The best bottles for breastfed babies, tried, tested and chosen by mums

The MAM Easy Start Anti Colic 2pk 260ml was awarded Gold for Best Product for Bottle Feeding at the Mother&Baby Awards 2023 and 2024.

The MAM Easy Start Anti-Colic bottles are a particularly good choice for mums who are combining breastfeeding with bottle feeding. Our mum testers loved the ultra-soft silicone teats, which are made to mimic mum's nipple and provide a comfortable feeding experience. Tester Jade said, "The teat shape is flat on one side, and at first glance, you wouldn't think it’s nipple shaped at all, but it does make sense that the nipple is flattened when feeding. Both my children took to the teats really well after transitioning from the breast so the flat teat was great."

This was also midwife Marie Louise's recommendation, saying, "As a breastfeeding mum second time around, I have needed to express milk to help with my busy lifestyle and going back to work - my youngest is almost 10 months. I found peace of mind in the MAM easy start bottle to give him expressed breast milk, and it is no surprise to see it as mum's number one choice of bottle in 2024!" MAM reports a 94% acceptance rate of their bottles for babies who’ve been breastfeeding too, as the products offer a range of comforting features.

Our tester Jade, felt this made them better value for money, noting, "These are more expensive than some of the other well-known brands. However, my firstborn took to this bottle more easily than some of the others we tried, so for the extra few pounds, I felt it was worth it. They have also lasted a long time."

They’re also self-sterilising for quick and hassle-free sterilisation in just minutes which is great for travel. Jade loved this feature, saying, “As a mum who often visits friends and family, this is great as it means I can just use the microwave at a friend's house to sterilise the bottle." Our testers also loved the wide opening, making the bottles easy to fill and clean, making life a breeze for busy mums.

They're ideal for babies with colic as they're designed with patented ventilation holes to prevent babies from swallowing excess air, significantly reducing colic symptoms. Our mum tester, Amy, noted, “They are very hygienic, and I would particularly recommend them to a mum whose child has colic, as we found these were the only bottles that helped.”

Jade did note that the measurements on the side of the bottle only start at 60 ml. "As someone who likes to keep track of how much my child is drinking at each feed, I found it difficult to accurately check how much was left in a bottle should he not finish the full feed."

Read our full MAM UK Easy Start 260ml Bottle review

These bottles are perfect for breastfeeding mums, with a soft, nipple-like teat that gives your baby an excellent slow flow. In addition to the soft teat and measured flow, the nipple is on the side rather than in the middle of the bottle – according to Chicco this improves comfort and ease of feeding and replicates the instinctive way baby feeds.

Our mum tester, Rebecca, found this to be the case, saying, "The benefits of this bottle are the leak-proof design, anti-colic feature (my baby did not stop for air mid gulps), and teat that is angled, mimicking a nipple that makes it more appealing for the baby to latch."

While Rebecca's feedback after testing this bottle was positive on the benefits for her baby, she had mixed reviews of the cleaning, explaining that "the four-part design simplifies cleaning, but the large size posed a challenge for one-handed assembly."

While she didn't test it with a high-temperature steriliser, she felt it worked well to sterilise it with a UV steriliser. She did note that "a smaller sized bottle would be useful for newborns or young babies due to the smaller volume of milk needed per feed."

The Nuk Perfect Match bottles are designed to adapt to your baby’s needs. They feature a soft, skin-like material and a super-thin, flexible teat that moulds perfectly to your baby’s palate. These features tend to improve acceptance rates and more importantly make them more appealing to breastfed babies. Our mum tester, Olivia, noted this as a highlight, saying, "The Nuk bottle has been brilliant for my three-month-old baby. The silicone teat is super soft and has made the transition from breast to bottle a lot smoother than other bottles tried on the market. My baby has taken to this bottle really well, and I believe it is the shape of the teat that has helped." They also include an Anti-Colic valve to ensure an even flow which tester Olivia rated highly. "The anti-colic valve ensures feeding without pain and a much happier baby."Olivia picked out the temperature control as being both helpful and reassuring as the built-in Temperature Control Indicator on the side of the bottle changes colour from blue to white when the bottle's contents are too hot. "I have been impressed with the temperature control indicator on the bottle; this changes colour if the milk is too hot and is a reassuring addition for a first-time mum learning as they go!"

While testing the Nuk Perfect Match bottle, she didn't notice any leaks and found it could withstand the high temperatures of sterilisation. She pointed out that the bottle was not dishwasher-friendly, and while this wasn't an issue for Olivia, it's something you might want to bear in mind. She also noted that cleaning it is easy thanks to the simple 4-part system, which can be easily taken apart and reassembled, though she did admit that she "hasn't quite mastered the one-hand assembly of it yet, but it is just as easy as other bottles trialled so far." Despite that, the Nuk Perfect Match has gained high praise after testing, with Olivia concluding "I hope this bottle lasts the test of time as it is definitely a firm favourite in this household."

Whether you're feeding with a bottle once a day between breastfeeds or want to transition to more regular bottle feeding, this starter set gives you everything you need to set off on a bottle-feeding journey, including two 150ml, two 260ml bottles, a soother and a bottle brush. Our tester, Natalie, appreciated the comprehensive nature, saying, "I like that the set includes different-sized bottles and teats that grow with the baby to ensure continuity in the feeding journey. Great value for money with this set."

This set is well-designed for breastfed babies as the soft, silicone teats are designed to mimic the breast to help promote a good latch, making them ideal for switching between breast and bottle. In addition, the vented design and anti-colic tubes work to draw air away from the milk, so the Tommee Tippee Advanced Anti-Colic bottle has gained the praise of many parents with colicky babies, with over 80% of testers saying it helped their baby’s colic symptoms.

Our tester, Stacey, agreed, saying, "I did notice a change in my baby’s colic symptoms after using the bottles, which I am so pleased about - I have a much happier and more comfortable baby!" “As soon as we started feeding him with these we could tell these would do the job” one mum tester said. “Compared to the regular bottles, your baby will need to work harder to get the milk which means less air going to his stomach” she continued.Stacey did notice some leakage when shaking the bottles but none when feeding her 4-month-old. "I used the bottle to mix the formula powder and hot water, and I did find that when I shook the bottle to mix it all together some liquid leaked from the lid. It did leave a little bit of clearing up and it is something to be cautious of when making bottles up. I did not notice any leaking when using the bottle to feed the baby, though."

The only downside our tester, Stacey, found was that these bottles require a bit more cleaning and assembly steps compared to other bottles. "Due to the anti-colic function of the bottle, there are more components than other standard bottles that I have used." Like Stacey, our tester Natalie found that the anti-colic elements of the bottle made it trickier to reassemble one-handed, "Reassembly is tricky one-handed - especially when using the anti-colic venting tube - it needs two hands to ensure everything is in place." But she did note that having the full set made them easy to clean. "With the included brush and teat cleaner I feel like every part of the bottle gets clean. Super quick and easy to sterilise using the microwave. I also love the included table for multiple bottles so that I can sterilise all of them in one go." She goes on to say that "Sterilising didn't warp or change the bottles and components or cause the writing to rub off."

Read our full Tommee Tippee Advanced Anti-Colic Newborn Starter Set Review

The Tommee Tippee Natural Start Feeding Bottles were Shortlisted for Best Bottle Feeding Product at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards.

The Tommee Tippee Natural Start Bottle (formerly known as Closer to Nature) is a good choice if you’re struggling with latch issues as it features a breast-shaped teat that feels soft and natural to provide comfort and familiarity for your baby. Our mum tester, Chantelle, said, “This is a really good product for transitioning from breast to bottle. The soft teat really helps, and the shape of the bottle is really good for child development.”

Our parent testers found these bottles easy to use and clean, with a simple assembly process that can be managed single-handedly – perfect if you’re holding baby in the other hand as mum tester Fiona points out, “these bottles are extremely easy to use, they’re so simple to put together that I can do it with one hand whilst holding my baby.” The lightweight design and clear markings make it easy for parents to see how much milk is in there, with an anti-colic valve is ideal if your tot is struggling with colic. Mum tester Stacey agreed, saying, "There are very few components of the bottle making it so easy to put together. They are great to use as an on-the-go and busy Mum."

While some testers did find their baby struggled to adapt to this bottle from other brands, parents liked how easy it was to use thanks to how lightweight it is, the clear markings, and the anti-colic features. Mum tester Stacey found it gave her confidence to use bottles from a well-known brand, "Being from such a trusted brand, they give me confidence that I am providing my baby with the best." Reviews were mixed on cleaning, with one mum saying she'd like them to be a bit easier to clean, while Stacey gave them 5* for cleaning, noting, "I use the microwave to sterilise the bottles, which I have found so easy to do."

Read our full Tommee Tippee Natural Start Feeding Bottles review

The Dr Brown’s Anti-Colic Options+ Wide-Neck Baby Bottle 5oz was awarded Bronze for Best Product for Bottle Feeding at the Mother&Baby Awards 2024.

The contoured breast-like teat of these glass bottles helps your baby easily latch on, offering a more natural bottle-feeding experience. Our mum tester found this helpful, saying, "Very natural looking teat that resembles the breast so the transition from breast to the bottle was a non-stressful one"

Clinically proven to reduce windy colic, thanks to Dr Brown’s unique 100% vacuum-free vent system, this bottle offers both standard and anti-colic feeding options. The bottle is designed to adapt as they grow, making feeding sessions easy and comfortable. Our mum tester loved this feature for her child, commenting, “The fact that it has an anti-colic vent system and the flow is controlled by baby means a happier, more contented feed child.”

They're designed to allow you to use the bottle with or without the removable internal vent system, making it convenient for all baby’s needs. As one mum tester mentioned, "These bottles are great as they offer both standard and anti-colic feeding for babies."

Another mum tester, Danya, praised the wide neck of the bottles, commenting, "Having a 3-month-old and 2 other boys, the wide neck makes it easier for me to pump milk and put it in a bottle for when we are on the go. I’ve tried several bottles, but I found that the Dr Brown bottle worked best. My baby took to it quite quickly and the bottle didn’t leak at all."

Our parent testers found the bottle easy for their babies to grasp and hold, with our tester saying, “Baby is happy and able to hold the bottle himself but gripping it so encouraging self-feed too.” It keeps milk warm and offers a controlled flow, suitable for your baby's pace. Not only does it help with colic, but it also reduces wind, ensuring a more restful night's sleep for both baby and mum.

Danya found that they were easy to clean and felt durable. "The bottles are sturdy, and I can tell they will last a long time. The bottles are also very easy to clean. I was provided with 2 bottles and so it helps when I want to rotate, I always have a clean set."

They're available in a range of designs and can also be bought with either glass or plastic bottles, depending on your preference.

Read our full Dr. Brown’s Anti-Colic Options+ Wide-Neck Baby Bottle review.

The Ember Self-Warming Baby Bottle System aims to change the way we prep a baby bottle and is ideal for both formula and expressed breastmilk. It's a two-in-one system with a bottle and warming system that uses convection current technology and triple-check safety features to heat the bottle to the right temperature.

As a mum to a five-year-old and a 2-month-old, our tester, Shriti, is adjusting to the busy life of being a mum of two and found the Ember Baby Bottle System helped make her life easier. She found it comforting that it's BPA-free, saying this "is a huge relief for me as a parent as it ensures the bottle is safe for my two-month-old to use.

It's designed to be anti-colic, and our mum tester found this to be true, saying, "The anti-colic vent system seems to be effective, as I've noticed a reduction in gas and fussiness." She also felt that it could help breastfeeding mums, noting "I also found the nipple design to be decent for transitioning between breast and bottle."

She found the self-warming aspect was a time saver, despite taking longer to warm than she'd expected. "The temperature control of the Ember Baby Bottle System is quite handy, as it generally keeps the milk at a consistent temperature, so it doesn't go cold if your baby wants a little break from feeding. I did however, found that it took a little longer to warm up than I was expecting. Having the temperature control feature was extremely useful, especially for saving time. During late-night feedings, it was easier to ensure that the milk was at the right temperature.

When it comes to cleaning, Shriti found it generally straightforward, though the silicone sleeve was tricky to remove. "I found cleaning the Ember Baby Bottle System fairly straight forward too. The bottle is dishwasher safe which makes life so much easier! The bottle is designed with a wide neck too, so it helps with manual cleaning a lot more. The only thing I found difficult to clean was the silicone sleeve, as it can be tricky to remove and reattach."

All in all, she felt it offered value for money, despite the higher price tag, especially "if you're looking for a high-quality bottle with temperature control and anti-colic benefits."

Read the full Ember Baby Bottle System Review