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What Are the Best Bottles for Breastfed Babies
This article is sponsored by Chicco. Thank you for supporting the brands that support Motherly and mamas.
Breastfeeding is truly a force of nature. Information technology can deepen the bond between babe and mama for years to come up. It tin can cutting the gamble of SIDS in one-half. It fifty-fifty has its ain emojiandits own Sesame Street episode.
But, mamas, listen upwardly—we'd be lying if we told you that breastfeeding isn't toohard. It can be stressful, and when it doesn't become as planned, it can make yous feel like a full failure, fifty-fifty thoughsomany moms struggle with breastfeeding.
Getting a breastfed baby to take a bottle is one ofthewell-nigh prevalent breastfeeding issues amid new moms according toJamie Owens, RN and Board Certified Lactation Consultant. If your baby is refusing the canteen, don't panic, mamas—you're non solitary. And we tin can aid.
From chest to canteen: What'southward the bargain?
As a breastfeeding mom, you may desire to incorporate bottles for a variety of reasons. Maybe you demand to be away from baby for a while, or want your partner to get more involved with feedings, or baby is struggling a bit on the breast. Whatever the reason, incorporating bottles into infant'due south feeding routine is totally healthy and, when washed correctly, according to Owens, won't undermine your baby'southward power to breastfeed effectively.
Sounds like shooting fish in a barrel, right? [Insert the sound of the universe laughing here??]
Unfortunately, getting a breastfed baby to take a bottle can exist 1 heck of a feat forlotsof mamas, and it's not all that surprising every bit to why, says Owens. Bottle nipples arenotmama'southward nipples, and babies can sense and experience the obvious departure.
The style a babe takes in milk besides differs; in order to get milk out of a breast, a baby needs to suck in a completely different way than if she were taking milk from a canteen. And then at that place'due south flow, which, according to Owens, is the most important deviation of all. Milk from a bottle flows faster and more easily than it does from a breast, and once a baby gets used to the faster flow of a bottle, it'south oft frustrating to and so switch back and forth.
So what's a mama to do?
Timing is everything: When should you introduce a bottle?
Co-ordinate to many lactation consultants, timing is key when it comes to introducing a bottle to a breastfed baby. If breastfeeding is going well and infant (and mama) are thriving, Owens recommends waiting two weeks before beginning to pump. (Information technology usually takes about this time to establish your supply and get babe back to their nascence weight.)
Between two and four weeks is the ideal fourth dimension to innovate a breastfed infant to a bottle.
Start besides presently and it can interfere with production; but, wait likewise long and infant is much more probable to refuse the bottle. Start with no more than a few ounces of lukewarm-to-warm chest milk—you don't want to waste that liquid gold!—and brand sure baby is calm (and hungry) when you try.
Utilise a bottle with a slow menses nipple, and be sure to burp baby a few times throughout the feeding. Andbe consistent;aim for at to the lowest degree one bottle a week at minimum, if non more.
Sounds great, but my baby is still refusing the bottle...at present what do I do?
Relax, take a few deep breaths, and endeavour some of these tips below from our lactation consultant:
Make sure yous're using a wearisome menstruum nipple and a breastfeeding-friendly canteen. (Lots more than on that below.)
Take your partner requite the canteen. Newborns may benew, but they're smarter than we think, and they're more probable to accept a bottle from your partner rather than from mom.
Trigger the rooting reflex. Identify the bottle in baby'due south mouth and utilise your finger to lightly touch their cheek; this will stimulate their rooting reflex, making it more probable that they'll latch on.
Try a bait-and-switch. If babe likes a pacifier, let them suck for a bit then popular information technology out and rapidly replace it with the canteen; they may be none the wiser.
Experiment with a dream feed. Baby may be more likely to accept the bottle if they're hungry + not fully awake.
Don't push it. A screaming baby is tough to feed whether from the breastorbottle. If everyone'south getting frustrated, accept a interruption and come back in five minutes to effort again.
What are the best bottles for breastfed babies?
Decisions, decisions. Not to worry, mama—we did the enquiry and then you don't have to. At that place are lots of factors to consider when choosing a bottle: cost, material, ease of cleaning (or lack thereof), nipple options and anti-colic features, just to proper name a few.
Keeping all of these in mind, hither are our picks for the top eight bottles for breastfed babies. And remember, finding the right bottle for you lot & baby often involves a lot of trial and error, so nosotros don't recommend buying in majority until you acquire what you similar!
$19.99 for a 2-pack
1. Chicco DUO Hybrid Baby Canteen
With the Chicco DUO Babe Bottle, your babe'southward milk merely touches pure Invinci-Glass™ glass while the exterior is made with unbreakable plastic. In other words? It's the best of both worlds for parents who appreciate the purity of glass and the convenience of plastic. With that much attention paid to the bottle'due south materials, y'all better believe the DUO'southward design is similarly vivid: With the unique Intui-Latch™️ Nipple, anti-colic valve and breast-like flow, the DUO is a perfect option for breastfed babies.
Reviewers say: "I only recently had my third child. I've ever used Dr. Brown's bottles with my other children, so naturally I figured I'd do the same this time. Instead, 1 day I ventured out and tried the Chicco DUO bottles and give thanks goodness I did. They are very lightweight and super like shooting fish in a barrel to make clean. They only accept a few pieces. Equally far as anti-colic, they worked bang-up for my daughter and I even retrieve she likes these bottles way meliorate due to the shape of the nipple. I as well want to mention that the inside of these bottles are glass, and then formula/milk will never touch on plastic, which is a huge plus. I was worried that since the bottles were drinking glass they would break easily—but they don't. (I dropped mine a few times!) I'1000 assuming this is due to the outer layer being plastic. I think this is a great canteen and I'm happy Chicco expanded into the canteen world!" -Pen Proper noun
$fourteen.39 for a 2-pack
2. Philips Avent Natural
The Philips Avent Natural bottle got the height selection from our lactation consultant because of the specially designed slow-flow nipple. The unique petal design is soft and flexible, but won't collapse, and the canteen features a built-in anti-colic venting system that's like shooting fish in a barrel to make clean and reduces air intake. The Natural bottle is available in both BPA-free plastic and drinking glass.
Reviewers say: "I dear that these bottles piece of work with my Spectra flanges. Nosotros've tried just about every bottle, and these are what my babe uses (I'thou an exclusive pumper). She uses the slowest flow size 0 nipple (purchased separately), but I nevertheless have to footstep feed with it. Without pace feeding, it takes under v minutes for my baby to potable 4oz, which is fashion too fast. With stride feeding, we can extend it out to x-15 minutes. I wish the nipple was withal a little scrap slower, but these are the all-time bottles we've tried so far and we've tried over 20 other brands. I loved Comotomo too, but they autumn over hands and aren't compatible with my Spectra, then these come out ahead."–Nim
$15.99 for a 3-pack
iii. Lansinoh Momma Breastmilk Feeding Canteen
Based on l+ years of breastfeeding research and designed by a visitor that'due south supported mamas + babies for 35 years, it's no surprise Lansinoh makes the cut. The magic is in the NaturalWave Nipple, a soft and flexible nipple that is specifically designed to reduce confusion by ergonomically mimicking a natural breast. Trivial ones can utilize the aforementioned sucking method to expel milk whether they're nursing or using the bottle which is primal for making a shine transition.
Reviewers say: "People do not understand how difficult it is when your breastfed babe will. not. take. a. bottle. Equally y'all can see in the movie, we tried almost 20 bottles/sippy cups. She refused, and I mean knockdown drag out refused ALL of them until this magical canteen. What used to exist an hr-long attempt to go even 2oz of breast milk or formula into this canteen-hating baby has turned into 6+oz in 8 minutes or less. It is phenomenal. Astounding. I nearly died of shock. Seriously, if this is you, try this bottle."—j.thousand.g.
$15.78 for a 3-pack
4. Munchkin Latch
When it comes to successful feeding, whether it'due south from breast or bottle, your baby's latch is clutch. That's why we recommend Munchkin'southward Latch canteen. The nipple, which is designed like an piano accordion to stretch in the way your nipple would during breastfeeding, allows baby to control the flow of milk while staying latched and in turn, have in less air. The only complaint is that the anti-colic valve, which rests in the lesser of the bottle, tin can be a bit tricky to clean. But it's nothing a canteen brush can't handle.
Reviewers say:"We take tried every canteen fabricated with my girl. She wouldn't accept any of them. She did take this one though! She moves around a lot while eating, and I think the fact that the nipple on this bottle is flexible helped her stay latched to it. Many others are likewise rigid and she would spit them out immediately. Nosotros spent a lot of money on other bottle claiming to exist the best for breastfed babies, and they just didn't work out for us. And so glad that nosotros plant this one!"—Jlg1014
$xx.13 for a 2-pack
five. Comotomo
There aresomany things to love about the Comotomo bottle. Information technology'due south made from silicone so information technology's soft and squishy, mimicking mom'southward breast and making it piece of cake for niggling ones to grab and concur. The super-wide neck design means it'due south simple and easy to clean—no bottle brush needed, you lot can just stick your manus right in at that place!
It's microwave, dishwasher, and sterilizer-safe, and information technology's got two built-in anti-colic vents with no extra parts. (Another win in the "piece of cake to clean" department.) Win, win and win.
Reviewers say: "Oh where do I start! First, these saved my life. My girl was exclusively BF for 6 weeks, when I had to go back to work I attempted to requite her a bottle and to my stupor, she did not desire it. I bought and tried 8 dissimilar bottles and no luck! I was mortified! I spent many hours and a lot of money hoping to find the perfect canteen for her and nothing. I made a post on a Facebook breastfeeding moms grouping and one of the moms recommended this Comotomo bottle, so i gave it a try and voila! It worked!!!! She successfully transitioned into a bottle and I was able to go back to piece of work without thinking my daughter was starving at daycare! The but downside was that I had to practically tip it up the whole mode and then she could drink all the milk! Other than that I highly recommend them!"–Jazmin 50.
$25.34 for a 4-pack
vi. Dr. Brown's Options+
Dr. Brownish'southward wide-cervix design has long been a favorite of breastfed babies and championed for their efficacy in aiding digestion and preventing colic + gas. The multi-function venting arrangement is admittedly less than a dream to clean (so. many.parts.), but you accept the expert with the annoying, right?
Luckily, the Options serial can be used with or without the vent. Utilize the vent during the newborn months when baby's digestive arrangement isn't as mature, then remove it equally baby gets older and their feeding is more developed.
Reviewers say: "I like that these bottles don't cause any nipple confusion. They don't make my baby fussy since I apply the vent arrangement. They are very like shooting fish in a barrel to make clean. The but problem I have is when they leak sometimes and all of the pieces are put together properly. And the bottle isn't total over the line. Merely that merely happens one time in a while."—Tashika
$14.95
7. Olababy GentleBottle
If at that place were awards for the most beautiful bottle, this ane might take the cake—but the best part is that it's beautifulandfunctional. The GentleBottle is adequately similar to the Comotomo in terms of look, feel, and material, only also boasts an off-centered nipple that mimics the chest and some claim offers a better + easier bending for feeding. And have nosotros mentioned the gorgeous colors? Love.
Reviewers say: "This is my new favorite canteen! Oh and my infant loves it too. 😉 I love the placement of the nipple. To me, this bottle is amend than the Comotomo bottles because of the nipple being on i side, which plain helps assist baby in getting every drop without having to lay baby completely flat on his/her dorsum. I exercise own both brands and They are very like in feel. But this one wins in my book. BTW… My infant is exclusively on chest milk and is breastfed 97% of the time and she has no problem with either canteen."—CrysHaz8
$13.89
8. Medela Calma
Designed exclusively for breastfed baby, the Calma has several great features that get in an ideal choice for a infant who is both breast and bottle-fed. Like to the Philips Avent, yous tin flip the Calma upside-down and the milk won't drip out—pregnant that your baby needs to use a certain level of vacuum suction in order to get milk out, just like during breastfeeding. This allows baby to feed, break, and breathe, too every bit to better self-regulate milk intake, which are all also part of the breastfeeding experience.
Reviewers say: "This bottle nipple was a lifesaver for our family. I went back to work and my vii-month-old was refusing a bottle at daycare and for my married man. We tried a few different kinds (Avent, Tommee Tippee, Dr Brown's) and had pretty much given upward until I saw a blog mail service recommending the Calma for babies who allow the milk leak out of their oral cavity while trying to drink. This was the problem my baby had and obviously it has to do with a vacuum existence created when they suck so they become flooded with milk. My other ii kids never had a trouble but the bottle just wasn't similar enough to the chest for him. I ordered this and after a few tries he liked it and now willingly and happily drinks his bottle. I highly recommend to anyone who is having issues with a breastfeeding infant resisting normal bottles."—Jinna
$18.99 for a iii-pack
ix. NUK Only Natural
I of the nigh affordable bottles on our listing, the NUK Simply Natural'southward claim to fame is the multiple nipple holes that disperse milk similarly to a mother's breast. Depending on catamenia speed, nipples come with between iii to nine holes, but you'll desire to use the three-hole option for most breastfed little ones.
The wide neck and flexible nipple both promote a expert latch, and in that location aren't a ton of parts to clean hither so canteen washing isn't besides dull.
Reviewers say:"I've been using these for about a month now and I absolutely love them. I had twin girls and They were in the NICU. One of my girls had nipple defoliation and I could non get her to latch! She would practise fine on the other bottle I was using, only I couldn't get her to breastfeed. It was frustrating for both of usa. I switched to these and nosotros love them! After using them for less than a week she was able to latch properly over again! I breastfeed/pump/ and supplement with some formula and I don't have any latch problems with either ane of my girls. I sterilize after every use and they practice so well. Very durable, easy to clean, easy to put together and have ready when we demand them. They don't leak and I've noticed my girls actually burp less and accept less gas when using these. I can't say enough good things nearly this bottle. I have 15 of these bottles and I wouldn't hesitate to purchase more!"—Samantha Thou.
$25.68 for a 2-pack
ten. Joovy Boob PPSU
The Joovy Boob makes our list of the best bottles for all those breastfed babes giving their parents a run for their money in the feeding department.
PPSU refers to polyphenylsulfone, a super tough fabric that can withstand over one,000 cycles of steam sterilization. PPSU doesn't stain and doesn't absorb odors, and the idea is that these bottles will last twice as long so you lot'll accept to purchase fewer bottles in the long run—which is an idea we can definitely get backside. We dear the ease of cleaning here, too as the venting system and breastfeeding-friendly nipple design.
Reviewers say: "Mom of three, I've tried a lot of bottles over the years! These bottles are by far the easiest and best ones notwithstanding! Simple to assemble and make clean, no demand to hassle with lots of parts. My breastfed babe switches back and along betwixt breast and bottle with no bug! Nosotros beloved these bottles! There is a slight learning curve to make sure you don't over tighten the lid which causes the seal to come off and leak, only once y'all effigy that out it'due south elementary. I feel like the directions could exercise a better job of explaining that."—AZ Momma
$37.99 for a 6-pack
xi. Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature
With a super-sensitive bottle nipple that feels similar Mom'south, the Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature Bottles take earned a 5-star review from hundreds parents on Amazon. Designed to foster an easy transition from the breast to bottle and back again, the bottles also accept anti-colic venting and broad necks that make them a breeze to clean. Easily bandy out the nipples to requite your baby the optimal milk period.
Reviewers say: "They actually pay attention to detail at this visitor. The bottles are well made and designed with babies and parents in listen. The small features assistance to make the newborn stage that much easier, such as the colic control, anti gas air hole, and the ergonomic design that helps to proceed a parent comfortable while feeding. The canteen and parts are easy to clean and long lasting." — Holly Lee
Jennifer LaBracio as well contributed to this post.
