Even if you plan to exclusively breastfeed, it’s a good idea to have a couple of baby bottles on hand just in case. But with so many different options and conflicting marketing claims, how do you pick? Here are the factors to consider and tips from Lovevery’s in-house lactation consultant: 

There are pros and cons to different materials

Plastic bottles are the most affordable and lightweight option. But they can contain harmful chemicals that may end up in your baby’s milk. Plastic bottles can also retain odors, stains, and residues.

Silicone bottles have gained popularity in recent years—they’re lightweight, durable, easy to clean, and chemical free. The downsides are that they tend to be more expensive than plastic, can collect odors from the dishwasher, and may sometimes collapse during a feeding, which may be frustrating for you and your baby. 

Glass bottles are free of harmful chemicals and don’t stain or hold onto odors. Of course, glass is a heavier and more breakable option. Glass baby bottles also tend to be more expensive than plastic. 

Bottles made to resemble a breast aren’t always better 

There isn’t data to support the idea that babies do better with bottles that closely resemble a breast or that they reduce nipple confusion. Nipples and breast tissue change shape when a baby latches on. So, instead of thinking about what a bottle’s nipple looks like outside your baby’s mouth, try assessing whether the nipple is functioning well in your baby’s mouth, says Lovevery lactation consultant Breana Barron. Signs that a bottle may not be a good fit for your baby include clicking or smacking sounds, a repeated chomping movement, or leaking milk.

With all of this in mind, here’s what our lactation expert recommends: 

• Try the Chicco Duo. It has plastic on the outside for durability and glass on the inside to reduce your baby’s exposure to harmful chemicals. With just a small number of parts, the Chico Duo is also easy to clean.  
• Consider Dr. Brown’s Natural Flow® Anti-Colic Options+™ Narrow Glass Baby Bottle. Its venting system may reduce the amount of air your baby takes in to cut down on burps and gassiness. And its long nipple shape is a good fit for most babies. If you’re worried about the glass breaking, consider adding a silicone sleeve. 
• Start with just one or two bottles to see what works for you and your baby before you stock up.
• Stick with the same bottle for at least a few days to really give it a chance. It may take practice and patience from all involved before any bottle feels like “the one.” 

The links in this post were chosen without marketing sponsorship or partnerships—they just reflect our experts’ genuine recommendations. Lovevery will donate to Every Mother Counts any commissions it receives through affiliate links in this post.

More reading

Is it okay to use a pacifier?: advice from a lactation consultant

Learn about the research 

Jeon, G. W. (2022). Bisphenol A leaching from polycarbonate baby bottles into baby food causes potential health issues. Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics, 65(9), 450.

Meet the expert 

Breana Barron

Breana Barron is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) and board certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (DNP). She has worked with breastfeeding mothers for more than a decade.