Best bottles for breastfed babies

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Whatever the reason, once you’ve got breastfeeding established (which can take up to six weeks, says the NHS), it’s usually possible to offer bottles alongside breastfeeding, bearing in mind that exclusive breast milk for around the first six months is recommended.

But not all bottles are made equal, so we’ve picked our top choices (with a bit of help from our trusty MFM testers) to help make mixed – or combination – feeding that bit easier.

From flattened teats and wide, flexible tops to emulate the breast, to anti-colic systems and self-sterilising bottles, check out our best bottles for breastfed babies to find the right one for you. Of course, you'll need a breast pump too, and we've also rounded up the best breast pumps tested by parents.

Best bottles for breastfed babies at a glance

Best for tight-fitting lids: Vital Baby Nurture Breast-Like Feeding Bottle, from £4.75 per bottle/£9.49 for 2 pack
Best for multiple sizes and designs: Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature bottle, from £7.99
Best for a temperature indicator: NUK First Choice+ Baby Bottle with Temperature Control, from £3.75
Best for self-sterilising:MAM Easy Start Anti-Colic Self-Sterilising Bottle, from £15.99 for 2
Best for premature babies: Dr Brown’s Options+ Anti-Colic Bottle, from £7.00
Best anti-colic bottle: Tommee Tippee Advanced Anti-Colic Bottle, from £7.99
Best for sustainability: Lansinoh Glass Feeding Bottle with NaturalWave Teat, from £9.99
Best for newborns:Philips Avent Natural Baby Bottle, from £12.53
Best for warming breastmilk: Nanobébé Breastmilk Baby Bottle, £17.99 for 2, £21.99 for 3
Best silicone bottle: Comotomo, £28 for 2

What to look for when choosing a bottle for a breastfed baby

Teat shape – Most bottles come with teats that are soft and gently curved to mimic the natural shape of a mother’s breast but this is especially important for breastfed babies who will be more comfortable sucking from a bottle teat with a familiar shape. Teats made from supple silicone that bend and flex with ease to emulate the breast and nipple during breastfeeding can make bottle feeding easier.

Teat flow – Unless your baby is accustomed to a very fast let-down, look for teats with the slowest flow that won’t overwhelm your baby. Most bottles suitable for newborns are sold with the slowest flowing teat available but there may be other teats you can buy that are better suited to your baby. A range of teat sizes mean that your bottle can transition as your baby grows and their preferences change. And if you have a premature or very small baby, look for a Preemie or extra-slow flow teat in a small bottle.

Bottle design – Not all bottles are created equally and some are far better at helping you pace a feed more naturally, preventing guzzling and ensuring your breastfed baby doesn’t become impatient when back at the breast. A bottle that can be held at a gentle tilt to feed will ensure your baby isn’t overwhelmed by milk flow. Also look out for wide necks and bases that allow for easy cleaning and sterilising.

Material – The majority of baby bottles are made from BPA-free plastic, which is light, easy to clean and resilient. However, they can become discoloured, are easily scratched and will ultimately contribute to landfill. Non-plastic alternatives include glass bottles, which are heavier than plastic versions but are a more sustainable option – not least because if properly looked after, they can last for years. Glass also ages better as it doesn’t easily become discoloured or scratched. Another alternative is food-grade silicone, which makes for a spongy and pliable bottle that is lighter than glass, unbreakable and toxin-free. However, a silicone bottle will need replacing more often than either glass or plastic versions.

Anti-colic features – Newborns under 6 months may experience colic, especially if they’re bottle fed, so almost every baby bottle suitable for newborn babies has a design feature to help with this. Whether it’s a teat with valves, vents in the base of the bottle or weighted straw, these anti-colic features aim to prevent excess air entering your baby’s digestive system, where it can cause wind, reflux and colic. Even if your breastfed baby hasn’t experienced colic (lucky you!), it’s still worth considering a bottle with anti-colic features to minimise the chances of gas-induced distress after a bottle feed.

Compatibility with a breast pump – Bottles that connect directly to a breast pump are invaluable if you’re having to express every feed as they allow you to pump directly into the bottle, which can then either be given to your baby immediately or stored for a later. Some bottles only connect with the same brand breast pump whereas others will fit bestselling brands, which is handy if you already own a pump.

Ease of use – A baby bottle is no good to a sleep-deprived or distressed parent if it’s fiddly to put together or tricky to work out how the valve needs to be positioned. That said, some of the best anti-colic bottles take a bit of practice, which is worth it if it helps reduce your baby’s post-feed discomfort.

Longevity – While it might seem like it at the time, colic and reflux don’t last forever, thank goodness! So a bottle that can grow with your baby, turning from an anti-colic bottle to a regular one that will last for many months, is a good investment.

How much should I expect to pay for a bottle for a breastfed baby?

Prices start at around £2 or £3 per bottle, which is good news for those on a budget, those who only need to use a bottle once in a while, or those who need to trial a few different bottles before finding the best fit for their baby. Bottles with more features or those made from special materials may cost more up to £20 for very premium offerings. Alternatively, you can buy a starter kit including a manual breast pump and breastmilk compatible bottle from around £20.

Budget buys tend to made from BPA-free plastic rather than glass, which can last for years, or silicone, with its squishy feel and scratch-resistance. As you’d expect, specialist bottles with patented technology are more expensive but worth the extra money for the benefits they offer.

And while some bottles may seem expensive, if they can be converted from a newborn anti-colic bottle to one that’s suitable for an older baby who has outgrown colic, they will provide good value over time.

Regardless of material, multipacks tend to offer better value than buying just one bottle, so buying two, three or more bottles in one pack lowers the price per bottle, though beware of ‘false economy’ as the saving largely depends on you knowing the bottle will suit your baby.

Here are the best bottles for breastfed babies:

1. Vital Baby Nurture Breast-Like Feeding Bottle, from £4.75 per bottle/£9.49 for 2 pack

– Best for tight-fitting lids

Capacity/sizes available: 150ml (£9.49 2 pack), 240ml (£10.59 2 pack) | Type of teats: Slow Flow (0 months+), Medium Flow (3 months+), Fast Flow (6 months+) | Made from: Polypropylene and silicone | BPA free: Yes | Dishwasher safe: Yes | Microwave safe: Yes

Vital Baby’s range of bottles includes the Nurture, with its flexible teat that’s also flattened to imitate the shape of your nipple when your baby feeds to make latching easier and help minimise nipple confusion for combination-fed babies.

The triple anti-colic valves that reduce air intake really impressed our testers too, with one saying her baby “seemed less colicky after feeding” and another commenting on “a positive change” to trapped wind in her baby’s tummy after using these bottles. Reassuringly, the tight-fitting lids “never leaked” and the wide opening of the bottle makes them “very easy to clean.”

Parent tester and mum Jade tested out the bottle with her of a 3-month-old baby and praised the “brilliant quality and design, with teats that mimic mum that my baby took to straight away.” Another parent tester, Krisztina, mum of a 3-month-old baby, offered her baby 3 different bottles with breast-like teats several times a day. “After 3 days, Vital Baby was the only one she’d accept, which is a massive win for us as she’ll accept a bottle from daddy.”

Pros: Flexible, flattened teat, impressive anti-colic valves, tight-fitting leakproof lids, easy to clean

Cons: Only available in one colour and design

Available from: John Lewis, Amazon and Vital Baby

2. Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature bottle, from £7.99

– Best for multiple sizes and designs

Capacity/sizes available: 150ml, 260ml, 340ml | Type of teats: Slow Flow (0 months+), Medium Flow (3 months+), Fast Flow (6 months+), Vari Flow (0 months+) | Made from: Silicone and polypropylene | BPA free: Yes | Dishwasher safe: Yes | Microwave safe: Not recommended | Award: MadeForMums Awards 2021, Baby bottle – Joint Silver

The teat on this ergonomic bottle is made from skin-soft silicone and has a realistic nipple shape and natural stretch and flex to mimic breastfeeding. The unique, easy-latch-on teat was designed with breastfeeding experts and has a super-sensitive valve to encourage your baby’s intuitive feeding action. Our tester Charlotte, mum of a 3-month-old baby, reported her son “took the teat straight away with no fuss”, making life easier for them both.

The integral anti-colic valve is “effective” at reducing the amount of air your baby takes in while feeding, helping to minimise trapped wind and the resulting discomfort, while the curvy bottle is cleverly designed to be “comfortable” to hold during feeds, according to parent tester Becky, mum of a 3-month-old baby.

The bottles are available in a wide range of sizes, colours and designs, including bright hues and cute character drawings, and also materials, including glass and silicone. Plus, they’re available in multipacks of up to 6 bottles, making them good value.

Pros: Lots of colours and designs, easy latch-on teat, anti-colic valve, comfortable shape, available in different materials, easy to clean

Cons: Not recommended for use in the microwave, slightly more expensive although you can bring the cost down by buying in packs of 6

Available from: Boots, Amazon and Tommee Tippee

3. NUK First Choice+ Baby Bottle with Temperature Control, from £3.75

– Best for a temperature indicator

Capacity/sizes available: 150ml, 260ml, 340ml | Type of teats: Size 1 (0-6 months) with small or medium feed hole, Medium Flow (6-18 months) with medium feed hole | Made from: Polyamide and latex or silicone | BPA free: Yes | Dishwasher safe: Yes | Microwave safe: Not recommended

This smart bottle has a sleek shape and features a built-in temperature control indicator on the graduation marks that changes from blue to white when the contents of the bottle are too hot for your baby to safely drink (over 37°C).

Our tester praised the bottle for “taking the guesswork out of feeding” when making up milk feeds with hot water and powder, but it will work just as well with breast milk that has been stored then heated. “The bottle provided me with a clear indication when the liquid inside was too warm for my baby to drink, making temperature control easy,” commented parent tester and mum of a 4-month-old baby Nikki.

The orthodontic teat which is modelled on a mother’s nipple was a big hit with our testers and their babies. “My daughter took to the teat shape easily and enjoyed drinking from it,” commented parent tester Caroline, mum of a 6-month-old baby. Bottles come with teats made from silicone or latex, which is softer, more flexible, and more bite resistant than silicone.

Pros: Temperature indicator, particularly soft silicone teat, no-colic air system, easy to combine with other NUK products

Cons: Not recommended for use in the microwave, has a limited number of teat sizes

Available from: Boots, Amazon and Ocado

4. MAM Easy Start Anti-Colic Self-Sterilising Bottle, from £15.99 for 2

– Best for self-sterilising

Capacity/sizes available: 130ml, 160ml | Type of teats: Size 0 Extra Slow Flow (0 months+), Size 1 Slow Flow (0 months+), Size 2 Medium Flow (2 months+), Size 3 Fast Flow (4 months+), Cross Cut (6 months+) | Made from: Silicone and polypropylene | BPA free: Yes | Dishwasher safe: Yes | Microwave safe: Yes

With its ultra-soft ‘silk’ teat, and the fact the bottle has a self-sterilising feature that means its parts can be stacked up and put directly into the microwave for just 3 minutes, the MAM anti-colic bottle has proved a hit with our mum reviewer and home testers.

The skin-soft silicone teat is gentle in your baby’s mouth and the vented bottle base reduces the amount of air baby takes in and episodes of colic, according to 80% of mothers who tested the bottle for the brand.

Parent tester and mum of 1, Sarah, praised the bottle, saying “the self-sterilising feature is incredibly convenient and my little one was happy with the teat shape and has had no reflux with the MAM.”

Scoring the bottle 4.7 stars, parent tester Sarah, who breastfed her baby, says the self-sterilising feature is a standout feature for her. “As a breastfeeding mum, the whole world of bottles that need sterilising seem like rocket science to me, so for someone to introduce a bottle that sterilises itself is a giant tick in my book!”

Pros: Self-sterilising, microwave safe, extra-soft silicone teat, anti-colic vent, available in different colours and designs

Cons: More expensive than some baby bottles

Read the full review of the MAM anti-colic bottle here.

Available from: MAM, Boots and John Lewis

5. Dr Brown’s Options+ Anti-Colic Bottle, from £7.00

— Best for premature babies

Capacity/sizes available: 60ml (£7.00), 150ml (£7.69), 270ml (£7.99) | Type of teats: Preemie Flow (0 months+), Level 1 (0 months+), Level 2 (3 months+), Level 3 (6 months+), Level 4 (9 months+), Y Cut (9+ months for thicker liquids) | Made from: Plastic and silicone | BPA free: Yes | Dishwasher safe: Yes | Microwave safe: Not recommended

Dr Brown’s bottle has been designed with a removable 100% vacuum-free vent system that claims to be proven to reduce windy colic. This was something that parent tester Kim, mum of 1, noticed when using the bottle with her son who suffers with colic. She says: “The anti-colic function of the bottle was ideal as you have the option to use the bottle with the vent on it or remove if baby is not struggling as much with wind/colic. We found that he did not suffer with anywhere near as much wind, even compared to some of the other well-known brands we have tried.”

The bottle has also been designed with a teat that emulates the breast, which parent tester and mum of 2, Claire says her son took to “straight away” because “the teats are soft and malleable and were flexible as he was drinking.”

It come in three sizes – including a tiny Preemie bottle which comes with a Preemie teat that is 47% slower that a level 1 teat and ideal for babies who have a poor sucking reflex. The other teats can take your baby all the way up to 9months+, with 4 different teats and even one designed for thicker liquids. The bottles are available in a glass option and can be bought in money-saving multipacks.

Pros: Soft malleable teats in a wide variety of sizes including preemie flow, anti-colic vent

Cons: Not recommended for use in the microwave, only available in one colour and design

Available from: Baby Central, Boots and Amazon

6. Tommee Tippee Advanced Anti-Colic Bottle, from £7.99

- Best anti-colic bottle

Capacity/sizes available: 150ml, 260ml | Type of teats: Slow Flow (0 months+), Medium Flow (3 months+), Fast Flow (6 months+) | Made from: Silicone and polypropylene | BPA free: Yes | Dishwasher safe: Yes | Microwave safe: Not recommended

This ergonomic bottle comes from the Tommee Tippee range and the bottle has been designed with an extra-wide, breast-like shaped teat and anti-colic system that it says draws air away from the milk and look like a straw. This venting system cannot be removed from the bottle, which might be a drawback once your baby has outgrown colic symptoms.

Parent tester and mum of 2, Lyndsay tried the bottle with her daughter who’s also breastfed. She says: “My daughter took to them really easily after being breastfed. There were no wind problems and seemed less windy and colicky when using the bottles.”

The bottle also comes with a handy heat sensing tube that turns pink when the milk is too hot, which parent tester and mum of 2, Kathryn says she finds “reassuring”. But it’s worth noting these bottles can only be used with the anti-colic teats and not the Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature teats.

Pros: Effective anti-colic system, extra-wide teats, temperature indicator

Cons: Bottle can only used with anti-colic teats, anti-colic vent cannot be removed from the bottle

Available from: Boots and Tommee Tippee

7. Lansinoh Glass Feeding Bottle with NaturalWave Teat, from £9.99

– Best for sustainability

Capacity/sizes available: 160ml (£9.99), 240ml (£17.58 twin pack) | Type of teats: Slow Flow (0 months+), Medium Flow (3 months+), Fast Flow (6 months+)| Made from: Glass and Silicone | BPA free: Yes | Dishwasher safe: Yes | Microwave safe: Not recommended

Lansinoh designed its NaturalWave teat with breastfed babies in mind and says the teats are made to encourage your little one to suck in a way that helps with their natural oral development, by encouraging the same wave-like tongue movement babies use at the breast. The aim is to reduce nipple confusion and our testers found their babies took to the teat with ease.

The teats also feature an air ventilation system that’ll help to reduce the amount of air your baby takes in, which can prevent colic. Parent tester and mum of 2 Samantha particularly liked how the teat is designed to mimic the breast. “I especially liked the NaturalWave teat – it is soft and malleable and feels more like the skin of a nipple as opposed to a plastic teat.”

Meanwhile, the sturdy glass bottle has been designed for feeding expressed breastmilk, with a wide neck and base that makes it easier to pour breastmilk into the bottle before, then clean and sterilise it after, a feed. Bottles are also available in BPA-plastic.

Pros: Variety of materials including glass, anti-colic ventilation system, easy latch-on teat

Cons: Expensive, not recommended for use in the microwave

Available from: Amazon, Bebeco and Lansinoh

8. Philips Avent Natural Baby Bottle, from £12.53

– Best for newborns

With the wide and soft breast-shaped teat, Avent has designed its Natural feeding bottle to make it easier for mums and babies to combine breast and bottle feeding. It comes in 3 sizes and the smallest, at 60ml, is ideal for feeding expressed breast milk or formula top-ups to newborn babies whose little tummies don’t need more than this at one feed.

You can also buy the starter set which includes 2x 125ml bottles, 2x 260ml bottles, a brush to clean the bottles and a soother for £32.

The size of the teat makes it easier for babies to latch on, while the unusual spiral design and ‘petals’ at the base of the ‘nipple’, make the teat flexible and prevent it from collapsing in on itself, no matter how hard baby sucks.

The bottles receive consistently high ratings from users and our parent tester Deborah, who used the bottle with her breastfed baby, was similarly wowed. “My newborn, who is mostly breastfeeding, took to this bottle straight away, so I have been impressed. The ergonomic design also makes it easy for the parent to hold.”

Pros: Ergonomic design, smaller bottles for younger babies, easy-latch teat, microwave safe

Cons: Expensive and the size of the bottles and teats are not suitable for older babies

Available from: Philips Avent and Amazon

9. Nanobébé Breastmilk Baby Bottle, £17.99 for 2, £21.99 for 3

– Best for warming breastmilk

Capacity/sizes available: 150ml | Type of teats: Preemie (0 months+), Slow Flow (0 months+), Medium Flow (3 months+), Fast flow (6 months+), Y-cut (6 months+) | Made from: Silicone and polypropylene | BPA free: Yes | Dishwasher safe: Yes | Microwave safe: Yes

This uniquely shaped bottle has been designed to revolutionise bottle feeding and preserve the nutrients in breastmilk during storage and warming.

According to the company, the bottle allows milk to warm twice as fast as conventional bottles do thanks to the angle and increased surface area, which means more milk comes into contact with the heat source (a brand-compatible warming bowl, £11.99). Faster is better since being exposed to high temperatures for too long can damage the nutrients in breastmilk. Plus, your baby won’t be kept waiting as long for his feed.

The bottle also cools milk quicker, reducing bacterial growth for safer storage. Plus, the bottles can stack easily to save precious kitchen worktop space. Users praise the innovative design which mimics the breast.

As well as the storage and warming benefits, the bottles, which come in three (subtle) colours (teal, grey and pink), feature a super soft teat with a triple-vent that prevents air from entering your baby’s mouth during a feed, helping to eliminate colic.

Pros: Stackable, the design warms and cools milk faster than most bottles and helps to preserve the nutrients in breastmilk, microwave safe

Cons: More expensive than some baby bottles

Available from: Nanobebe, Amazon and Jojo Maman Bébé

10. Comotomo, £28 for 2

- Best silicone bottle

Capacity/sizes available: 150ml, 250ml | Type of teats: Slow Flow (0- 3 months), Medium Flow (3-6 months), Fast Flow (6 months+), Variable Flow (6 months+) | Made from: Silicone | BPA free: Yes | Dishwasher safe: Yes | Microwave safe: Yes

Made entirely of food-grade silicone, this bottle is soft and squishy and very easy for little – and big – hands to hold, making it just as comfortable to hold for babies and their grown-ups.

The skin-like texture of the silicone makes it an immediate hit with breastfed babies, as does the naturally shaped teat, which has a wide mound that mimics mum’s breast. Inside the teat are 2 anti-colic vents that vent the bottle, helping prevent your baby from gulping air and ending up with the dreaded colic or reflux.

The squeezable design can help pace feeds, and with a super wide neck and only four parts including the cap, this bottle is lauded by users as being simple and easy to use.

Pros: Tactile, squeezable bottle, natural-shaped teat, anti-colic vents, simple to use

Cons: The most expensive baby bottle on our list

Available from: Amazon and Kidly

How did we choose our 10 of the Best?

Our 10 of the Best lists are compiled by qualified and experienced parenting journalists. They rely on a number of sources, including our independent reviews, testing undertaken during the MadeForMums Awards, and feedback from our home testing panel and Top Testers Club. Each year thousands of products are put through their paces by hundreds of parents across the country on behalf of MadeForMums, to ensure we’re bringing you honest and true reviews and recommendations.

When choosing these baby bottles, we considered teat shape, teat flow, bottle design, material, anti-colic features, ease of use, longevity and compatibility with a breast pump.

Our list is not an ordered ranking from 1-10, instead it is a carefully selected group of tried-and-tested products, each of which we believe is best for a different situation or requirement. We don’t just tell you what is best, we help you discover what is best for your family.