9 of the best baby bottles for breastfed babies, as chosen by mums

best baby bottles for breastfed babies

by Lorna White |
Updated on

Medically reviewed by HCP Dr Zoe Williams

If you're choosing to breastfeed your baby at some point, you're likely to feed them using a bottle, which is where bottles for breastfed babies might come into play. Whether you're sharing the night feeds, or that back-to-work date is looming, sticking with breastmilk or moving on to a formula, introducing a baby bottle successfully is important.

Making sure we choose the right bottle for our babies is vital, but with so many different baby bottles to choose from, finding the right one is often troublesome. We've made a list of our top baby bottles on the market and answered some key questions about bottle-feeding.

Best baby bottles for breastfed babies at a glance:

There are a number of different types of bottles to suit your baby. From those that mimic breastfeeding or emulate the breast, which helps breastfed babies latch, to anti-colic systems and self-sterilising bottles. We've put these bottles through their paces to make sure you're getting the best bottle for your breastfed baby.

How we tried and tested these baby bottles

When selecting the best baby bottles, we have a number of ways to make sure that what we’re recommending is the best available for you and your little one. By combining real-world testing from our burgeoning army of mum testers, the extensive knowledge of our experienced editorial team, and insights from our thriving mum community on our Facebook group #mumtribe, we’re able to discover the products mums really like best and why, helping us highlight those that meet what you really want.

For the essential products, our annual Mother&Baby Awards shortlist the top products tested, and you can find full reviews from our mum testers provided on the product page. The winners and runners-up for each category then appear in our top picks article for that product, along with other products that were rated highly by our team. Find out more about how we test and what considerations we take into account in our testing process.

Best baby bottles for breastfed babies being tested
©Mother&Baby

Testing the best baby bottles

To fully put these bottles through their paces, we called on our team of mum testers to try them out over the course of a few weeks with their babies and toddlers. We asked them to consider various factors that we know to be important to parents when they’re looking for the best baby bottles for their little ones. These included how easy they were to assemble, use and clean, their durability, and how leakproof they were. We also asked them to give each a score out of 5 and score each of the criteria individually.

By thoroughly testing and reviewing these key aspects of a baby bottle, we’ve been able to compare and contrast each to be sure that you’re getting the most in-depth and firsthand feedback from parents just like you, helping you to make an informed decision when buying the best baby bottles for breastfed babies.

Choosing the best bottle may come down to a number of factors and priorities. For instance, if your baby has colic, the MAM Easy Start Anti Colic bottles, Dr Brown anti-colic bottles and Tommee Tippee Anti Colic bottles should be high on your list as all scored highly with our testers for their anti-colic design. You may prefer to use glass for its sustainability benefits, in which case, Dr Brown again scored highly. For an all-in-one solution, the Ember Baby Bottle System is a warmer and bottle in one. And if you want to buy one set for your whole bottle-feeding journey, the Nuby Natural Touch Newborn Starter set scored highly for ease and value for money. You could also consider the type of breast pump you're using as some baby bottles are designed to be used with specific pumps.

The best bottles for breastfed babies

Best self-sterilising baby bottle

Expert rating:
5.0
MAM Easy Start Anti Colic©MOTHER&BABY

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 would think it’s not 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

Pros

  • Ventilation holes to ensure your baby isn't inhaling too much air, improving colic
  • Skin Soft technology teats that are designed to feel just like a mother's skin
  • Self-sterilising in the microwave is so great for travelling

Cons

  • It can take a while to wash as there are a few components to take apart
  • Ease of use
    5.0
  • Assembly
    4.5
  • Cleaning
    5.0
  • Durability
    5.0
  • Leakproof
    4.0
Volume:260ml
Materials:BPA free

Best bottles for combination feeding

Expert rating:
4.5
Nanobebe Flexy Silicone Baby bottles©MOTHER&BABY
Price: £19.99
Alternative retailers
Target$15.99View offer
Walmart$24.99View offer

The Nanobebe Flexy Silicone Baby Bottle is loved by parents for its soft and flexible silicone body, providing a comfortable feel for babies during feeds and is ideal for mimicking the feel of the breast. This squeezably soft, breast-like bottle experience facilitates a smooth transition to bottle feeding or combination feeding without teat confusion, and our mum tester felt they were good for combination feeding, commenting, “I am breastfeeding and on the rare occasion I can't I wanted to find a good bottle for my son that would be easy to transition from breast to bottle. These are great, he has no problem latching as he has with some other bottles we've tried, and even better is we have had no problems with it leaking as we have had with other bottles.”

Our tester, Chris and his wife Jayne found that their 9-month-old daughter took to the bottles well, saying, "Hayley currently has a morning bottle that she has roughly half of (approximately 110ml) and a before bed bottle she generally finishes (210ml). Both bottles are with formula milk. Over a week of testing Hayley took to these bottles well; she drank similar amounts, with occasionally a small increase in the amount she drank in a morning."

Testers also liked the leak-free design and comfortable feel. Chris noted that when it came to cleaning, it was simple enough, but the teats required more attention, saying, "A bottle brush with an inbuilt teat cleaner was used to clean the bottles and teats in soapy water, which were then sterilised in a water steriliser. We did note that care was needed to remove any residual milk from the teats."

One particular USP of the bottles that our tester, Chris noted was the embossed measurements. "A feature we greatly appreciated was that the bottle measurements are embossed rather than printed – we are no longer able to accurately measure the remaining milk in our existing bottles as the digits have worn away."

The bottle's naturally hygienic, made from extra-soft silicone, dishwasher- and microwave-safe. The materials are BPA, PVC, LEAD, and PHTHALATE-FREE, putting your mind at ease. Its advanced 360° TRIPLE VENTED non-collapsible teat design ensures a perfect latch and reduces post-feeding fussiness or discomfort. They're available in four colours —Grey, White, Turquoise, and Pink.

Read the full Nanobebe Flexy Silicone baby bottle review

Pros

  • Breast-like soft and flexible silicone
  • Anti-colic system
  • It can be cleaned in the dishwasher, microwave or a steriliser

Cons

  • The teats can be trickier to clean
  • Ease of use
    4.0
  • Assembly
    3.5
  • Cleaning
    4.0
Material: Silicone
Capacity: 270ml
Yes

Best unique design baby bottle for breastfed babies

Expert rating:
4.5
Chicco Natural Feeling Bottle©MOTHER&BABY
Price: £19.10

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."

Read our full Chicco Natural Feeling Bottle review

Pros

  • Uniquely designed teat to mimic the breast
  • Has a double anti-colic valve to prevent the baby from swallowing too much air 
  • Cleans well and easily

Cons

  • Tricky to reassemble with one hand
  • Ease of use
    4.0
  • Assembly
    4.0
  • Cleaning
    5.0
  • Durability
    4.0
  • Leakproof
    5.0
Volume:250ml
Materials:Silicone, BPA free

Best built-in temperature baby bottle for breastfed babies

Expert rating:
4.5
Nuk NUK First Choice+ Baby Bottles Set©MOTHER&BABY

The Nuk Perfect Match bottles are designed to adapt to your baby’s needs, featuring a soft, skin-like material and a super-thin, flexible teat that moulds perfectly to your baby’s palate to improve acceptance rates and 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."

Pros

  • Built-in temperature control indicator for added peace of mind
  • The teats are thin and flexible to mimic the breast and improve acceptance rates
  • The anti-colic valve reduces colic symptoms by regulating the flow

Cons

  • Not suitable for the dishwasher so it will need sterilising in another way
  • Ease of use
    4.5
  • Assembly
    4.5
  • Cleaning
    4.0
  • Durability
    4.0
  • Leakproof
    4.0
Volume:260ml
Materials:BPA free

Best baby bottles for breastfed babies overall

Expert rating:
4.0
Tommee Tippee Advanced Anti-colic bottle set©MOTHER&BABY

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

Pros

  • Available in a range of colours
  • Award-winning, soft silicone, breast-like teat makes it easier for breastfed babies to latch
  • Anti-colic valve reduces excessive air flow to reduce colic symptoms
  • Different flow rates to keep up with your growing baby

Cons

  • Tricky to reassemble one-handed due to the multiple parts
  • Ease of use
    3.0
  • Assembly
    4.0
  • Cleaning
    5.0
  • Durability
    5.0
  • Leakproof
    4.0
Volume:3 x 150ml and 3 x 260ml
Materials:BPA Free

Best easy latch teat baby bottle for breastfed babies

Expert rating:
4.0
 Nuby Natural Touch Newborn Starter Set©MOTHER&BABY

This Nuby set is a comprehensive set featuring a range of different bottle sizes, including 180ml and 270ml infant bottle options, so it can grow with your baby. For younger babies, the slow-flow teats ensure a gentle feeding experience, minimising spit-outs and discomfort, and you can then buy medium and fast-flow teats for when your little one is older.

For mums who are combining breastfeeding with bottle feeding, the Nuby bottles were a winning choice with testers. They feature a super soft teat inspired by the shape and texture of the nipple, which is designed to help babies latch on easier, helping them to easily switch between bottle and breast. Some testers found these to be the best bottle for a breastfed baby who refuses a bottle, and one mum found her son took to these bottles well, commenting, “he was combi-fed, but he stopped taking anything but breast at two months. The only time we've been successful with a bottle is with these bottles.” The bottles also incorporate three advanced antic-colic valves.

Along with the two 180ml Nuby Natural Touch Bottles with Slow Flow Teats and two 270ml Nuby Natural Touch Bottles with Slow Flow Teats, the set includes a Nuby Bottle and Teat Brush, Nuby Orthodontic Soother, Nuby Bandana Dribble Bib and Nuby Chewbie, making it a lovely gift for new parents. Our tester, Carly, thought this represented great value for money, saying, "For all of the items you get, I think this is such a good price. In fact, I’d say it was a bargain more than anything else! Four bottles, a dummy, teether, bib and bottle cleaner all for under £20? It’s almost too good to be true. As a personal preference too, I absolutely love the pattern."

Carly rated the bottles highly for safety, saying "Nuby’s Natural Touch bottles are already an award-winning product, which is always going to put the mind at ease, but with a soft teat and a seemingly steady flow, I have no concerns. There aren’t any small parts which I would fear would result in a choking hazard, and the flow isn’t too quick and easy that my little one would take in
more than they should."

Read our full Nuby Natural Touch Newborn Starter Setreview

Pros

  • Ideal for newborns and great value for money — comes with eight items altogether
  • Antic-colic valves allow air to flow back into the bottle for a continuous feed and happy baby
  • Super soft teat mimics the shape and texture of the nipple to help baby latch-on easily

Cons

  • Reviewers claim the anti-colic valves aren't as effective as other anti-colic bottles
  • Ease of use
    5.0
  • Ease of assembly
    5.0
  • Cleaning
    5.0
  • Durability
    5.0
  • Leakproof
    5.0
Volume:2 x 180ml and 2 x 270ml
Materials:BPA free

Best breast-shaped baby bottle for breastfed babies

Expert rating:
4.0
Tommee Tippee Natural Start Feeding Bottles©MOTHER&BABY
Price: £57.62

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

Pros

  • Great value for money — six bottles come in a pack
  • Available in a wide range of sizes, colours and decorations
  • Anti-colic valves on the teat, which has a venting system that eliminates excessive airflow as your baby is eating

Cons

  • Some testers found their baby found it difficult to adapt to this after other brands
  • Ease of use
    4.0
  • Assembly
    5.0
  • Cleaning
    5.0
  • Durability
    4.0
  • Leakproof
    4.0
Volume:260ml
Materials:BPA free, Phthalate free

Best natural feeding experience baby bottle for breastfed babies

Expert rating:
4.0
Dr Browns Options+ Anti-Colic 150ml ©MOTHER&BABY
Price: £18.99
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Alternative retailers
Walmart$16.71View offer

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.

Pros

  • Dishwasher safe for easy cleaning
  • Over 20 years of experience helping mums combat colic
  • Contoured breast-like teat for a more natural feeding experience
  • Wide neck bottle makes it easier to pump and put the milk in for feeding on the go

Cons

  • Made from glass, therefore, needs to be handled with extra care
  • Ease of use
    5.0
  • Assembly
    5.0
  • Cleaning
    5.0
  • Durability
    5.0
  • Leakproof
    5.0
Volume:150ml
Materials:Glass, BPA free

Best bottle and warmer in one

Expert rating:
4.5
Ember Baby Bottle System©MOTHER&BABY

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

Pros

  • Contains different teat sizes for different flows as your baby gets bigger
  • It comes with an app where you can prep, track and monitor feeds
  • It heats to the correct body temperature and maintains the temperature

Cons

  • It can leak if the lid isn't secured properly
  • Ease of use
    4.0
  • Assembly
    5.0
  • Cleaning
    4.0
  • Durability
    4.0
  • Value for money
    4.0
Volume:6oz or 178ml
Material:Glass

Breastfeeding friendly bottles FAQs

What to look for in bottles for breastfed babies

Bottle teat design: We'd generally recommend a slow-flow teat as this mimics the natural flow of milk from the breast, which will be more familiar to your tot. However, a narrow-neck nipple with a gradual slope could be useful if you find your baby struggling to get their mouth around a wide-neck nipple teat. 
Material: You will find that baby bottles come either in plastic or glass. Compared to glass bottles, plastic bottles are cheaper, more widely available, and easier for your baby to hold, especially as they are lightweight. Just be sure to go for BPA-free bottles if you do choose plastic. Although glass bottles are heavier and can be pricier, they are much more eco-friendly. Unlike plastic, glass doesn’t stain or pick up odours. This option is also easier to clean and more long-lasting.
Pump compatibility: We're all for making life easy when possible, and bottles that can connect directly to your breast pump are a lifesaver as this means there's no need to worry about transferring your milk. 
Teat Size and Style: If you're wondering which size teat is best when choosing a bottle for a breastfed baby, Dr Williams explains that "generally a slow-flow teat is better when introducing breastfed babies to a bottle, and round teats with a wide base are believed to encourage tongue and jaw movements similar to that of sucking at the breast. Tommee Tippee Natural Start bottles have teats that are breast-like in shape, designed to suit breastfed babies."
Size: Choosing a bottle size for your breastfed baby depends on the size of your baby and how much they consume. Smaller bottles tend to be most suitable for newborns, as babies who feed from larger bottles may consume more milk, which can potentially lead to them overfeeding. As the baby grows and milk consumption per feed increases, parents may prefer to use larger bottles.

How do I introduce a bottle to a breastfed baby?

If you’re transitioning your baby from the breast to bottles for breastfed babies, it might take a few attempts to get your baby to latch, so start earlier than you need to. Dr Zoe Williams suggests thinking of it as learning a new skill, and this can take a while. So if it’s a planned ‘returning to work’ scenario, then start introducing the bottle a few weeks before your start date. If you’re struggling to bottle-feed your baby, Dr Williams has suggested the following tips to help:
Timing-wise, it’s best to introduce the bottle when your baby is alert and showing early hunger cues, such as rooting, sucking hands or lip smacking. Do not wait until they are very hungry and irritated. 
Think of it as the baby learning a new skill, and learning a new skill often takes practice. So introducing a bottle should ideally be a gradual process that may take a couple of weeks.
Choose a time of day when it tends to be a more relaxed feed; for example, this could be after the morning nap rather than the dreaded 3 am feed.
It’s a case of trial and error when it comes to bottles – some babies will prefer a particular shape, while others need features that ease wind or colic.

How much milk should I feed a breastfed baby?

If you’re feeding your baby breast milk, try this simple calculation from breastfeeding expert Geraldine to work out how much milk to offer. "Simply multiply your baby’s weight in kg by 150ml and divide this number by your baby’s daily number of feeds – this will give you a low estimate of what your baby needs per feed," says Geraldine.
However, if you’re bottle-feeding your baby with formula, you'll need to use the higher calculation for an estimate of what your baby needs, as the formula isn’t as well absorbed or utilised by the body as breastmilk. "Multiply your baby’s weight in kg by 180ml and divide this number by your baby’s daily feeds," says Geraldine.

Can babies get confused between breast and bottle?

Dr Williams notes that "rather than ‘confused’, babies may certainly show a ‘preference’ for a bottle and especially if they are having any difficulties with flow from the breast." If a baby has to work hard at breastfeeding and then is offered a bottle, which is easier, with a flow that is faster and continuous, some babies may start to prefer the bottle. "And this could be a reason why they may start to refuse the breast in preference for bottle." She notes that in this scenario "it may be advisable to address why they are finding breastfeeding difficult in the first place and to remember that babies are ‘hard-wired’ to breastfeed, so it’s likely that they will return to the breast with the right support."

What should I do if my baby refuses to take a bottle?

Dr Williams tells us that "it’s not uncommon for babies to refuse a bottle at first and in some instances babies will never take a bottle, and other strategies, such as cup-feeding can be used." But as she has already explained, there are a number of ways you can help your breastfed baby get used to the bottle. "A reminder of those mentioned already: allowing a couple of weeks for the baby to learn this new skill and choosing a time of day when feeding is usually very relaxed and enjoyable for both mum and baby. Timing-wise, it’s best to introduce the bottle when your baby is alert and showing early hunger cues, such as rooting, sucking hands or lip smacking. Do not wait until they are very hungry and irritated_."_
She goes on to say that if your baby is struggling, it's important to stay calm. "The skin-to-skin approach can help keep the bottle relaxed, playful, and calm while introducing it. Try to make it a positive experience even if the baby doesn’t take any milk or even the teat at first." She notes that it's important to persevere gradually. "If the baby starts to refuse, stop at that point, and try to make further incremental steps the next day. Don’t expect them to get the hang of it straight away, and never force the bottle into the baby's mouth. Sometimes it can help for someone else to feed the baby, when the baby can’t see, hear or smell the mother."

About the Expert

Dr Zoe Williams is a practising GP based in London and also a mum of one. She's a regular on our screens answering medical questions on This Morning, and she has a keen interest in preventive medicine, sports medicine and tackling chronic ill health through lifestyle measures such as healthy eating and physical activity.

Lorna White is the Products Editor for Mother&Baby. After running the Yours magazine website, specialising in content about caring for kids and grandchildren, Lorna brought her expertise to Mother&Baby in 2020. She has a keen interest in a range of topics, from potty training and nutrition to baby names and early development, and has a wide range of experienced medical experts and professionals at her fingertips. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her two young sisters, dog walking and enjoying the outdoors with her family.

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