Best baby bottles and teat sizes: A guide to what baby bottles to buy

9 min. read

Deciding what baby bottles to buy can seem a little daunting. There are so many options available, so how do you decide which are the best baby bottles?

In this guide, we will explore everything you need to know to make an informed decision on what bottles and what bottle teats to use including:

• What are the best bottles for newborns? And other FAQs
  
• An overview of Philips Avent bottle sizes, features, and benefits
  
• An overview of Philips Avent teat sizes, features, and benefits
  
• The best baby bottle care guide: Sustainability and sterilisation

Read on to discover everything you need to know about the best baby bottles and teat sizes for your baby.

What are the best bottles for newborns? And other FAQs

Before we start comparing different bottle and teat features, let’s explore some FAQs on what bottles and teats to use:

• What bottles should I buy for my newborn?
  
  Whether you choose to formula feed or express breastmilk, choosing the right bottle is key. You will need between 4 and 6 bottles, preferably of a smaller size as your baby’s stomach is smaller when they are newborn. As they grow you will be able to adjust to the larger size bottles.¹
  
  
• What are the best bottles for breastfed babies?
  
  Choosing a bottle that mimics the breast will help to make the transition from breast to bottle and vice versa easier. For those wondering about the differences between Avent natural response vs natural, we’re here to help.
  
  Philips Avent Natural Response with AirFree vent bottles are designed to ease common feeding issues like colic, gas, and reflux. With the innovative AirFree vent, they ensure the teat stays filled with milk, not air, promoting upright feeding in various positions. This reduces air intake, helping babies feed comfortably.
  
  If that doesn’t sound like the perfect match to you, we also have the Philips Avent Natural Response bottles without the vent.
  
  Either option – with or without the vent – comes in either BPA-free silicone or glass variants and different sizes.
  
  
• How do I use a bottle to feed my baby?
  
  Holding the bottle horizontally, place the teat to your baby’s mouth to encourage them to latch on. Allow them to feed until they are full, keeping an eye on their cues to prevent over-feeding. For more advice, read our guide to how to bottle feed your baby the right way.
  
  
• What size teat for a newborn?
  
  The flow rate is indicated by a number system on bottle teats. For example, Avent bottle teat sizes range from flow 1 (newborn flow) to flow 6 (fast flow for 6m+), with the slowest flow being best for a newborn. As they grow and develop, you will be able to start changing the teat accordingly. You can always mix and match your bottles and teats for the best fit for your baby.

Top tip: If you want more information on how to find the perfect flow with Philips Avent Natural Response teats, check out our teat flow guide video.

An overview of Philips Avent bottle sizes, features, and benefits

So, what are the best baby bottles? Here we’ll compare the benefits and features of different Philips Avent bottle sizes:

Philips Avent Natural Response baby bottles

• Available in 3 different sizes: 125ml (newborn), 260ml (standard) for 1 month and above, and 330ml for 4 months and above.  
  
• For newborns, use the flow 1 or 2 teats with the smaller 125ml bottle for the best fit. When your baby is around a month old, you can switch to the standard 260ml bottle with flow 3 teats. As they grow to three months and older, you can transition to the larger 330ml bottle with flow 4 teats. Remember, you can always mix and match to find what works best for your baby.
  
• Natural latch-on makes the transition from breast to bottle and vice versa easier.
  
• Wide neck design for easy cleaning and assembly.
  
• Compatible with the Avent range from breast pumps to sippy cup lids.
  
• Silicone and BPA free.*
  
• Anti-colic valve: Releases pressure that builds up in your little one’s mouth, enabling smoother, continuous drinking.
  
• Designed to confidently release milk only when the baby is feeding.
  

Philips Avent Natural Response Anti-colic bottle with AirFree vent

• Designed with an AirFree vent to offer extra protection against common feeding issues and discomfort like colic, gas, and reflux by ensuring the teat remains filled with milk and not air.
  
• Available in 2 sizes: 260ml (standard) and 125ml (newborns).
  
• The 125 ml bottle is great for newborns with teat flow 1 or 2, while the 260ml bottle works well with flow 3, standard flow (+1 month). You can always mix and match what is best for your baby.
  
• Wide neck design for easy cleaning and assembly.
  
• Compatible with the Avent range from breast pumps to sippy cup lids.
  
• Silicone and BPA free.*
  
• Anti-colic valve: Releases pressure that builds up in your little one’s mouth, enabling smoother, continuous drinking.
  
• Designed to confidently release milk only when the baby   is feeding.

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPL9LgBxeos

Philips Avent Natural Response baby bottles with flow 4 teats

• 330ml bottle.
  
• Perfect for 3m + with teat flow 4 (standard flow).  
  
• Enables 'smoother' continuous drinking which in turn reduces the occurrence of swallowing of air.
  
• Wide neck design for easy cleaning and assembly.
  
• Compatible with the Avent range from breast pumps to sippy cup lids.
  
• Silicone and BPA free.*
  
• Designed to confidently release milk only when the baby is feeding.

Top tip: There is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ when it comes to baby bottles. If your baby is refusing one type of bottle or finding it hard to drink from the bottles you’re using, they may benefit from trying a different bottle.