Choosing the best baby bottle for your baby can feel overwhelming, especially with so many brands claiming to be “breast-like” or the “best for colic.” But not every bottle works for every baby. Factors like tongue tie, lip tie, high palate, and latch strength can all impact which bottle works best.
Side Note: as of March 2025, Parents.com recommends all of the bottles that multiple lactation consultants I’ve spoken with do not recommend. It goes to show that it can be very tricky to find consistent information on what’s good for your child. If you navigate to “other resources” at the bottom of this post, you’ll see a recommended article authored by an IBCLC that coincidentally echoes everything I’ve mentioned here.
Before you stock up on bottles, here’s what you need to know to make the best choice for your baby.
Don’t Buy Too Many Bottles at First!
🍼 Start small! Buy only 3-4 bottles of one type before committing to a full set. You won’t know the best baby bottle for your little one until you try.
💡 Why? Every baby’s feeding needs are different. Some babies have: ✔️ Tongue tie ✔️ Lip tie ✔️ High or low palate arch ✔️ Strong or weak sucking reflexes
Many bottles claim to mimic the breast, but marketing can be misleading. Instead of focusing on claims, look at the features that matter for a good latch and smooth feeding.
Best Baby Bottle According to Lactation Consultants
For babies who are breastfeeding and bottle-feeding, the best baby bottles have these features: ✅ Slow flow – Prevents fast milk flow and helps avoid bottle preference. ✅ Wide base – Encourages a deep latch similar to breastfeeding. ✅ Rounded nipple tip – Mimics how a breast nipple changes shape in a baby’s mouth. ✅ Gradual slope – Helps baby maintain proper suction.
Best Baby Bottle for Breastfeeding Infants:
🥇 Lansinoh – Designed specifically for breastfed babies, with a soft, gradual slope and slow-flow nipple. 🥈 Pigeon – A lactation consultant favorite, but a bit pricier. 🥉 Evenflo Balance+ – A great alternative, especially if Avent Natural is too slow for your baby.
⚠️ What about Avent Natural? Avent fits Spectra breast pumps, but many parents report that the flow is too slow, making it hard for some babies to extract milk.
Dr. Brown’s Bottles: A Special Mention
Dr. Brown’s bottles are widely known for their anti-colic system, but they aren’t always the best baby bottle choice for breastfeeding infants
✔️ Good for:
- Babies with reflux or excessive gas.
- Babies with lip tie, since the narrow nipple can sometimes help with latch issues (consult a lactation consultant first!).
⚠️ But keep in mind: ❌ The narrow base is different from breastfeeding mechanics, which may impact latch development. ❌ The anti-colic vent system requires extra cleaning and maintenance.
💡 Best for: Babies struggling with gas, reflux, or diagnosed latch issues.
Flat Nipple Bottles—Helpful or Harmful?
Brands like Tommee Tippee, MAM, and Herobility feature flat nipples—but are they the best baby bottle for your little one?
✅ Pros: ✔️ Already compressed, making it easier for babies with poor oral coordination. ✔️ Can help babies who have trouble latching due to weak suck or low muscle tone.
⚠️ Cons: ❌ Different from breastfeeding mechanics, which may cause transition issues. ❌ Risk of nipple preference – Baby may start preferring the bottle over the breast. ❌ Some babies with high palates or weak suck may actually struggle more with flat nipples.
💡 Final Tip: If your goal is to breastfeed and bottlefeed, try a rounded tip bottle first. If you find that your baby has issues transferring milk, consult with a lactation consultant to identify what the root cause is before purchasing bottles featuring a flat nipple.
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