Baby bottles are a must-have registry item for most parents-to-be. Whether you’re formula feeding or nursing, staying home or heading back to work, the odds are pretty good that you’ll need your little one to use a bottle at some point. With endless options on the market, figuring out which bottle is best can be a bit overwhelming.

As it turns out, babies actually have pretty strong opinions on the type of bottle they use. Differences in size, shape, and nipple texture will all affect a little one’s preference. To find your baby’s perfect match, do your research, get feedback from other parents, and invest in a few different types of bottles. Then try them out on your baby. Give each bottle a week or two before giving up (sometimes it takes babies a little time to get coordinated). Once you find one that works, you can stay with that bottle.

To help you through the process, let’s take a look at a few factors to consider when choosing the best bottle for your baby. 

What to Look for When Choosing the Best Bottle for Your Baby

Size

Newborns may consume about 2 to 3 ounces in one feeding, so the smaller bottles are ideal in the beginning. That said, investing in larger bottles may be a better value in the long run. According to the Academy of American Pediatrics (AAP), formula-fed babies usually take in about 4 ounces per feeding after the first month, and then about 6 to 8 ounces per feed when they're 6 months and older.

Bottle type

Our Favorite Bottles for Your Baby

1. Best Baby Bottle Overall: Dr. Brown’s™ Options+™ Wide-Neck Bottle

From nipple to base, the Dr. Brown’s™ Options+™ Wide-Neck Bottle offers a more natural bottle-feeding experience and eases the transition from breast to bottle and back again. Designed alongside medical professionals, the correctly contoured nipple shape and high-grade, soft silicone offer a more comfortable feeding experience and help to avoid nipple confusion. The nipple design on Dr. Brown’s bottles also slows the flow of milk, which can help prevent spit-up, burps, and gas. In addition, the wide neck makes these bottles a cinch to clean!

Dr. Brown's bottle nipples feature their own venting system that offers a feeding experience similar to most nipple-vented bottles. While Dr. Brown's bottles work best with the vent system in place, parents also have the option to remove the vent when their baby’s feeding develops – no need to introduce a different bottle. 

2. Best Baby Bottle for Breastfed Babies: Comotomo Baby Bottles

Comotomo Baby Bottles (8 oz., 2-pack) have smart, non-leaking dual air-vents to prevent colic, a truly wide-neck design for easy cleaning, and a hygienic silicone material so that you never have to worry about toxic chemicals. Above all, Comotomo bottles are designed to mimic breastfeeding to help babies easily transition back and forth from nursing to bottle feeding. It’s rescued so many families dealing with “nipple confusion” and “bottle rejection” that they’ve coined the term “Breastfeeding in a Bottle!”

3. Best Baby Bottle for Dealing with Colic: Dr. Brown’s™ Options+™ Anti-Colic Baby Bottle Essentials Gift Set

The Dr. Brown’s™ Options+™ Anti-Colic Baby Bottle Essentials Gift Set makes a great baby gift for new parents. These award-winning baby bottles feature an internal vent system that is clinically proven to reduce colic and decrease spit-up, burping, and gas. The included Dr. Brown’s® HappyPaci™ pacifier is 100% silicone, has a contoured shield, and a bulb shaped like a Dr. Brown’s bottle nipple for natural latching and easier acceptance. Bottle storage and travel are easy with two included Storage Travel Caps.

4. Best Easy-to-Clean Baby Bottle: MAM Anti-Colic Bottle

The MAM Anti-Colic Bottle comes with a wide mouth for easy filling and an easy-to-read scale for accurate measuring. It also includes a removable base for extra easy cleaning. We love how easy this bottle is to use. Just pop it into the microwave for 3 minutes to sterilize! It also features a sealing cap for spill-free travel. The new one-piece MAM valve is highly sensitive to your baby's suckling, assuring a constant, air-free flow. Your baby will feed quietly for longer, uninterrupted periods just like breastfeeding. 

5. Best Baby Bottle for Preemies: Dr. Brown’s Preemie Baby Bottles

Dr. Brown’s Preemie Baby Bottles feature an ultra slow-flow nipple for babies who are premature or have feeding difficulties. The slow flow aids in digestion for a better night’s sleep and helps decrease spit-up, burping, and gas. The small 2-ounce Options+™ bottles are sized just right for tiny tummies and better preserve nutrients in breast milk and formula. These bottles are BPA-free, dishwasher (top rack), and sterilizer safe.

6. Best Angled Baby Bottle: Mimijumi Very Hungry Baby Bottle

The angled design of the Mimijumi Very Hungry Baby Bottle provides the perfect complement to breastfeeding and the best possible transition to bottle feeding. Mimijumi's innovative nipple design replicates a mother’s breast, allowing your baby to naturally latch and creating a happier, healthier feeding experience. With a one-piece nipple and skid-free base, the bottles are easy to open and clean and are top-rack dishwasher safe. 

7. Best Eco-Friendly Baby Bottle: Lifefactory Glass Baby Bottle

The great thing about glass baby bottles is that they last a long time (which means less landfill waste), and they’re easy to clean. The Lifefactory Glass Baby Bottle is made with high-quality thermal shock-resistant borosilicate glass and comes with a silicone sleeve to prevent breakage. As a bonus, you can put these bottles directly in the freezer to store breast milk! This bottle comes with a polypropylene cap, ring, stopper, a silicone nipple, and silicone sleeve (all dishwaher-safe). 

The Takeaway

You’ll spend a lot of time feeding your baby during the first 12 months of their life. Choosing the best baby bottle might make the process much easier. Research your options, buy a few different styles, and try them out. Your baby will let you know the one that works best for them.

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