
Medically Reviewed by: Angie Willis, MSc BSc
Whether you are bottle-feeding your little one with formula, sharing the night feeds or expressing, choosing the best baby bottle can make all the difference in comfort and convenience for both you and your baby.
Feeding your baby is such a personal experience and you spend the most part of your day doing it, so taking time to find the right baby bottle is important for both of you. If you're formula-feeding, there's a chance your baby may take to the bottle quickly. On the other hand, those babies that are combination-fed or transitioning from breastfeeding, may require more time and patience. The truth is, different babies take to different bottles, so if your baby doesn’t like one bottle, give it a little more time to work out which is best for your baby.
Trying to make sense of what's on offer and finding the best baby bottles can sometimes feel daunting, especially when there's a vast range of designs, sizes and functionalities not to mention an entire range of anti-colic bottles (more on that below!).
We spoke to Marie-Louise, The Modern Midwife, 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."

The best baby bottles at a glance 2025:
The first thing to know when trying to find the best baby bottle is that there are various material options to consider, such as glass bottles, plastic and silicone. As well as this, there are two different bottle sizes (small ones are best for newborns and hold 150ml and large ones hold 250ml).
Marie offers one important piece of advice to new and expecting parents: "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!"
To help take the pressure off, we’ve asked real parents to tested the best baby bottles so you can buy with confidence. From bottles for breastfed babies to anti-colic ones, we've tried to cover everything from budget-friendly ones to self-sterilising baby bottles for ease and convenience. As well as this, we also spoke with Angie Willis, a qualified midwife with over 11 years of experience and asked her what to look for when choosing baby bottles and how to look after the products too.
How we chose and tested the best baby bottles
Like all our product recommendations, the best baby bottles are chosen based on a combination of real-world testing from our burgeoning army of mum testers and our experienced editorial team and product specialists. Where we can, we also consult experts who specialise in that field, to ensure you get the right advice along with the right product.
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.
Our findings have been summed up in the table below:

Over a few weeks, parent testers rigorously tested these bottles, focusing on their ease of use and durability. They also considered things like how easy the bottles were to wash, sterilise, if they leaked and if they had any additional features like anti-colic. Some bottles were tested individually, some bottles came as part of a starter set so our testers were also able to evaluate what was good value for money.
Find out more about how we test products for Mother&Baby by visiting our how we test page.
Best baby bottles of 2025:
Best baby bottles overall

www.boots.com
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 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

uk.nuby.com
For 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! 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
3.
MAM Easy Start Self Sterilising Anti Colic Starter Set
Best Baby Bottle for Travel

The 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

Dr. 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 it was fine once they'd gotten 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

The 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 while 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 leakproof baby bottles

ebebek.co.uk
The 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

The 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 draw 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.
They're leakproof, BPA-free, and Phthalate-free, 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 than other bottles. "Due to the anti-colic function of the bottle, there are more components than other standard bottles 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 used the bottle to mix the formula powder and hot water, and I found 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. 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

The 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

The 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
10.
Ember Baby Bottle System
Best bottle and warmer in one

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 mother of two, Shriti is adjusting to the busy life of a five-year-old and a two-month-old. She found the Ember Baby Bottle System useful and made her life easier. She also 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 a time saver despite taking longer to warm than 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. However, I found that it took a little longer to warm up than I expected. Having the temperature control feature was extremely useful, especially for saving time. During late-night feedings, ensuring the milk was at the right temperature was easier.
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
Capacity | 178 ml Baby Bottles (2x) |
Insulating dome dimensions: | H 6.81 in (173 mm) x Width 3.38 in (86 mm) x Weight 12.8 oz (364 g) |
Dishwasher safe: | Bottle is safe for use in dishwashers (top rack only), sterilisers, or boiling water. |
Microwave safe: | No |
Material: | BPA-free |
- Heats to body temperature
- Bottle capacity: 6 fl oz (178 ml)
- Holds two complete heating cycles when fully charged
- Plastic bottles
- Pairs with Ember Baby app, iOS and Android compatible
- Warms the bottle wherever you are with a charge capacity for 2 feedings
Best bottles for combination feeding

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. 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
Why choosing the right baby bottle matters
Choosing the right baby bottle is a important decision - it may time time and patience as well as trial and error. For breastfed babies, a teat designed to mimic the natural nipple helps prevent latch confusion, ensuring a seamless transition between breast and bottle. For this, our testers were impressed with the Tommee Tippee Natural Start Feeding Bottles and Nuby Natural Touch Easy Latch. For those little ones who suffer from colic, we recommend Dr. Brown’s Anti-Colic Options with its 100% vacuum-free vent system.
Of course being able to sterilise them is also an important factor to consider; you don't want to spend those few precious free hours cleaning bottles so for this, we recommend the MAM Easy Start Self Sterilising Anti Colic Starter Set for quick and hassle-free sterilisation in just minutes.
How to choose the best baby bottle for you and your baby
It's important to consider the 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 Willis has over 11 years of experience. She 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 as 0,1,2,3 or slow, medium, and fast. Slow teats (0 or 1) stop the milk from 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.
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 have 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 while feeding, which can help prevent colic symptoms. If your baby spits up, seems uncomfortable after feeding, and struggles to wind after feeding, you might 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 raise 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: A baby bottle often has different elements, including the teat, bottleneck and the bottle itself. You want a bottle that's easy to assemble, especially for night feeds. Some bottles can be put together one-handed, which is particularly helpful if you're also holding your baby.
Price: Some of the bottles we tested have 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.
Types of baby bottles: Which one is right for you?
Standard bottles - Readily available and affordable, but their narrow necks can be challenging to clean.
Wide-neck bottles - Designed to mimic the breast, are ideal for breastfed babies, minimising nipple confusion, but may not fit all warmers.
Anti-colic bottles - Reduce air intake and colic symptoms, though they often have more parts to clean.
Self-sterilising bottles - Convenient and can be sterilised in microwave - handy for those who travel but may be pricier.
Glass bottles - Durable, easy to clean, and eco-friendly, but can break and are heavier which may not be right for when your baby starts holding their own bottle.
Plastic bottles - Lightweight but in time, can become scratched and collect odours. Always look for BPA-free bottles.
Common baby bottle problems and how to fix them
Feeding your baby can be a stressful at the best of times let alone for new or anxious parents. If you'e transitioning to bottles, try and stay calm and positive before you offer the bottle to your baby. 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. Ensure a calm feeding environment and ensure the milk is at the right temperature. Invest in a good bottle brush, disassemble all components for thorough cleaning, and consider using a steam steriliser for to ensure a thorough clean.
How to clean and sterilise baby bottles safely
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 hand washing and dishwashing will only clean them, not sterilise them, so be sure to 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.
Angie says: "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."
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. According to the NHS, you can stop sterilising bottles after your baby is 12 months old.
FAQs about baby bottles
How many bottles do I need?
This really depends on how many bottles you plan to give your baby and whether or not they're exclusively bottle-feeding.
Midwife Angie 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."
When should I replace a baby bottle?
If bottles are in good condition, they 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 out it in the dishwasher.
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 I mix and match bottle brands?
Yes it's perfectly find to do this. It's a good idea to have more than one brand because you may find that your baby prefers one brand over another. Popular brands like Avent, MAM, Dr. Brown's, and Tommee Tippee often have compatible nipple sizes sop you can safely mix and match parts. As always, it's worth checking with the manufacturer first before purchasing.
How do I know if my baby needs a different nipple size?
Every baby is different but you'll soon get to know how much they drink and how quickly. If you find your baby is sucking too hard or getting fussy or frustrated, you may need a larger nipple size.
Do I need special bottles for formula vs. breast milk?
In short no. You don't need different or special bottles, but as this article suggests, you may want to try different options to find what works best for your baby.
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Meet the experts
Midwife Marie, AKA The Modern Midwife, is MAM's in-house expert midwife with over twelve years of experience delivering babies. 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.
Angie Willis, aka The Eco Midwife, is 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.
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.