Baby Bottles

Updated December 2007

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Best standard baby bottles

One BPA-free baby bottle that gets excellent parent reviews is the Evenflo Classic Glass Nurser (*est. $2) . The Classic Glass Nurser is made of clear tempered safety glass with latex or silicone "sensitive response" nipples designed to let the baby control the flow of milk or formula. Amazon.com, Baby Center and Babies 'R' Us have dozens of parent-written reviews for the Classic, most of which are very positive. Parents seems to buy these bottles primarily because they are BPA-free, but several reviewers also say they are both easier to clean and assemble, and are more durable and scratch-resistant than plastic bottles. Although there is a risk of the glass breaking on impact, a few parents posting to Amazon.com say these bottles rarely break, even when dropped. Several parents also say they have fewer problems with leakage than with most other baby bottles.

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. Unlike most popular baby bottles, this one doesn't come with extra features to prevent the baby from gulping air along with the milk or formula. That may not be a problem for some parents, but those with babies prone to stomach upset may want to opt for a bottle designed to reduce air intake. As one Amazon.com parent reviewer put it, this bottle is "not for colicky babies." 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.

Avent's baby bottles are ranked highly by About.com Pregnancy and Childbirth Guide Robin Elise Weiss. Avent's Natural Feeding Bottle (*est. $5) also gets a Parent's Pick rating on BabyCenter.com, but it gets mixed parent reviews on Amazon.com and Target.com. Parents seem to either love or hate this bottle. Positive reviews mention its wide mouth for easy filling and cleaning, its ease of assembly and simple trouble-free design. Because of its width and the lack of extra parts, the Avent baby bottle works well for mixing formula directly in the bottle, making it a good choice for parents who choose to feed or supplement with formula. The silicone nipples get excellent reviews. The Natural Feeding Bottle is compatible with the handles and SoftSpout from the Avent Magic Trainer Cup (*est. $4) , which may be a plus for parents with a baby getting ready to make the transition from bottle to sippy cup.

The most common complaint about the Avent Natural Feeding Bottle is its tendency to leak. While many parents say it's simply a matter of screwing it on just right -- Avent has even posted instructions on its website -- others disagree, saying the baby bottle leaks no matter what they do. Another point of disagreement among user reviews is whether it causes or prevents colic. Some parents say the bottle, with what Avent calls its Anti-Colic Nipple, does a good job of minimizing air intake and reducing gas-related fussiness. Others say the design, a one-way air valve, doesn't adequately address the colic problem. Finally, the Avent Natural Feeding Bottle is made of polycarbonate plastic -- a concern to some because of the Bisphenol-A used in its manufacture.

Sassy's MAM UltiVent Bottles (*est. $6) get fewer but more uniformly positive parent-written reviews on both Target.com and Amazon.com. The fact that they are BPA-free adds to their appeal among parents, and earns them a place as a top pick on parent-review blog site Z Recommends. Parents also say they find the MAM baby bottles easy to clean, easy to use and relatively spill-proof. Negative reviews of these bottles mention that there are six parts to wash, making assembly and cleaning more time consuming than with the Avent Natural Feeding Bottle or the Evenflo Classic. Several parents mention that the removable bottom makes cleaning easier, but a few say that screwing it on tightly enough to prevent leaks is a concern. The orthodontic silicone nipples get good reviews, and parents posting reviews to Target.com say they cause less nipple confusion for babies switching between breast and bottle.

Although The First Years Breastflow Bottle (*est. $7) is shaped like a standard nurser, it has the advantage of an unusual and highly-rated nipple design. The double nipple system consists of a soft outer and firm inner nipple. This combination is supposed to make the baby compress and suck in a way that mimics breastfeeding and allows the baby to control the flow of milk. The Breastflow baby bottle is marketed to nursing moms who want to switch between bottle and breast without risking nipple confusion, and to moms whose babies are reluctant to take a bottle after a period of exclusive breastfeeding. Moms on Amazon.com, Target.com and Babies 'R' Us, where the Breastflow has over 100 reviews, say it does in fact work as advertised. Users say even babies who refuse other bottles latch on well with the Breastflow Stage One nipple. A number of moms combining breastfeeding and bottle feeding have posted that their babies don't experience nipple confusion and that they are able to continue breastfeeding part-time as planned. A few even claim the Breastflow works as a latch trainer to help babies nurse more effectively. Despite a few complaints on Babies 'R' Us about leaking bottles and collapsing nipples, overall parents say the Breastflow bottles are durable and easy to use.

One possible drawback is that the plastic used in Breastflow bottles is not BPA-free, a factor that may or may not matter to you, depending on your position on this ongoing issue.

Best angled nursers

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. Munchkin's Tri-Flo Angled Bottles (*est. $5) include anti-vacuum vents and three-setting adjustable flow-rate silicone nipples. The handful of reviews for these bottles on Amazon.com is positive. They are harder to find than most bottles, though, meaning that if your baby gets used to them, you may have trouble buying more.

The Evenflo Comfi Angled Nurser (*est. $4) gets mixed reviews from parents. Although some say their babies enjoy drinking out of these bottles, and a few report an improvement in gassiness, others complain of multiple problems. Leaking comes up often even in some of the positive reviews, and a few parents say the nipples discolor quickly and the plastic melts in the dishwasher or sterilizer. Although the Comfi's nipple does seem to work with some babies, other moms say their babies have trouble getting enough milk or formula with this bottle design.

The Playtex VentAire (*est. $4.50) gets fewer complaints in parent reviews about leaking, although some reviews still mention it as a problem. The main trouble spot with the VentAire baby bottle seems to be the nipples. Several parents say the stage one nipple is too slow even for newborns while the stage two is too fast. Although some reviews say the nipple can be fixed by enlarging it with a knife or a pin, this practice is not recommended by experts, who say that tampering with a bottle nipple can present a choking hazard for the baby. The VentAire does seem to help some babies with gassiness.

Best disposable systems

One category that does very well in parent reviews is the disposable nursers. Both the Playtex Drop-Ins Premium Nurser (*est. $5) and the Avent Tempo Natural Feeding Nurser (*est. $8) get a mix of four-star and five-star ratings on Amazon.com, Target.com and Babies 'R' Us. Similar in shape to standard bottles, these nursers use disposable liners with a permanent outer bottle and nipple. Because the liners are flexible, the air can be squeezed out of them before the bottle is given to the baby, which several user reviews say helps with colic and gassiness. On the other hand, using disposables costs more in the long run, and some parents find that continually having to buy liners becomes an inconvenience. Since the liners themselves are BPA-free, the milk or formula doesn't come into contact with the liner holder, which is made of polycarbonate plastic.

Parents reviewing the Playtex Drop-Ins Premium Nurser say they find the drop-in liner reduces air bubbles and makes the bottle easy to clean between feedings. Some moms who use formula say they don't like having to take the extra step of mixing it in a separate container and then pouring it into the liner. Moms who use pumped breast milk, though, say they like the convenience of being able to pump directly into the liners and store the milk there until it's needed.

The Avent Tempo Natural Feeding Nurser gets similar comments. Parents say it's easy to clean, good for traveling and helpful for colicky babies. The Tempo also scores points for its extra-wide base, which parents say makes it easy to fill with one hand. Its nipples are interchangeable with the Avent Natural Feeding Bottle, meaning parents can use both bottle systems without having to stock different nipples. The same flexible SoftSpout that turns the Natural Feeding Bottle into a sippy cup also works with the Tempo system – a feature a few parents find useful. Leaking seems to be less of a problem with this system than with most other bottles. Several parents note how easy the Tempo is to clean, but some say they wish the rings, which need to be washed after each use, were sold separately so they could have extras on hand. The big downside for moms who pump is that the Avent liners don't work directly with the popular Medela breast pumps.

Best tube-style nursers

To reduce the risk of gas problems and colic, most baby bottle designs include some attempt to reduce the amount of air swallowed by the baby. Dr. Brown's Natural Flow Bottles (*est. $5) attempt to address this issue by incorporating an internal vent that looks like a drinking straw. The theory is that this two-piece vent will prevent the vacuum that is created when a baby sucks on a regular bottle. Handi-Craft, the company that makes Dr. Brown's bottles, claims that eliminating the vacuum works not only to prevent gassiness but also to reduce middle ear infections caused by fluid being drawn into the area.

Many parents post that Dr. Brown's Natural Flow bottles are good for colicky babies. User reviews mention improvements in gas, colic and spitting up. The silicone nipples, which come in six different levels from preemie to level four, also get good feedback. However, a few parents comment on the fact that the polycarbonate bottle is manufactured using BPA. Many reviews say the Natural Flow bottle, with its extra pieces and long tube, is more difficult to clean and assemble than other baby bottles. Some parents who use formula also find that the tube gets in the way of mixing, meaning they have to take the extra step of making the formula in another container before transferring it into the bottle. Still, many moms say the extra steps to clean and use the Natural Flow baby bottle are worth it for their babies' decrease in fussiness. Overall, this bottle is a good option for those whose babies are prone to colic or gassiness, but less so for those whose babies do fine with a less complicated nurser.

The Podee Baby Bottle (*est. $9) uses a tube system to create a hands-free baby bottle. The Podee consists of a cylindrical baby bottle attached to a separate nipple with a straw-like tube between the two. This design allows the bottle to rest on a table or tray while the baby sucks on the pacifier-like nipple to get milk or formula. The manufacturer claims the upright position encouraged by this design prevents both ear infections and colic. Parent reviews of the Podee are excellent, although most stress convenience rather than health benefits. Many say it works well for eating out or traveling in a car seat or stroller where the baby needs to use the bottle independently. The biggest fans of this bottle are mothers of multiples. Rather than having to feed each baby in turn, the Podee allows caregivers to give twins or triplets their bottles at the same time, greatly reducing the stress and complication involved. On the downside, reviewers say formula needs to be mixed in a separate container. They also say that the Podee is time-consuming to clean because of the many parts and the fact that, as with the Dr. Brown's bottles, the tube has to be cleaned separately with a brush.

Important Features: Baby bottles

Reviewers say the following about shopping for baby bottles.

Silicone nipples are best. Although both latex and silicone nipples are considered safe, many experts recommend silicone. Latex exposure can lead to an increased risk of latex sensitivity or even serious allergy. Some reviewers also point out that latex is more porous, and therefore potentially more susceptible to bacterial growth, than silicone. You can tell what material a bottle nipple is made of by its color: latex is brownish, while silicone is clear or brightly colored.

Use the right nipple for each stage. Baby bottle nipples come in various stages to accommodate changes in feeding abilities and styles as babies grow. Newborn nipples, for example, are designed to let the milk or formula through slowly enough for a newborn's tiny throat. Nipples designed for older babies have a faster flow rate to match their increased size and calorie requirements.

Keep safety in mind. A worn nipple could present a choking hazard, so nipples should be inspected regularly for cracks, tears or other signs of wear. Bottles and nipples should be cleaned with hot soapy water after each use and sterilized weekly in boiling water. Experts say caregivers should never enlarge a bottle nipple with a pin or knife – the premature wear could lead to choking.

Trust your baby's preferences. One thing experts agree on is that every baby is different. If your baby rejects a particular bottle or seems to be gassier or crankier than usual, trying another brand or style could make all the difference.

Start small. It's impossible to tell before you try which bottle and nipple combination will work for your baby. Experts advise parents to start by experimenting with one or two different starter kits rather than stocking up on a particular brand right away.

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Consensus Report

Our Consensus Report shows how many times products are top-ranked by reviewers included in our
All The Reviews Reviewed chart.

* Also see our Comparison Chart.

While several reviewers give the Avent Natural Feeding Bottle their top rating, users posting to consumer review sites give better ratings overall to the MAM UltiVent. Dr. Brown's Natural Flow Bottle is well-rated for its colic-reduction feature, and the Evenflo Classic Glass Nurser gets good marks for its traditional glass design. Several other baby bottles, including the Playtex Drop-Ins Premium Nurser and The First Years Breastflow, also do very well in user-written reviews.