The world of baby bottles for breastfed babies can be overwhelming. With so many options on the market, it's hard to know which bottle brand will work best for your babe. But fear not! As a parent who has been through it all, I'm here to share the top-rated bottles for breastfed babies in 2024, complete with pros and cons to help you make the best baby bottle choice for your little one. Read on!
1. Comotomo Baby Bottle
Comotomo is hailed as the number one choice for breastfed babies for a reason. Its unique design and bottle nipple mimics the natural shape and feel of the breast, making it easy for babies to transition between breast and bottle. The soft, squeezable silicone material is gentle on baby's mouth and helps reduce nipple confusion. Plus, the wide neck makes it easy to clean. However, some parents have found that the silicone can be prone to tearing over time.
Pros:
- Nipple design mimics the natural shape and feel of the breast
- Soft, squeezable silicone reduces nipple confusion
- Wide neck makes cleaning easy
Cons:
- Silicone material may tear over time
2. Philips Avent Natural Baby Bottle:
Philips Avent Natural bottles are a favorite among breastfeeding moms for their innovative design. The wide breast-shaped nipple promotes a natural latch, and the flexible spiral design mimics the movement of the breast, reducing colic and discomfort. These bottles are also easy to clean and assemble. However, some parents have reported leaks, especially if the nipple is not properly aligned with the bottle.
Pros:
- Wide breast-shaped nipple promotes a natural latch
- Flexible spiral design reduces colic and discomfort
- Easy to clean and assemble
Cons:
- Some parents have reported leaks
3. Dr. Brown's Options+ Baby Bottle:
Dr. Brown's bottles are known for their unique vent system, which helps reduce gas and colic in babies. The bottles are also designed to preserve essential nutrients in breast milk by minimizing oxidation. Many parents appreciate the wide neck and easy-to-clean parts. However, the vent system can be a bit intricate to assemble and clean, and some babies may struggle with the flow of milk.
Pros:
- Unique vent system reduces gas and colic
- Preserves essential nutrients in breast milk
- Wide neck and easy-to-clean parts
Cons:
- Vent system can be intricate to assemble and clean
- Some babies may struggle with the flow of milk
4. Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature Baby Bottle:
Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature bottles are designed with a breast-like nipple shape to encourage a natural latch. The super-sensitive anti-colic valve helps reduce gas and fussiness, and the wide neck makes cleaning a breeze. However, some parents have found that the nipple collapses during feeding, causing frustration for their babies.
Pros:
- Breast-like nipple shape encourages a natural latch
- Super-sensitive anti-colic valve reduces gas and fussiness
- Wide neck for easy cleaning
Cons:
- Nipple may collapse during feeding
5. NUK Simply Natural Baby Bottle:
NUK Simply Natural bottles feature a nipple with multiple nipple holes, designed to mimic the flow of breastfeeding. The wide, flexible nipple promotes a proper latch, and the anti-colic air system helps reduce gas and colic. However, some parents and caregivers have found that the nipple collapses during feeding, and the bottle may leak if not assembled correctly.
Pros:
- Multiple nipple holes mimic breastfeeding flow
- Wide, flexible nipple promotes proper latch
- Anti-colic air system reduces gas and colic
Cons:
- Nipple may collapse during feeding
- Bottle may leak if not assembled correctly
6. Medela Breast Milk Bottle Set:
Medela bottles are a popular choice for breastfeeding moms who also use Medela breast pumps. The bottles are compatible with all Medela breast pumps, making it easy to pump, store, and feed breast milk using the same container. The bottles are also dishwasher safe for easy cleaning and sterilization. However, some parents have found that the narrow shape of the bottle can make cleaning and filling more challenging.
Pros:
- Compatible with all Medela breast pumps
- Dishwasher safe for easy cleaning
Cons:
- Narrow shape can make cleaning and filling challenging
7. Mam Anti-Colic Baby Bottle:
Mam Anti-colic bottles feature a vented base that regulates pressure and reduces air swallowing, helping to prevent gas and colic. The ultra-soft silicone nipple has a familiar feel for breastfed babies, and the wide neck makes cleaning easy. However, some parents have reported leaks, especially if the bottle is not properly sealed.
Pros:
- Vented base reduces air swallowing and prevents gas and colic
- Ultra-soft silicone nipple has a familiar feel for breastfed babies
- Wide neck makes cleaning easy
Cons:
- Some parents have reported leaks
8. Chicco NaturalFit Baby Bottle:
Chicco NaturalFit bottles are designed with a rounded, breast-like nipple shape to encourage a proper latch. The angled nipple promotes a comfortable feeding position, and the anti-colic valve helps reduce gas and fussiness. However, some parents and caregivers have found that the bottle leaks if not held at the correct angle during bottle feeding.
Pros:
- Rounded, breast-like nipple shape encourages proper latch
- Angled nipple promotes a comfortable feeding position
- Anti-colic valve reduces gas and fussiness
Cons:
- Bottle may leak if not held at the correct angle during feeding
9. Lansinoh Momma Breastmilk Feeding Bottle:
Lansinoh Momma bottles feature a NaturalWave nipple that promotes a proper latch and mimics the movement of breastfeeding. The bottles are also compatible with Lansinoh breast pumps for easy pumping and feeding. However, some parents have found that the nipple collapses during feeding, causing frustration for their babies.
Pros:
- NaturalWave nipple promotes a proper latch
- Compatible with Lansinoh breast pumps for easy pumping and feeding
Cons:
- Nipple may collapse during feeding
10. Evenflo Feeding Balance + Wide Neck Baby Bottle:
Evenflo Feeding Balance + bottles are designed with a unique, naturally-sloped nipple shape that encourages a proper latch. The bottles also feature an integrated venting system that reduces gas, colic, and fussiness. However, some parents have found that the nipple flow is too fast for their babies, leading to spit-up and discomfort.
Pros:
- Naturally-sloped nipple shape encourages proper latch
- Integrated venting system reduces gas, colic, and fussiness
Cons:
- Nipple flow may be too fast for some babies, leading to spit-up and discomfort
Positioning the Bottle for Breastfed Babies
It’s always best to consult your pediatrician or the International Board Certified Lactation Consultant for successful feeding tips. For new parents and caregivers who are just learning how to bottle-feed their breastfed babies, proper positioning is key to a successful feeding. Here are some general tips on how to position the bottle:
- Hold your baby in an upright position: Ensure that your baby's head is slightly elevated to prevent choking and reduce gas.
- Tilt the bottle: Angle the bottle downward so that the milk fills the nipple, but the baby isn't overwhelmed with milk flow. This mimics the angle of breastfeeding and helps prevent air ingestion.
- Allow the baby to control the flow: Let your baby suck on the nipple and take breaks as needed. This allows them to regulate the flow of milk and prevents overfeeding.
- Keep the bottle horizontal: As your baby feeds, keep the bottle horizontal to ensure that the nipple remains filled with milk and air bubbles rise to the top, reducing the risk of colic and gas.
- Switch sides: Just like during breastfeeding, switch sides halfway through the feeding to mimic the natural rhythm and encourage proper development of jaw muscles.
Choosing the Right Nipple Size for Breastfed Babies
When using bottles for breastfed babies and preemies, electing the correct nipple size is crucial for a comfortable feeding experience. Here's how different nipple sizes can affect your baby:
- Newborn: Newborn nipples have a slower flow rate, which mimics the slower flow of breast milk. This helps prevent choking and allows your baby to feed at their own pace.
- Slow Flow: Slow flow nipples are ideal for breastfed babies who are just starting to bottle-feed or who prefer a slower milk flow. They promote a natural latch and prevent overfeeding.
- Medium Flow: As your baby grows and becomes more efficient at feeding, you may need to switch to medium flow nipples. These nipples provide a slightly faster flow rate while still allowing your baby to control the pace of feeding.
- Fast Flow: Fast flow nipples are suitable for older babies who can handle a faster milk flow without choking or gulping. However, be mindful not to introduce them too soon, as they may cause feeding difficulties for younger babies.
It's essential to monitor your baby's feeding cues and adjust the nipple size accordingly to ensure a comfortable and satisfying feeding experience.
Learning How to Bottle Feed a Breastfed Baby
For breastfeeding babies who are introducing bottles for the first time, learning how to bottle-feed effectively is crucial. Here are some tips for successful bottle feeding:
- Start early: Introduce the bottle to your baby when they are around three to four weeks old if possible.
- Be patient: Bottle-feeding may take some time for your baby to get used to, so be patient and give them time to adjust.
- Offer the bottle when your baby is calm: Avoid waiting until your baby is extremely hungry or overtired to introduce the bottle, as they may be more resistant.
- Use paced bottle feeding: Mimic the natural flow of breastfeeding by using paced bottle feeding techniques. This involves holding the bottle horizontally, allowing the baby to take breaks, and following their cues.
- Be consistent: Once you've found a bottle that works for your baby, stick with it to maintain consistency and avoid confusion.
By following these tips and being patient and consistent, you can successfully introduce bottle-feeding to your breastfed baby while maintaining a positive breastfeeding relationship.
As for choosing the right bottle for your breastfed baby, it is crucial for a smooth feeding experience. Remember to consider factors such as nipple shape, flow rate, material and proper positioning when making your decision. With the right bottle and technique, you can ensure that your baby gets the nutrition they need while maintaining a comfortable and enjoyable feeding experience for both of you.
And if you’re not sure where to start, GoodBuy Gear offers multiple types of bottles, from glass baby bottles, to silicone bottles, to ones with anti-colic vents, so you can test out different bottles without breaking the bank. You can also browse an assortment of bottle brushes, cleaners and bottle warmers to complete your breastfeeding to bottle-feeding journey.
Further Reading
If you enjoyed this article, make sure to check out The Ultimate Guide to the Best Baby Play Mats, or our article 6 Best Diaper Pails to Keep Odors at Bay. The village is a great place to find tips and tricks for all your baby gear needs.
About the Author, Lauren Shaver Morris
GoodBuy Gear Contributing Writer
Lauren is considered an authority on safe baby-wearing and helps parents find the confidences to safely wear their child. As a nurse, Lauren understands proper ergonomics for babies whether parents choose to use stretchy and woven wrap carriers, apron-style carriers or structured carriers. Lauren is also twin mom with a toddler, so tandem wearing is a must to keep her household running!
