You might be surprised to find out there are so many different brands and types of baby bottles to choose from. It can be overwhelming figuring out which ones to get for your baby.
As a mom of 3 and twin mom, I have used my fair share of bottles. In this article I am sharing my tips on the characteristics to look for in bottles, so you can learn how to choose the best baby bottles for your needs.
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Things To Consider When Choosing Baby Bottles for your Family
Bottles are typically made of either plastic, glass, or silicone. All of these materials have their own advantages and disadvantages.
Always select a bottle with the habits and health of your baby in mind. For example, if your baby moves around a lot while drinking, then glass bottles are probably not the best choice because they could break.
Meanwhile, glass bottles do have the advantage that they are chemical-free. Whereas, plastic bottles are safe to carry and are lightweight.
Whether you opt for glass, plastic, or silicone baby bottles is totally up to you. Here are my tips for helping you decide which baby bottles are best for you and your newborn.
BPA-Free
To ensure the optimal amount of chemical absence in the bottle, always buy Bisphenol-A (BPA)-free bottles. If you are still not satisfied with BPA-free bottles, then you have the option to go for glass bottles.
Microplastics
In 2024 it was announced that there is a class action lawsuit against many of the biggest and most popular baby bottle manufacturers due to concerns over microplastics being released from baby bottles when heated.
I think the key here is with heating there is evidence of microplastics releasing in baby bottles. If you don’t plan to heat your baby bottles often and just wash in warm soapy water, you should be fine to stick with plastic bottles.
If you are concerned then you could opt for glass bottles or bottles made out of silicone. But keep in mind, using these bottles does not guarantee they are completely chemical-free either.
Small Bottles
If you are going to be bottle feeding a newborn, make sure you buy the small bottle sizes (4 to 5 ounces). You will switch over to the bigger sized bottles when your gets a little bit older and starts drinking more in one feeding. I also recommend just getting the small bottles for now until you know which bottle brand your baby does well with.
Broad & Angled Necks
I recommend trying to buy bottles that have broader necks because they are easier to clean. If your baby is colicky, then you might want to try bottles with angled necks. Angled necks help reduce bubble formation, and less bubbles will hopefully lead to less gas.
Reflux Problems
Some bottles are better at reducing reflux than others. If your baby is struggling with this issue or you want to avoid it all together, look for bottles that are designed as anti-colic. This includes, as mentioned above, bottles with angled necks and bottles with a venting system.
Breast Pump & Bottle Brand The Same
If you will be pumping, for the best efficiency it’s a good idea to try bottles that are the same brand as your breast pump. For example, when I breastfed my singleton he did well with Medela bottles.
This worked out well because I could pump directly into the bottles he drank from. Or, you can get special breast pump parts, if needed, so you can pump directly into the bottles your baby uses.
Glass Is Durable
Plastic bottles tend to deteriorate with time due to frequent exposure to the heat of a sterilizer. This could potentially require the need to buy new bottles before your baby is done with them. For glass, you will not need to get new bottles due to deterioration.
For Combined Feeding: Get Nipples Similar to the Shape of the Breast
Be sure you purchase nipples of the same bottle brand, and according to the age of your baby. If you are both bottle feeding and breastfeeding, you should select a nipple that has a shape similar to the breast. It is also important to note that nipples must be changed out frequently to maintain hygiene.
How To Choose the Right & Best Baby Bottles for your Newborn
How do you choose the best bottle for your newborn? Sometimes it can be a matter of trial and error. To help you out I have created a list of my top recommended bottles.
Most of these bottles I have personally used and recommend. They are also known for their excellent quality and have been chosen by parents over and over again through the years.
1 – Philips Avent, Natural Nipple
These natural Philips Avent bottles are great because they have few parts, are easy to clean, and have slow flow nipples. These were my favorite bottles that I used when my kids were babies.
I found the nipple flow to be a little bit slower slow when compared to other brands. This made it easier for my newborn to drink from it. The natural nipple is also shaped as close to the breast as possible, making this a great choice for moms who are supplementing with formula.
2 – Dr. Brown’s
The great thing about Dr. Brown’s bottles is the vent system to help eliminate bubbles when babies are feeding. If you are concerned about bubbles causing discomfort for your baby, then these bottles are a great choice.
One down side is the extra parts for the vent system. It means a little more cleaning and assembly time is required than other bottles with less parts.
I used these bottles for one of my twins because the shape of the Philips Avent natural bottles just didn’t work for her as a newborn. The milk would dribble out the side of her mouth, and these bottles did a better job of preventing that from happening.
3 – Medela
If you are pumping, getting bottles that match up with your breast pump brand can make the whole process much simpler. Personally, I had a Medela breast pump, so I tried out Medela bottles for my baby and he liked them. Whether I was juggling a pumping at work schedule or trying to stick to a pumping schedule at home, it was very convenient to use bottles that easily hooked up to my breast pump.
4 – Philips Avent, Glass Bottles
Looking for a chemical free and more natural way to feed your baby? Then these Philips Avent glass bottles are the way to go.
One watch out is that since they are glass they are breakable, so handle with care. It is recommended to invest in a sleeve, to protect the bottle in case it does fall. Also keep in mind that glass bottles are quite a bit heavier than plastic bottles.
5 – Philips Avent, Anti-Colic
If you are looking for bottles made specifically for babies with colic, then these anti-colic bottles from Philips Avent are just what you need. They come with a special vent to keep milk, and not air, in the nipple at all times.
6 – Nanobebe, Silicone & Angled Neck
These Nanobebe baby bottles have two qualities that might interest you. First up, they are made of silicone. Silicone is not really considered plastic, it’s considered an elastomer. Silicone baby bottles are very easy to clean and anti-bacterial.
Some of the negatives of silicone bottles are they are not as stable because they are softer than plastic and they might take longer to warm up. The other quality of this bottle is the angled neck. As discussed above, angled necks can be beneficial for colicky babies and babies with reflux.
Finally before I sign off, you might want to grab these FREE printable Pregnancy Checklists for help staying organized and reducing overwhelm through the rest of your pregnancy. The checklists you get include a baby registry, hospital bag, and trimester checklist.
I hope you now have a better understanding of how to choose baby bottles for your baby’s needs.
Figuring out how to choose the best baby bottles is not straight forward. However, understanding the important qualities to look for helps when making the decision. There is no crystal ball telling you which bottles your baby will prefer, but finding good quality bottles is a great first step. Good luck!
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