Start by examining what material the bottle is made from. If the bottle is created from plastic, you’ll want to look to see that it is BPA, PVC, lead and phthalate-free. Other bottles are made from glass, which is recyclable and environmentally friendly. That means you won’t have to worry about any toxic chemicals seeping into the baby’s formula. Simplemost Media This could look like a bottle with a slow-flow newborn nipple, which is closest to the typical breastfeeding flow, or a bottle with a specially designed nipple that mimics a human's so the baby has an easier time latching, according to our experts. Since every baby is different, expect some likely trial and error. To simplify your routine even further, you may choose a bottle that connects directly to breast pumps, so you'll spend less time transferring the milk and won't risk losing a single drop. We don't always agree with robots, but they are definitely onto something! We've been reviewing baby bottles for over 10 years, and if we made our own, here is what it would look like: We also want to make sure you realize that BPA-free does not mean that the plastics used will not leach estrogenic chemicals into milk, particularly when the materials are stressed (like heated or microwaved). In fact, a recent study published in Environmental Health demonstrated that several BPA-free products, including BPA-free baby bottles, still leached harmful chemicals. For example, some studies demonstrate that the plastic used in Nalgene water bottles (called Tritan) leaches estrogenic chemicals. Of course, nobody knows the short- or long-term consequences of this, but it is worth considering. In comparison, the study found no evidence that two particular plastics, COC and COP, leach these chemicals. You’ll also want to look at how the formula is designed to flow through the bottle. Babies can get frustrated if the flow is too slow or choke if the flow is too fast. To combat this, some bottles have an internal vent system that works in sync with the bottle’s silicone nipple to flow at the baby’s pace. Simplemost Media

However, if you need to give a bottle, 1 to 3 ounces per feeding should be sufficient during the first month. The great thing about babies is that they are intuitive eaters, which means they will let you know if they are still hungry and want more. Likewise, they will stop when they are full. From one month old and beyond, 3 to 4 ounces of milk is recommended per feeding. The bottles come with a flat cap so you can convert the glass bottle into a storage container for milk or food. If you breastfeed, you’ll love that most pumps attach directly to Lifefactory bottles and you can freeze the milk in the bottle versus transferring it to a bag. Lifefactory bottles are BPA- and phthalate-free. It is important to sterilize and clean your baby bottles properly before feedings. Sterilizing the bottles with boiling water should be done before the first use and again every so often if you have well water. After the first sterilization, you can take the bottles apart and either wash them in the dishwasher or soak them in a sink full of hot soapy water. Always rinse away any soap residue before using.

For toddlers, most parents transition away from a baby bottle to a sippy cup or straw cup. We recommend skipping the sippy cup entirely and going straight to the straw cup. The suction required to successfully use a straw cup is great for the development of lip, tongue, and cheek movement and control, and there is some research suggesting that this benefits speech production. Some great options for first sippy cups and straw cups can be found in our best sippy cups review. Research shows that bottle and nipple shapes and sizes influence milk intake, gas and indigestion, oral development, and your little one's ability to regulate consumption. Given the importance of finding the perfect baby bottle, pediatricians recommend trying several different styles of bottles and nipples to see which one is best suited for your baby. Glass bottles are heavier, but most are made from a stronger type of glass that is heat- and shatter-resistant. Glass bottles are easy to clean and are naturally free from harmful chemicals. They can also double as food-storage containers, and most can move seamlessly from freezer to boiling water. The downside is that they cost more and are heavy.

Evenflo bottles are budget-friendly but are also great for on-the-go. The taller, more slender design of both the 4-ounce and 8-ounce bottles makes them easy to slip into a diaper bag. Plus, the twisted design on the glass makes it easy for the baby to hold so you can be hands-free when you’re out and about. These bottles are made of silicone, which is BPA-free and can safely go in the dishwasher and microwave. The silicone also gives these a super-soft grip that babies enjoy holding onto. Dr. Brown’s bottles are specifically designed to reduce colic, spit-up, burping, and gas with their internal vent system. The filter is an additional green insert that works to send air through the vent and away from the milk. The Philips Avent Natural Glass Baby Bottle earned our top spot because of ease—it’s easy to clean, easy to feed, and easy to interchange the nipple on the bottle. The wide, silicone nipple is shaped like the breast to help promote a natural latch and make it easy for babies to latch on, especially breastfed babies who switch between bottle and breast.

Expert Reviews

The pouches fit right into the bottle, and before attaching the nipple, you can squeeze the pouch to remove excess air to reduce gas. The Kiinde Twist Squeeze pouches hold 6 ounces, which is excellent for breastfed babies who typically consume no more than 3 to 5 ounces of milk per feeding. Certain excess baby bottles can be tossed in your recycling bin. Turn the bottles over and look at the number on the bottom. If you see a five or seven, you can recycle them. You can also donate the bottles to a children’s charity or an animal shelter. Baby Brezza Bottles. We liked the sleek design of these bottles, the nipple shape and feel, and the compatibility with other Baby Brezza products. However, they seem to have been discontinued. Do good for your baby and the environment with HEVEA glass baby bottles. These bottles are made in Germany from the highest quality borosilicate glass, which can not only withstand extreme temperatures but is also highly hygienic and doesn't leach chemicals. These glass bottles are made from borosilicate glass, so they can be moved from heat to cold without a problem. A potential downside of these is they are harder to clean with the removable venting system, especially if you don’t have a dishwasher.

The nipple on these has a dual vent which, will help ease any discomfort due to gas. And best of all, these bottles have an extra-wide base, so they are really easy to clean and sterilize, which is a must for any tired household. These bottles are on the pricey side, so just try a few at first before you commit to more. Glass bottles are a common alternative to plastic that leave less residue behind, don’t absorb odors or stains, and are environmentally friendly, multi-purposeful, and easy to clean. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends using alternatives to plastic whenever possible. And as far as durability is concerned, most are made from tempered or borosilicate glass, which is stronger than standard glass and can withstand high heat. Studies show that chemicals like BPA can leach from plastic infant feeding bottles that are filled with warmed breastmilk or formula due to the high temperatures, exposing the infant to unwanted chemicals. Limiting the use of plastic infant feeding bottles by purchasing infant feeding bottles labeled as ‘BPA-free' and avoiding plastics with a recycle code of 3, 6, or 7 is desirable and recommended by the AAP. Despite the ban on BPA in infant feeding bottles, the AAP continues to recommend the use of alternatives to plastic, when possible, due to concerns of other lesser talked about harmful chemicals leaching from plastic—even those that don't contain BPA.” — Cindy Scott, RD, CLC Why Trust Verywell Family In our testing, we fill the bottles up, hold them upside-down, warm them, freeze them, feed newborn babies and infants with them, clean them by hand and dishwasher, sterilize them, and test the various nipple flows. Here are the Best Baby Bottles of 2023! 1. Comotomo Natural Feel Baby Bottles. Evenflo glass bottles are made from tempered glass, which is stronger than regular glass, and if it breaks, it will shatter more safely into small pieces. The tempered glass is also recyclable. Both the Evenflo bottles and nipples are free of BPA, polycarbonates, PVC, and phthalates and are made of FDA-approved food-grade material.Three brands that receive consistently high marks from parents and experts alike are Dr. Brown's, Comotomo, and Philips Avent. These bottles have venting systems to reduce colic and gas, mimic the shape of a breast, and are great for moms who are transitioning between nursing and bottle feeding." -ChatGPT-4