Best Bottles for Breastfed Babies

Families who choose to breastfeed their babies may wonder what the best bottles for breastfeeding are—and also when they would need to take a bottle. Bottles for breastfeeding babies need to mimic the shape and flow of the breast so it feels familiar when they are feeding. We’ll look at some of these breastfeeding bottles for their award-winning designs.

• Lola&Lykke NaturalFlow Baby Bottle
• MAM UK Easy Start Anti-Colic Bottle
• Philips Avent Natural Baby Bottle
• Nanobebe Flexy Silicone Baby Bottle
• Tommee Tippee Natural Start Feeding Bottle

When to Introduce a Bottle to a Breastfed Baby

Experts generally recommend waiting until breastfeeding is well established—usually around 4 to 6 weeks—before offering a bottle. This helps ensure that your baby has developed a strong latch and can nurse efficiently at the breast.

However, every family’s situation is unique. For instance, parents returning to work or needing to introduce a bottle earlier for medical reasons may start sooner. If you need to offer a bottle earlier, consult with a lactation consultant or your pediatrician to ensure a smooth transition for your baby.

Key Features to Look for in Bottles for Breastfed Babies

Breast-Like Bottle Teats

The difference between the shape of a bottle teat and the shape of the breast can vary across each baby bottle design, however, some baby bottles offer “breast-like” bottle teats which give your baby a smooth transition from feeding at the breast and taking milk from a breastfeeding bottle too.

The best breast-like bottles are the Lola&Lykke NaturalFlow Baby Bottles known for their ultra-soft silicone teats and anti-colic valve system, and the Tommee Tippee Natural Start Feeding Bottles, designed with nipple-like teats that support a comfortable latch for babies.

Slow Flow Bottle Teats

The milk flow from a baby bottle compared to breastfeeding differs because it is controlled by the size of the bottle teat and whether there are other features such as anti-colic valves in the design to pace a slower feed. With breastfeeding, your baby will determine the pace of the feed by instigating your letdown and encouraging the hind milk through efficient latching.

With this in mind, the best bottle for a breastfed baby is one with a slow-flow bottle teat so that they can match the pace like they do when they are breastfeeding.

Anti-Colic Features

Anti-colic baby bottles are designed to minimize how much air your baby ingests as they feed. If the teat has a faster flow for instance, and they are struggling to keep up with the pace of the feed, they can risk gulping too much air and feel uncomfortable with a gassy tummy. Colic symptoms can also be caused by a poor latch, feeding too quickly, or feeding in a poor position (upright is best).

If this is something your baby struggles with anyway, despite the pace of their feeds, an anti-colic baby bottle may help them to feel more comfortable during and after a feed.

Learn more: Foods to Avoid For Preventing Colic in Breastfed Babies

Materials and Safety

You need peace of mind that your baby is feeding from the best baby bottle made with only the best and safest materials. Like Lola&Lykke’s NaturalFlow Baby Bottle, many baby bottles now are made using BPA-free plastics and 100% food-grade materials. You can also get glass or silicone baby bottles for breastfed babies which have their unique features.

Ease of Cleaning and Durability

Not only do you want a baby bottle to last, but you also want the best breastfeeding bottle that is easy to clean! Choosing a baby bottle with fewer components will speed up your cleaning regime, as well as opting for quick and safe sterilising options.

Although the MAM Easy Start Baby Bottles have more parts than other brands, they are also designed to be self-sterilising. Plastic and silicone bottles may discolour over time whereas glass baby bottles can be heavier to hold, however, they are easier to clean.

Top Recommended Bottles for Breastfed Babies

1. Lola&Lykke NaturalFlow Baby Bottle

Compatible with the Lola&Lykke Smart Electric Breast Pump, the NaturalFlow bottles fit seamlessly with a breastfeeding routine. Made with BPA-free and 100% food-grade materials, this sustainably made baby bottle also features an anti-colic valve.

Learn more: Benefits of Breast Pumping

We like…

• The shape of the bottle makes it easy for little hands to hold
• The silicone bottle teat is very soft and shaped to mimic the breast
• Very few parts to clean and assemble

Even better if…

• They were sold as multiple packs of baby bottles

Shop: Lola&Lykke NaturalFlow Baby Bottle

2. MAM Easy Start Anti-Colic Bottle

These self-sterilising baby bottles make them a great option for travelling. The bottle teats are flat on one side which helps to resemble the shape of the nipple when your baby feeds.

We like…

• The silicone bottle teat is very soft and shaped to mimic the breast
• Self-sterilising in the microwave making them easy to use on the go
• Durable and long-lasting quality

Even better if…

• There were fewer parts to clean and assemble
• The measurements on the side started before 60 ml to help gauge how much milk was left in the bottle

Shop: MAM Easy Start Anti-Colic Bottle

3. Philips Avent Natural Baby Bottle

This bottle is designed to mimic breastfeeding by releasing milk only when your baby actively drinks. The soft, flexible teat promotes a natural latch, making it easier to combine breast and bottle feeding. It also features an anti-colic valve to reduce discomfort. Ideal for babies 3+ months.

We like…

• The Natural Response teat, designed to release milk only when your baby actively drinks, mimicking the breastfeeding experience
• The anti-colic feature that reduces air intake, helping your baby stay comfortable during and after feeds
• Made from BPA-free materials, ensuring a safe feeding option for your baby

Even better if…

• Best suited for babies 3 months and older; may not be the best choice for newborns who need a slower milk flow.

Shop: Philips Avent Natural Baby Bottle

4. Nanobebe Breastmilk Baby Bottle

The curved design of this baby bottle claims to preserve the nutrients and warm/cool milk more quickly than other standard baby bottle designs. The larger surface area exposes the milk to more heat which means you don’t need to heat it for as long, preserving the nutritional content.

We like…

• The bottles stack when not being used saving precious storage space
• The silicone bottle teat is very soft and shaped to mimic the breast
• Various bottle teats available to suit your baby’s age and milk flow speed

Even better if…

• 150 ml capacity is smaller than other baby bottles

Shop: Nanobebe Breastmilk Baby Bottle 

5. Tommee Tippee Natural Start Feeding Bottle

Lightweight and easy to assemble, the Tommee Tippee Natural Start baby bottles get a thumbs up from mums with only hand free! The breast-like bottle allows babies to transition between the breast and a bottle whilst helping to soothe colicky tummies with a venting system.

We like…

• Good value for money as they are often sold in packs of six
• Easy to clean in the dishwasher and assemble.
• The shape of the bottle makes it easy for little hands to hold.

Even better if…

• Some babies found the transition between this bottle and breastfeeding trickier than other baby bottle

Shop: Tommee Tippee Natural Start Feeding Bottle 

FAQs: Bottles for Breastfed Babies

You probably have a lot of questions, so here are some answers families commonly ask when they are inquiring about the best bottles for breastfed babies.

How much milk should I feed a breastfed baby?

If you have begun by exclusively breastfeeding your newborn, it can be hard to tell how much milk they are drinking because it cannot be measured. In the beginning, it can feel like a guessing game but you can start by making up a feed with up to 2-3 oz and seeing how much of it they drink. Leftover expressed milk is still safe to drink at room temperature for a few hours or stored in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Over time, you’ll learn the right amount for your baby and this can fluctuate throughout the day or even week to week as their body demands more to support their growth and development.

Learn more: Wondering how you can increase your breast milk supply?

Can babies get confused between breast and bottle?

There is no wrong or right answer here, every baby is different when they feed. Some babies can struggle more than others fluctuating between the breast and a baby bottle because the two are too different from each other. However, this can be alleviated by finding the best baby bottle for your baby with a breast-like bottle teat.

Finding the right bottles for breastfed babies can feel like trial and error, but it doesn’t mean you need to spend a fortune on various baby bottles. Borrow some from a friend, and look for freebies or supermarket offers to get the best deals before investing in a specific bottle.

What should I do if my baby refuses to take a bottle?

Just like they can refuse the breast, your baby can also refuse a bottle. Usually, this is a short-lived phase, but if you are faced with persistent resistance, try shaking up your feeding routine. Check the bottle teat is appropriate for their age and feeding pace, is positioned comfortably, and are there any distractions around them that can be putting them off their feed.

A common reason why babies refuse a bottle is because they can smell their mother’s milk on them, and would prefer to feed at the breast. Having your partner or another carer feed them a bottle can help to break this cycle.