Breast to Bottle: Your Guide to Bottle Selection

With an overabundance of options available, navigating the bottle aisle can be overwhelming. Brands also have brilliant marketing teams that may make bottles seem like miracle workers (anti-gas, anti-colic, ect.). However, when bottle feeding it is important to know that the gassiness, fussiness and colicky symptoms are likely from how the baby is being fed and not necessarily the bottle type (see paced bottle feeding.). 

While some babies seamlessly switch between breast and bottle, others may be more particular. Unfortunately there is no one right answer here, and may require some trial and error. In this practical guide, we'll walk you through the key factors to consider when selecting the a baby bottle for your breastfeeding infant.

Choosing the Right Nipple:

The bottle it’s self can be up to your preference, plastic, glass or silicone are the typical choices. The nipple is arguably the most crucial component of a baby bottle, as it directly impacts your baby's feeding experience. The oral muscles and mechanisms for latch and suckling differ from breast tissue to artificial nipple. While an artificial nipple will never be an exact replica of a human breast there are some options that are better than others. When selecting a nipple, we want to keep in mind what we know about a good deep latch on the breast and promote a wide mouth angle, flanged lips, tongue cupping nipple. Here are the two considerations -

1. Flow Rate: Nipples come in varying flow rates, ranging from slow to fast. To start, you will want to use a “slow flow” nipple for a newborn. You may be able to keep the slow flow nipple for the duration of your baby’s bottle feeding journey. As your baby grows and gets more efficient with breastfeeding they may become impatient or frustrated with the slow flow, and this would be good time to try a faster flow nipple if you believe that is the case. 

2. Shape: Nipples come in different shapes, including traditional, wide, and orthodontic. The shape is very important to consider as this is what the baby will latch to. The best nipple shape to look for is a gradual slope from tip to base, this encourages a wide latch with flanged lips, like we like to see at the breast. 

Additional Considerations:

In addition to the bottle type and nipple, here are a few more factors to keep in mind when selecting a baby bottle:

1. Ease of Cleaning: Look for bottles that are easy to disassemble and clean, preferably dishwasher-safe for added convenience.
2. Compatibility: If you plan to use a breast pump, you can find bottles that are compatible with your pump system for seamless transition and storage of expressed breast milk.
3. Size and Capacity: Consider the size and capacity of the bottles based on your baby's feeding needs and your lifestyle. Smaller bottles are ideal for newborns, while larger bottles may be necessary as your baby grows.

Avoid these mistakes: 

1. Using a fast-flow nipple too soon – Can cause preference for bottle over breast due to the milk being faster and more readily available. 
2. Switching bottles too frequently – Give baby time to adjust.
3. Not using paced feeding – Leads to overfeeding and bottle preference. (see paced bottle feeding article if you're not familiar)
4. Giving up too soon – Some babies take time to accept a bottle.

Here are my favorites: These bottles have a nipple shape with the wide and gradual slope I would look for to encourage a wide latch with flanged lips much like we want to see at the breast! Click for a direct link to Amazon.

Pigeon Glass Nursing Bottle Wide Neck

Lansinoh Soft Silicone Slow Flow Bottle Nipples

Evenflo Feeding Premium Proflo

Conclusion: The short answer is there is really is no end all be all specific bottle recommendation. All babies and situations are different and will require some trial and error on your part. However, by considering factors such as bottle type, nipple shape, and additional features, you can find a bottle that meets your baby's needs and fits seamlessly into your feeding routine. Remember to take what we know about a “good latch” and apply it to nipple selection.