Whether your due date is fast approaching or you think it might be time to start the transition to bottle-feeding, choosing the best baby bottle is never a simple task.
Being a mom myself, I understand how it feels to be faced with the endless options available on the market. Hopefully, this article will help you make the best possible choice for you and your little one. I’ll share some of my baby bottle reviews with you and help you on this path.
Picking The Best Bottle For Your Baby
Here are the things you should know and look for when searching for the best baby bottle for your child. I’ve used these parameters when I browsed for bottles for my Leo
What Is The Bottle Made Of
- Plastic – This is the most common material used for baby bottles – it’s light, cheap and shatterproof. Even though there are still some rumors about the dangers of using plastic bottles, you should know that FDA banned the use of BPA in baby bottles a few years back. The main downside of plastic bottles is that they deteriorate and need to be replaced more often.
- Silicone – When silicone is used, you get a lightweight, BPA-free, unbreakable, soft baby bottle; they cost more than the average plastic bottle, though.
- Stainless steel – This is the rarest material used to make baby bottles. Sure, it has its advantages, like being virtually indestructible and easy to clean, but keep in mind that these are the most expensive bottles on the market. Because these bottles aren’t see-through, measuring out portions will take a bit more time; however, some of these bottles do have to measure lines on the inside to make things easier.
- Glass – Because of the whole BPA controversy, glass bottles have started to make a comeback; they are often the choice of parents who worry about unknown chemicals. Also, glass bottles won’t become cloudy (unlike plastic ones), no matter how frequently you expose them to hot water. The main downside is that glass might break; fortunately, manufacturers thought of that, so a lot of them provide removable silicone sleeves for the bottles.
The Shape Of The Bottle
When we were babies, there was only one type of bottle available – the plain, simple one; today there are many different designs:
- Standard or straight-neck baby bottle – These are the most basic, least expensive and widely known bottles; if someone told you to imagine a baby bottle, this is what you’d have in mind.
- Wide-neck baby bottle – A wider neck of the bottle means that standard nipples won’t fit them; instead, larger nipples are used, and since they resemble the woman’s breast, they are ideal for babies that are both bottle-fed and breastfed.
- Angled baby bottle – As you might have guessed, their name comes from a visible bend of the bottle’s neck. These bottles promote feeding in the semi-upright position and are comfortable for the parent to hold.
- Disposable liner baby bottle – These bottles can come in handy while you are traveling or you have to use disposable bottles for some other reason, but I wouldn’t recommend relying on them in the long run. Plastic pouch is placed inside of the rigid bottle. The milk fills the pouch, instead of filling the bottledirectly. This system might sound a bit complicated, but it allows fewerair bubbles to form in the liquid as the liner collapses when the baby is eating.
Anti-Colic Features
These bottles are specially designed to prevent your child from ingesting air during feeding time, and since air is one of the suspected causes of colic, they are marketed as anti-colic. Usually, they have a vent or a straw-like component. It may not work for everyone, but if your baby seems colicky after feeding, you should give these a chance.
I can tell you from personal experience that slow-flow nipples also work wonders with colic babies. You know how a baby gets uncomfortable if it drinks too much, too soon? To avoid this, opt for a slow-flow nipple – it will give you a slower, more controlled milk flow that won’t upset your baby’s stomach.
Different Sizes
The size of the bottle depends on how old your child is; as they grow, so does their appetite – that’s why there are different sizes available. Generally speaking, there are two sizes:
- Small – These 4 or 5-ounce bottles are meant for infants and preemies.
- Large – As your baby grows, you need to get the 8 or 9-ounce bottles.
Chemicals In Plastic Baby Bottles
The most-discussed chemical in plastic bottles is bisphenolA (BPA), but as I said before, there’s no need to worry about this anymore – FDA has done its job and banned the use of this chemical in manufacturing baby bottles. In case you want to check, look for the recycling symbol on the bottom – if it say’s #2 #4 and #5, you’re safe.
Choosing The Bottle’s Nipple
That is the second major thing to consider, the first one being the bottle itself. The nipples can be made out of two types of material (silicone or latex), and they come in two shapes – round-shaped and orthodontic. If you’re wondering what may be the golden standard, I would say that it’s the round, silicone nipple; you’ll notice my list is full of those.
Depending on how old your baby is, the size and flow of the nipple may vary, too; in general, flow-vise, nipples can be divided into four categories:
- Newborn-flow
- Slow-flow
- Medium-flow
- Fast-flow
Furthermore, the softness of the nipple is one important aspect you should take into consideration. Generally, moms want a soft and very adjustable nipple in order to suit the sensitive baby. But, if your baby is aggressive with the nipple (my Leo is quite aggressive with the nipple, he bites all the time), a soft nipple will collapse and block the milk, so your child won’t be able to continue sucking.
Additional Features
- Measuring lines – Getting a bottle with measuring lines means there’s no need to use measuring cups anymore; you’ll be able to quickly measure everything out, without the additional mess to clean up afterward.
- Handles – You probably got used to holding your baby’s bottle when it’s feeding time – their hands are too tiny, after all. Once your child gets a bit older, they will show interest in holding the bottle on their own; that’s where the handles come to play – they will allow your baby to get a better grip.
- Compatible with breast pump – Every mom out there that uses the breast pump regularly wants to be able to pump milk directly into the baby’s bottle because it’s faster and more convenient that way. If you’re one of those moms, look for a bottle compatible with the breast pump.
- Ease of installation & cleaning – A quite necessary feature, which can often be overlooked. If the bottles can’t be installed with ease, you can experience leaks and have troubles while cleaning as well. Pay attention on installation, since it will impact the everyday usage significantly.
- Available accessories – Depending on the brand you’re considering, available accessories will make your life so much easier. Additional accessories like sippy handles and spouts will match the bottle perfectly. Have this in mind while purchasing; I had to abandon some brands because of their lacking product line.
The Best Baby Bottles Available on the Market – My Reviews
1. Editor’s Pick – Tommee Tippee Closer To Nature Fiesta Bottle
TommeeTippee is a company that’s been around for decades, so naturally parents around the world trust this brand and their products – and there are plenty of reasons to do so.
These Closer to Nature Fiesta Bottles are not only cute and colorful, but compact too, and they come with all the features you as a mom might look for in a baby bottle. The most important thing is that these bottles are BPA-free, making them a safe option for your little one.
The hourglass shape makes this bottle easy to hold; it will sit comfortably in your hand during a feeding, and if your baby is anything like my son Leo, and likes holding the bottle on their own, this design will allow it. This will certainly make feeding time more enjoyable for your little one.
Since this is a wide-neck bottle, the soft, silicone nipple is also wider than the standard one; it was developed in collaboration with breastfeeding experts and moms to make it feel as natural as possible. The nipple flexes and elongates which further encourages the baby to latch on, and because of the similarity with the women’s breast, it’s an ideal choice for moms who switch between the bottle and breastfeeding.
There’s one downside to it, though – the cap falls off easily and milk can occasionally leak from the nipple if the bottle is laying down. It’s not a huge minus, but you need to keep this in mind before you decide to put it in the diaper bag.
Pros
- The soft, silicone nipple mimics natural feeding movements
- Super Sensitive valve eliminates excess air, which is particularly useful for colicky babies
- Sits comfortably in your hand; babies can hold it, too
- BPA-free
- Affordable price
- Dishwasher safe
- Easy to use and clean because it has only four parts
- Colorful
- Easy to find handle and spout and make your bottle become a transition cup
Cons:
- Some leaking may occur
- Lid falls off easily, so I don’t recommend putting it in a diaper bag
2. Alternative Pick – Philips Avent Bpa Free Natural Polypropylene Bottle
The Philips Avent’s bottles deserved their spot on my list because of their impressive features, most importantly, the fact that they are BPA-free. That’s not all, of course; it is an excellent choice if you’re combining breastfeeding and bottle, because of the large, flexible nipple with comfort petals that make it even softer. The natural shape and feel of the bottle will promote easier latch-on so that feeding time can go on uninterrupted.
Because of how affordable they are and what they have to offer quality-vise, these bottles have become a popular choice for a lot of parents; because of their popularity, they are pretty much available in any drugstore, which is a huge plus in emergency situations.
If you plan on keeping the bottle in a diaper bag, know that you’ll be safe from unexpected leaks; even when its laid on the side, there are no signs of leaking, and on top of that, the cap stays on no matter what. If you spend a lot of time outside with your baby and need to carry the bottle with you, this is something you’ll appreciate. The cost is also something that sets it apart from my top pick – if you’re looking for something more affordable in the long run, the slightly lower price of this bottle will mean a lot to you.
One disadvantage that needs to be pointed out is the shape of the bottle. While it is ergonomically shaped to fit your hand, your baby probably won’t be able to hold it as easy as you (or at all) – even the narrowest part of the bottle still seems to be too broad for those tiny hands to grasp.
Pros
- Advanced, dual anti-colic valves
- Large, flexible silicone nipple
- BPA-free
- Dishwasher and microwave safe
- Minimal number of pieces to wash
- The plastic feels sturdy
- The ergonomic shape makes it easy for the parents to hold it
- No signs of leaking
- It’s affordable and easy to find in local stores
- Easy to find handle and spout
Cons:
- The flow rate of the nipples (both slow and medium-flow ones) is a bit too fast
- Baby probably won’t be able to hold it on its own because it’s wide
3. Best Bottle For Breastfeeding Babies – Lansinoh mOmma Breastmilk Feeding Bottle with NaturalWave Nipple
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When it comes to bottles for breastfed children, these LansinohmOmma bottles take the cake; after all, they were specifically designed to suit babies that are encountering bottles for the first time.
The soft, silicone NaturalWave nipple is made in a way that will allow your child to use the same feeding actions they’ve learned while you were breastfeeding them – this is a huge plus, as it makes the transition a lot easier for both you and your little one. Breastfed babies often have a problem figuring out how a bottle’s nipple works; that won’t be an issue with this one, as it works practically the same way as a breast does.
A lot of moms agree that the nipple resembles the real thing and that it’s not too wide (as it might be the case with some other bottles), which will make latching-on comfortable for a baby that was exclusively breastfed up until that moment.
The Air Ventilation System will eliminate any excess air, which makes this a great anti-colic bottle and, at the same time, minimizes spit-up. Also, the bottle is BPA-free, which means it is a safe choice for your baby.
What truly makes it the best in its category is the fact that it’s compatible with Lansinoh breast pumps, thus making the entire process a lot easier and faster. It’s no wonder they are the choice of a lot of moms out there; some of them even stated that these were the bottles their pediatrician recommended for an easier transition to bottle-feeding.
If you’re having problems with getting your baby to take the bottle, I strongly recommend you to try this one. I’ve talked to a lot of moms about this, and they all seem to agree that this bottle (especially the NaturalWave nipple) did wonders with their kids.
One small notice though; if your baby likes to bite the nipple (like my Leo used to do), or has a strong sucking power, this nipple can collapse easily and block the milk. Happened to me once, and I think it’s useful to know.
Pros
- NaturalWave nipple is made of silicon, soft and flexible
- Reduces nipple confusion
- Useful for transitioning from breastfeeding to bottles
- Air Ventilation System prevents colic and spit-up
- BPA-free
Cons:
- The nipple seems fast for a slow-flow one
- If your baby likes to bite the nipple, or has a strong suck, this nipple might collapse
4. Best Silicon Bottle – Comotomo Natural Feel Baby Bottle
In the sea of standard bottle designs and same old materials, a squeezable bottle is a real breath of fresh air. I’ve talked about the use of silicone as a material for baby bottles, so you know what to expect – a lightweight, unbreakable, BPA-free bottle, but there’s more to it.
The medical-grade silicon will feel almost skin-like in your baby’s hands, and they’ll be able to squeeze the bottle, much like a natural breast, which will most likely have a soothing effect on them. Another great feature is the wide neck and the nipple that goes with it – a soft, naturally shaped, silicone nipple with dual anti-colic vents.
Even though silicone bottles tend to cost more than the standard, plastic ones, this Comotomo model is reasonably priced, so it would be a shame to pass on this opportunity to try out something new.
Pros
- Innovative design
- Made out of medical-grade silicone
- Naturally shaped silicone nipple
- Dual anti-colic vents
- Dishwasher and microwave safe
- BPA-free
- The wide neck makes it easy to clean without a bottle brush
Cons:
- It’s hard to read the measurement line
- Falls over easily
- Because of how wide it is, it’s hard to find a bottle warmer that fits
- The silicone makes it harder to warm up milk
5. Best Glass Bottle – Evenflo Feeding Classic Glass Twist Bottles
With the rising popularity of glass baby bottles, I had to include these on my list. To all the moms and dads out there that are trying to minimize the use of plastic in their households, but can’t afford the more expensive glass bottles, I present to you the Evenflo models.
When it comes to shape, this is a standard bottle – a classic model with a twist, if you will; this means it will be compatible with your breast pump (in case you use one).
As an alternative to plastic, glass bottles do have a longer life-span; plastic breaks down over time – glass doesn’t, so if you use boiling water to sterilize baby bottles, there’s no fear of the bottle turning cloudy.
Some issues need to be addressed, though. The bottle doesn’t come with a protective sleeve, which shouldn’t be a problem as long as you keep an eye on it during feeding time. Some moms have complained that the nipple is prone to collapsing – at least the first few times when the baby is still adjusting to it.
Pros
- BPA-free
- Eco-friendly
- Budget-friendly
- The textured glass allows a better grip
- Easy to clean and sterilize
- BPA-free
- The wide neck makes it easy to clean without a bottle brush
Cons:
- They don’t come with a protective silicone sleeve (you can buy one separately, though)
- The nipples are prone to collapsing
- They are heavy
6. Best Stainless Steel Bottle – Pura Stainless Steel Bottle With Silicone Nipple & Sleeve
With the appearance of stainless steel baby bottles on the market, the number of options began to rise; if you’re thinking about giving this type of bottles a try, I recommend you go with Pura’s products. Since stainless steel makes them indestructible, these bottles will be there long after your child’s infant phase is over. The manufacturer thought of that and made a bottle that can grow and evolve alongside your baby – using other Pura components, you can turn this bottle into a sippy cup or a snack container.
The nipple (and every other element you choose to use later on) is made out of medical-grade silicone, making this the ultimate 100 percent plastic-free baby bottle on the market.
I’ve stated that stainless steel bottles are the most expensive ones and when compared to other products on my list, there is a difference in price; it’ll be money well spent, though, as it gets you a lifetime warranty on all Pura’smetal components.
Pros
- 100 percent plastic-free
- Virtually indestructible
- Comes with a lifetime warranty
- It can turn into a cup or snack container
- Slow-flow nipple with anti-colic vent tube
- Lightweight
- Comes with a silicon sleeve
Cons:
- The cap keeps falling off
- There are no measuring lines on the outer side of the bottle
- Even with regular cleaning, it may get the characteristic “stale” smell
7. Best Bottle For Preemies And Newborns – Philips AVENT Natural BPA Free Polypropylene Bottle For Newborns
Since breastfeeding a preemie isn’t an option because the baby will likely be placed in an incubator, one of the dilemmas new parents are faced with is the adequate bottle choice. The same goes for infants – if, for whatever reason, you can’t breastfeed your baby, finding the right bottle is crucial. In situations like this, your best option seems to be the Philips Avent 2-ounce bottle.
Some things are a given when we’re talking about Philips Avent’s bottles – the large, flexible, newborn-flow nipple and dual anti-colic valves that will prevent your baby from swallowing excessive air. The nipples have the signature petals inside for increased flexibility and softness; these also work to prevent the nipple from collapsing.
When these features are combined, they result in a bottle ideal for preemies and newborns, one that will make sure that feeding time passes uninterruptedly for both the parents and the baby.
Pros
- Specially designed for preemies and newborns
- First Flow nipple offers a slow and controlled flow rate
- Soft and flexible nipple with built-in comfort petals
- Promotes natural latch-on
- Dual Anti-Colic valve controls air flow
- BPA-free
- Easy to clean
- Affordable price
Cons:
- The last few milliliters are hard to get out
8. Best Bottle Set from Start To Infant – Philips Avent Natural Newborn Baby Bottle Starter Set
As far as starter sets go, this is the best one out there. The set includes several items: five bottles, a pacifier, a bottle brush to clean the bottles, and a formula dispenser. The bottles you get are different size – three of them are 4-ounce, and two are 9-ounce bottles, so the set is capable of keeping up with your baby’s growing appetite.
What I want to point out as an advantage is the included formula dispenser; there are three separate compartments in it to store measured-out formula powder – by rotating the lid, you can access each one easily and simply pour it out. Finally, the Soothie pacifier for babies up to 3 months old, made out of medical-grade silicone; the same ones are used by medical professionals to calm infants.
I find this to be a great gift idea, too – you could buy this for a friend’s or family member’s baby shower to help them prepare for bottle feeding. As for you, if you simply don’t have time to run to the store to buy new bottles regularly, this set will be a great time-saver. I’d even recommend buying a few of these sets, so you always have a new, clean bottle at hand.
Pros
- Ideal starter set for new parents
- Comes with a bottle brush
- The formula dispenser is handy
- Set includes different bottle sizes
- BPA-free
- Easy to clean
Cons:
- The milk comes out too fast even with the smallest nipple size included
- If not put together correctly, they might leak
9. Best Breast Milk Storage Bottle – Medela Breastmilk Bottle Set
If you’re a mom that’s going back to work, or you just want to give dad an opportunity to feed the baby, but you don’t feel comfortable switching to formula, chances are you’ll need to use a breast pump. Having a bottle that is compatible with your pump will, at times, seem like a lifesaver; luckily for you, these Medela bottles work great with every Medela breast pump you use.
Another thing worth mentioning is the fact that these bottles aren’t meant purely for feeding; you can use them as long-term breastmilk containers, which works great if you need to pump and leave the milk for later use.
You’ll notice that all the bottles I’ve picked are BPA-free; what makes Medela stand out in the crowd is the fact that their products have always been BPA-free, even before FDA banned it. I appreciate the fact that they always cared about using non-harmful materials for their products.
Pros
- The bottles are compatible with every Medela breast pump
- They can be utilized for feeding and breast milk storage
- The bottles are dishwasher safe
- BPA-free
Cons:
- Print on the bottle washes away, making measuring harder
- They might leak
- The nipple is prone to collapsing
Conclusion & My Recommendation
As you can see, if you know what to look for, there are a lot of great baby bottles on the market. However, I’m here to declare which one is the best; it took me some time and a lot of research, but I’ve decided that, given all the high-quality features, the title of the best baby bottle on the market should go to Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature Fiesta Bottle. In case you don’t think these bottles would suit your little one, then the Philips Avent BPA Free Natural Polypropylene Bottle could be your alternative option.
If you have any opinions or experiences with using some of these bottles that you want to share, feel free to leave a comment.
Hi, This is Emma Baster; As a mom, I spend my free time caring for my kids. I’ve read a lot on the Internet to improve my childcare skill and bring the best to my kids. Eruditemommy shares my knowledge and experience through helpful posts. I hope you enjoy them!