Glass baby bottles are also a great alternative because they are naturally free of chemicals. “Despite the ban on BPA in infant feeding bottles, the AAP continues to recommend the use of alternatives to plastic, when possible, due to concerns of other lesser talked about harmful chemicals leaching from plastic—even those that don’t contain BPA,” explains Cindy Scott, RD, CLC. Consider the various sizes and packages glass baby bottles come in, usually 4-ounce or 8-ounce and a 3- or 6-pack. Plus, buying in bulk is budget-friendly, especially if you are exclusively bottle-feeding. We carefully considered design, value, nipple options, ease of cleaning, and ease of use when reviewing products. Here are the best glass baby bottles, whether you breastfeed or formula-feed. The bottle’s wide neck opening makes it easy to fill with formula or breastmilk and easy to clean. These bottles are dishwasher-safe and have a built-in anti-colic system so there are no extra parts to clean. The twin anti-colic valves release air back into the bottle instead of the baby’s stomach to prevent gas and discomfort. Along with the bottles, this product comes with slow-flow nipples and bottle caps. Any of the Philips AVENT Natural nipples will work with these bottles, and you can interchange any of Philips Natural bottles and nipples as your baby gets bigger. These glass bottles are BPA-free and made from borosilicate glass, a durable glass that is heat resistant. However, the bottles are a bit heavy, and they can leak if not properly assembled. Price at time of publication: $48 Size: 4-oz and 8-oz | Pack: 1 and 3-pack Nuk bottles work perfectly for exclusively bottle-fed babies too. They have a one-piece anti-colic system to reduce spit-up and gas. The bottles are BPA-free and are 80% glass and 20% silicone. They are odor and stain-resistant and can be washed on the top rack of the dishwasher. Price at time of publication: $26 Size: 4-oz and 8-oz | Pack: 3-pack Evenflo glass bottles are made from tempered glass, which is stronger than regular glass, and if it breaks, it will shatter more safely into small pieces. The tempered glass is also recyclable. Both the Evenflo bottles and nipples are free of BPA, polycarbonates, PVC, and phthalates and are made of FDA-approved food-grade material. Proflo is Evenflo’s patented venting system with micro-air vents that prevent the nipple from collapsing, which reduces the potential for colic and reflux. With just three pieces—the bottle, the nipple, and the cap ring—these bottles are easy to clean and can go in the top rack of the dishwasher. Breastfeeding moms love that you can pump directly into these bottles and report that these slow-flow nipples are some of the slowest flow around. Medium and fast-flow nipples are sold separately. Price at time of publication: $19 Size: 4-oz and 8-oz | Pack: 6-pack Lifefactory bottles are made from thermal, shock-resistant borosilicate glass, which means they can go from freezer to boiling water without shattering. Their 4-oz bottles are designed for babies 0 to 3 months and include a stage one, slow-flow silicone nipple. They also have 9-oz bottles for once your baby is older. The bottles come with a flat cap so you can convert the glass bottle into a storage container for milk or food. If you breastfeed, you’ll love that most pumps attach directly to Lifefactory bottles and you can freeze the milk in the bottle versus transferring it to a bag. Lifefactory bottles are BPA- and phthalate-free. Price at time of publication: $15 Size: 4-oz and 9-oz | Pack: 1, 2, and 4-packs The vent system can be removed once your baby is older and more established at feeding. The nipple provides a consistent flow and has its own venting system, so you don’t have to worry about your baby ingesting air once you remove the filter. Dr. Brown’s new Wide-Neck bottle is designed with a wider breast-shaped nipple to make it easier for breastfed babies to move from breast to bottle. These glass bottles are made from borosilicate glass, so they can be moved from heat to cold without a problem. A potential downside of these is they are harder to clean with the removable venting system, especially if you don’t have a dishwasher. Price at time of publication: $9 Size: 4-oz. 5-oz, 8-oz, and 9-oz | Pack: 1, 2, 3, and 4-packs These bottles come with a bonus sleeve for an easy grip, and it has cutouts so you can still see the ounce and milliliter measurement lines on the side. Chicco NaturalFit glass bottles are BPA-free and easy to clean with just three pieces—the bottle, nipple, and cap ring. All NaturalFit bottles and nipples are interchangeable, making it easy to switch as the baby grows. Price at time of publication: $26 Size: 5-oz and 9-oz | Pack: 2-pack Evenflo Feeding Balance bottles are BPA-free and thermal shock resistant. Most pumps attach directly to the bottles, and since they are glass, you can place pumped milk in the glass bottle straight into the freezer. The small, 6-oz size is perfect for breastfed babies who usually take no more than 4 to 5 ounces of milk in one feeding. Price at time of publication: $27 Size: 6-oz | Pack: 3-pack What’s unique to HEVEA is that their bottle nipples are made from 100% natural rubber instead of silicone. The rubber is plant-based and harvested in Malaysia from the “Hevea Brasiliensis” trees. The material is free from BPA, PVC, phthalates, and plastics. The soft rubber nipples mimic the shape of the breast and include an anti-colic valve. A medium flow nipple is included in the 2-pack, and a slow-flow nipple can be bought separately. The downside to the rubber is that you need to replace the nipple every six to eight weeks. HEVEA glass bottles can be hand washed or put in the dishwasher. Before using them for the first time, wash and sterilize the bottles thoroughly and leave the nipples in boiling water for five minutes. Price at time of publication: $36 Size: 4-oz and 8-oz | Pack: 2-pack With sizing, bottles usually come in a smaller size, like 4 or 6-oz or a larger 8-9-oz, so check the size before purchasing. The 4-oz bottles are great for breastfed babies, as well as younger babies. Once your baby is older, consider getting 8-ounce bottles. Additionally, check to see if the bottles are wide or narrow at the top. Wider neck bottles will be easier to clean with a brush. Also, consider if your baby is at an age where he or she can hold the bottle. Wider and heavier bottles will be harder for babies to hold.
Type of Nipple
Bottle nipples come in various shapes, sizes, and textures. Most nipples nowadays are shaped like the breast, but wider isn’t always better for breastfed babies. Nipples range from slow-flow to medium and fast flow. Check to see which type is included with the bottle you are buying. Slow-flow nipples are better for newborn and breastfed babies. If you are breastfeeding and giving a bottle, consider working with a lactation counselor who can help you determine what to look for in a nipple, depending on your baby’s needs.
What Experts Say
“Studies show that chemicals like BPA can leach from plastic infant feeding bottles that are filled with warmed breastmilk or formula due to the high temperatures, exposing the infant to unwanted chemicals. Limiting the use of plastic infant feeding bottles by purchasing infant feeding bottles labeled as ‘BPA-free’ and avoiding plastics with a recycle code of 3, 6, or 7 is desirable and recommended by the AAP. Despite the ban on BPA in infant feeding bottles, the AAP continues to recommend the use of alternatives to plastic, when possible, due to concerns of other lesser talked about harmful chemicals leaching from plastic—even those that don’t contain BPA.” —Cindy Scott, RD, CLC Even if you plan to wash in the dishwasher, it can help to use a bottle brush to scrub out the bottle first. If cleaning by hand, you may want a few different size brushes, like those made for cleaning straws, so you can thoroughly clean the nipples too. Wash with dish soap and hot water, rinse well, and place in a bottle drying rack.
Why Trust Verywell Family
Lainey Younkin is a registered dietitian and toddler mom herself. She’s done extensive research on glass baby bottles, including interviewing numerous moms, and would be comfortable recommending these to her patients or using them herself.
