Types of bottles and teats (2024)

FAQs

Types of bottles and teats? ›

Teats can be silicone or latex, and standard-shape or 'natural'. Silicone is less flexible than latex but more durable.

Teats can be silicone or latex, and standard-shape or 'natural'. Silicone is less flexible than latex but more durable.

Bottles are often made of glass, clay, plastic, aluminum or other impervious materials, and are typically used to store liquids. The bottle has developed over millennia of use, with some of the earliest examples appearing in China, Phoenicia, Rome and Crete.

Baby bottles are available in various materials, such as silicone, glass, plastic, and stainless steel, among others. Every material has its own benefits. For example, plastic bottles are lightweight and shatterproof, but the use of chemicals in plastic is a concern for many.

Flow rates of teats refer to the size or number of holes in the teat. This affects how quickly milk 'flows' from the teat into your baby's mouth. The categories are slow, medium and fast. Slow flow is generally preferable for newborns, while you're both learning how to feed.

What teat size should I be using for my baby? Most baby bottles offer varying teat levels for different age ranges (usually slow flow for 0+ months, medium flow for 3+ months, and fast flow for 6+ months), meaning you can approximately judge which teat size might be the best based on your baby's age.

(cylinder rounds, cylindrical bottles)

Cylinder bottles are tall and narrow with straight sides.

Does the shape of a baby bottle matter? ›

Bottle Shapes

Standard – Tall and straight, and easy to fill and clean. Angled – Bent at the neck so milk collects at the bottom, which may prevent your baby from swallowing air. The downside is that they may be more cumbersome to fill and clean. Wide – Designed to hold wide, short nipples that mimic a breast.

Standard/Narrow bottles

When you see bottles called “standard” or “narrow” it is the same kind of bottle. These are thinner bottle vessels that feature narrow nipples. Some babies like these bottles because it allows them to engage the entire nipple when latching.

Our top pick is the Comotomo Baby Bottle. Whether you're offering pumped breast milk or formula, this bottle is designed with your baby's comfort in mind. It features a wide-mound nipple to make it easier to latch. It also has built-in air vents for improved milk flow while preventing extra air from sneaking in.

Designed to mimic the shape of the breast, the teat is soft and flexible but firm enough so it doesn't collapse. Best for: Combining breast and bottle feeding.

Glass baby bottles are sturdy but heavy and can shatter if dropped. Plastic baby bottles are lightweight and shatterproof, and many are BPA-free.

The Newborn teat (with the number 1 on the teat) is recommended for babies aged 0+ months old who are breastfed and bottle-fed. The Slow Flow teat (with the number 2 on the teat) is recommended for babies aged 1+ months old that are breastfed and bottle-fed.

But for babies that might be having problems a standard teat shape (narrow neck, long teat) or a wide neck, longer teat is typically the best, as seen below. Some babies prefer warmed milk, others prefer room temperature or even cold milk.

Round teats with a wide base are believed to encourage tongue and jaw movements similar to that of sucking at the breast (Smith et al, 1988). Some babies may gag on a teat that is too long so a short teat might be preferable. When a baby breastfeeds, they don't stretch their mum's nipple.