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Best Bottles for Breastfed Babies
June 21, 2024

Best Bottles for Breastfed Babies

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Best Bottles for Breastfed Babies.

Breastfeeding is one of the many ways you can nourish and comfort your baby, and many parents cherish the closeness that nursing provides. But it can also be tricky being your baby’s only source of food—especially when the realities of life sneak their way into that newborn bliss. Going back to work, an illness, catching up on some much-needed sleep or simply wanting to take some time away for yourself are just a few of the many reasons you might want to introduce a bottle to your breastfed baby. Pumping or using a passive milk collector to stash some breast milk for your little one and finding a bottle they’ll accept—because, yes, babies tend to be picky—can give you peace of mind when you’re away. Babies tend to use different mouth movements to remove milk from the breast versus a bottle, so breastfed babies need a nipple that’s a bit more sloped than most bottles on the market. (But even with the ideal nipple, they may still refuse and be picky about their preferred bottle. So be sure to check out our general best bottles and best glass bottles guides for more suggestions!)

Why Trust Babylist?

Babylist is the expert in baby; we know baby gear inside and out. We talk with parents face-to-face in our showroom and on our user panels and hear from thousands of people annually via our Best Baby Products survey. We know what items millions of expecting parents are adding to their baby registries.

As a mom of two (who breastfed both babies), I’ve had the opportunity to test out dozens of bottles during my own feeding journey with both of my children. I am also a Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC) and used both of these experiences to help choose the bottles on this list.

For an expert POV, I spoke with physical therapist and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) Emily Spaeth, founder of Be Well Baby PDX. IBCLCs are the highest accredited healthcare professionals in lactation; they’ve completed years of training requirements including lactation-specific education and hands-on clinical training. I also talked to Allyson Murphy, IBCLC, founder of Lactation Ally based in New Jersey.  And I incorporated baby bottle feedback from the experts in the trenches: thousands of parents via Babylist’s annual Best Baby Products survey with feedback from over 6,000 Babylist users along with parents on the Babylist team.

Here’s what to look for if you want to introduce a bottle for your breastfed baby or transition from breast to bottle and the best bottles to get your started.

Babylist’s Top Picks for the Best Bottles for Breastfed Babies

Best Bottle for Transition from Breast to Bottle

Pros:

  • Gradual nipple shape mimics breast anatomy
  • Encourage a natural, wide latch

Cons:

  • Some parents say the nipples leak and tear easily
  • Slowest flow may still be too fast for some babies
What Our Experts Think

Lansinoh used over 50 years of research to design this bottle, and their hard work paid off. The nipple is ergonomically designed to mimic the natural breast and nipple shape, helping baby to use the same sucking motion for each and easing the transition between breast and bottle. When baby is nursing at the breast, they’re latching onto breast tissue and the nipple (so you want a nipple they can get a wide latch on versus one they’re just sucking the long nipple of). There’s also a venting system to reduce air intake and an inner vertical groove on the nipple that prevents collapse.

What Real Parents Say

“My daughter hated using bottles leading up to going to daycare. After starting daycare it got even worse. There was one day, the third day, she would [not] eat at all. After asking fellow moms in a FB moms group someone recommended Lansinoh Bottles. The very first time using it, she latched right on!! No Chewing! It has been a game-changer for us. We are so thankful knowing that our baby is able to eat while at daycare. This is the only brand of bottle that we have found so far that actually has a similar triangular nipple shape to that of a breast in their mouth. My only wish is that the bottle was wider for cleaning (I hate bottle brushes and making micro scratches) but the nipple has been absolutely perfect!” — Manda

“My son had to see a specialist as a newborn. He had all 4 mouth ties and latching was difficult. They were about to pull out their bottle recommendation when they saw mine and said these are the best for breastfed babies and pulled out the same bottle. I’ve ordered some glass ones to try. I would recommend these.” — Thomas23

“Only bottle my babies would take. I bought every bottle on the market known to man and stumbled upon this after reading an article by a lactation consultant. After refusing all bottles, my baby gladly accepted this one. There are no bells and whistles with this. Plain and simple design. I only wish it had other colors.”— andreas374

“My breastfed baby who got used to using a nipple shield would not accept ANYYY bottles - until we found these. Please try these bottles if your very particular EBF [exclusively breastfed] baby turns her nose up at every bottle you have tried, especially if you have been using a nipple shield.” — itstheliddlethings

Best Bottle for Breastfed Babies for the Perfect Latch

Pros:

  • Sloped nipple mimics natural breast anatomy
  • Few pieces for easy cleaning

Cons:

  • Measurements can be tough to see when filled with milk
  • Some parents say the medium-flow nipples collapse easily
  • Prone to leaking if the cap isn’t put on correctly
What Our Experts Think

A good latch is essential for both breast and bottle feeding, which is why we love this breastfeeding-friendly bottle from Evenflo developed with a pediatric feeding specialist. It’s specially designed to help your baby position their mouth for a proper latch. There’s also a slow-flow nipple to help your breastfed baby pace their feed and an integrated venting system. If you prefer to stay away from plastic bottles, check out their glass version. Note: some parents say the measurements on this bottle can be a bit tough to see.

What Real Parents Say

“Our newborn (kiddo #7) was struggling to gain weight. She had a tongue tie revision but bottles were still “drowning” her. Our CLC recommended these bottles to us and they worked! She’s now a happy and “plump” 2 month old much thanks to these wonderful bottles. I’ve used Dr. Browns and Avent with our other babies and tried Comotomo for her but these ones ended up being the “right” ones for her.” — Lynn

“My 3-month-old is exclusively breastfed, but needed to be supplemented with formula, so I added more bottles to our collection. I liked that he took the nipple shape better and with a good latch. The numbers are printed in white so it’s hard to see when mixing formula. They were better when I was just using them for breast milk. The wide mouth is easy to clean. Getting the nipple into the ring took some practice, as did the airflow valve.” — T.S.

“I exclusively pump for my 7 week old, and I love these bottles. They don’t fit on my spectra pump, and I’m not sure if they fit any portable warmers, but as of right now I’m fine with that. I wish they came in 5oz wide neck also, since I’m never feeding a full 9 oz anyway. My baby seems to spit up way less when I use these compared to other bottles. 10/10 recommend. I know they’re constantly out of stock but definitely worth trying to get ahold of. Easy to clean, solid parts, and durable. They warm up well and travel great.” — Sonia T

“Great for EBF baby. She takes to it without any trouble with a great wide latch. I was worried about introducing bottles and nipple confusion. These bottles work back and forth with nursing with no confusion.” — Des

Best Anti-Colic Bottle for Breastfed Babies

Pros:

  • Venting system helps prevent air bubbles while feeding
  • Can also be used without the venting system
  • Consistent nipple flow

Cons:

  • A lot of parts to clean
  • Some parents say these bottles leak
What Our Experts Think

Loved by parents, babies and lactation specialists alike, Dr. Brown’s unique venting system eliminates air bubbles during feeding, reducing the likelihood of gas, spit-up and even colic. While their nipple shape doesn’t closely mirror a natural nipple anatomy, many babies take them just fine due to their consistent, predictable flow. “Dr. Brow’sn uses a laser to create the hole in the nipple of [their] bottles,” says Emily Spaeth, IBCLC and founder of Be Well Baby PDX. She says that nipples made using a needle to create the hole will have more variation in flow (even among the same flow rate). And thanks to their special design, these bottles have been proven to help better preserve milk nutrients. Although this set does come with level one slow-flow nipples, lactation consultants recommend purchasing a preemie nipple to help breastfed babies transition to the bottle. You can also easily remove the venting system once your baby outgrows it.

What Real Parents Say

“Great bottles to reduce colic. They are more complicated to clean but worth it.” — Fiorella

“We tried a sampler of various bottles but Dr. Brown’s was the one that worked best for our baby. If you’re breastfeeding and concerned about nipple confusion, it might not seem like the best choice with so many new bottles on the market. Dr. B’s has served us well and (after initial first weeks of daycare challenges where she first refused bottles then the breast) my daughter has no problem continuing to breastfeed when we’re together or taking a bottle happily the rest of the time. And her latch is awesome.” — Rebecca O.

“If you’ve done your research then you know Dr. Brown’s bottles are the best to avoid colic. This set was good for the amount of bottles we needed and the caps included came in handy for warming up bottles. Only complaint is there is some leakage from the cap if you’re maximizing the amount of milk.” — Iliana

Best Nipple for Breastfed Babies

Pros:

  • Ideal shape for latching that mimics the breast
  • Line to guide proper latch
  • Easy to clean

Cons:

  • Nipple flow sizing can be confusing
  • Only available to purchase on Amazon or the brand’s website
What Our Experts Think

If your breastfed baby is struggling with taking a bottle, here’s a tip that many lactation consultants will share: try a Pigeon bottle. This Japanese brand is known for its nipples that help even the most stubborn of bottle refusers. The secret lies in the nipple’s size, feel and shape. It’s thinner than many other bottle nipples, breast-shaped with a gentle slope and features a textured surface and inner ridges to prevent collapse. It’s also very slow-flowing, a must-have for breastfed babies. Pigeon bottle nipples also work with some other bottle brands, including the Lansinoh bottles featured in this guide.

What Real Parents Say

“This is the only bottle my exclusively breastfeeding baby would take. I have tried many. The nipple is soft but not collapsing, and shape of the nipples creates a better mouth seal. The flow ss (super slow) is very slow and perfect for newborns. Highly recommend it if your little one is struggling with transitioning from breast to bottles.” — Wenrui W

“When my son was born, we had an extremely difficult time in finding the right bottle for him to use. The problem was that the baby latched onto the breast beautifully, but he had a really hard time latching to any bottles we tried. We tried so many different brands of bottles: Avent, dr browns, medela, etc. You name it, we tried it. It wasn’t until my friend recommended this bottle brand that the baby started taking the bottle! We have now ordered from this brand of bottles 4x already because they are just that amazing. I’m extremely grateful for these bottles as my baby isn’t colicky, he drinks his milk within 25 minutes, and doesn’t have a hard time latching to it. I highly recommend this product. Oh! and it’s VERY easy to clean. There’s only three parts that need washing: the bottle, the nipple, and the cap! no excess anti-colic pieces because the anti colic is in the nipple itself.” — Gabi G.

“I have tried so many other bottle brands (Evenflo, Dr. Brown, Spectra) and was disappointed with all of them for similar and different reasons. My 5 week old baby developed a shallow latch because of those other brands and the way the nipples are designed with a steep slope. I had to stop breastfeeding because of her shallow latch and other issues/frustrations but wanted to still try to find a bottle that enabled her to latch and feed appropriately despite being now exclusively formula-fed. I saw that Pigeon bottles were recommended for this reason, I made the switch, and I’m so happy I did! She latches to the bottle appropriately and does really well with each feeding. She’s not sucking in additional air because of the sloped nipple design and the [vent] helps prevent colic without needing additional bottle parts (unlike Dr. Brown’s bottles). I also haven’t experienced any leaking. I’m so happy I made the switch. I would definitely recommend this brand!” — M.L.

Best Bottle Box for Breastfed Babies

Pros:

  • Ability to try 5 popular baby bottles before committing
  • Includes only plastic or silicone bottle options

Cons:

What Our Experts Think

Not to toot our own horn but…toot, toot, we think this bottle box is pretty genius. A great add to any baby registry, it includes five of the most popular baby bottles so you can test drive each before committing to a full set of any one brand. It’s especially useful if you’re a nursing parent with a picky baby and want to try a few bottles before you commit. Inside you’ll find bottles from nanobébé, Comotomo, Philips Avent, Dr. Brown’s and Boon (all with level one slow flow nipples). If you prefer glass bottles over plastic or silicone, there’s a sampler box for those, too.

What Babylist Parents Say

“I think this is a great starter box for those who want to try a few bottles to see what works for their baby. Mine is breastfeeding and during our transition to bottle, it’s nice to try which bottle seems to work best for the baby before spending on a bunch of bottles.” — Andrea

“Great concept for a first-time mom like myself who has no idea what to buy. There are so many options out there and it’s tough to go based on reviews since every baby is different. I loved this bottle pack, and just 2 weeks in I know which ones work best for my family.” — Rachel L.

“An absolute must-have. I’m a first-time mom and all my friends told me to add this to my registry because baby will let me know what bottle she prefers. So many options to choose from and great quality.” — Emily S.

“We tried all of these bottles and our little one only liked one of them. And we found ones we didn’t like as parents too. Finding the right bottle and nipple is so so important when starting a feeding journey with your baby. And this made it so much easier and cheaper.” — Melissa H.

“So happy we did the bottle box! My baby has been really picky with bottles and we ended up having to try 4 different types to find one she liked. This is so much nicer to already have a variety supply instead of buying a bunch of larger packs and wasting money. Highly recommend!” — Lauren K.

How We Chose the Best Bottles for Breastfed Babies

  • We analyzed results from Babylist’s Best Baby Products survey, which polled 6,000 Babylist users and asked them to share the baby products they love the most and why.

  • We utilized insight from the Babylist editorial team, including me, assistant editor, Briana Engelbrecht, CLC, and a mom of two who has personally researched and tested many different types of baby bottles.

  • We interviewed two experts: Emily Spaeth, an IBCLC and a physical therapist and founder of Be Well Baby PDX, and Allyson Murphy, an IBCLC of Lactation Ally

  • We read customer reviews from hundreds of Babylist users and spoke to parents on our Babylist staff about their real-life product experiences.

When to Introduce a Bottle for a Breastfed Baby

IBCLC Allyson Murphy recommends introducing a bottle between three and six weeks. “That’s because babies have a natural instinct at that time to suck on anything you put in their mouth,” she says.

The oral motor function required to suck from a breast versus a bottle is very different. This is why you want a bottle that closely resembles the look and feel of a breast, since it’ll help them use similar mechanics. Introducing the bottle in the three- to six-week time frame offers the best shot at baby being able to master both.

“If breastfeeding is going well, it’s a great time to introduce the bottle,” she explains.

What to Look for in the Best Bottles for Breastfed Babies

There are certain features many lactation professionals recommend when choosing a bottle for a breastfed baby. But don’t discount your baby’s personal preferences, either. “The perfect bottle for your breastfed baby is the bottle that your baby will take,” says Murphy.

In general, here are the features to look for when choosing a bottle for your breastfed baby:

Nipple type

What nipple type is best for a breastfed baby? Many lactation consultants recommend looking for a bottle with a nipple that has a gradual slope, meaning the top of the nipple is narrow and then gradually slopes outward toward the bottom. This encourages baby’s mouth to open wider and can help them achieve a deep latch, similar to how they latch when nursing. However, every baby is different, and some babies will have no problem drinking from a bottle with a wider nipple base. You also may have to experiment with a few different brands to see what your baby prefers.

Nipple flow

 It’s best to start with a slow-flow nipple when introducing a bottle to a baby who is regularly breastfed. Much like with nipple shapes, however, don’t be surprised if you need to try a few different brands before landing on a winner. What’s slow flow to one brand may not be slow at all for another, so you may have to do a bit of trial and error to find what works, says Murphy.

Venting system

If your baby is prone to gas or fussiness, you may want to choose a bottle with a good venting system. There’s no guarantee that any particular venting system will ease your little one’s discomfort, but there’s also no downside in trying a few different types, either.

Materials

Just as you would choose a bottle material for an exclusively formula-fed baby, the same holds true for a baby who’s switching between the bottle and the breast: choose what works for you. Plastic, glass and silicone baby bottles all have their own pros and cons. Pick the one that works best for your preferences and your lifestyle.

Pro tip: Instead of committing to a full set of a single bottle brand, buy one of a few different brands to see what your little one (and you) prefer.

How to Introduce a Bottle to a Breastfed Baby

There are a few things Murphy recommends when introducing the bottle:

  • Upright hold. The position that a baby feeds in from a breast is different than how most people tend to hold babies while bottle feeding. You’ll want to try to mimic that as closely as possible when you’re bottle feeding. Hold your little one a bit more upright with the bottle parallel to the floor so the milk is coming at them, not down into them. This makes them work to get the milk rather than gravity doing it for them.

  • Paced feeding. Breastfed babies tend to pause often while feeding. Make sure you’re pacing bottle feedings, too, so the faster flow of the bottle nipple doesn’t get overwhelming. Pause every few minutes (by tilting the bottle down and stopping the milk flow) and let baby take their time on the bottle. This also prevents them from preferring a fast, easy bottle and deciding the work of nursing at the breast is too hard.

Some babies will transition from breast to bottle with hardly any issues at all. For others, it’s not that easy. Murphy outlines some tips for an easier transition.

  • Set the stage for success. Two o’clock in the morning isn’t a great time to do anything, let alone introduce a breastfed baby to their first bottle. The same goes for a particularly tired or cranky day. For the best shot at success, pick a time of day when baby (and whoever is doing the feeding!) is rested and in a good mood.

  • Start slow. Murphy recommends using a slow-flow nipple and starting with one feeding each day to get a breastfed baby used to taking a bottle. This can be a full feeding or even a few ounces, but the key is to start slow and build from there.

  • Try, try and try again. Like so much of parenting, patience is key when it comes to introducing the bottle. Try not to freak out if your little one doesn’t immediately take to the bottle. (Easier said than done—we get it.) Just like breastfeeding, taking a bottle is new to you and to your little one, so try your best not to get frustrated. If you can tell things aren’t working out, Murphy recommends putting away the bottle and trying again another day.

  • Switch it up. Babies will often refuse a bottle from the nursing parent. If you find that’s the case, switch things up. Ask your partner, a grandparent, a caregiver or friend to give the bottle a whirl. You can also try a different feeding position to change things up, like feeding while walking around or feeding in an upright bouncy seat so you can get a good view of baby’s latch on the bottle nipple.

  • Consistency is key. According to Murphy, one of the biggest missteps she sees new parents make is a lack of consistency when it comes to bottle feeding. Once you introduce the bottle, keep it up. Make sure you’re bottle feeding at least once each day so baby doesn’t get out of practice.

Still struggling? Don’t hesitate to reach out to a lactation consultant or even a speech-language pathologist who specializes in infant feeding, Murphy says. Sometimes a little help from the experts is all you’ll need to get baby on track with bottles.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many baby bottles do I need?

You should have three to four baby bottles on hand if you’re using them occasionally to feed your breastfed baby. If you’re exclusively bottle feeding, 6 to 12 is a good number to ensure you’ll always have one ready to go when you need it.

What size baby bottle do I need?

Most bottles come in two sizes: smaller-sized bottles, usually around four ounces, and larger bottles, which hold about eight ounces of breast milk or formula. As a benchmark, newborns may eat as little as an ounce or two every meal, while babies around six months old may eat six to eight ounces at a feeding. Some parents choose to buy a few smaller and larger bottles, while others buy larger bottles from the start and only fill them up about halfway during baby’s first few months.


Briana Engelbrecht

Assistant Editor

Briana Engelbrecht is Babylist’s Assistant Editor, where she brings her passion for early childhood development and the perinatal period, plus experience as a mom of two to Babylist articles and guides. She’s also a certified lactation counselor. A former preschool teacher, she loves children’s picture books, cats, plants and making things.


Jen LaBracio,

Senior Gear Editor, CPST

Jen LaBracio is Babylist’s Senior Gear Editor and a Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST). When she’s not geeking out over car seats, testing out a new high chair or pushing the latest stroller model around her neighborhood, she likes to run, do all things Peloton, listen to podcasts, read and spend time at the beach. In her past life, she worked for over a decade in children’s publishing. She lives outside of Chicago with her husband and their two boys, Will and Ben.

This information is provided for educational and entertainment purposes only. We do not accept any responsibility for any liability, loss or risk, personal or otherwise, incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, from any information or advice contained here. Babylist may earn compensation from affiliate links in this content. Learn more about how we write Babylist content and review products, as well as the Babylist Health Advisory Board.