Bottles are an essential item for every new parent, and finding the right one can make all the difference in your baby’s feeding experience. With so many options available, it can be overwhelming to choose the best one for your little one. In this guide, we’ll help you navigate the world of baby bottles and provide you with tips on how to choose the best one.
Our Top Picks
- Best Overall Bottle: Comotomo Natural Feel Baby Bottle
- Best Budget Bottle: Philips Avent Natural Baby Bottle
- Best Anti-Colic Bottle: Dr. Brown’s Natural Flow Original Bottle
- Best Glass Bottle: Lifefactory Glass Baby Bottle
- Best for Breastfed Babies: Medela Calma Breast Milk Feeding Set
- Best Bottle for Newborns: MAM Anti-Colic Newborn Bottle
- Best Bottle for Toddlers: NUK Simply Natural Bottle
Buying Guide
- Material – The most common bottle materials are plastic (polypropylene or polyethylene), silicone, glass, and stainless steel. Plastic and silicone bottles are convenient, lightweight, and dishwasher safe but may leach chemicals. Glass and stainless steel are chemical-free, and refrigerator safe but heavier and more breakable. BPA-free and phthalate-free plastics are safer options. Choose based on your needs and priorities.
- Shape – The three main bottle shapes are straight wall, converging wall and contoured. Straight wall bottles are easiest to clean but harder for babies to hold. Converging and contoured wall bottles are more ergonomic, cradle-shaped and comfortable for feeding. Select a shape that is easy for you and fun for the baby to use.
- Parts – Key bottle parts are nipples (soft silicon, plastic or rubber), rings or rimmed nipples to prevent nipple collapse, vented or non-vented nipples for burping, caps, lids, etc. Choose parts that provide a good seal, prevent spills, and are easy to disassemble for cleaning. Some bottles have disposable liners as an eco-friendly alternative to bottle washing.
- Capacity – Bottle capacity depends on your baby’s age, feeding schedule, and amounts. Newborns typically do well with 2-4 ounce bottles. Older babies can use 4-9 ounce, 5-7 ounce, or 7-10 ounce bottles for the main feeding or as a supplement. Larger bottles are more suitable for toddlers. Provide multiple bottle sizes to meet different needs.
- Features – Additional features to consider include anti-colic vents, memory nipples to retain preferences, temperature sensing, imbibed volume markings, graduation markers, slow flow nipples, auto-spots/natural pause, warming features, stereo mixer for mixing formula, bottle brushes for easy cleaning, sterilization capabilities, etc. Choose features that will benefit you the most.
- Budget – Bottle prices vary widely depending on materials, capacity, features, and brands. Set a budget and look for options that provide good value with high quality at an affordable price. Look for sales and deals to stretch your budget further.
- Reviews – Check online reviews from other parents to determine the pros and cons of different bottle options you are considering based on feeding experience, durability, ease of use, and so on. Look for highly rated, best-selling bottles that meet most parents’ needs for a small baby.
Best Baby Bottles Frequently Asked Questions
What types of baby bottles are available?
There are various types of baby bottles available, including plastic, glass, and silicone bottles. You can also choose between standard bottles, wide-neck bottles, and anti-colic bottles.
How do I know what size bottle to buy?
Bottles are typically sized by the amount of liquid they can hold. Newborns may only need 2-4 ounces per feeding, while older babies may need 6-8 ounces per feeding.
How many bottles will I need for my baby?
The number of bottles you’ll need depends on how often you plan to bottle-feed your baby. As a general rule, you’ll need at least 4-6 bottles to ensure you always have a clean one ready to go.
Do I need to sterilize my baby’s bottles?
It’s recommended to sterilize your baby’s bottles before the first use and after every use until your baby is at least 3 months old. After that, regular washing with hot, soapy water is usually sufficient.
Related: Best Breast Pumps
Final Thought
Choosing the right bottle for your baby can make a big difference in their feeding experience. By considering your needs and your baby’s preferences, you can choose a bottle that will be a valuable addition to your baby’s gear.