Angled Nursers

Angled baby bottles can minimize air intake

The idea behind angled nursers, which look like standard bottles with bent necks, is that the shape keeps the liquid pooled at the nipple end, causing the baby to swallow less air while feeding. Many parents try these bottles for the promising design, yet they receive mediocre reviews. Professional sources pay little to no attention to angled bottles, instead recommending bottles with venting systems designed to prevent gas and colic, such as Dr. Brown's Natural Flow (*Est. $10 for three 8-oz. bottles). Nevertheless, some parents have had success with angled bottles when other styles didn't work for their babies.

The Playtex VentAire Advanced (*Est. $5 for one 9-oz. bottle) gets mixed reviews. Between Amazon.com, ToysRUs.com, and Target.com, hundreds of reviewers contribute to average ratings between 2 and 3.5 stars out of 5. Parents are quite positive about the angled design, which many say does help prevent gassiness caused by excess air intake. For babies with reflux, reviewers say the VentAire works great for feeding in an upright position. The main trouble spot with the VentAire baby bottle seems to be leakage. One parent on Amazon.com notes that when using these bottles in a bottle warmer, the bottom expands, causing the breastmilk or formula to leak out, and many others note that they simply leak under normal use.

One recent reviewer on Amazon.com says he called Playtex after five of the 11 bottles he purchased began leaking from the bottom. According to this reviewer, Playtex said the vents (which are used in the bottom of the bottle to reduce air intake) must be replaced every three months, and the bottles should not be placed in the dishwasher or a steam warmer – all factors which make the use and care of these bottles inconvenient for some parents. Another common complaint is that the markings on the outside of the bottle wear off very easily, making it difficult to tell how many ounces of fluid are in the bottle. Playtex VentAire Advanced bottles come in both 6-ounce and 9-ounce sizes, and they are also available in a wide version, Playtex VentAire Advanced Wide (*Est. $4 for one 9-oz. bottle).

The Evenflo Purely Comfi bottle (*Est. $4 for one 9-oz. bottle) is another option if you're looking for an angled nurser. These bottles are BPA-free and feature a durable co-polyester material and a soft, nonslip grip for easier holding. There are only a few reviews for the Evenflo Comfi bottles, although a good consensus can be obtained on ToysRUs.com, where there are more than 105 user reviews posted. Feedback is mixed, however, with many parents complaining of leakage. A few reviewers note that the Comfi's soft grips melt when sterilizing the bottle, and several have had problems with the bottles cracking. Evenflo Purely Comfi bottles are available in 6-ounce and 9-ounce sizes.