Baby Bottles and Bottle-feeding '101' for New Parents

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For new parents, choosing a baby bottle presents a steep learning curve. Locate the baby bottle section of a store, and you might feel overwhelmed by the sheer amount and types of products on the market, prompting some uneasy guesswork.

For instance, do you understand the functional difference between wide and slim neck bottles and in which circumstances one is more suited than the other? Can you confidently choose between a teat’s different features including shape, size and ventilation? Do you know when to change the bottle as your baby grows? These are just some of the considerations you’ll face whether you’re bottle-feeding entirely or planning to do mixed-feeding, and it’s wise not to leave your baby bottle initiation until your hour of need.

And for women intent on breastfeeding exclusively, be mindful that there may be times when expressed breast milk in a go-to baby bottle is something you’ll want or need on standby.

In this article, we take a look at some key considerations of bottle-feeding that will enable you to make an informed decision about which bottles to buy. We enlist the wisdom of Belinda Joyce, Midwife, Maternal & Child Health Nurse, and author of the book ‘Survive and Enjoy Your Baby, How to Find Your Path to Parenthood’, who lends her professional expertise on the topic.

And if that wasn’t enough to steer you in the right direction, you’ll also learn about our friends at Pigeon, whose baby bottle range has been developed by experts and trusted by mums the world over. In fact, Pigeon received the 2020 Australian Canstar Blue Award for Most Satisfied Customers in the category of Baby Bottles, so they know a thing or two about successful bottle-feeding!

How do I know which bottle size is right for my baby?

The most immediate visual decision you’ll be faced with, is the size of the baby bottle. Although there is variation amongst brands, they generally come in a small and large size, holding approximately 120 and 240 ml, respectively. The golden rule is to start with smaller volume bottles for smaller babies and move up in size as your baby grows – generally at 2-3 months.

“Small bottles are best for young babies and for those parents topping up with formula or breastmilk in small quantities” says Belinda Joyce: midwife, maternal & child health nurse with over 20 years’ experience.

Here is some general advice regarding feeding frequency and intake, to better understand the required bottle capacity in relation to your baby’s development :

• The newborn period is characteristic of frequent feeds, generally (every two to three hours). Your baby may even feed in closer intervals, known as ‘cluster feeding’.
• During the initial phase of their infancy, don’t be surprised if your baby takes approximately 8 to 12 feeds per day.
• The standard fluid intake for newborns is approximately 140–180 ml per kilogram of body weight, and is how we calculate their total daily intake. Using 160ml/kg as the average intake, applied to a 4kg newborn: 4 x 160 = 640ml of milk per day. If we divide that amount by the average of 10 feeds per day, it equals approximately 64ml of milk per feed. This demonstrates why a small bottle (approx. 120 ml) is certainly sufficient for newborns and very young infants.

• Feeds will decrease in duration and frequency while volume increases, as your infant becomes a more efficient feeder and grows older.

(source: The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP))

What’s the difference between ‘wide neck’ and ‘slim neck’ bottles?

The neck of a baby bottle is directly correlated to the width of the teat. A wider teat is supported by a wider cap ring that attaches to what’s called a ‘wide neck’ bottle. Similarly, a standard teat is supported by a standard cap ring that fits what is called a standard or ‘slim neck’ bottle, due to its narrower body compared to the wide neck version. This neck and teat combination can play a big role in your baby latching eagerly and comfortably, and while it’s easy to get hung up on labels from the get-go, observing how your baby actually accommodates the teat size will be the true test.

If you’re curious about any advantage one may have over the other, Belinda Joyce provides a hint: “Although teats can’t fully mimic the breast and nipple, wide neck bottles with wider teats are a closer match and may be better accepted by a breastfed or mixed-fed baby”

Often, babies who are mixed-fed or have a wider latch may prefer the wide neck which mimics their mother’s breast. Furthermore, a wide neck doesn’t necessarily stimulate a wider latch for your baby, with the attributes of the teat itself also coming into play to facilitate your baby’s mouth position on the teat. Subsequently, it’s best to do some trial and error with a bottle before buying it in bulk.

“It is a good idea to try a few different bottles and teats before buying a full supply. And keep in mind that as your baby grows their needs will change with larger quantities and faster flow of milk required”, says Belinda Joyce.

Now that you understand the difference, let’s take a look at Pigeon’s pioneering product range first developed in 1957, which has been designed to align with your baby’s oral anatomy according to 3 key factors:  attachment, peristaltic tongue movement, and swallowing.

Pigeon SofTouch™ bottles and teats are recognised by their wide neck and offer the most natural feeding – through a bottle. This range is generally recommended when:

1. Combination breast and bottle feeding
2. Weaning from breast to bottle
3. Your baby is reluctant to take a bottle

• SofTouch™ teats have a wide neck design similar to a breast shape to avoid nipple confusion. Its textured surface is perfect for latch-on and good tongue position, and its firm, yet soft fabrication allows babies to use their natural feeding motion, the peristaltic movement. The teat features an Air Ventilation System (AVS) to support constant milk flow and help reduce colic, and comes in various sizes to match babies’ development.

 

Pigeon Flexible™ bottles and teats are recognised by their slim neck. This range is more traditional in shape and is usually recommended when:

1. Baby is not breast fed
2. Baby is very small
3. Baby sometimes fusses at the teat.

• Flexible™ teats have a slim neck design with ultra-soft silicone fabrication, allowing babies to use the natural wave-like motion of their tongue while feeding, the peristaltic movement. It’s ideal for babies who are very small, have feeding difficulties or who fuss at the teat. The teat features a unique venting system to minimise swallowed air and help reduce colic, and comes in various sizes to match babies’ development.

Both of these products are the result of over 60 years of in-depth design and research in conjunction with paediatricians, paediatric nurses, maternity staff and thousands of babies and their families.

Which size of teat and opening is right for my baby?

The opening of a teat is of critical importance in the successful feeding of your baby and refers to the flow rate of milk that it allows. If the rate of milk flow is too fast and spilling out of your baby’s mouth, it’s likely to cause coughing/swallowing issues or they might feed too quickly. Conversely, if the milk flow is too slow, your baby might become impatient or tire, meaning they do not get the required quantity of milk during their feed.

The two available shapes that dictate this flow are ‘round hole’ and ‘cross cut’ / ‘y cut’. To give you a better visualisation, if you were to hold a bottle with a round hole teat upside down, milk would slowly drip out. Teats for young babies are generally all round hole, allowing for an ‘open’ milk source that conforms to their jaw muscles, which are still developing in the first few months. As they get older, depending upon the teat, the teat opening may change to Y cut, but this is not a given. The Y cut design differs in that milk will only be released with a baby’s sucking motion. Therefore, they can vary the flow of milk with the Y cut opening that contracts as it accommodates the baby’s desired intake. Thankfully, if your baby does change from a round hole to a Y cut hole, the period of adjustment is brief.

“When choosing a suitable teat for your baby, it’s important that it is an appropriate flow rate for the age of your baby, this is found on the packaging. It can be modified as required if it is flowing to fast or slow or there is leakage around the teat. Ask your maternal & child health nurse for advice”, says Belinda Joyce.

The size and age guidelines vary across baby bottle manufacturers, but here are some cues to look for in upsizing the teat as your baby grows, courtesy of Pigeon:

1. Your baby is fussing every time they feed. They may be getting frustrated as the flow of milk may not be fast enough or
2. The teat is collapsing when your baby is drinking (and it’s not because there is a block). This can happen if your baby is sucking hard to get the milk out and it is not coming fast enough for them. A vacuum gets created, causing the teat to collapse

Not sure where to turn? If you’re using Pigeon slim neck bottles try  Pigeon Flexible™ Peristaltic Teats, or if your baby prefers Pigeon wide neck bottles, opt for Pigeon SofTouch™ Peristaltic PLUS Teats.

What other features are important when choosing a teat?

We’ve covered the role of teats in addressing a baby’s difficulty in latching or accessing enough milk from the bottle’s teat, but there is another key obstacle that a well-designed teat can address. A baby’s discomfort in relation to indigestion, gassiness and even colic, can sometimes be traced back to swallowed air during the feeding process. Keep in mind that when your baby sucks on the teat of any baby bottle, an inevitable vacuum action occurs. This vacuum can cause air bubbles to form and get trapped inside the teat or even mix through the milk, which is then swallowed by your unsuspecting baby.

Innovative baby teat features to avoid this phenomenon are saving the day for exasperated mums and dads, which is most notably seen in vents or in-built valves in the teat structure that redistribute air and push it towards the base of the bottle instead of the teat  (Very Well Family). Of course, not all teats are created equal. For instance, Pigeon’s award-winning SofTouch™  range features the unique Pigeon Air Ventilation System (AVS™) which helps to adjust air pressure inside the bottle.. The adjustment of the air pressure inside the bottle minimizes air intake when feeding, making it perfect for gassy and colic-prone babies.

At the end of the day, the best baby bottle teats cater to your baby’s oral anatomy so that air consumption is minimised, avoiding indigestion issues that lead to upset tummies.

Another important thing to note is to avoid ‘mixing and matching’ between brands, as echoed by Belinda Joyce: “Make sure the teats fit the bottles you are using so that they function the way they were designed. Most wide neck bottles require the same brand teat to achieve the correct fit”.

What are the benefits of different baby bottle materials?

There are two main categories of materials that baby bottles are made from: plastic and glass, sparking much discussion for parents. Do a Google search for ‘plastic versus glass baby bottles’, and you’ll find a bunch of results debating the merits of both.

Safety is of utmost importance for parents in baby bottles, and lower-cost plastic materials are in the spotlight. You’re likely to have encountered BPA-free products which is a direct response to concerns about the use of polycarbonate in the manufacturing of baby bottles since the 1960s to reinforce durability. Most baby brands have now moved away from BPA chemicals, and if you don’t see the BPA-free tag, make sure to do research into the brand’s manufacturing process.

 

Key benefits of glass bottles:

• No chemicals – glass is a natural substance that doesn’t contain any chemicals that could leach into your baby’s milk
• Easier to clean – glass is far less likely to develop scratches that embed odours and residue and it’s easier to see when glass is clean or dirty, compared to plastic.
• Withstands high temperatures- you can heat glass to temperatures without worrying about degradation or ‘melting’ of the product .
• Maintains taste – glass maintains the purity of breastmilk due to the abovementioned hygiene qualities, so may be better for fussier babies.
• Longer shelf-life – unless they sustain a crack, glass bottles rarely need to be replaced

 

Key benefits of plastic-based bottles:

• Easily available – there’s no shortage of plastic baby bottles on the market and easily sourced from any baby product retailer.
• Low cost – plastic bottles are generally less expensive than their glass counterparts due to a quicker and cheaper manufacturing process.
• Lightweight – their lighter weight means a plastic bottle can be easier for babies to grip and hold on to.
• Durability – plastic bottles may have a shorter life cycle compared to glass, but they are virtually unbreakable – even in the hands of accident-prone babies.

 

It’s important to remember that there is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ choice here. While glass is a natural resource and plastic is synthetic or semi-synthetic, not all plastics are created equal. Pigeon’s range of baby bottles are made from 3 variants to suit the varying needs of Australian families.

• Glass
• Polypropylene (PP). Bottles made from PP are light in weight, slightly opaque in colour and intended for low to regular use.
• Polyphenylsulfone (PPSU). This is a medical grade plastic that is naturally honey toned and quite hard wearing. Intended for higher use.

If you’re opting for plastic, Belinda Joyce reinforces the importance of being discerning about the quality: “Plastic bottles are durable and light weight, make sure to choose BPA free bottles as BPA has been linked to some health concerns ”. Thankfully, Australian regulatory standards require all baby bottles sold in Australia to be BPA free.

How do I know when teats and bottles should be replaced?

A general rule of thumb is that teats should be changed every 2-3 months, as when exposed to a baby’s vigorous sucking and teething, no teat is invincible. This is especially the case for less durable latex, but also applies to silicone teats. Aside from visible cracks or tears, keep an eye out for these surefire signs that it’s time to buy a new teat.

• Milk pours out in a stream – it should drip steadily out of the nipple (in the case of round hole openings). If it comes out too fast, the hole may have become damaged and the nipple should be replaced.
• Discolouration — this might be a symptom of nipple deterioration.
• Losing shape – if you pull the tip/bulb and it doesn’t bounce back into its original shape, it’s time to replace it.
• Sticky feel or swelling — this is another signal that the nipple could be deteriorating.

If you’re using a Pigeon bottle, the recommendation is to change their PP bottles every 6 months and PPSU bottles every 12 months, whereas glass bottles can last indefinitely.

Pigeon aims to provide a total feeding solution for even the fussiest of babies, with bottles that have earned the trust of Australian parents and are endorsed by maternal and child health specialists within the community, such as Belinda Joyce. To prepare for the arrival of your little one or to enhance your current bottle-feeding experience, check out the range at the Pigeon website or at your local retailer.

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If your baby has colic, first of all, we’re here to tell you that things will get better. And though we’re not able to give you a miracle cure here, we do know that feeding them with an anti-colic bottle can often help at least one of the problems that may be causing their discomfort. The best anti-colic bottles reduce the amount of air your baby swallows while drinking milk to prevent painful gas from forming in their tummy, which is thought to be a trigger of those relentless colic crying spells. These bottles usually contain a special valve that improves airflow, different nipples to help milk flow at the right speed, and/or a built-in vent system that balances the air pressure inside the bottle. 

While colic typically resolves by 4 months of age, that may seem like a long way off, and it’s important to use the right bottle to help your baby through those first few months. According to our experts, the right nipple makes a world of difference. “Look for a bottle that is shaped like your own nipple,” says Wendy Hunter, M.D., a pediatrician in California and host of The Pediatrician Next Door podcast. The bottle should also have different levels of nipples that correspond to a baby’s age. 

You should also consider the material from which the bottle is made, the type of vent or valve it has, and how many parts it contains (since this will dictate how easy it is to clean). At the same time, Dr. Hunter reminds Parents that while some babies will take any bottle, others may need to try a few different brands to find the one that works best for them. 

We surveyed dozens of parents on staff about their favorite baby bottles and, whether their babies were colicky or not, many listed anti-colic bottles as their top picks—because no baby loves painful gas! With those answers, our expert’s input, and our own research, this list should help you narrow down your choices.

Our Favorite Anti-Colic Bottles

Best Anti-Colic Baby Bottle: Dr. Brown’s Anti-Colic Options+ Narrow Glass Bottle

Amazon

Why We Like It

A multi-year recipient of our Best for Baby Awards, the Dr. Brown’s Anti-Colic Options+ bottle is a tried-and-true favorite here at Parents, and it appeared multiple times in our staff survey. The vent system in the bottle redirects air that could otherwise cause painful gas, burping, and spitting up. As your baby outgrows colic, you can remove the funnel-like vent and feed them with the same bottle. It also comes with a slow-flow nipple that’s shaped just like the real thing to allow your baby to feed at their own pace. 

After it was recommended to her by a lactation consultant, a parent on our staff said she used this Dr. Brown’s bottle to feed her baby and had a positive experience doing so. “The anti-colic features really help prevent [my baby] from swallowing extra air when he eats,” they said. This bottle is available in glass or plastic, but we appreciate that the glass version is recyclable and is safe to use in microwave and electric sterilizers or boiling water. 

But Take Note

This Dr. Brown’s bottle comes with several parts, which take up extra space on the drying rack and makes it time consuming to clean. However, you can save time and effort on cleaning by placing this bottle and its parts on the top rack of your dishwasher. 

The Details:

• Material: Glass (also available in BPA-free plastic)
• Capacity: 4 and 8 ounces 
• Dishwasher safe: Yes

Parents / Alexander Huang

Best for Breastfed Babies: Lansinoh Breastmilk Feeding Bottles

Amazon

Why We Like It

“My daughter was exclusively breastfed for four months and immediately took to this bottle," said another parent on our staff. That may be because this Lanisoh bottle’s NaturalWave nipple is made from soft, flexible silicone and has a lifelike conical shape with a wide base that breastfeeding babies will be familiar with. It also has a matte surface to help babies get a secure latch and seal while drinking. The brand claims this shape encourages babies to use the same motions they would while breastfeeding, thus avoiding nipple confusion.

To help with colic and other gas problems, the air ventilation system is in the nipple itself. 

But Take Note

We love that this bottle is dishwasher safe, however, one parent found that it developed a pinkish-red hue after multiple wash cycles. This type of staining can be caused by tomato-based products or food coloring, so try to keep your dishwasher free from food products that may stain your bottles and dishes. 

The Details:

• Material: Polypropylene
• Capacity: 5 and 8 ounces
• Dishwasher safe: Yes

Best for Newborns: Philips Avent Glass Natural Baby Bottle With Natural Response Nipple

Amazon

Why We Like It

For our tester, the straightforward and high-quality nature of this Philips Avent bottle was just right for her newborn. “I love that these bottles are glass and that they come in small and large sizes, both of which our baby loved. They’re [also] easy to hold, clean, transport, and warm up.” 

We also think this bottle is right for newborns because of its Natural Response nipple. This soft, silicone nipple mimics a breast in that when a baby stops sucking, the milk flow pauses, too. The nipple also has a tiny vent built into it to prevent air bubbles from sneaking into the baby’s tummy. We also like that this bottle is made from borosilicate glass, which doesn’t absorb chemicals or particles and is resistant to temperature changes.  

But Take Note

Because this bottle is made from glass, it’s fragile. If you’re worried about dropping it, consider the BPA-free plastic versions of the Philips Avent, which all work with the same nipples. 

The Details:

• Material: Borosilicate glass
• Capacity: 4 and 8 ounces
• Dishwasher safe: Yes

Best for Reflux: Nuk Smooth Flow Pro Anti-Colic Baby Bottle 

Buy Buy Baby

Why We Like It

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Acid reflux or spitting up after eating is fairly normal for babies and usually resolves around 12 to 18 months of age. However, if your baby is spitting up and is extremely fussy, it can mean they have colic—and this particular bottle may help. Its Y-cut nipple allows babies to control the flow of milk while the tube venting system minimizes bubbles, both of which help them swallow less air while drinking. We like that the nipple and collar are one piece, making it easy to assemble and clean. Bottles also have a SafeTemp indicator to show when the milk is too hot for babies to consume. 

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But Take Note

As your baby grows, you have the option to remove the anti-colic venting system from this bottle (because that gives you less to clean). This can cause the bottle to leak, according to some parents, which may be more frustrating than keeping the vent intact. 

The Details:

• Material: Polypropylene
• Capacity: 5 and 10 ounces
• Dishwasher safe: Yes

Easiest to Hold: Comotomo Baby Bottle

Amazon

Why We Like It

This soft silicone bottle is a favorite of many parents on our staff (and beyond) for a few reasons, not the least of which is because of its unique round shape. That shape and the lightweight, slightly textured silicone make it easy and appealing for babies to hold. The wide-based nipple that also looks like the real thing and the wide mouth of the bottle makes it a lot easier to wash by hand. As for anti-gas/anti-colic features, you’ll find two small vents in the nipple that allow air to escape while the baby is drinking. 

“Both my boys could easily hold them, and I liked that they were made from silicone and not plastic and not glass (which I find to be too heavy and would make me nervous with drops/durability),” one parent told us. 

But Take Note

Some products like bottle warmers or insulated bags are not designed to hold these wide bottles, so check reviews and manufacturer info before buying those. Also, some parents have said it’s difficult to read the measurements on the side because they’re printed in a clear font. 

The Details:

• Material: Silicone
• Capacity: 5 and 8 ounces
• Dishwasher safe: Yes

Parents / Alexander Huang

Easiest to Clean: Mam Easy Start Anti-Colic Baby Bottle

Amazon

Why We Like It

Not only is the Mam Easy Start Anti-Colic bottle one of the most affordable anti-colic bottles around, but parents have also praised it for how easy it is to clean compared to the more complicated vented bottles like Dr. Brown’s. That’s because instead of a straw vent, the Mam has a vented base with a silicone gasket that fits over it. This vent eliminates air bubbles and creates a steady, even flow of milk to prevent gas, burps, and other colic-related symptoms. The base unscrews from the bottom for cleaning, leaving no hard-to-reach places to clean. To top it off, this bottle has a handy trick up its sleeve: It can sterilize itself. After filling its base with water and assembling the bottle, you simply place it in the microwave for three minutes, no bottle sterilizer required. 

These bottles come with a slow-flow nipple that’s got a slightly flat shape and a matte finish where the baby’s lips go, helping them grasp the nipple and drink at their own pace. A parent on our staff added that she can attach this bottle to her Spectra breast pump flanges. (It’s not a perfect fit, but it works for her!) 

But Take Note

If the silicone gasket or the nipple aren’t isn’t inserted correctly, you may find that your bottle will leak. Double check these before you pour!

The Details:

• Material: Polypropylene
• Capacity: 5 and 9 ounces 
• Dishwasher safe: Yes

Best Travel-Friendly: Boon Nursh Reusable Silicone Baby Bottle 

Amazon

Why We Like It

You’ll have one less thing to worry about when traveling with your baby if you pack these collapsible Nursh bottles from Boon. Made entirely from silicone, the Nursh bottle folds down flat and fits neatly into a Nursh Storage Bun (sold separately), which is great for storing pacifiers and other small items, too. As your baby drinks, the milk pouch collapses—which reduces the amount of air they swallow to prevent gas, burping, and tummy troubles. And unlike other milk storage pouches, the Nursh silicone pouch is reusable again and again. 

But Take Note

This bottle has a tendency to leak if each of the pieces aren’t secured just right. Also, the Stage 1 Slow Flow nipple only fits with the 4 ounce bottle (not the 8 ounce), which can be problematic if your older baby prefers a slower feeding pace. 

The Details:

• Material: Silicone 
• Capacity: 4 and 8 ounces
• Dishwasher safe: Yes

Most Durable: Chicco Duo Hybrid Baby Bottle

Amazon

Why We Like It

With their sensitive sense of taste and smell, many babies don’t like the way some plastic bottles pick up residue after multiple uses and washes, and this should solve for that. But parents and caregivers won’t have to worry about the bottle shattering when it inevitably gets dropped or thrown. This hybrid bottle from Chicco has the best of both worlds in terms of materials. While the outside of the bottle is made from durable, lightweight plastic, the inside is made from break-proof glass, which ensures that your baby’s milk never comes in contact with plastic. 

This bottle comes with a nipple that positions a baby’s tongue and lips for a natural, comfortable latch. What’s more, it has an anti-colic valve in the nipple that directs air away from the nipple to keep it out of your baby’s tummy. 

But Take Note

Keep in mind that while this bottle is made with glass, the outside of it is plastic—so it’s not going to have the same heavy, luxurious feel that other glass bottles do. 

The Details:

• Material: Glass and plastic
• Capacity: 5 and 9 ounces
• Dishwasher safe: Yes

Other Notable

Babies can be very picky when it comes to their bottles, especially if they’re colicky. The following bottles could be the right one for your little one, even of it didn’t make our short list.

• Nanobebe Flexy Silicone Baby Bottle: Although it’s soft and squishy, this bottle doesn't collapse. It won’t tip over, thanks to its unique stable base. It also has a non-collapsible nipple that’s equipped with three anti-colic vents to help your baby maintain their latch and prevent them from ingesting excess air while they drink. 
• Babylist Bottle Box: If you want to try a few different bottles to see which your baby prefers, this box comes with five models from five of our favorite brands: Nanobebe, Comotomo, Nuk, Dr. Brown’s, and Boon.

Our Review Process

In addition to using our own experience as parents, we researched and tested dozens of bottles to narrow down our recommendations for the best anti-colic bottles. We also relied on the expertise of a pediatrician and other parents to inform us before we selected these bottles. Specifically, we focused on the bottles' anti-gas vent or valve, materials (glass, plastic, or silicone), nipple flow options, ease of use, and ease of cleaning. 

Our Experts

Before and after we researched and tested anti-colic bottles, we spoke to the following healthcare professionals to determine what to look for in anti-colic bottles and how to use them safely: 

• Wendy Hunter, M.D., a pediatrician and host of The Pediatrician Next Door podcast

Factors to Consider When Buying an Anti-Colic Bottle

• Baby’s age: Once your baby is around 3 weeks old, you may start to notice symptoms of colic.
  Introducing an anti-colic bottle with a nipple that corresponds to your baby’s age can help reduce and prevent symptoms. 
• Vent or valve: Anti-colic bottles are always equipped with some sort of vent or valve that reduces the amount of air the baby will swallow. Some vents look like straws or tubes, while others are holes in the nipple or elsewhere. Some nipples use a valve instead. 
• Nipple options: Typically, there are two main types of nipples: wide and narrow. Wide nipples are shaped more like a breast, which may feel more comfortable and natural for your baby. However, every baby is different, so be prepared to experiment to find the right fit for your little one. 
• Materials: BPA was banned from baby bottles in 2012, so parents no longer have to worry about it being present in plastic baby bottles. However, you still may prefer a glass bottle, but keep in mind that these are more prone to breakage and may not be allowed in some daycares. Silicone is another alternative that’s durable and lightweight.
• Ease of use and cleaning: While bottle feeding has its conveniences, it does come with a learning curve and extra cleaning. In addition to learning how to assemble your anti-colic bottle, you should also keep in mind that anti-colic bottles sometimes contain more parts than traditional bottles (which inevitably, means more to clean). It will be worth the extra effort if it keeps your colicky baby comfy and tear-free.  

How to Use Anti-Colic Bottles

Before using an anti-colic bottle, you should disassemble its various parts and wash them in warm, soapy water. Then, you should sterilize the bottle, in a bottle sterilizer, the microwave, or boiling water. Alternatively, you can place the bottle in the dishwasher with hot water and a heated drying cycle, which takes care of both the cleaning and the sanitizing.

After this, you’re ready to assemble the bottle. Every bottle is different, so refer to the manufacturer’s instructions for tips on how to put it together. Be sure all of the pieces are intact and applied correctly to prevent any leaks. When your baby is done feeding, rinse and wash the bottle parts and allow them to air dry on a clean towel before using them again. 

When bottle feeding your baby, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the following: 

• Angle the bottle so that your baby doesn’t suck in a lot of air 
• Burp your baby during and after a feeding to help them release gas bubbles
• Adjust the nipple as needed. Your baby may prefer a certain shape and the nipple level should correspond with their age

Dr. Hunter also recommends the Paced Bottle Feeding Method, which mimics breastfeeding and allows your baby to control the pace at which he or she drinks. In turn, this will help your baby swallow less air so they don’t experience painful gas.

Your Questions, Answered 

How does a vent in a baby bottle help with gas?

Anti-colic bottle vents redirect the air that babies might swallow, instead sending it out of the bottle or into the unfilled portion of the bottle. This prevents painful gas bubbles from forming in a baby’s stomach. 

Does warming a bottle help to reduce gas in a baby?

While the temperature of a bottle has no impact on gas formation, your baby may prefer a bottle that is at room temperature or closer to the temperature of breast milk. You can warm a cold bottle by placing it in a baby bottle warmer or in a bowl of hot water for a few minutes, then sprinkling a few drops on your wrist to make sure it feels lukewarm. Formula and breast milk should never be warmed in the microwave as this causes the milk to heat unevenly and may change the overall composition of breast milk. 

How long should you use an anti-colic bottle? 

As a baby’s nervous system matures, parents should be able to wean their baby off an anti-colic bottle. Dr. Hunter explains that this happens around 3-4 months of age, which is typically when their gastrointestinal tract is more developed and their suck-swallow coordination improves. “We often call this the ‘fourth trimester,’” says Dr. Hunter. “Colic symptoms should also improve as babies start to sit upright and transition to solid foods around 4-6 months of age.” 

Who We Are

Laura Lu, MS, is a writer at Parents and mom of two children who loved their bottles. During the first two years of her son’s life, she owned more than 20 different variations of Dr. Brown’s Natural Flow Bottle. She also loves the simple, easy-to-clean design of the Mam Easy Start Anti Colic Baby Bottle, which she used to feed her daughter during her 12-week-long bout of colic. 

For more information, please visit Ultra Wide Neck Baby Bottle.