How to Choose a Bottle and Teat for Your Baby

Choosing a bottle and teat can feel more complicated than it needs to be. Shelves are full of different shapes, materials, flow rates and claims, but there is no single bottle that is best for every baby.

For most families, a practical starting point is a simple bottle that is easy to clean and sterilise, paired with a teat that allows your baby to feed comfortably without milk flowing too quickly. The NHS notes that there is no evidence that one type of bottle or teat is better than another, so you do not need to buy the most expensive system.

Your baby’s response matters more than the packaging. If they can suck, swallow and breathe comfortably, take natural pauses and finish when they have had enough, the bottle and teat may be working well for them.

What types of baby bottles are available?

Baby bottles come in different shapes, sizes and materials.

Some are narrow and straight. Others are wider, curved or designed with additional valves or components. Bottles may be made from plastic, glass or other materials intended for infant feeding.

The NHS advises that bottles should have simple shapes that are easy to wash and sterilise. Complicated designs can have more areas where milk collects, which may make thorough cleaning harder.

Whatever style you choose, check that it is designed specifically for feeding babies and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning, sterilising and use.

You may find it sensible to buy only a small number at first. Babies can have individual preferences, and buying an entire feeding system before you know whether it suits your baby can be expensive.

Plastic or glass baby bottles?

Both plastic and glass bottles are available, and either may suit your family.

Plastic bottles are usually lightweight and less likely to break if dropped. Check the manufacturer’s guidance about heat, sterilisation and when the bottle should be replaced.

Glass bottles are heavier and can break, although some are sold with protective sleeves.

The best choice often comes down to what you find practical to hold, clean and use safely.

Whichever material you choose, inspect bottles regularly. Do not continue using a bottle that is cracked, damaged or otherwise no longer safe according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Does bottle shape matter?

Bottle shape is largely a practical choice.

A bottle that feels comfortable in your hand and is easy to clean may be more useful than one with several specialist features.

Some products are marketed as being shaped more like a breast or designed to reduce particular feeding problems. Marketing claims do not guarantee that a bottle will suit your baby.

The NHS states that there is no evidence that one type of bottle or teat is better than another.

If your baby feeds comfortably from a straightforward bottle, there is no need to change simply because another design promises additional benefits.

If feeding is consistently difficult, speak to a health visitor or another qualified professional rather than repeatedly buying different bottles without understanding what is causing the problem.

What should you look for in a bottle teat?

Teats come in different shapes, materials and flow rates.

Some are made from silicone and others from latex. They can also vary in width, length and softness.

The teat needs to fit the bottle correctly and be suitable for the feeding system you are using.

More importantly, the milk should flow at a pace your baby can manage comfortably.

During responsive bottle feeding, the NHS recommends holding your baby close in a semi-upright position and keeping the bottle almost horizontal. This helps prevent milk from flowing too quickly and gives your baby more control.

Watch your baby rather than relying only on the age printed on a teat packet.

What does teat flow rate mean?

Teat flow describes how quickly milk passes through the teat while your baby sucks.

Manufacturers often label teats with terms such as slow, medium or fast flow, sometimes alongside suggested ages.

These labels are useful product guides, but babies do not all develop feeding skills at exactly the same pace.

A faster teat is not automatically better because your baby is older.

If milk flows too quickly, your baby may struggle to coordinate sucking, swallowing and breathing comfortably. If the flow is difficult for them to manage, you may notice milk spilling from their mouth or signs of distress during the feed.

If you are unsure whether the flow is suitable, ask your health visitor to observe a bottle feed.

Signs the teat flow may be too fast

Your baby should be able to pause during a bottle feed.

If they appear to be struggling to keep up with the milk, the flow may need attention.

Possible signs of feeding difficulty can include coughing, spluttering, gulping, milk leaking from the mouth or appearing distressed while drinking.

First check your feeding position. The NHS recommends keeping the bottle almost horizontal rather than tipping it steeply, which can make milk flow more quickly.

Allow your baby to pause whenever they need to.

If problems continue, seek feeding advice. Repeated coughing or choking during feeds should not simply be treated as a normal consequence of bottle feeding.

Do not enlarge the hole in a teat yourself.

Signs the teat flow may need checking

A baby who takes a long time to feed is not automatically using the wrong teat.

Some babies naturally feed more slowly and take frequent breaks.

However, if your baby seems to work very hard to get milk, repeatedly becomes exhausted during feeds, falls asleep before taking enough or becomes frustrated at most feeds, speak to your health visitor.

There can be several reasons for feeding difficulties, and changing to a faster teat without assessing what is happening may not solve the problem.

Your baby’s feeding technique, position, health and the bottle itself may all be relevant.

Do newborns need a slow-flow teat?

Many bottle systems offer a slower-flow teat intended for younger babies.

However, there is no universal teat flow that is right for every newborn, and manufacturer labels are not a substitute for watching how your baby actually feeds.

Use a teat designed for infant feeding and follow the product instructions.

During the feed, keep the bottle almost horizontal and let your baby control the pace as much as possible.

If your newborn is coughing, gulping, struggling to breathe comfortably, repeatedly falling asleep before taking enough milk or otherwise finding feeds difficult, ask your midwife or health visitor for advice.

Babies who were born prematurely or who have feeding or swallowing difficulties may need individual recommendations from their healthcare team.

Do anti-colic bottles work?

Many bottle systems are marketed as anti-colic and may include vents, valves or specially shaped teats.

Parents understandably want to try anything that might help when a baby is uncomfortable.

However, the NHS states that there is no evidence that one type of bottle or teat is better than another.

Colic can have several possible explanations, and unsettled behaviour does not necessarily mean your baby’s bottle is the cause.

If your baby is otherwise well, you can focus on responsive feeding, keeping them comfortably positioned and allowing pauses during feeds.

If your baby cries persistently, seems to be in pain or you are worried about their feeding or health, speak to your health visitor or GP.

What about bottles marketed for breastfed babies?

Some bottles are marketed specifically for babies who also breastfeed.

They may have wide teats, particular shapes or claims about making the transition between breast and bottle easier.

There is no bottle that can guarantee a baby will move between breast and bottle without difficulty.

If you are introducing bottles while breastfeeding, responsive bottle feeding can help keep bottle feeds slower and led by your baby’s cues.

Hold your baby semi-upright, keep the bottle almost horizontal and allow pauses rather than encouraging them to finish quickly.

If maintaining your breast milk supply is important to you, remember that replacing breastfeeds with bottles reduces breast stimulation unless you express milk as well.

A midwife, health visitor or breastfeeding supporter can help you plan combination feeding around your goals.

How many bottles do you need?

There is no fixed number of bottles every family needs.

The right amount depends on how often your baby has bottles, whether you are exclusively bottle feeding or combination feeding, and how frequently you want to wash and sterilise equipment.

If you are unsure which bottle your baby will accept, starting with a small number can be practical.

Once you know the system works for your baby and fits your routine, you can buy more if needed.

Having enough bottles to manage your normal washing and sterilising routine can reduce pressure, but buying a large matching set is not necessary.

Make sure bottles are easy to clean

Cleaning is one of the least glamorous but most important considerations when choosing feeding equipment.

The NHS recommends washing bottles, teats and other feeding equipment thoroughly in hot, soapy water before sterilising them.

A bottle brush can help clean the inside of bottles and teats.

Rinse everything in clean, cold running water before sterilising.

If a bottle has several valves, inserts or small pieces, every component needs to be cleaned according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

A complicated bottle may work perfectly well, but only if you can realistically clean and reassemble it correctly every time.

For tired parents doing several feeds a day, simplicity can be genuinely useful.

Bottles and teats still need sterilising

The NHS recommends sterilising all feeding equipment until your baby is at least 12 months old.

This includes bottles and teats.

Accepted methods include steam sterilising, cold-water sterilising solutions and boiling equipment that is safe to boil.

Follow the instructions for your chosen method and the manufacturer’s guidance for the bottle.

After sterilising, leave equipment in the steriliser until you need it where possible. If you remove it, wash and dry your hands before handling the sterilised parts.

Cleaning and sterilising requirements are worth considering before choosing a bottle with many separate components.

Check teats and bottles for damage

Feeding equipment does not last forever.

Inspect bottles and teats regularly for signs of wear or damage.

The NHS specifically advises checking teats and bottles regularly and throwing away any that are damaged.

Teats can deteriorate over time, particularly with repeated washing, sterilising and use.

Replace damaged items rather than trying to repair them.

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions if they recommend replacing components after a particular period or under specific conditions.

Try not to choose by marketing claims alone

Baby feeding products often make very specific promises.

You may see bottles described as natural, breast-like, anti-colic, orthodontic or designed to prevent nipple confusion.

These labels can make choosing equipment feel high stakes.

It does not need to be.

The NHS says there is no evidence that one type of bottle or teat is better than another.

Choose equipment that is safe, designed for babies, compatible with your feeding method and practical to clean and sterilise.

Then watch your baby.

Comfortable feeding matters more than having the bottle with the longest list of features.

How to know if your bottle and teat are working well

A suitable bottle and teat should allow your baby to feed without being overwhelmed by the milk flow.

During responsive bottle feeding, your baby should be able to suck, pause and restart.

You should be able to see their face and respond if they turn away or need a break.

They may stop sucking, push the bottle away, turn their head or spill milk when they have had enough.

Do not force them to finish the bottle.

If feeds are generally calm, your baby can control the pace and their weight and nappies are progressing as expected, there may be no reason to keep changing equipment.

A simple bottle that works is enough.

When to get professional advice

Speak to your midwife, health visitor, GP or another qualified healthcare professional if your baby regularly struggles with bottle feeding or you are unsure whether the bottle or teat flow is suitable.

Ask for advice if your baby repeatedly coughs, chokes, splutters or appears distressed during feeds, struggles to suck or swallow, takes very little milk, becomes exhausted during feeding or regularly takes an unusually long time to feed.

You should also seek support if you are concerned about your baby’s weight gain, wet or dirty nappies, or overall milk intake.

If your baby was premature, has a medical condition or has known feeding or swallowing difficulties, follow the bottle and teat recommendations from their healthcare team rather than relying on general product age labels.

Never leave your baby alone with a propped bottle. If your baby is choking, has difficulty breathing, becomes unresponsive or appears seriously unwell, seek urgent medical help.