Medically reviewed by Angie Willis, Midwife
Whether you are bottle-feeding your little one with formula, sharing the night feeds or going back to work and pumping, you'll need to find the best baby bottles to suit you and your little one. Baby bottles come in a wide range of different shapes and materials including plastic, silicone and even glass baby bottles.
It's likely that your baby will take to a particular type of teat or bottle, so it's worth trying out a few to find your baby's favourite. We spoke to Marie-Louise, The Modern Midwife and advisor to MAM to get her expert opinion on the best baby bottles, drawing on both her expertise as a midwife and her first hand experience as a parent. "As a midwife and a mum of two, I am no stranger to the overwhelming choice in deciding which purchases are the best fit for my family and lifestyle. Whether you are breastfeeding, bottle feeding or combi-feeding there are a number of choices available to you."
From the actual bottles to products you'll need when using baby bottles, including the best products for cleaning your bottles, there is a huge array of items available on the market. Some bottles are designed for a specific use or to help aid common digestive or reflux issues in babies, such as anti-colic bottles, which have angled tops and a special venting system.
There are also bottles for breastfed babies, where the teats are designed to mimic a nipple so that your baby doesn't develop a preference for one over the other. If you're using a breast pump, there are bottles that are specifically designed to be attached to breast pumps, too, so you can pump efficiently into the bottle your baby will be feeding from.
The best baby bottles at a glance 2024:
How to choose the best baby bottles
It's important to consider different features of the best baby bottles, to make sure you're finding the best one for you. This could include:
Bottle shape: As you'll see, bottles come in different styles. When you're feeding, this will come down to personal preference, but when babies are able to feed themselves, you might want to choose a bottle with handles, such as the MAM Easy Start Self Sterilising Anti Colic Starter Set. Some have wider necks, such as the Dr Brown which can be useful when measuring formula powder or pouring in breastmilk.
Size: Baby bottles tend to come in multiple sizes. Midwife Angie Wilson notes that "research shows smaller bottles help to prevent overfeeding, and newborn bottles begin at 90ml sizes. The next smallest size is 130ml and 150-160ml bottles. Usually, by a month old, the average baby will be drinking around 120-150mls each feed. Once the baby is drinking more than that, then you can begin to use larger bottles (which can usually hold 250ml – this is generally the size most babies will need from 2-3 months and won’t require a bigger size). For bigger appetites, there are also extra large bottles on the market too at 320ml."
Teat options: Perhaps more important than choosing the right size bottle, is the right size teat or nipple. The different flow rates of teats represent the speed at which the milk will come out and are generally shown by 0,1,2,3 or slow, medium and fast. Slow teats (0 or 1) stop the milk coming out too fast which could make a smaller baby drink too much or choke. Faster teats (3) allow the milk to flow more quickly so an older baby doesn't have to work too hard. If you want to know when to change bottle teat size, scroll down to read our guide to the bottles and teats you'll need at each age.
The teats also come in a range of styles and materials. You can choose between silicone and latex teats and between standard-shaped teats or natural ones, which may be better for combination feeding.
Combination and Breastfeeding compatible: Some bottles are designed to be used in combination with breastfeeding or when weaning babies off bottles. For instance, the Tommee Tippee Natural Start, Nuby and Nanobebe bottles are designed with teats that more closely mimic a nipple, so they may be better for babies who are also being breastfed. The Nanobebe bottle is also designed to be softer and more breast-like.
Anti-colic: Some of the bottles we tested are anti-colic, meaning they reduce the amount of air your baby takes in while feeding which can help prevent symptoms of colic. If your baby spits up, seems uncomfortable after feeds, and struggles to wind after feeding, you might want to consider trying an anti-colic bottle.
Ease of cleaning: Can the bottle be sterilised? Is it suitable for the dishwasher? Will you need a bottle brush? Some bottles, such as the MAM Easy Start Self Sterilising bottles, can be sterilised in the microwave, while others may need a steriliser. The different shapes and styles of the bottles can make cleaning trickier, so it's important to check how they can be cleaned too.
Material: There are three main materials for baby bottles: glass, silicone and plastic. Glass is more environmentally friendly as most plastic bottles will end up in landfill at the end of their life, but they may be heavier and more prone to breaking. Silicone bottles, like the Nanobebe, offer a more soft, breast-like experience.
Weight: Baby bottles are usually lightweight, particularly if they're smaller, plastic bottles. If, however, you're choosing to use glass bottles, they will weigh more than plastic bottles, so you may want to keep this in mind.
Durability: It's worth considering the durability and how long a bottle might last. For instance, some of the printed volume markings may rub off over time, while the Nanobebe features raised measurements which will stay clear for longer. Likewise, a plastic bottle may be less prone to breakage but could take on stains from the dishwasher over time.
Assembly: There are often different elements of a baby bottle, including the teat, bottleneck and the bottle itself. You want a bottle that's easy to put together, especially for night feeds. Some bottles can be put together one-handed, which is particularly helpful if you're holding your baby as well.
Price: Some of the bottles we tested come with a higher price tag, but it's worth considering that a better-designed bottle can save money in the long run if your baby takes to it easily without the need to try other bottles. Equally, some of the bottles come as sets, such as the MAM Starter Set and while these require more money initially, they should last your whole bottle-feeding journey.
Baby bottles: an age guide
The age of your baby also affects the type of bottle you'll need. Our handy age guide helps you to find the right bottle for your baby:
Best bottles for newborns
If you're wondering how you choose a newborn bottle from the wide selection available, our experts have a few things to look out for. As Angie Wilson notes above, smaller bottles help to prevent overfeeding which is why newborn bottles begin at 90ml sizes, though starter sets such as MAM and Nuby start at 130ml and 180ml.
In terms of nipple or teat size, it's best to use a 0 or 1 teat which allows a slower flow of milk and avoids baby taking in too much air. Dr Zoe Williams also notes that this size can be beneficial "when introducing breastfed babies to a bottle" and also suggests looking for "round teats with a wide base that are believed to encourage tongue and jaw movements similar to that of sucking at the breast."
If they're taking in too much air and developing colic symptoms, you could consider an anti-colic bottle such as Dr Brown’s Natural Flow Anti-Colic Options+.
Bottles for one month +
By the time they're around a month old, your baby is likely to be drinking around 120-150mls each feed so 130ml and 150-160ml bottles will be useful. From about 2-3 months you can move onto 250ml bottles and a larger teat size.
Bottles for 6 months +
Your baby will be drinking milk alongside solid food after 6 months. It's likely they'll still use the 250ml bottle but they may also need a larger bottle if they have a bigger appetite. They will probably use a faster flow teat in a size 2 or 3 but you can take your baby's lead to decide when to go up a teat size. The Nuby Newborn set or MAM Easy Start Self Sterilising Anti Colic Starter Set combines a range of bottle sizes to grow with your baby, though you'll need to change the teats when they're ready for a fast flow.
After one year old
It's recommended that infants stop drinking from teats at 1 year old so you could consider switching to a sippy cup or open cup at this point.
How we tried and tested these baby bottles
As Marie Louise, The Modern Midwife told us when we spoke to her about choosing the best bottles for your baby, "whichever area you are planning to make a purchase, the consumer market can feel overwhelming. My most important message to all families is ‘knowledge is power’ and it is worth investing the time to research products and their suitability for you and your family. No matter what you choose to do!"
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.
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 your baby.
As shown in our rating table below, our mum testers favoured the MAM self-sterilising bottles for ease, awarding it 4.5 stars overall and noting that it allowed them to sterilise the bottles when visiting friends and family without a steriliser. To make their feeding journey easier, the Nuby Newborn Baby Bottles Starter Set and MAM Easy Start Self Sterilising Anti Colic Starter Set also scored highly with our testers as they contain interchangeable elements that grow with your baby. If your baby suffers from colic, a number of the bottles on our list are specifically designed to help alleviate the symptoms, including Dr Brown, MAM and Tommee Tippee Anti-colic.
The best baby bottles for 2024
Best baby bottles overall
MOTHER&BABYThe 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 game-changer for mums dealing with colicky babies. They're designed with patented ventilation holes to prevent babies from swallowing excess air, significantly reducing colic symptoms. Our mum tester, Amy found these helped her baby. “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.”
They’re also self-sterilising for quick and hassle-free sterilisation in just minutes which is great for travel. Another of our mum testers, 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 mum testers loved the ultra-soft silicone teats which are made to mimic mum's nipple and provide a comfortable feeding experience. MAM also reports a 94% acceptance rate of their bottles for babies who’ve been breastfeeding and our tester Jade found this to be true. "Both my children took to the teats really well after transitioning from the breast so the flat teat was great." She also felt this made them better value for money, noting, "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."
In terms of practicality, mums also loved the wide opening, which makes the bottles easy to fill and clean, and all MAM bottles, handles and teats are compatible, so you can mix and match easily. However, Jade did note that the measurements on the side of the bottle only start at 60ml. "As someone who likes to keep track of how much my child is drinking at each feed, I found it difficult to accurately keep check of 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
- Designed to reduce colic and reflux
- Two in a pack
- Self-sterilising which makes it easy to clean with just a microwave
- Compatible with all other MAM bottles, tops and vented bases
- Can add handles and an open teat for transitioning to a cup later
- Grows with your baby – the middle part is the element which grows and can be changed, therefore using less plastic overall and making it more sustainable
Cons
- Measurements only start at 60ml which makes it hard to accurately measure how much the baby has drunk
| Capacity: | 260ml |
| Materials: | BPA free plastic |
| Teat: | Anti-colic / vented |
| Dishwasher safe: | Yes |
| Microwave safe: | Yes |
| Suitable for sterilising: | Self-sterilising in microwave |
- Anti-colic system patented base with ventilation holes
- Self-sterilisation system
- Dimensions: 18cm x 14cm x 7.1cm
- Dishwasher safe
- Material: BPA and BPS-free plastic
- SkinSoft teat
- Self-sterilisation function
- Vented base
- Dimpled exterior
- Developed with medical experts
Best baby bottles for newborns
MOTHER&BABYFor a great value-for-money option, this Nuby set is ideal. Featuring a range of different bottle sizes, the set is designed to last the whole feeding journey, though you'd need to buy medium or fast-flow teats when the baby is ready. The slow-flow teats ensure a gentle feeding experience, minimising spit-outs and discomfort, and they boast 3 unique advanced anti-colic valves which reduce air intake to help prevent colic symptoms.
Included in the set are two 180ml Nuby Natural Touch Bottles with Slow Flow Teats, two 270ml Nuby Natural Touch Bottles with Slow Flow Teats, 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."
Carly rated them highly for safety. "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."
Featuring a super soft teat inspired by the shape and texture of the nipple, it helps 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.”
Pros
- Soft teat inspired by shape, texture and natural flex of a breast
- Teats have three air flow valves to reduce colic
- Extras included: orthodontic soother, dribble bib, and teether
Cons
- While the set includes bigger bottles, you'd need to buy the medium or fast-flow teats separately
| Material: | BPA free plastic |
| Capacity: | 180ml and 270ml |
| Teat Options: | Anti-colic slow flow |
| Dishwasher Safe: | Yes |
| Microwave Safe: | Yes |
| Sterilising: | Suitable for all forms of sterilisation |
- Contains 2 x 180ml Nuby Natural Touch Bottles with Slow Flow Teats and 2 x 270ml Nuby Natural Touch Bottles with Slow Flow Teats, Nuby Bottle and Teat Brush, Nuby Orthodontic Soother, Nuby Bandana Dribble Bib, Nuby Chewbie Teether.
- Super soft teat inspired by the shape, texture and natural flex of mum’s breast
- Three advanced antic-colic valves
- BPA free
Best self sterilising baby bottles
MOTHER&BABYThe MAM Easy Start Self Sterilising Anti Colic Starter Set won Bronze for Best Bottle Feeding Product at the 2021 and 2020 Mother&Baby Awards.
This starter set combines all you need as a new mum, which our mum tester Lucy noticed, "MAM Easy Start Bottle Set is great for first time parents, it has everything you need for bottle feeding baby – with bottles suitable from newborn onwards." She noted, "I wish I had bought this set then; it has everything you could need from day one, the bottles, the dummy, being anti-colic and self-sterilising. You can tell the brand has really thought about what will make parent’s lives easier, and having it all there, even if it’s a just-in-case, reassured me."
Our tester Lucy also appreciated how all the elements fit together easily, "I found everything really easy to disassemble for sterilising, and the mix-and-match nature of this set just makes it so simple – I’m not hunting around for the correct base for that size or the correct teat for that top, I know everything fits together."
Featuring MAM's SkinSoft silicone teat, it’s designed to mimic the feel of a mother's breast, making the feeding experience as comfortable as possible for the baby. The ventilated base helps reduce colic, while the unique self-sterilising feature makes them ideal for travel. One mum tester said these bottles really helped her son’s wind. “I couldn't recommend the MAM bottles more as they helped him with his wind (the bottles are designed with valves on the bottom to help with airflow.) We really noticed a difference in how long it took to wind him with these bottles."
Tester Lucy also liked the design of the anti-colic device in these bottles, which she preferred to the Dr Brown anti-colic bottles. "I love the anti-colic system – I’ve had a couple of bottles from other
brands where it’s more like a straw which attaches inside the bottle, and it’s really tricky to clean or to feel like it’s been sterilised properly. With these bottles it’s a flat valve which pops in the bottom of the bottle, it can be taken out to sterilise, and there’s no hidden surfaces I’m worried about not getting clean."
Read more on the MAM Easy Start self-sterilising bottles which feature in this review of a wider set.
Pros
- Modular system for any combination of bottles, teats, and handles - improving the sustainability and ease of the bottle-feeding journey
- Slow flow for comfortable feeding
- Quick to clean and sterilise
Cons
- Some parents found it a struggle to fit into their microwaves due to the large size of the set
| Capacity: | 260ml |
| Material: | BPA free plastic |
| Teat Options: | Anti-colic |
| Dishwasher Safe: | No |
| Microwave Safe: | Yes |
| Sterilising: | Self-sterilising |
- Vented teat
- Anti-colic
- Self-sterilising
- Includes the components for 4 complete bottles, plus MAM bottle handles, Slow Flow Skin Soft teats, extra soft spout, 4 bottle seals, and a 0-2 months MAM Start soother
- BPA/BPS free
Best anti-colic baby bottles
MOTHER&BABYDr. Brown’s Anti-Colic Options+ Wide-Neck Baby Bottle was awarded Bronze for Best Product for Bottle Feeding at the Mother&Baby Awards 2024.
Clinically proven to reduce windy colic, thanks to Dr Brown’s unique 100% vacuum-free vent system, this bottle is designed to allow you to use the bottle with or without the removable internal vent system, making it convenient for all baby’s needs. 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.”
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."
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 and having two bottles helps as I always have a clean set." Other parent reviewers commented that the anti-colic vent can be tricky to clean at first, but was fine once they'd got used to it.
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
- Aids in digestion for a good night’s sleep
- The anti-colic vent system is clinically proven to reduce colic
- Over 20 years experience for extra confidence
- Contoured breast-like teat for a proper latch and a more natural bottle-feeding experience
- Two bottles in a set so you can have one clean at any time
- Come in glass or plastic for extra choice
- The wide neck makes it easy to put milk in
Cons
- The 150ml bottle may not hold enough liquid for older babies
- Some parents found the anti-colic vent systems difficult to clean at first
| Capacity: | 150g |
| Materials: | BPA-free plastic |
| Teat: | Vented |
| Dishwasher safe: | Yes |
| Microwave safe: | N/A |
| Suitable for sterilising: | Yes |
- Anti-Colic internal vent system is clinically proven to reduce colic. Decreases spit-up, burping and wind.
- Vacuum-free feeding is closest to breastfeeding and Dr. Brown’s silicone teats provide a consistent flow so babies can feed at their own pace.
- The anti-colic vent system is proven to help preserve bottle milk nutrients and aids in digestion for a better night’s sleep.
- The breast-like teat shape encourages a proper latch for a more natural bottle feeding experience and eases the transition from breast to bottle and back again.
- Dr. Brown’s Natural Flow Anti-Colic Options+ baby bottle works best with the internal vent system in place but can be removed as baby’s feeding develops – no need to introduce a different bottle.
Best baby bottles for latching
MOTHER&BABYThe Tommee Tippee Natural Start Feeding Bottles were Shortlisted for Best Bottle Feeding Product at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards.
If you’re struggling with latch issues, The Tommee Tippee Natural Start Bottle (formerly known as Closer to Nature) might be just what you’re looking for. Featuring a breast-shaped teat that feels soft and natural, it provides 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 a baby on 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.” 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
- Anti-colic vent to reduce colic symptoms
- The natural teat makes it great for breastfed babies
- Simple to put together
Cons
- Reviews were mixed on how easy they were to clean
| Capacity: | 150ml |
| Material: | BPA free plastic |
| Sterilising: | Hot water, steriliser, cold water and sterilisation liquid or tablets and UV light |
| Teat Options: | Soft silicone, breast-like teat feels |
| Dishwasher Safe: | Yes |
| Microwave Safe: | Yes |
- 3 pack
- The original breast-like bottle
- Soft silicone, breast-like teat
- Anti-colic
Best bottles for combination feeding
MOTHER&BABYThe Nanobebe Flexy Silicone Baby Bottle is loved by parents for its soft and flexible silicone body, providing a comfortable feel for babies during feeds. Holding up to 270ml of liquid, it’s designed to grow with your baby as their appetite grows. 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."
With an anti-colic teat, non-tip base, and BPA-free design, the squeezably soft, breast-like bottle experience facilitates a smooth transition to bottle feeding or combination feeding without teat confusion. Another 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.”
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."
Read the full Nanobebe Flexy Silicone baby bottle review
Pros
- Breast-like soft and flexible silicone for combination feeding
- Anti-colic system
- Can be cleaned in the dishwasher, microwave or a steriliser
- Embossed measurements can always be read, even after multiple use and cleaning
Cons
- The teats can be trickier to clean
| Material: | Silicone |
| Capacity: | 270ml |
| Teat: | Anti-colic |
| Dishwasher Safe: | Yes |
| Microwave Safe: | Yes |
| Sterilising: | Hot water |
- BPA, PVC, LEAD, and PHTHALATE FREE
- Anti-colic
- Available in a range of colours
Best leakproof baby bottles
MOTHER&BABYThe Nuby Natural Touch Easy Latch Anti Colic Bottles won Bronze for Best Bottle Feeding Product at the 2019 Mother&Baby Awards.
With soft and flexible silicone teats to mimic mum's breast and encourage proper feeding positioning, it also features three valves to minimise air ingestion, making the Nuby Natural Touch Easy Latch Anti-Colic Bottles ideal for babies suffering from colic. Our mum tester Payal found they worked a treat with her baby, saying, “The teats were brilliant for my 'refluxy' baby who liked a slower flow of milk and regular burping.”
They're 100% BPA free, dishwasher and microwave safe, and tester Carly said this made her life easier, "the bottles are easy to clean and I can confidently sterilise them in all standard options, with my personal favourite being the Nuby UV steriliser, which does a quick job and gets them back in my hands at a nice temperature."
The wide neck design simplifies filling and cleaning, though some parents noted difficulty reading the measurement indicators during sleepy night feeds. Our mum tester, Barbara, said, “The scale to measure volume quantities could be improved. I had to look very carefully at the scale as it is in a small font size and the grey ink colour made it difficult to see. It is very easy to make a mistake when measuring water, especially as a sleep-deprived mum!”
As this set comes with three bottles, our tester, Carly, felt it offered value for money, "There are so many bottles on the market, some of them are far pricier than others, but I think the Nuby bottles are such a great price point, with a set of three coming in at less than £10 - an absolute bargain."
Read our full Nuby Natural Touch Easy Latch Anti Colic Bottles review.
Pros
- Leakproof
- Soft to mimic breasts
- Designed to minimise air ingestion during feeds
Cons
- Some parents struggled to read the measurement indicators on the bottle as they were a little too faint
| Capacity: | 240ml |
| Material: | BPA free plastic |
| Teat Options: | Slow flow silicone teat |
| Dishwasher Safe: | Yes |
| Microwave Safe: | Yes |
| Sterilising: | Suitable for all types of sterilising |
- Wide neck bottle makes cleaning easier
- Anti-colic valves
- 100% bpa free, dishwasher and microwave safe
- Textured side grips
- No leak sealing rings, spill proof hygiene lids, plus a matching orthodontic Nuby dummy
Best baby bottles for slow flow
MOTHER&BABYThe Tommee Tippee Anti Colic bottles offer a game-changing solution for parents, 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!" With a vented design and anti-colic tubes, these bottles work by drawing air away from the milk. “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.
Leakproof, BPA-free, and Phthalate-free, they’re free from harmful chemicals. And for even more peace of mind, the bottles' heat sensing technology ensures a safe temperature for the baby.
Designed to mimic the breast, the soft silicone teats help promote a good latch making them ideal for switching between breast and bottle.
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. However, it is still so simple and easy to put together. The bottles are so easy to sterilise using the microwave. There are a few smaller areas to clean, so I did have to use a bottle brush to ensure that milk is fully cleaned."
Stacey did notice some leakage when shaking the bottles but none when feeding her 4-month-old. "I use 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."
Read our full Tommee Tippee Advanced Anti-Colic Baby Bottle review
Pros
- Breast-like teat
- Reduce colic symptoms
- Heat sensing technology
Cons
- Some parents found that the teat sank inwards during feeding
- There was a little leakage when shaking the bottle to mix the formula
| Capacity: | 260ml |
| Material: | Polypropylene, Silicone, TPE |
| Teat Options: | Vented |
| Dishwasher Safe: | Yes |
| Microwave Safe: | Yes |
| Sterilising: | Suitable for all types of sterilising |
- Soft silicone teats
- Heat sensing technology
- Naturally anti-colic
- Heat sensing technology
Best medium flow baby bottles
MOTHER&BABYThe Lansinoh NaturalWave Breastmilk Feeding Bottle & Teat was Shortlisted for Best Bottle Feeding Product at the 2017 Mother&Baby Awards.
The Lansinoh NaturalWave Breastmilk Feeding Bottle & Teat encourages the wave-like tongue movement crucial for babies transitioning between breast and bottle feeding, mimicking the natural sucking style babies learn at the breast. Our mum tester Liz loved this for her baby, “these Lansinoh NaturalWave Breastmilk Feeding Bottles are really sturdy and the teats are great for recreating a natural breast feeling so you can happily express or formula feed your baby with them still thinking it's the breast so you can mix up feeds.”
Made BPA and BPS-free, these bottles offer peace of mind for parents concerned about toxins. The wide base and super soft silicone teat ensure a comfortable feeding experience for both parent and baby as well as being easy to clean.
The clear measurements on the side make it easy to monitor intake, while the bottles' durability and ease of cleaning add to their appeal. Our mum tester, Liz, says, “The measurements on the side of the NaturalWave Breastmilk Feeding Bottle are really clear, so you know how much you are putting in and how much your baby is drinking.”
Our tester Natalie thought they were well thought out in terms of design and practicality, saying "Love that they are stackable so takes up less storage space in the changing bag and cupboards.
Really happy that they are compatible with the Lansinoh breast pumps and have storage lids, which makes pumping and breastfeeding on the go easier. Great value for money for a starter kit."
Natalie also thought they were "easy to clean and sterilise - it felt like all the components were clean" but she did note that the "only thing to be aware of is making sure the rim under the teat is fully dry as that's the only area I really needed to dry thoroughly."
The main downside our testers found was in the plain design as well as finding the teat occasionally fiddly to reassemble, as mum tester Liz points out; “the bottles could look a little prettier as quite a plain design and sometimes the teat was fiddly to out back into place.” However, Natalie felt it was "easy to assemble with both hands, with some practice can be done one-handed if necessary."
Read our full Lansinoh Baby Bottles NaturalWave review.
Pros
- Easy and comfortable for mother and baby to hold
- Promotes instinctive sucking action
- Wide base for easy cleaning
- Stackable for easy storage
Cons
- Some found the teat tricky to put into place
| Material: | Silicone |
| Capacity: | 160ml |
| Teat: | Natural wave |
| Dishwasher safe: | Yes |
| Microwave Safe: | Yes |
| Sterilising: | Using hot water |
- Wide base
- Flexible 100% silicone teat
- BPS Free, BPA Free, Latex Free
Best baby bottles for breastfed babies
MOTHER&BABYThe Philips Avent Natural Feeding Bottle was Shortlisted for Best Bottle Feeding Product at the 2017 Mother&Baby Awards.
Ideal for helping that transition between breast and bottle as seamless as possible, the Philips Avent Natural Feeding Bottle is designed to fit comfortably in the hand, making late-night feedings easier. “The bottle is comfortable to hold and the teat is flexible to the point that baby can look around while feeding.” commented one mum tester. Our parent testers have also found their babies like to hold on to this bottle too.
While parents loved the quality and design, some did find the anti-colic teat noisy, with one mum tester saying, “The anti-colic teat can be noisy, making a high-pitch squeal as baby sucks, which can disrupt feeds.” They did, however, like how easy it was to clean and assemble.
Read our Philips Avent Natural Feeding Bottle review.
Pros
- Used by mums for 30 years
- Easy to clean
- Ergonomic shape
Cons
- Would be nice to include bottles of different sizes in the pack for babies' different needs
| Capacity: | 260ml |
| Dimensions: | 19.4 x 7.4 x 7.2 cm |
| Microwave safe: | Yes |
| Dishwasher safe: | Yes |
| Suitable for sterilising: | Yes |
| Teat: | Orthodontic teat |
| Material: | Polypropylene, Silicone BPA free |
- 3 pack
- Natural Response nipple
- Works like the breast
- Anti-colic valve
- No-drip nipple
- Right nipple flow
Best bottle and warmer in one
MOTHER&BABYuk.ember.com
The Ember Self-Warming Baby Bottle System aims to change the way we prep a baby bottle. 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 was a useful aid in making 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.
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.
It's designed to be anti-colic, and our mum tester agreed that this was the case and also that it could help breastfeeding mums, saying, "The anti-colic vent system seems to be effective, as I've noticed a reduction in gas and fussiness. I also found the nipple design to be decent for transitioning between breast and bottle."
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 our 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
- Can leak if the lid isn't secured properly
Bottle and breast pump compatibility
It's good to keep in mind that MAM breast pumps are compatible with the entire range of Easy Start bottles, Lansinoh breast pumps are compatible with their complete range of 160ml and 240ml infant bottles, and the Philips Avent breast pumps are designed to be used with their Avent bottle range.
Baby bottle safety
When using baby bottles there are a few safety aspects all parents should be wary of. Angie Wilson suggests that parents should "Firstly, keep an eye out for any wear and tear, particularly with the teats. Baby bottles in good condition can be used in any future feeding journey, but ensure you replace the teats either when they are worn or with future children. If your bottles become worn or show any signs of wear and tear, then it is time to discard them."
You'll also want to keep safe materials in mind. Under EU regulations, the use of BPA has been banned in baby bottles since 2011. This is because research found that traces of BPA can be released from plastic containers into the food or liquid they carry and in the case of baby bottles, this could be infant formula or breastmilk if these containers are heated at high temperatures. Because of the ban, you're unlikely to find any baby bottles that aren't BPA-free. However, it's always worth checking.
How to bottle feed a baby
Timing: Knowing how to bottle feed your baby can be tricky if you haven't done it before. Dr Zoe Williams recommends following your baby's cues rather than following a strict timetable. "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."
Best hold for bottle feeding: You could try different feeding positions for bottle feeding though UNICEF recommends you "hold baby close in a semi-upright position so you can see their face and reassure them by looking into their eyes and talking to them during the feed." The NHS echoes this and also recommends rubbing the teat on your baby's top lip to prompt them to latch and holding the bottle so the milk is horizontal to avoid it flowing too fast.
Best bottle for bottle feeding: It could be a case of trial and error when it comes to bottles – some babies will prefer a particular shape, while others might need a bottle that helps to ease colic. You might need to try a few until you find the right one. Midwife, Angie Wilson suggests that "some babies also prefer a different temperature of the milk. For example, in summertime, some babies may want a cooler feed, whereas other babies like their feeds warm. This can be useful for parents bottle feeding expressed breastmilk to try to encourage your baby to take it."
Bottle refusal: Dr Zoe Williams notes 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 she has some handy tips to help if your infant is refusing the bottle. As well as timing it well, Dr Zoe suggests thinking of it as "the baby learning a new skill, and learning a new skill often takes practice." She recommends making it a gradual process. "Try to make it a positive experience even if the baby doesn’t take any milk or even the teat at first. 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 baby's mouth."
How often should I replace baby bottles?
As Angie notes above, if they're in good condition, baby bottles can be used in any future feeding journey with new teats. If you can, it's generally better to hand wash a bottle with warm water and a baby-friendly detergent than to wash it in the dishwasher - this should prolong the life of the bottle. If they become worn or show any signs of wear and tear then you should replace them.
You should replace the teats when the baby is ready for the next size or if they get cracked, discoloured, or start to thin. Remember, silicone teats are firmer while latex is softer so they'll have a different endurance. Make sure you check these regularly.
Can my baby reuse the same bottle all day?
Baby won't always drink the entire contents of their bottle, and if this is the case, and you're left with half or a quarter of a bottle, you can reuse it, but only if you're going to do so in the next two hours. After this point, the NHS recommends it must be thrown away to avoid bacterial contamination.
It's also recommended to sterilise your bottles once per day, so once you've finished a feed, we'd recommend sterilising.
How to clean baby bottles
Before using baby bottles, you need to ensure that you take the bottles apart and thoroughly wash all the components, including the teat, bottle, lid and teat collar. A baby bottle brush can be really helpful here to help you reach those hard-to-reach places inside your baby's bottle. Once thoroughly washed with warm water and dish soap, you then need to make sure that you sterilise the bottles to ensure all the bacteria is killed.
If you're short on time, most baby bottles are safe to go in the dishwasher to clean. However, it's important to note that dishwashing will only clean them, not sterilise them, so you should sterilise them afterwards.
If your baby's bottle has some harder-to-reach areas, such as vents, it's a good idea to use smaller brushes for these parts, like straw cleaning brushes.
How to sterilise baby bottles
Knowing how to properly sterilise your baby's bottles and feeding equipment is essential for any parent. There are a number of different ways you can sterilise, from UV to microwave, plus sterilising solutions such as the Milton cleaner. You can stop sterilising bottles after your baby is 12 months old, according to the NHS.
Whatever way you choose to sterilise your baby's bottles and feeding equipment, you should always check the manufacturer's instructions on the advised way to sterilise, as some bottles aren't microwave-safe.
Best baby bottle cleaning product
MOTHER&BABY/Natalie Churchwww.boots.com
Silver Winner for Best Product for Bottle Feeding at the M&B Awards 2023
Milton's Baby Bottle Cleaner offers a solution for the thorough cleaning of baby bottles and feeding accessories, effectively removing milk residue that could harbour harmful bacteria. Developed with sensitive skin in mind, its fragrance-free formula ensures gentle cleaning without irritation. Our parent tester said, “Since using the bottle cleaner I have noticed a big difference in the residue left on the bottles after use, I was always complaining before that they were greasy looking and hadn’t been cleaned properly but since using this product I have noticed a huge difference and I feel much happier with the cleanliness of my baby bottles.”
With Milton's reputation for sterilisation and its natural ingredients, parents can trust the quality and safety of their baby's feeding equipment. Easy to dispense, this fluid offers lasting value as only a small amount is needed per wash, with the 500ml bottle lasting for up to 100 uses. One mum tester also loved how readily available it was. “Another bonus is it’s a product that can be picked up whilst doing the weekly food shop, or it can be ordered off of Amazon for delivery, which are the two main places I would buy from, making life a little bit easier as a mum.” She commented.
Suitable from: Birth | Best for: Cleaning bottles and feeding accessories | Includes: Two 500ml bottles
Read our Milton Baby Bottle Cleaner review here.
Pros
- Effectively removes the white film from feeding products
- Two included
Cons
- Some said if you own a steriliser, this isn't needed
| Volume: | 500ml |
| Suitable for bottle types: |
How many bottles do I need for my baby?
This really depends on how many bottles you plan to give your baby and whether or not they're exclusively bottle-feeding. Angie Wilson, a midwife, says that "if you are planning on occasionally bottle feeding alongside breastfeeding, then 2-4 bottles is a good starting point. For parents who are exclusively formula-feeding, 6-8 bottles is normally enough. Some might find this is plenty while others need a couple more to keep them going, depending on how often you wash and sterilise your bottles."
How to make a baby bottle safely?
Before you begin, it’s a good idea to clean and sterilise all of your baby’s feeding equipment including the bottle, teat, lid, retaining ring, cap, and the manufacturer's scoop that comes with the formula milk. You’ll also want to clean the work surface you're going to use, as well as wash your hands thoroughly.
Start by making sure you read the instructions on the formula you're using to check how you make your particular formula up. This will tell you how much water is needed for each bottle and the number of scoops of powder to use depending on your baby's age.
Top tips to follow when making up a bottle safely:
• Always put the water in the bottle first, as this will help you measure it accurately so you can easily check the water level against the measurement marks.
• When scooping up the formula, use a clean knife to level the powder off. Sometimes a levelling tool is provided in the packet.
• Test the temperature of the inside of your wrist to make sure it feels just warm and not hot. If it is too hot, hold the bottle under a running cold tap until it’s cool enough.
There are also plenty of gadgets available these days that can help you make up a bottle with ease, which is a game changer when it comes to sleepy night feeds, such as the Tommee Tippee Perfect Prep Day and Night.
Best baby bottle prep machine
Bronze award winner 2023
MOTHER&BABY/Emily GilbertThe Tommee Tippee Perfect Prep Day & Night machine is loved by mums and dads, helping them with quick and precise bottle preparation around the clock. Allowing you to prepare a bottle in just two minutes, it's ten times faster than a kettle, making it ideal for those late-night feeds. The machine takes water directly from the tap, filtering out impurities with an antibacterial filter, ensuring safe and clean water for your baby's bottle.
First-time mum and Mother&Baby's Features and Reviews Editor, Emily tested this machine and found it gave her peace of mind. "Having only used ready-to-drink bottles previously, I was quite nervous about making up a bottle of formula, keen to make sure I did everything correctly. Thankfully, this clever machine does all the thinking for you."
This machine is designed to help parents find the perfect temperature without the guesswork, both day and night. Its sleep-friendly design includes soft glow lights and an adjustable volume control, allowing for quiet use during nighttime feeds. Emily said, "The night feature of this model is a real bonus as it reduces as much disruption as possible at night because you do not have to turn the main lights on to see and use it, and the noise also isn’t too loud."
While some users wished for a larger water tank capacity, the overall feedback praises its effectiveness and user-friendly design. Mum tester Emily found it made her life easier, saying "Having used it for a month now, I’m a huge fan of the Tommee Tippee Perfect Prep Day and Night, as always having the perfect temperature bottle for our bundle of joy makes life a little easier as a busy new mother who is still finding her feet."
Bronze Winner for Best Product for Bottle Feeding at the M&B Awards 2023. Read our full Tommee Tippee Perfect Prep Day & Night review here.
Pros
- Takes just two minutes to prep a bottle
- Digital display and soft glow lights for night-time bottle prep
Cons
- The water tank size could be bigger
- For extra confidence, you might want to have a thermometer on hand to double-check the temperature of the milk
| Capacity: | 150ml |
| Dimensions: | 21.6 x 30.6 x 33cm |
| Microwave safe: | no |
| Teat: | slow flow teat |
| Dishwasher safe: | no |
- Soft, night time glow
- Digital display
Do I need an anti-colic bottle?
You'll probably notice that many of the bottles on this list are anti-colic bottles. Although experts aren't sure exactly what causes colic, it's been linked to excess gas. Anti-colic bottles are designed to allow air to enter the bottle as your baby feeds, which reduces the amount of air the baby swallows during feedings. Even if your baby doesn't suffer from colic, these bottles are still suitable to use. They are, however, specifically designed for babies who get upset stomachs after feeds and feel gassy, so you'll probably find your baby will benefit from an anti-colic bottle.
Meet the experts
Angie Willis, aka The Eco Midwife, is the leading baby brand MAM’s in-house qualified midwife with over 11 years of experience, working in a range of settings, including birth centres, labour wards and specialist midwifery. Angie is a registered and qualified health visitor as well as a neonatal life support RCUK instructor, a NIPE practitioner and a breastfeeding volunteer. She has worked across different areas supporting women in those years. She's also a Health Visitor and has undertaken training in maternal mental health and aromatherapy.
Midwife Marie, AKA The Modern Midwife, is MAM's in-house expert midwife.
As a qualified midwife with over twelve years of experience delivering babies, she knows her stuff when it comes to pregnancy and early baby development. Marie is also a mother of two and an author. She is dedicated to supporting parents in navigating their parenthood journey with her range of online courses and books, whilst breaking down scientific data into a digestible form for everyone to understand.
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.
Stephanie Anthony is the Deputy Digital Editor at Mother&Baby and auntie to four aged 7 to 2 months old. With a particular interest in health, she loves discovering products that make parent’s lives easier.