If you feel like you’re feeding your baby all day long — you probably are.
Especially in those early days, it seems like the bottle-feeding and breastfeeding sessions never stop. As a mom of an eight-month-old, I am speaking from experience. With so much time and energy focused on ensuring your baby is properly fed, it’s inevitable to wonder if you’re using the best bottles.
Whether you are buying bottles for the first time, or considering trying out a new brand, there is a range of great options to choose from. Many new parents start with popular brands like Dr. Brown’s, MAM and the Joovy Boob. However, every baby has different bottle preferences and nipple needs. Some might be slower sippers, seemingly taking an hour or more to finish a bottle, while others might slurp down their bottle far too fast (like my daughter), which can cause gassiness.
It’s also not uncommon for babies to struggle with nipple confusion and latching, especially when they go between breastfeeding and bottle-feeding. With so many points to consider, we decided it would be best to consult a certified lactation counselor for some advice. The New York Post spoke with Miranda Padilla, the Founder of The Mothership NYC. As a mother herself, Padilla also has firsthand experience using many baby bottle brands.
If you would like to head right to Padilla’s interview before shopping, jump down to the expert recommendations section. Otherwise, read on for the top baby bottle brands according to Padilla — with in-depth reviews from a couple of brands that have been tested (and approved) by my own daughter.
And, for more baby content, head to our reviews of the best strollers for babies, top diaper bags, our favorite baby carriers, and convenient convertible car seats.
- Best overall: Lansinoh Baby Bottles for Breastfeeding Babies
- Best value: Dr. Brown’s Natural Flow Anti-Colic Options set
- Best glass: the Joovy Boob Diamond Gift Set
- Best for pumping: Medela Slow Flow Feeding and Storage Bottles
- Best for gas and colic: Evenflo Balance Wide Neck Bottle Set
- Best for breastfeeding babies: MAM Grow with Baby 15-Piece Gift Set
Best overall: Lansinoh Baby Bottles for Breastfeeding Babies
Pros:
- NaturalWave nipples are designed to reduce the intake of air
- Bottles come with slow-flow silicone nipples that allow the baby to control milk flow
- BPS/BPA free
- Dishwasher-safe
- Only have four pieces for easy cleaning and assembly
Size: 5 ounces – 8 ounces
Cons:
- Some customers have struggled with leaking nipples
For a tried-and-tested bottle, check out the Lansinoh Baby Bottles for Breastfeeding Babies. Parents like using these bottles for babies that go back and forth between breastfeeding and bottle-feeding due to the natural shape of the nipple.
“The Lansinoh Momma Breastfeeding Bottles are a personal favorite. I’ve used them myself,” shared Padilla.”They have tons of features to help the baby easily go from breast to bottle, without nipple confusion or preference. It is designed to encourage babies to use the same sucking motions that they would during an actual latch.”
Best value: Dr. Brown’s Natural Flow Anti-Colic Options set
Pros:
- Anti-colic venting system for gassy babies
- Add-ons such as sippy-nipples for the toddler years
- BPA/BPS free
Removable venting system as the baby grows
Cons:
- A bit more complicated to clean — must remove all parts and clean separately
Size: 8 ounces (three bottles) and 4 ounces (two bottles)
Dr. Brown’s Natural Flow Anti-Colic Options Set is another lactation counselor favorite — specifically for gassier babies.
“Whether breastmilk or formula, Dr. Brown’s bottles contain a unique venting system that eliminates air bubbles during feeding,” explained Padilla. “This bottle’s special design makes it great for babies suffering from gas, improves digestion, and has even been proven to help better preserve milk nutrients.”
The only downside of using this bottle is that the tubular venting system can be a bit tricky to sterilize — but the kit does come with a handy bottle brush for cleaning out the tighter spaces.
Editor’s Note: I’ve used Dr. Brown’s since my daughter was born and I am thoroughly impressed with the quality of the bottles, and the fact that this brand offers products that evolve with babies changing needs. Rather than introducing an entirely different bottle, parents can remove the venting system as their babies’ natural feeding process develops. Personally, I also am more comfortable holding a slimmer bottle and this one fits the part — it checks all my boxes.
Best glass: the Joovy Boob Diamond Gift Set
Pros:
- BPA/PBS phthalate, and lead-free
- Dishwasher safe
- These glass bottles may contain less chemicals than plastic options
Cons:
- Heavier than plastic options — and potentially easier to break
- More expensive (but on sale!)
Size: 5 ounces (three bottles) and 8 ounces (two bottles)
While most baby bottles are made with plastic, some parents will opt for glass bottles to reduce their babies’ potential exposure to chemicals. Parents also point out that the glass options bottlers last longer and don’t melt from over-boiling.
“The Joovy Boob is a great glass choice,” shared Padilla. “The nipple shape promotes the natural latch that makes it easy to go back and forth from bottle to breast. The venting system prevents nipple collapse and air bubbles.”
While glass bottles are a bit heavier than their plastic counterparts, they are arguably much more durable and easier to wash.
Best for pumping: Medela Slow Flow Feeding and Storage Bottles
Pros:
- Compatible with Medela pumps — so you can pump directly into the bottles
- Dishwasher and microwave-safe
- BPA free
Cons:
- Not suited to feed formula — the technology within the nipple could get clogged
- More expensive
Size: 5 ounces
Padilla explained that she loves these bottles because “they’re also compatible with all Medela pumps, meaning you can pump directly into the bottle and use it right away or top it off with a lid until it’s time for a feeding.”
Any mother who is pumping knows how much time and energy it takes to move milk from pump to bottle. The Medela is an excellent way to streamline the process. It is important to note that these bottles are not suited for formula, due to the nipple technology.
Best for gas and colic: Evenflo Balance Wide Neck Bottle Set
Pros:
- Designed for a slower, more relaxed drinking pace for baby
- Easily assembled and disassembled for a quick clean
- Able to pump directly into the bottle with Evenflo Feeding’s Wide Neck Breast Pump Adapters (sold separately)
- BPA free
Cons:
- The measurements on this bottle can be harder to read due to the lighter color of the print
- Slower flow isn’t ideal for all babies
Size: 9 ounces
“Another of my personal favorites, and which I used recently with my last baby is the Evenflo Balance Wide Neck,” said Padilla. “This bottle was developed with a pediatric feeding specialist to help your baby position their lips for a proper latch and to decrease mouth fatigue. It was, in my experience, one of the slowest flowing nipples, which was perfect for my breastfed baby.”
In addition to the slower pace from the Evenflo nipple, this bottle can also be attached to the Evenflo Breast pump so you can pump directly into the bottle.
Best for breastfeeding babies: MAM Grow with Baby 15-Piece Gift Set
Pros:
- Bottles can self-sterilize in the microwave in three minutes
- Vacuum effect to eliminate bubbles
- BPA/BPS Free
Cons:
- Dishwasher safe — but top wrack only
- This bottle contains a few more parts than competitors, requiring more time to disassemble
Size: 5 ounces (two bottles), 9 ounces (two bottles),
MAM’s Easy Start Anti Colic 5 oz Baby Bottle are made with the brand’s signature Skinsoft Silicone Nipple.
“I love it because when babies breastfeed, the nipple flattens and MAM’s flat bottle nipples also flatten recreating that feeling of nursing,” shared Padilla.
Another attractive feature of this bottle is the self-sterilizing feature: “This bottle is self-sterilizing in three steps, making it easy to feed your baby when you don’t have a bottle sterilizer on hand,” Padilla said. “You fill in the base with water, put the nipple on the base and close the bottle. Heat the bottle in the microwave for three minutes and it’s done!”
Washing bottles is extraordinarily time-consuming, and this is one of the only brands that makes the process exceptionally easy.
Editor’s Note: MAM is another bottle brand that my daughter’s pediatrician recommended. This bottle seemed to work very well for my daughter as she was transitioning from breastfeeding to bottle feeding — likely due to the natural movement of the Skinsoft Silicone nipple. As a busy new parent, I can also say that the self-sterilizing feature is a true selling point. MAM’s gave me much more time for play and snuggles, and less hours spent hovering over the sink while scrubbing bottles.
Expert Recommendations
How should you pick the right bottle for your baby?
“As a certified Lactation Counselor, I recommend a bottle that encourages baby to open their mouth in the same manner that they would while naturally latched to the nipple during breastfeeding,” said Padilla.
What should should you look for in a baby bottle?
For newborns, especially those that are breastfeeding, moms may prefer the slowest nipple flow, Padilla recommended. “It’s important to know that what is categorized as slow varies between bottle brands,” she noted. “I would also go with smaller size bottles to begin with, as breastfed babies only drink another one and a half to two ounces per feed.”
What types of bottles should you avoid?
“A common misconception is that bottles that have a wide base, because visually similar to the breast, are better. This wide shape doesn’t allow baby to make a deep latch, as they would while breastfeeding,” explained the expert. Padilla tries to veer away from the bottles which are shaped more like breasts, because they could end up teaching the baby to nurse unnaturally.
Are glass bottles better?
Padilla has recommended both plastic and glass bottles, as the type of material is ultimately up to the parents. “Glass is especially nice if you’re adamant about avoiding chemicals leaching into the milk,” said Padilla. “Most bottles are anti-colic or anti-gas nowadays also, which is great.”
How often should bottles be cleaned?
According to the CDC, baby bottles should be cleaned after each feeding. However, if your baby is less than two months old, was born prematurely, or has a weakened immune system due to illness, it is also important to sanitize feeding items daily or more often.
How should bottles be stored?
The CDC has advised that after being cleaned, all feeding items, bottle brushes, and wash basins should air-dry thoroughly before being stored to help prevent germs and mold from growing. Once the items are completely dry, they can be put back together and stored in a clean, protected area to prevent contamination.
Why Trust Post Wanted by the New York Post
This article was written by Miska Salemann, New York Post Commerce Journalist. As a Gen Z first-time mother of one, Miska tests baby, maternity and postpartum products ranging from stylish new kids clothes to long-trusted diaper brands with her daughter. She evaluates baby- and mom-approved products for practicality and quality, and consults medical and parenting experts to weigh in on safe ingredients, usage and more. Before arriving at the Post, she covered the lifestyle and consumer verticals for the U.S. Sun.
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