Best Non-plastic Bottles

Bisphenol A (BPA) is no longer a concern in baby feeding products, since all major manufacturers have eliminated it from baby bottles. However, some parents are still leery of plastics, even those deemed "safe." Their concern is that there is yet some unknown chemical that may be leaching into their baby's milk. What materials are they turning to? Parents are turning to glass and stainless steel, as they don't have any chemical components that may affect their baby's health.

Baby bottles also come in glass and stainless steel, with no chemical risk

The Pura Stainless Steel Kiki Infant Bottle (*Est. $14 for one 11 oz. bottle) is one of the most popular stainless-steel baby bottles on the market. Made by a company that manufactures water bottles for fitness enthusiasts, its fan base stems from mothers who work out. They gravitate towards this bottle for the same reasons they use it themselves; the plastic-free nature of the bottle makes it free of any chemicals that could enter their child's system. Also, the bottle is so durable -- it's pretty much indestructible.

There aren't too many downsides to the bottle. The top can be used with multiple brands of nipples, making it versatile for any child. The stainless-steel bottle is very sanitary and can't crack or splinter like plastic. The only real issue is the noise they make when they're dropped, but Pura thought of that and includes a silicone sleeve that dampens the noise on impact as well as making it easier for the baby to grip. The real problem is the relatively high price compared to traditional baby bottles, but because it lasts for so long and can convert into a sippy cup later in the child's life, it seems that reviewers don't mind the expense.

If classic glass appeals to you, the Evenflo Classic Glass Bottle (*Est. $12 for six 8 oz. bottles) gets excellent reviews from parents. The Classic Glass Bottle is made of clear, tempered safety glass with silicone nipples. This is a basic bottle, and it's low in price -- two reasons why many reviewers like it. Parents seem to buy these bottles primarily because they are BPA-free, but several reviewers also say they are easier to clean and assemble and more durable and scratch-resistant than plastic bottles. Although there is a risk of the glass breaking on impact, a few parent reviewers say these bottles rarely break, even when dropped.

One thing parents seem to love about the Evenflo Classic baby bottle is its traditional design, which, according to some reports, is also its major drawback. Despite the micro air vents in the nipples, many parents still say these bottles don't vent well. That may not be a problem for some babies, but those with babies prone to stomach upset may do better with a bottle designed to reduce air intake. Another complaint is that babies don't learn to hold their own bottles as quickly because the glass bottles are considerably heavier than comparable plastic models. Most of the other negative feedback on this baby bottle has to do with the nipple, which several parents say their babies don't like or refuse to drink from. Most mothers who breastfeed dislike the nipples on the Evenflo Classic bottle because they're unnaturally shaped, and other parents say they tend to rip. Several reviewers note that they tried other brands of nipples with these Evenflo glass bottles successfully.

Another popular glass baby bottle is the Lifefactory Glass Bottle (*Est. $15 for one 9 oz. bottle). Each bottle comes with a colorful silicone sleeve that helps reduce the chance of breakage as well as providing a better grip for babies to hold their own bottles. The bottle is easy to use. Formula can be mixed directly in the bottle, and it's very easy to clean. The bottle itself is safe in the dishwasher on either the top or bottom rack and the nipples and rings on the top rack. In addition to the Lifefactory nipples, those from other manufacturers are also compatible with the Lifefactory bottles. Because they do not have a special venting system, the few complaints the Lifefactory bottles get are that they do not help reduce gas or reflux in babies prone to those issues. Parents whose babies have feeding problems may be better off experimenting with bottles designed to help reduce air intake.

Best non-plastic baby bottle

The best baby bottle in the non-plastic category is the Pura Stainless Steel Kiki Infant Bottle. The durability, hygienic qualities and overall versatility of this bottle trump anything else in this category. Plus, since it lasts so long and can be converted to a sippy cup later in the child's life, this is a purchase that will stand the test of time.