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.
