“Most bottles labeled as ‘breastfeeding friendly’ have wide bases that are actually the least recommended for breastfed babies. You want to choose a nipple flow rate that is similar to a natural flow,” Cindy Scott, RD, CLC, a registered dietitian and certified lactation consultant, tells Verywell Family. “Most breastfed babies do well staying on a slow-flow newborn nipple and do not need to be advanced to a faster flow nipple unless there is a very strong let-down and flow rate.” To simplify your routine even further, you may choose a bottle that connects directly to breast pumps, so you’ll spend less time transferring the milk and don’t risk losing a single drop. We considered maintenance, material, value, and design when reviewing the baby bottles listed here. The nipple is designed to provide a consistent, steady flow of milk similar to breastfeeding. At an affordable price, Dr. Brown’s bottles come with an internal vent system that helps air escape reducing gas discomfort for babies. As your baby becomes more established at feeding, the vent can be removed. These bottles are made of borosilicate glass, which can withstand the freezer and boiling water. People also report they don’t break if you drop them. Glass bottles are naturally free of BPA and easy to clean. These Dr. Brown’s Natural Flow Options + Narrow Bottles are top-rack dishwasher safe. Price at time of publication: $17 These bottles are made of silicone, which is BPA-free and can safely go in the dishwasher and microwave. The silicone also gives these a super soft grip that babies enjoy holding onto. The nipple on these has a dual vent which will help ease any discomfort due to gas. And best of all, these bottles have an extra-wide base so they are really easy to clean and sterilize, which is a must for any tired household. These bottles are on the pricey side so just try a few at first before you commit to more. Price at time of publication: $28 Price at time of publication: $43 One thing parents love about these bottles is that they’re very easy to clean. Though they’re dishwasher (top rack) safe, the brand says they last longer when hand washed. But the bottles have only four parts, as opposed to the six some other bottles have, and they’re wide enough to get a sponge into effectively. Price at time of publication: $19 for three The nipple on these bottles is breast-shaped and extra flexible, helping your little one bounce between skin and bottle. Like most bottles on this list, they also have a wide base which helps promote a healthy latch. The anti-colic valve helps remove any unwanted gas from the feeding, which will help prevent a fussy baby. This is a 4-ounce model but the line also comes in a 2, 9, or 11-ounce model, as well as two different glass bottles so you can choose whatever size or material works for your family. Price at time of publication: $16 The Evenflo Feeding Balance bottles come in six ounces, which is perfect for breastfed babies who typically consume no more than 3 to 5 ounces of milk per feeding. You can pump directly into these bottles and since they are glass, you can place them in the freezer and then defrost them without them shattering. These are easy to clean by hand or place in the top rack of the dishwasher. They are naturally free of BPA and come in a pack of three. Price at time of publication: $27 Besides mimicking the breast and keeping a good latch intact, this bottle is also designed to help babies with colic or reflux. A pumping adaptor can also be purchased so that you can pump right into the bottle, saving on cleaning time. Price at time of publication: $22 These BPA-free bottles come in both a 5-ounce size that has a slow flow intended for newborns or an 8-ounce size with a medium flow nipple which can work for babies from 4 to 12 months old. All you need to do is pump into the bottle and put the nipple on and the baby is ready to be fed. These bottles have a very accurate line on them to indicate how much has been pumped and how much milk is being fed to baby. Price at time of publication: $24 What’s more, these are also made with breastfeeding parents in mind with a soft silicone nipple. The company says that 94 percent of babies took this nipple in studies. This set is also a smart buy because it comes with two 5-ounce bottles and two 9-ounce bottles so you can use these from newborn up till your baby starts drinking out of a cup. Price at time of publication: $27
What to Look for in a Bottle for Breastfed Babies
Nipple Design
A slow-flow nipple is best for breastfed babies because it best mimics the natural flow of milk from the breast. A wide-neck nipple base may work for some babies but most have a hard time getting their small mouths around them. If your baby is having trouble, opt for a narrow neck with a nipple that has a gradual slope so that your baby can get the nipple deeper into his or her mouth in the same way as breastfeeding.
Material
Baby bottles usually come in plastic or glass. The pros of plastic are that it’s lightweight, making it easier for your baby to hold and easier for you to tote around in your diaper bag. Plus, they cost less. However, there are concerns about some of the compounds in plastic, such as bisphenol A (BPA). Look for BPA-free bottles if you opt for plastic. Glass bottles are heavier but most are made from a stronger type of glass that is heat and shatter resistant. Glass bottles are easy to clean and are naturally free from harmful chemicals. They can also double as food storage containers and most can move seamlessly from freezer to boiling water. The downside is they cost more and they are heavy.
Pump Compatibility
If you want to make your life easier, look for a bottle that your breast pump can connect to so that you don’t have to worry about transferring milk from bottle to bags and back to bottles. Many glass bottles on the market connect directly to breast pumps. After pumping, you can place glass bottles in the freezer, and then when you’re ready to use them, it’s easy to defrost them in the refrigerator or hot water.
Why Trust Verywell Family
Katrina Cossey is a commerce writer for Verywell Family with nearly eight years of experience under her belt. Katrina’s background in journalism began at an Emmy Award-winning news station in Oklahoma before she obtained her B.A. in professional media. Her love for service journalism, helping others, and becoming a parent led to her commerce writing role, which allows her to research and recommend the best products for families, pregnant people, and kids of all ages. Wide base nipples may look more like a breast, but experts say that wide bases actually make it more difficult for babies to get their mouths around the nipple in the same way they do when breastfeeding. Breastfed babies do well with a slow-flow nipple, even as they get older. However, if you have a strong let-down, then your baby might do better with a medium or faster flow nipple. “‘Nipple preference means that the baby becomes used to a very fast flow from a bottle nipple and starts to prefer the bottle due to the ease of obtaining the milk versus having to actively suckle at the breast to obtain milk. Paced feeding is recommended to avoid nipple preference and should be taught to all caregivers providing breastfed babies with bottle feeds,” says Scott. However, if you need to give a bottle, 1-3 ounces per feeding should be sufficient during the first month. The great thing about babies is that they are intuitive eaters, which means they will let you know if they are still hungry and want more. Likewise, they will stop when they are full. From 1 month old and beyond, 3-4 ounces of milk is recommended per feeding. Lainey Younkin, MS, RD, LDN is a registered dietitian and toddler mom who breastfed both of her babies for more than one year. She interviewed her trusted colleague, Cindy Scott, RD, CLC, registered dietitian and certified lactation consultant, who specializes in feeding babies, for the most up-to-date, evidence-based feeding recommendations for babies who are breastfed and also taking bottles.
