Selecting a bottle for your breastfed baby can feel overwhelming, especially with so many brands claiming to be “best for breastfed babies.” The truth? Not all bottles are created equal—and marketing can sometimes lead you astray. Let’s break down the essentials of bottle selection so you can feel confident in your choice.
Why Bottle Shape Matters
Breastfed babies benefit from bottles that promote a latch similar to breastfeeding. This encourages consistency between breast and bottle, making the transition smoother for your baby.
What to Look For:
Nipple Shape: Choose bottles with a gradual slope—think of a mountain shape. These promote a wide gape and a deep latch, similar to breastfeeding.
Round Nipples: Rounded, symmetrical nipples help babies use their tongue in a way that more closely mimics breastfeeding.
What to Avoid:
Abrupt Changes in Slope: Nipples with a neck-and-shoulder design can lead to a shallow latch or pursed lips.
Flattened or Orthodontic Nipples: These shapes often don’t support breastfeeding mechanics.
“Breast-Shaped” Bottles: While the marketing sounds appealing, these often cause more issues than they solve, creating a latch that doesn’t resemble breastfeeding.
Other Factors to Consider:
Flow Rate: It's usually best to start with the slowest flow available, but this is not the case for all babies or all bottles. Flow rates are not universal, meaning they can vary significantly between brands. The key is observing your baby during feeds. They should drink comfortably within 15-30 minutes without showing signs of stress or frustration. And remember—breastmilk flow doesn’t speed up as your baby grows, so you may never need to move up to faster nipples.
Bottle Size: Breastfed babies average 3-4 oz per feeding, so smaller bottles are ideal. Oversized bottles are unnecessary.
Material: Bottles are available in plastic, silicone, or glass. Choose what works best for your family based on durability, ease of cleaning, and personal preference.
By keeping these tips in mind, you’ll be able to choose a bottle that supports your baby’s feeding needs and helps protect your breastfeeding relationship.
A Note for All Families
The title of this article happens to be Choosing a Bottle for Your Breastfed Baby because I'm a lactation consultant, and most of my clients are breastfeeding or combo feeding in some form. However, the bottle selection tips in this article apply to all babies. All babies deserve a bottle that promotes an optimal "latch" because this supports healthy oral development. In addition, factors like flow rate, bottle size, and material all play a role in creating a stress-free, happy feeding experience. No matter how you feed your baby, these tips can help make feeding time more comfortable for everyone.
Getting Help
Troubleshooting Bottle Feeding
If your baby struggles with bottle feeding—refusing the bottle, becoming frustrated, or feeding too quickly—an IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant) can provide personalized guidance. Sometimes, a minor adjustment is all it takes to make a big difference. To schedule a bottle consultation, click here.
Learn More in My Prenatal Breastfeeding Class
Bottle selection is just one of many topics covered in my on-demand prenatal breastfeeding class. Alongside tips for successful bottle feeding, I provide expert guidance on flange sizing for pumping, navigating life with a newborn, and preparing a backup plan for challenges. This virtual class is available anytime, making it easy to fit into your busy schedule.
Visit my website to sign up and start preparing for breastfeeding with confidence.