latching
- Some reviewers say the flow is too fast at times
Next up on our list of the best bottles for breastfed babies is this aesthetically pleasing style by Olababy. Made from 100 percent silicone, the soft 4-ounce bottle is lightweight and easy to grip. An offset nipple mimics a natural breast, and allows for straightforward latching. Another highlight: It’s available in a range of muted, pastel shades to nurture baby’s visual development.
Number of bottles: 1 | Capacity: 4 oz. | Material: 100% silicone | Number of parts: 4 | Dishwasher safe?: Yes
Best temperature-safe bottle for breastfed babies
- Thermometer feature indicates when milk is too hot
- Anti-colic air vent reduces tummy discomfort
- BPA-free
- Some parents report that the measurement markers are inaccurate
Simple is often best when it comes to bottles for breastfed babies, but extra safety features are always an added bonus. Case in point: The NUK Simply Natural Bottles designed with SafeTemp technology. The blue thermometer indicator fades when the bottle is too hot and reappears when milk has cooled and is safe to drink. There are a few sizes available, but the five-ounce bottle is best for the introductory phase, as it comes with a slow-flow nipple that has three holes.
Number of bottles: 3 | Capacity: 5 oz. | Material: Plastic, silicone | Number of parts: 4 | Dishwasher safe?: Yes
Best storage bottle for breastfed babies
- Allows for seamless pumping, storage and feeding
- Clear measurement markers
- BPA-free
- Some parents report that the nipple cap leaks
- Only compatible with Medela breast pumps
Next up on our list of the best bottles for breastfed babies is this pick by Medela. Specifically designed with breastfeeding in mind, it’s compatible with Medela breast pumps for straightforward pumping, storage and feeding experiences. Post-pumping, you’ll appreciate the bottle’s clear markers that allow you to measure how much milk you’ve expressed. Then, when baby’s hungry, expect them to easily latch, thanks to the design’s elongated, naturally shaped nipples. Another bonus: These bottles for breastfed babies are dishwasher- and microwave-safe for added convenience.
Number of bottles: 3 | Capacity: 5 oz. | Material: Polypropylene, silicone | Number of parts: 4 | Dishwasher safe?: Yes
Best natural-shape bottle for breastfed babies
- Innovative design mimics the look and feel of a real nipple
- Made from BPA-free, medical-grade silicone
- Available in several shapes and skin tones
- High price point per bottle
- More parts than other options on our list
As its name implies, The Anatomy Bottle mimics the realistic shape of a breast, making it a surefire winner when it comes to choosing the best bottles for breastfed babies. Emulait’s innovative design doesn’t just look like a real nipple—it functions as one too. It’s super-soft and features interior fibers that simulate milk ducts. The result is a flexible nipple that stretches during feeding, allowing baby to suckle naturally. Other details you’ll appreciate include the anti-colic system, the ergonomic grip, the measurement marks and the flow rate controls. Choose from five different colors inspired by natural skin tones, as well as five shapes to find the best fit for your little love.
Number of bottles: 1 | Capacity: 8 oz. | Material: Silicone | Number of parts: 8 | Dishwasher safe?: Yes
Being a new parent comes with a lot of decision-making, which includes picking out the best feeding gear for your little one’s needs. To streamline your experience, we browsed dozens of options from leading retailers and trusted baby brands, so you don’t have to spend hours scrolling. We considered several factors when sourcing products, like quality and durability, value, style, material and specialty features. We also read user reviews to get the lowdown on how these products have worked for real families, and didn’t consider anything with less than an average four-star rating.
To make sure we’re highlighting bottles that are safe and effective, we chatted with a lactation consultant to understand essential features and safety considerations to keep top of mind as you shop. What’s more, some of these bottles were reviewed by our team of independent product testers, providing additional insight for our roundup.
Interested in learning more about our editorial process? Read about how our team develops and reviews all articles here.
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.
Plus, more from The Bump:
Leigh Anne O’Connor, IBCLC, LCCE, is a New York-based board-certified lactation consultant with more than 20 years of experience. She is a former president of the New York Lactation Consultant Association.
Learn how we keep our content accurate and up-to-date by reading our medical review and editorial process.
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