15 of the best baby bottles (2024)

19th Mar 2024

If you’ve never bought a baby bottle before, you’re in good hands. Although it can be a minefield for new parents to sift through the noise of the baby bottle space online, we’ve sourced the best baby bottles for your little ones that come highly recommended by parents up and down the country.

Whilst the NHS recommends exclusively breastfeeding for the first six months of baby’s life, if you’re unable to or choose not to, here’s a guide on the world of bottles to help you.

Types of baby bottles

Let’s explore what types of baby bottle there are and what features you’re looking for to help you to narrow down your choice, including the best baby bottles for breastfed babies.

Teat flow

Most baby bottles come with a few different sizes of teat. The lower the number, the slower the flow of milk that comes out as your baby feeds. As your baby gets older and can drink more efficiently from the bottle, you can increase the size of the teat to increase the milk flow. To begin with, start with a newborn sized teat (slow flow) and then increase as they develop. Vari-flow teats allow your baby to dictate the flow of the milk and increases the flow with a higher suction.

Breastfeeding compatibility

If you are planning to express milk or combi-feed with formula milk, you’ll want to choose the best baby bottle for breastfed babies. These features show in the shape of the teat to mimic the breast and the pace of the milk as your baby feeds. You may even find a baby bottle that is compatible with a breast pump and the teats minimising the transfer of milk.

Longevity

When you’re considering a brand of baby bottle to buy, consider how long you will be able to use it before your baby outgrows it. Some anti-colic bottles can switch into normal baby bottles, or you may want to consider the size of bottles you buy as newborns will naturally have smaller tummies than a one-year-old! It’s worth checking parent reviews to see how durable a baby bottle is and the cost of replacing parts if they get damaged or wear.

Anti-colic

Some babies may experience colic symptoms which can be spitting up milk after feeds, gassy tummies, struggling to burp, or generally feeling uncomfortable after a feed. Some baby bottles have anti-colic features which allow the air to pass through vents, minimising the excess air entering your baby’s tummy causing discomfort.

Material

Many baby bottles are made from baby-friendly plastics that are BPA-free and BPS-free. Newer baby bottles to the market are made from silicone for a softer, flexible feel. However, there are more sustainable options such as glass baby bottles. Although they can be heavier for babies to hold, they’re easier to assemble and clean compared to other types.

Ease of use

New (and probably tired!) parents want a baby bottle that is easy to clean and assemble. Some more advanced baby bottles can take a bit of practice to put together correctly, but this is dependent on the features the baby bottle has.

Cost

The price of baby bottles varies on the features and materials it is made from. The cheaper bottles may be own-brand, narrower bottles with a standard teat. More expensive baby bottles may have more innovative features, higher-grade materials, or sold by a premium baby brand. There are many baby bottle brands that offer a variety of features with good value for money that won’t break the bank. Try buying them as a multi-pack to get the best value from your purchase.

An age-by-age guide to types of baby bottles available

As your baby grows and develops, the type of bottle you use will change until they are ready to use standard water bottles. Throughout your baby’s feeding journey, they may display symptoms that different types of bottles can help them to overcome. There are slight variations in baby bottles for each stage of their development, and here’s why.

The best baby bottle for newborns

Baby bottle nipples, also known as teats, are numbered to correlate with the age they are appropriate for. For newborns or premature babies, a size 0 or 1 is suitable for this age group until they are approximately 3 months old. To begin with, they will take in smaller amounts of milk and need a slower paced flow of milk. This helps them to mimic the breastfeeding rhythm and use a similar muscle set.

If you think your baby is experiencing colic symptoms and inhaling too much air as they drink, try using an anti-colic baby bottle such as MAM baby bottles or Tommee Tippee baby bottles. As they develop the skill to drink milk from a bottle, this will help prevent them from consuming excess air and feeling uncomfortable after feeds.

Choosing a bottle for 6-month-olds

As your baby gets older, they are going to consume more milk which inevitably means you’ll need a baby bottle with a larger capacity. At this stage, your baby will be starting to wean onto solid food and more able to consume milk efficiently. Lead with your baby’s feeding cues and increase the size of the bottle teat if they need a faster flow. This is typically a size 2 nipple or size 3 nipple at this age.

Baby bottles for 10-month-olds

At this age, your baby may be starting to hold the bottle themselves. When choosing a baby bottle, consider how easy it would be for them to hold, especially when it’s full of milk! Some parents who reviewed glass baby bottles, mentioned that although they were slightly heavier for babies to hold, they were better at keeping temperature and easier to assemble than plastic baby bottles.

Your baby may also be ready to consider a vari-flow teat which allows your baby to dictate how much milk they can draw each time, rather than being set to one set flow of milk. This can help babies who feed more quickly and aggressively.

Best baby bottle for 1-year-olds

Now that your baby has established eating solids alongside their milk, you might be starting to think about reducing bottles for your 1-year-old. It is recommended that your baby is breastfed exclusively for 6 months and up to 2 years of age. Instead of using a baby bottle, you can take this opportunity swap bottles for a cup.

You can also encourage fewer bottles of formula milk and transitioning onto cow's milk (or other milk alternatives) by moving back to smaller baby bottles to wean them off traditional baby bottles as they move into their toddler years.

Best baby bottle for breastfed babies

Regardless of your baby’s age, it is advised that all breastfed babies start with a slow flow teat (size 0 or 1. Starting your baby on a slow flow bottle teat will help to avoid nipple confusion and breastfeeding strikes as the flow is like feeding at the breast. They will work just as hard to get milk from the bottle, as well as the breast.

Some breastfed babies never move up a teat size but be aware of cues if your baby needs to swap bottle teats for a faster flow. If you have a fast or strong let down, your baby may want a faster flow rate.

15 of the best baby bottles in 2024

Our team have been on the hunt for the best bottles for babies this year; our top 15 are based on reviews from other parents, just like you...

1. MAM Easy Start Self Sterilising Anti-Colic Baby Bottles

2. Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature Baby Bottles

3. Dr. Brown’s Natural Flow Anti-Colic Baby Bottle

4. NUK First Choice+ Baby Bottles Set

5. Nanobebe Flexy Silicone Baby Bottles

6. Philips Avent Bottle

7. MAM Easy Active Baby Bottle

8. Tommee Tippee Advanced Anti-Colic Baby Bottle Starter Set

9. Medela Calma Bottle

10. Chicco Duo Hybrid Baby Bottle

11. Boon Nursh Reusable Silicone Pouch Baby Bottles

12. Lansinoh Baby Bottle

13. Nuby Anti Colic Baby Bottle Set

14. Olababy Gentle Baby Bottle

15. Amazon Brand Mama Bear Baby Bottles

*Prices may vary.

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