The best bottle for your baby.
Updated: 22 hours ago
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Looking at baby bottles in the store can quickly feel overwhelming. They come in all shapes and sizes, and brands often promise that their bottle is the best. In practice, however, there's no such thing as the best bottle. What works best varies from baby to baby. It depends on feeding speed, oral anatomy, alertness and maturation in the first few days.
The most important factor with bottles is the flow rate. The faster the milk flows, the less control a baby has. A calm, slow flow is usually best for newborns, as it better suits their immature sucking and swallowing coordination. Don't just consider the size of the teat: this varies by brand and is primarily a guideline. Pay particular attention to your baby's drinking behavior.
The shape of the teat and anti-colic systems also play a role. They can sometimes help with calmness and control, but they're no guarantee against colic. Flow, posture, and responsive feeding are often more important than the type of valve.
Bobby's favorite: In practice, I find that the a bottle of 120 ml with a size 1 teat is a good and safe start for many newborns. The smaller teat fits many babies well, and the bottle is readily available. I recommend having three bottles and two sets of size P teats (preemie) at home, so you can adjust the feeding rate and have enough clean bottles at night. Do rinse a bottle with cold water right after feeding. The P teat is often difficult to find in stores, so it's best to order it online right away.
Anyone who ever browses the drugstore shelves quickly becomes overwhelmed by the sheer number of baby bottles. They come in all shapes and sizes. It's very difficult for a layperson to know the differences and which one is right for your baby.
Maternity nurses get this question all the time: “Which bottle is best for my baby?”
Although brands would like you to believe that their bottle is the best. And some mothers swear that their baby only drinks well from bottle X. That in itself says little about the bottle. It certainly does not mean it is the only right choice.
The honest answer is: there is no one best bottle for all babies.
The right bottle depends on your baby's drinking speed, oral anatomy, alertness and age, and sometimes also on how the first few days after birth go.
Contents
Why the “best bottle” varies per baby
Babies don't all drink the same. This is because there are significant differences in:
Mouth size
Palate shape (high, narrow or wide)
Tongue mobility and strength
Jaw stability
Neurological maturation (especially in the first days after birth)
For effective drinking, a baby must:
be able to enclose the teat well,
be able to build up sufficient vacuum,
be able to compress the teat rhythmically with the tongue,
be able to coordinate sucking, swallowing and breathing well.
If any of these steps do not work well, you will see signs. Think of milk leaking from the corners of the mouth, clicking sounds, choking or coughing. Or of restlessness, falling asleep quickly, and long or difficult feedings.
That's why bottle choice is always functional, not cosmetic.
The most important factor: flow rate
What many parents don't know is that almost every teat has a designation printed on it. This can be a letter, a number, or a combination of both, such as:
P (preemie)
NB or 0
1, 2, 3
S, M, L
sometimes a symbol or dots
This indication indicates the flow rate: how quickly the milk can flow out of the teat.
Why this is important
The rate at which milk flows determines how much control your baby has while feeding. A larger teat usually allows more milk to flow per suck, often due to:
a bigger hole,
multiple holes,
or another internal form.
That means:
lower size → more control, slower tempo
higher size → less work, faster delivery
For young babies (and especially newborns) that difference is very noticeable.
Not all “slow flow” teats are the same: the flow can differ a lot between brands.
Sizes are not standardized
One important nuance. A size 1 teat from brand A is not automatically as fast as size 1 from brand B.
The variation in flow between brands, and even within the same brand, can be significant. Therefore, the indication on the teat is a relative guideline, not an objective measure.
That is also why I always advise parents not to just look at the number, but especially at their baby's drinking behaviour.
Too fast flow
milk runs from the mouth,
baby hardly needs to suck,
increased risk of choking and restlessness.
Too slow flow
baby gets tired more quickly,
feeding takes a very long time,
baby falls asleep before taking enough.
For newborns, especially in the first few days, a controlled low flow is usually best. The drinking rate then matches their neurological maturation. This is usually size 1 or S.
What I often see in practice
In the first few days after birth, many babies are:
still a bit sleepy,
motorically immature,
busy learning to suck and coordinate.
That is why in practice I often start with:
a low flow (for example size 1),
and later I switch to an even more controlled flow (like P/preemie)
That sounds contradictory, but in practice you often see: the calmer the flow, the better the organization of the drinking.
When combining breast and bottle feeding, my goal is for the bottle to be no easier than the breast. This is often advised to prevent potential nipple confusion, although there's no complete consensus on this.
Different teat shapes:
Besides differences in flow, bottle teats also differ in shape. Below, I've listed the most common shapes and their characteristics.
Narrow, round teat
Features
narrow neck
relatively small start
actively requires vacuum
Advantages
good control over flow
often fits well with small mouths
suitable for responsive/paced feeding
Point of attention
Some babies have difficulty creating a sufficient vacuum, especially if they have low muscle tone or wider palates.
Broad base (“breast-like”)
Features
broader base
requires a bigger bite
Advantages
can help babies who lose vacuum on narrow teats
sometimes less milk loss with a wider oral anatomy
Point of attention
sometimes difficult for small or young babies to latch on
“Breast-like” is primarily marketing; functional flow remains leading
Orthodontic/flattened teat
Features
asymmetrical shape
sits differently on the tongue
Advantages
may be more comfortable for some babies with a high palate
Point of attention
not every baby can close properly here
no evidence that this is standardly better for jaw development
Bottle material: glass vs. plastic vs. silicone
Besides teat and flow, the bottle's material also plays a role. Not so much in how a baby drinks, but in hygiene, durability, and how the material holds up under intensive use and frequent washing.
Glass
Plus points:
Very durable
Does not absorb odor, taste or color
Smooth surface → easy to clean
No micro-scratches where milk or bacterial residues can remain
Negative points:
Heavier than plastic or silicone
Fragile (although many glass bottles have a silicone protective sleeve)
Plastic
Plus points:
Light weight
Less fragile
Often cheaper
Practical for on the road or for daycare
Negative points:
Scratches faster, even with normal use
Micro scratches can retain odor and milk residue
Should actually be replaced if scratches are visible
Silicone
Plus points:
Soft and light
Does not break
Often fewer loose parts (on some squeeze bottles)
Great for parents who want something flexible
Negative points:
Can absorb odor and taste
Grease film adheres more easily to silicone
Sometimes it's harder to get really "clean" without thorough cleaning
Sterilising is not necessary for a healthy baby. Washing in hot soapy water or in the dishwasher is enough, according to the Dutch Voedingscentrum.
BPA has been banned in baby bottles in the EU since 2011. Since January 2025 there is a ban on BPA in almost all materials that come into contact with food. A bottle you buy in a shop today is BPA-free.
Do not warm the bottle above 30 to 35 degrees Celsius. You can check this with a drop of milk on the inside of your wrist. This advice also comes from the Dutch Voedingscentrum.
Anti-colic bottles and valves: do they really help?
Finally, you'll find many different anti-colic systems and valves on baby bottles. The idea behind these bottles is that they reduce air intake while feeding, which could help with colic and fussiness.
What we do know from studies
Venting/anti-vacuum systems change the drinking mechanism and pressure buildup in the bottle, which can cause babies to suck differently.
The idea that “swallowing air causes colic” is not firmly established; evidence that vented systems resolve colic is low/weak, and results are mixed.
Swallowed air can cause belching, bloating and fussiness around a feed. That can worsen colic. It is rarely the sole cause.
Practical conclusion
An anti-colic bottle can sometimes help babies who build up a lot of vacuum, sputter or become restless due to pressure in the bottle.
But don't expect a miracle cure for colic; often flow + posture + responsive feeding are more important.
The best bottle if you are also breastfeeding
When you combine breast and bottle, the goal is usually to make the pace and effort similar to breastfeeding, so that baby doesn't get "used" to a super-fast, effortless flow.
What often works best:
Real slow-flow teat (and not automatically "size up" because the packaging says months)
Responsive/paced bottle feeding (baby sets the pace, pauses are normal)
Bobby's favorites
In practice, I find the starter bottle of 120 ml is a great option for many families. The smaller teat fits many newborns well, and the bottle is readily available. I do recommend buying a size P (preemie) teat right away, so you can adjust the feeding pace properly. Because this P teat is difficult to find in many drugstores, I recommend ordering it online as well.
Starter bottle of 120 ml with teat size 1
A good starter bottle for most newborns. A gentle flow and excellent control.
Tip: Three bottles are usually enough, including at night. Do rinse a bottle with cold water right after feeding. Washing can wait until later.
In the first few days after birth, many babies feed well on a size 1 teat. As their energy and alertness increase, you sometimes see babies still need to suck after a full bottle feeding. This can be a good time to switch to a size P teat. The milk then flows more calmly, more like breastfeeding. The baby has more control and the need to suck is better met. The milk also enters the gut more gradually. This can help limit additional teat use.
Extra teats in size P (preemie)
Slower flow for more relaxed drinking. Minimizes the risk of overfeeding. Handy as an addition to size 1.
Tip: 2 packs are enough for 3 bottles.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most important factor when choosing a baby bottle?
The flow rate of the teat. A calm flow gives your baby more control and lowers the chance of choking and restlessness.
Which teat size suits a newborn baby?
A calm size 1 or slow flow is often suitable, but this differs per brand. Look mainly at the way your baby drinks.
Do anti colic bottles really help against cramps?
Valves sometimes help with less vacuum and calmer drinking, but they are no guarantee against cramps. Flow, position and paced feeding are often more important.
Which bottle works well if you combine breast and bottle?
A bottle with a real slow flow teat, and a way of feeding in which your baby sets the pace. That way the bottle does not become easier than the breast.
How many bottles do you need in the first weeks?
For many families three bottles are a good base, also at night. Rinse a bottle with cold water right after the feed.
Which bottle ultimately works best for your baby is always a matter of trial and error. Before birth there is no way to predict how quickly your baby will drink. Nor how the vacuum will connect, or which teat shape feels most comfortable. And that's okay. You don't have to get it perfect right away.
Love,
Bobby
Sources
Written by Bobby, maternity nurse at Bobby Kraamzorg. Last updated: September 2026.
Bobby believes in being transparent. Some links in this article are affiliate links. This information is free and stays free, for everyone. Bobby only recommends products she would recommend without a fee, and works with no sponsors. If you order through such a link, a small commission goes to Bobby. It is a way to support her, if you want to.
