Best baby bottles
- Best baby bottle overall:
- Best bottle for breastfed babies:
- Best safe glass baby bottle:
- Best baby bottles for newborns:
- Easiest baby bottle to clean:
- Best cheap baby bottle:
- Best bottle to support a good latch:
- Best innovative baby bottle:
- Best glass baby bottle:
- Best bottles for gassy babies:
- How many baby bottles do I need?
Baby bottles are one of those baby products that are hard to buy, especially online, because they all do the same job, and look so similar to each other. Outside of obvious differences (size, shape, the material the bottle is made from), each claims to have advanced features that make it the closest to breastfeeding. So how do you cut through the clutter to find the right one for your baby?
The best bottle for your baby, simply put, is the one that they will drink from. Dr. Kelia Rodriguez MD, IBCLC says “My bottle advice changes depending on whether parents will breastfeed or not. I usually advise parents that will mostly bottle feed to get 2-3 different types and see how a baby does with them. If breastfeeding, it is important to look at bottles that mimic the breast.”
What type of baby bottle should I choose?
That said, one important bottle choice to consider is the material it’s made from. Baby bottles are made from glass, silicone, plastic, and stainless steel; there is also a “hybrid” bottle on the market, the Chicco Duo, with glass inside plastic. Each material has pros and cons.
- Glass bottles are a good option for parents who are concerned about chemicals in plastic. Glass bottles usually last longer than plastic bottles, too. The downside? They can break and are more expensive.
- Plastic bottles won’t break, are lightweight, and are the most affordable option when buying multiple bottles, but do need to be replaced more often. However, since plastic bottles tend to break down over time, and may be made of material containing BPA, they may bring with them the risk of exposure to BPA. See below for more information about avoiding BPA in baby bottles.
- Silicone bottles are a popular choice because they are lightweight and easy to clean. They are also easy to squeeze, making it easier for a baby to grasp. Silicone bottles aren’t likely to leak chemicals, like some plastic bottles. These, like the glass bottles, are more expensive.
- Stainless steel bottles aren’t as common as the other types. They last a long time, won’t break, and, as long as they’re not lined with plastic, are BPA-free. Stainless steel bottles are generally more expensive than both glass and plastic.
What about BPA and baby bottles?
The AAP explains that bisphenol A or BPA, is a chemical in plastics that has been implicated in disrupting the endocrine functions in animals. While further research is needed, the AAP recommends parents concerned with the issue take these measures.
- Consider buying BPA-free plastic bottles.
- Avoid bottles or other containers with the recycling number 7 and letters “PC” on them, as these may contain BPA.
- Use opaque plastic bottles, which are made of polyethylene or polypropylene, and do not contain BPA. Look for the recycling number 2 or 5.
- Glass bottles are a safe alternative, but may be dangerous if broken.
- Breastfeed if you can.
- Heating plastic containing BPA may release the toxin; for this reason, if you should use clear polycarbonate bottles, do not heat them in the microwave, boil them to sterilize, or wash them in your dishwasher.
Dr. Rodriguez echoes that last point: “If any warm liquids are to be served in a container, it’s best to avoid plastic and use silicone or glass when possible due to endocrine disrupting chemicals (including BPA) that leach from plastic that’s warm. We are exposed to plastic in a multitude of ways throughout our lives so it’s unclear how beneficial this is, but concerns about chemicals in plastic mean it’s worth a try to avoid.”
What’s the best baby bottle?
Each bottle maker would have you believe it’s the one they make. But some experts are dubious about the features built into many bottles.
“Manufacturers make all sorts of claims about their nipples working more like the human breast or their bottles preventing gas,” writes pediatrician David L. Hill in the American Academy of Pediatrics’ (AAP) publication, Bottle Feeding Basics. “I haven’t seen good scientific literature that supports these claims, so I can’t recommend one brand over another,” Dr. Hill continues.
Still, there are some features parents may like.
- Anti-colic features: Some bottles are specifically vented to limit gassiness, burping, and spit up.
- Narrow neck: These bottles are sometimes also referred to as standard bottles and usually have a narrower profile and smaller top opening. They may be easier to hold, and often fit better into diaper bags or cupholders.
- Wide neck: These bottles and nipples are wider than the narrow neck bottles. They are easier to fill if you’re using formula, and easier to clean.
- Bottles with drop in liners or pouches: Some bottles, such as ones made by Kiinde and Playtex, have a space for drop in liners that you use with your breast pump. You put the liner into the bottle then feed your baby, without the need to pour milk from one container to another.
Oftentimes it’s hard to know which bottle your baby will prefer over another. Buying a few different types of bottles and having options are nice. Once your baby has expressed their preference, you can go ahead and stock up on the bottles your baby likes the best.
How we chose the best baby bottles
Since your baby’s really in charge of choosing their favorite bottle, our only option was to turn to other parents to find word-of-mouth recommendations. We searched through BabyCenter’s Community looking for these positive recommendations in many different categories: favorite bottles made of glass, plastic, silicone, steel; anti-colic bottles parents swear by, the bottles they use for their brand-new babies.
After we found the bottles parents use at home with their own babies, we moved on to checking out each selection to find those that are easy to hold, use, fill, and clean, meet standards from the AAP and experts like Dr. Rodriguez, are priced fairly, and have at least one special attribute, and hopefully more than one, that makes them stand out amongst similar competitors.
Best baby bottle overall
Dr. Brown's Options+ Anti-colic Baby Bottle
This Dr. Brown’s Anti-Colic Options+ bottle does just that, gives you options as your baby’s feeding needs change, hence why we choose it as the best overall baby bottle on the market. If your baby is a fussy newborn, the bottles’ green vent directs air away from the liquid your baby drinks, ideally resulting in less gas and crying. As your baby’s digestive system develops and colic, spit-up, burping, and gas are lessened, you can use the bottle without the vent until your baby’s outgrown the bottle-feeding stage entirely.
Heads up
This bottle has more parts to assemble and clean, which some parents don't appreciate. Note that this bottles comes in several different sizes, in glass and plastic, and in narrow- and wide-neck varieties. We are linking and picturing the plastic narrow-neck 8-ounce bottles here.
Parents say
"We used them with my son and really liked them. I didn't think cleaning them was a pain. My son went back and forth easily between breastfeeding and these bottles."
"The Dr. Brown's bottles are tedious to clean but worth it if you have a baby with acid reflux."
"We used Dr. Brown's and I successfully breastfed my son for 13 months, no issues at all."
"“Dr. Brown’s Options are the best for both my kiddos.”
Specs
- Choose from glass or BPA-free plastic
- Plastic bottles available in wide or narrow neck
- Choose from 2-, 4-, or 8-ounce bottles (plastic) or 5- or 9-ounce bottles (glass)
Best bottle for breastfed babies
Comotomo Baby Bottle
For a bottle that actually feels like a breast, look no further. The Comotomo is made of soft, squeezable silicone (both the bottle and the nipple), which makes it a hit with many breastfed babies. Silicone is free of BPA, PVC, and phthalates, and won't leach chemicals into your breast milk or formula. The Comotomo nipples come in slow, medium, fast, or variable flow speeds and have double vents to help reduce colic, gas, and spit-up. The bottles are simple to assemble and their wide-neck design makes for easier cleaning.
Heads up
The silicone body isn't as rigid as a glass or plastic bottle, and it can tip over.
Parents say
"I'm exclusively breastfeeding, and these bottles are the only ones my baby didn't have a hard time with. We tried other brands, and all were either leaking, having too fast of a flow, or causing lots of gas. As a last resort we tried Comotomo and fell in love! I highly recommend these!"
"My son loved the Comotomo! The only thing was the bottle would tip when I put it down on the couch to burp him. I solved the problem by putting the bottle on my phone instead of directly on the couch."
"Comotomo bottles are amazing! They're the only bottles my daughter would take!"
Specs
- Silicone bottle and nipple
- Dual vents on nipple to help prevent colic
- Available in 5- and 8-ounce sizes
- Choose from green or pink
Best safe glass baby bottle
Chicco Duo Hybrid Baby Bottle
If you’re having difficulty choosing between a glass or a plastic bottle, look no further. The Chicco Duo bonds a micro-thin layer of glass inside of plastic, so that your baby’s milk or formula touches nothing but glass and the outside plastic protects the glass from breakage. It’s an innovative idea and a real problem-solver for parents concerned about potential toxins in plastic.
Heads up
One of the few downsides of this bottle is that its unique composition means it’s not recyclable when it’s outlived its usefulness.
Parents say
“I tried a few bottles and found that the Chicco duo bottles worked best for my daughter.”
“My favorite item on my registry is the Chicco Duo Deluxe Hybrid Baby Bottle Gift Set for sure!”
“Number two has only had one bottle so far and it was a Chicco Duo and he took it with no issues.”
Specs
- BPA-free plastic and glass bottle; silicone nipple
- Anti-colic vent built into nipple
- Available in 5- and 9-ounce sizes
Best baby bottles for newborns
Philips Avent Natural Baby Bottle with Natural Response Nipple
The “Natural Response” in the name of this bottle’s nipple means that it only releases milk when your baby is actually drinking. The theory goes that this allows babies control the pace at which they drink, and to easily transition between bottle and breast. In practice, this nipple has a no-drip design, and the built-in anti-colic bottle directs air away from your baby’s tummy without giving you an extra part to clean.
Heads up
Some parents are disappointed in the nipple redesign and prefer the old Avent nipples. This bottle comes in glass and plastic as well as several sizes; we picture and link to the plastic 9-ounce bottles here.
Parents say
“Philips Avent Natural Baby Bottle with size 0 nipples is an excellent choice for colicky babies that have excess gas.”
“The first item I put in my registry was the Philips Avent Natural Baby Bottle with Natural Response Nipple.”
Specs
- Choose from glass or BPA-free plastic
- Anti-colic valve built into nipple
- Available in 4-, 9-, and 11-ounce sizes
- Choose from 6 different colors and designs
Easiest baby bottle to clean
MAM Easy Start Anti-Colic Bottle
MAM is a European brand that's less commonly seen in the United States, but some parents here are big fans of MAM bottles. The bottles have a vented base to reduce gas and colic, and come with three slow-flow silicone nipples. The nipple's design is elongated to more closely resemble a mother's breast and reduce nipple confusion. A handy tip: By adding water to the bottle's base, you can sterilize MAM bottles in the microwave.
Heads up
Finding additional nipples to purchase can be a challenge.
Parents say
"I found the MAM bottles today and they made a night-and-day difference! No choking and no excessive spit-up. So far they're fantastic!"
"Once I tried the MAM with my daughter she wouldn't drink out of anything else. She drank more and had less gas and acid reflux."
"I love the MAM bottles. They helped with my son's colic. Also, they can be sanitized without any special equipment in the microwave in three minutes. It's really nice for when you forget to run the dishwasher."
Specs
- BPA- and BPS-free plastic bottle and silicone nipple
- Detachable base with vents to help prevent colic
- Available in 5- and 9-ounce sizes
- Choose from 6 different colors and designs
Best cheap baby bottle
Nuk Simply Natural Bottles with SafeTemp
These budget-friendly bottles are easy to use in all the ways you need (filling, cleaning, feeding), and boast a cool marquee feature: SafeTemp, a blue thermometer printed between the bottle’s ounce and milliliter markings that fades to white if the bottle’s contents is too hot, and turns back to blue once the temperature is safe. Parents also like the Simply Natural nipple, which is soft, flexible, and has multiple flow holes, just like a mother’s own nipple.
Heads up
This bottle is often sold in multipacks of up to 12 bottles; before buying such a large set, make sure that your baby will take this bottle. These bottles are also available in glass but here we’re picturing, discussing, and linking to the plastic version.
Parents say
“My son likes the NUK orthodontic pacifiers and I love how their Simply Natural bottles are more like the nipple w/ multiple milk ducts!”
“Nuk Simply Natural bottles are amazing!”
Specs
- BPA-free plastic with silicone nipple
- Anti-colic vent built into nipple
- Available in 5- and 9-ounce sizes
- Choose from blue, pink, or clear bottles
Best bottle to support a good latch
Evenflo Feeding Balance + Baby Bottles
Babies and experts appreciate the sloping shape of the Balance + nipples, which encourage a wide latch and are accepted by both babies. The bottles themselves are sturdy and solid: a bottom-heavy design that helps the bottles resist tipping, a gentle curve in the middle to make them easier to hold, and a slender profile that allows older babies to hold their own bottles, too. The easygoing price tag is another reason to love this option.
Heads up
These bottles are available in glass with a wide neck, in narrow and wide necked plastic, and in plastic with an angled top. Here we picture, link to, and are describing the plastic wide necked bottle.
Parents say
“I recommend the Evenflo Feeding Balance bottle because the nipple is shorter as it transitions to wide like human nipples and breast. Every other bottle I’ve seen or tried claiming to be like the breast has a nipple that is too long, making the baby form a straw-shaped tongue like a Tootsie roll. The Evenflo nipple is literally the closest to a human nipple and breast and encourages a proper familiar latch.”
Specs
- BPA-free plastic bottle and silicone nipple (also available in glass with silicone nipple)
- Anti-colic vent built into nipple
- Available in 5- and 9-ounce sizes
Best innovative baby bottle
Lifefactory Baby Bottles
Made of tough borosilicate glass, this bottle is great for parents who worry about the potential for toxins in plastic, and it comes with a protective silicone sleeve, which makes it almost impossible to break. Lifefactory’s bottles are heavy and high-quality, hard to tip over, and a pleasure to hold. They also resist reacting to temperature, too: You can take a Lifefactory bottle straight from the freezer and put it into boiling water with no concerns. Both bottle and sleeve are top-rack dishwasher safe, too.
Heads up
The silicone sleeve makes it difficult to see and use the measurement lines on the bottle.
Parents say
“Lifefactory glass bottles have been great for my little guy.”
“I used Lifefactory glass bottles for my first and love them.”
“Lifefactory is my fave because it's glass so it's easy to clean.”
Specs
- BPA-free glass bottle, silicone nipple, and silicone bottle sleeve
- Available in 4- and 9-ounce sizes
- Choose from 13 colors for silicone sleeve
Best glass baby bottle
Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature 3-in-1 Glass Bottle
Made of 100 percent medical-grade glass, these bottles are sturdy and easy to hold, but it’s their versatility that’s won our heart: after they’re done with bottle duty, screw on the green collars (included with the 3-pack set) to transform them into cups, or pop on a white lid (also included) to safely store baby food. And since these bottles are made of borosilicate glass (like your grandma’s indestructible old-school Pyrex), they’ll easily last through several sets of siblings and can be used to store small bits of food for years and years on end.
Heads up
Note that Tommee Tippee’s Closer to Nature bottles come in plastic, too, but only this glass 3-pack set comes with the collars and lids to convert the bottles to cups and jars; you can’t buy the collars and lids separately.
Parents say
“First item I placed on my registry was our Tommee Tippee glass bottles!”
“Tommee Tippee for life.”
Specs
- Food-grade borosilicate glass bottle and silicone nipple
- Anti-colic valve in nipple to reduce air ingestion
- 9 ounces
- Includes collars and lids to convert bottles to cups and jars
Best bottles for gassy babies
Playtex Baby Ventaire Bottle
You’ve seen Playtex Baby’s Ventaire bottles whether you knew what you were looking at or not: They’re the distinctively angled bottles that look like the top of a traditional bottle got bent over at a 30 degree angle. The angle makes it easier to feed your baby semi-upright, recommended by the AAP for better feeding and a reduced risk of choking and ear infections.
Heads up
The “vent” in the bottle’s name is a separate piece, which is one more piece to clean and/or to accidentally lose. Note that the bottles’ unusual shape means they might not fit into bottle coolers, cupholders, and diaper bag bottle holsters.
Specs
- BPA-free plastic with silicone nipple
- Anti-colic vents included
- Available in 6- and 9-ounce sizes
How many baby bottles do I need?
Determining how many bottles you have on hand will really depend on your feeding practices. Will you be mostly bottle-feeding or do you plan to breastfeed as well? If you are mostly bottle feeding, about 8-10 bottles will be right. Buy 3-4 if you plan to combine breast and bottle feeding.
When your baby is a newborn most parents like to use the 4- or 5-ounce bottles. As your baby grows and starts to consume more milk, parents will shift and begin using the larger 8 or 9-ounce bottles. You will begin to notice your baby consumes more ounces in a feeding around 4 months old.
Below you will find helpful tips from the AAP and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention about bottle feeding:
- Keeping your bottles clean is of utmost importance when feeding your baby. You don’t want germs getting into the milk. Make sure to clean all parts of the bottle and nipple properly and as directed by the manufacturer.
- Hold your baby close when you feed them.
- Never leave or prop the bottle on the baby’s mouth. Not only can they consume more than they need, but it can lead to choking, ear infections and tooth decay.
- Don’t force a baby to finish a bottle if they are showing signs of being full. Watch for cues that your baby is full and stop feeding.
- Allow your baby to take breaks when they feed if they need it and burp mid-feeding.
- Position your baby at an angle (rather than straight up) when they feed so milk can naturally come out of the bottle.
How much should my baby drink?
Follow these bottle feeding basic guidelines from the AAP:
- Newborns start consuming milk slowly the first few days of life. They usually drink around 1-2 ounces (30-60 milliliters).
- After that, they will start to consume more ounces more frequently. On average they will drink 2-3 ounces (60-90 milliliters) every 3 to 4 hours.
- After the first month, a baby will consume around 4 ounces every 4 hours.
- Your baby’s stomach is about the size of their fist, so it’s important to realize that they do not need large milk quantities.
- Gradually, their intake will increase. At around 6 months, a baby will consume 6-8 ounces (180-240 milliliters) 4 or 5 times a day.
- All babies are different and grow at different rates. Always check with your child's pediatrician to assess if their growth is appropriate for their age.
How often should I change nipples?
All bottles will come with nipples, and most of the time, nipples can be used interchangeably with different brands. Each baby may show a preference for one type of nipple over another.
Finding the correct size nipple is helpful when feeding a baby. Different brands mark the flow rates differently, however most bottles come with Phase 1 or Level 1 nipples. As your baby grows, you can switch out the nipples to Phase 2, Level 2, and so on.
Dr. Rodriguez says that “Nipple flow is especially an issue for babies who are also breastfeeding. You want a slow flow for them. I recommend Dr Brown's preemie nipples to start with for breastfeeding babies. Babies should not be choking with flow; if your baby is unlatching and getting frustrated or crying, that might be a sign to try the next size.”
The information that comes with your baby’s bottles will spell out how often to replace used nipples with new ones; most manufacturers recommend replacing nipples every six weeks to two months.
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BabyCenter's editorial team is committed to providing the most helpful and trustworthy pregnancy and parenting information in the world. When creating and updating content, we rely on credible sources: respected health organizations, professional groups of doctors and other experts, and published studies in peer-reviewed journals. We believe you should always know the source of the information you're seeing. Learn more about our editorial and medical review policies.
AAP. 2012. American Academy of Pediatrics. "Bottle Feeding Basics." https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/feeding-nutrition/Pages/Bottle-Feeding-How-Its-Done.aspxOpens a new window [Accessed October 2022]
AAP. 2012. American Academy of Pediatrics. "Bottle Feeding Basics." https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/feeding-nutrition/Pages/Baby-Bottles-And-Bisphenol-A-BPA.aspxOpens a new window [Accessed October 2022]
CDC. 2021. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Feeding From a Bottle." https://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/infantandtoddlernutrition/bottle-feeding/index.htmlOpens a new window [Accessed October 2022]
Jenn Bonicelli and Meghan Hertzfeldt are the authors of the book, You Can Two: The Essential Twins Preparation Guide and cofounders of parenting site Two Came True.