Going from breast to bottle can be a challenge for some babies (and moms!) Some babies flat-out refuse a bottle leading many parents to ask what the best baby bottles for breastfed babies really is.
But let’s face it – it’s nearly impossible to breastfeed all the time! At some point, your baby is going to need to take a bottle, whether it is because you are heading back to work or going on date night. Most babies do fine with the transition, while others struggle with the different latch and milk flow of a bottle. Many new parents worry about nipple confusion when trying bottles for the first time.
Finding the best bottles for breastfed babies can be tough. But once you find the right bottle, bottle feeds with your baby will be a breeze.
It’s hard to know which brand to choose, but here’s a little secret for you that I’m sure all lactation consultants agree with: the best baby bottle for your breastfed baby is the one they will drink from.
There, I said it! There really is no “perfect bottle” that works for every kid. My advice is to buy a few different bottles and different brands to see which one your infant likes the most.
While there is not one perfect brand of bottle, there are some bottle and nipple types that are better than others. Keep reading to see which bottles are best for breastfeeding babies!
All prices listed are accurate at the time of publishing. The cost of each product may vary. This post contains affiliate links, meaning if a purchase is made using links from this page I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. This does not alter my review of these products.
Related: How Long Does Reheated Breast Milk Last? A Guide For Milk Storage
Best Baby Bottles for Breastfed Babies
Best Overall: Philips Avent Natural Baby Bottle
Philips Avent Natural are my number one choice. These bottles are what I personally used with all three of my breastfeeding babies when they needed a bottle feeding.
Bottle Features:
- Wide neck bottle nipple that mimics the mother’s breast
- Slow flow nipple to resemble the flow of breast milk. Easy to progress to a medium flow nipple as baby gets bigger.
- Ergonomic design to make it easier for the person feeding the baby
- Comes in 2, 4, 8, 9 or 11 ounce sizes
- Very easy to take apart and clean
- Anti-colic nipple design to bring air flow away from baby’s tummy
- Comes in clear, pink or blue
- Mix and match with toddler cups
- BPA-free bottles
My favorite feature of these bottles is that they grow with your baby. You can switch out to larger nipple sizes as baby grows. Avent also makes sippy cup lids that fit to the bottle.
You can also purchase bottle handles so older babies can practice feeding themselves.
Bonus: if you use a Spectra breast pump, you can pump right into the bottles. If you use other brands, like Medela, purchase an adapter to pump directly into the bottles.
The biggest con I have found is that the nipple holes wear out pretty fast. If baby feeds from a bottle often, they may need to be replaced every few weeks.
You can purchase a 2 pack of 4 ounce bottles on Amazon for $13.99.
Related: 7 Things To Do To Help Your Breastmilk Supply From Day One
Best Baby Bottles For Reflux: Dr. Brown’s Anti-Colic Bottles
Dr. Brown’s is the best baby bottles for parents that want to use glass bottles. Their anti-colic bottles come in both a wide-neck nipple as well as a narrow nipple. Choose whichever one is most similar to your breast and nipple shape.
Some parents find that the more narrow nipple fits better into your baby’s mouth. These are the best baby bottles for babies that struggle with colic or gas bubbles – the anti-colic features and air venting system means less air bubbles get through the nipple holes.
Features:
- Anti-colic valve to keep air away from baby’s belly
- Glass bottles
- Very affordable – a 4-pack costs between $15-20
- Dishwasher and sterilizer safe
- A variety of designs and colors
- Nipple sizes range from Ultra-Preemie, Preemie nipple, Newborn, and beyond
- Can choose a wide base nipple or the slender nipple
The biggest con of the Dr. Brown’s bottles is that they have a lot of pieces to clean. Their anti-colic design means there are extra parts that require a little more cleaning.
If your baby struggles with gas and spit-up, give these a try.
You can get a 4-pack of narrow neck Dr. Brown bottles for $17 or a 4-pack of the wide-neck bottles for $19.99.
Best Bottle For A Breastfed Baby That Refuses Bottle: Comotomo Natural Feel Baby Bottle
Comotomo is a popular choice because its shape mimics the breast. The bottle itself is made of silicone and is very soft to mimic breastfeeding.
The best bottles for babies that refuse a bottle are the ones that widen at the base. That’s because the baby can latch similar to how they would latch at the breast. The Comotomo bottle does just that, making it a great bottle for a breastfed baby that refuses bottles.
Bottle Features:
- Wide mound to feel more like a breast
- Easy to clean bottle
- Anti-colic vents
- Comes in pink or green
- Can buy either 5 ounce or 8 ounce bottles
- Safe for dishwashers and sterilizers
- Slow-flow nipple and Fast Flow nipples available for purchase
The biggest con is that some parents complained that the bottles leak. This doesn’t seem to be an issue for everyone, but it is a design flaw that some bottles have.
Another con? The bottom of the bottle is round and soft that they don’t stand well on the countertop. Make sure your lid is on tight before setting it down.
You can buy a 2 pack of 5 ounce bottles for $19.99 on Amazon.
Related: 6 Safe Ways To Dry Up Breast Milk Quickly (Without Pain)
Best Baby Bottle for Easy Latching: Nanobébé Silicone Bottles
Similar to Comotomo, the Nanobébé silicone bottles are soft and shaped like the breast. They feature a flat bottom for a stable base – meaning they won’t tip the same way Comotomo bottles do.
Product Features:
- Anti-colic design with vents in nipples to allow for air to escape
- Wide-neck bottle to mimic the breast
- Nipple designed so it doesn’t collapse while baby is sucking
- Comes in a variety of colors and sizes up to 9 ounces
- Non-tipping design
Nanobébé are the most expensive bottles on this list. You can purchase a 3-pack of 5 ounce bottles on Amazon for $24.
Best on A Budget: Lansinoh Baby Bottles For Breastfeeding Babies
Lansioh has been a leader in the breast pump industry for years, so it only makes sense they’d make awesome bottles, too!
They feature a unique nipple design called NaturalWave nipples, which they claim is clinically proven to reduce nipple confusion. This is ideal for moms that want to go back and forth between breastfeeding and bottle feeding.
Product features:
- Attaches to Lansnioh breast pumps for easy milk storage
- Unique nipple design to allow for easy transitions between breast and bottle
- NaturalWave nipple is anti-colic
- Has both glass and plastic bottles
- Very inexpensive
Lansinoh bottles are the most affordable on the list. You can purchase a 3 pack of 5 ounce bottles on Amazon for just $11.99.
Related: 13 Simple Things That Will Increase Breast Milk Supply Fast
Runner-up For Best On A Budget: Tommee Tippee Closer To Nature
Tommee Tippee has a great set of bottles designed with slow-flow nipples and a natural feel.
Features:
- Many color options
- Anti-colic valve to reduce excess air flow
- BPA-free plastic
- Breast-like nipple
The Tommee Tippee Closer To Nature Bottles are very affordable. Get a 3-pack of 9 ounce bottles for just $21.30 on Amazon.
Best Bottle For Mimicking Mom’s Breast: Nuk Simply Natural Bottle With SafeTemp
Nuk’s unique nipple design has several openings for milk flow, just like mom’s breast. This helps provide a more natural feed for baby – they may not even notice the difference in milk flow! This is another great option for a breastfed baby that refuses bottle.
Product Features:
- Nipple with multiple openings to mimic mother’s breast. Comes in 3, 6 or 9 holes depending on your desired flow rate
- SafeTemp indicator to let you know if the milk is too hot
- Comes in a variety of colors, patterns and designs (including licensed character designs like Mickey and Minnie Mouse!)
- Anti-colic air vent to release excess air
- Easy-to-clean design
Nuk’s bottles are very affordable. You can get a 6-pack of 5 ounce bottles for $29.68 on Amazon.
What to do when a breastfed baby refuses a bottle
For some babies, a bottle is just not the real thing. Some babies struggle with an artificial nipple and will refuse anything but the mother’s breast.
The best bottle for a breastfed baby that refuses a bottle is one that widens at the base. Bottles where the nipples are longer may be more difficult for babies to latch to. You should also choose a slow-flow nipple to mimic mom’s milk flow.
Here are some things to try if your breastfed baby refuses bottles:
- Have someone else feed the baby. Ask a family member to give the baby a bottle, and leave the room when they do. Sometimes if a baby knows that mom is nearby, they are less Iikely to take a bottle.
- Try different positions. It can be tempting to feed the baby when they are laying flat, just like when they are breastfeeding. However, the flow of a bottle is different than the flow of the breast and your baby may struggle to control the flow of milk. Instead, try sitting the baby more upright and try doing a paced feeding. This will help the flow rate if the baby is having a hard time with a bottle.
- Check the temperature of the milk. Whether you are using formula or breastmilk, try to mimic the temperature of mom’s milk. The milk may need to be a little warmer or cooler to make it more palatable to baby.
- Let the baby latch to the bottle. Don’t force the bottle into baby’s mouth. Instead, introduce it next to baby’s mouth, just like the breast. Allow baby to try to latch themselves to a bottle.
- Use a nipple similar to mom’s breast shape. Everyone’s anatomy is a little different, just like every bottle. Try to choose a bottle with a nipple shape similar to yours.
- Keep trying. The first bottle is the most difficult and your baby may struggle to get a good latch. Be patient and keep reintroducing the bottle!
- See a Lactation Consultant. Find a lactation counselor or consultant in your area to assess how your baby latches to a bottle.
Related: Pain When Breastfeeding? Try These 10 Things
Tips for bottle feeding a breastfeeding baby
- Make sure to pump after every feed baby takes from the bottle. This will make sure you make enough milk and don’t hurt your supply.
- Invest in a good bottle brush and drying rack. To prevent bacterial growth, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning and sterilizing your bottle. You can also purchase a bottle sterilizer or steam bags.
- Try and choose a nipple shape close to mom’s nipple shape. This can help prevent nipple confusion and will increase the chances of baby taking a bottle on the first try.
- Don’t wait to long to introduce a bottle! The best time to introduce a bottle is between 4-6 weeks of age. At this point, breastfeeding is well established and nipple confusion is less likely.
- Paced feedings will help baby eat better. Feed the baby slowly with frequent interruptions for burping. Hold the baby more upright and hold the bottle flat so the baby has to draw the milk from the nipple in a way similar to how they would draw milk from the breast.
- Check the milk’s flavor. If your milk has high lipase activity it may taste more metallic. Baby may not like the flavor! Scalding the milk prior to freezing or adding a drop of alcohol free vanilla may be beneficial.
Giving your baby a bottle for the first time can be exciting! Hopefully you find the best bottle for your baby and have no troubles with getting your baby to feed when you’re unable to breastfeed.
Did you find any other bottles or products helped you? Leave me a note in the comments!
