Baby Bottle Reviews: Dr. Brown's vs. Playtex Ventaire vs. Evenflo

Introduction

Baby bottles are one of the integral supplies that are required for infants. Baby bottles are used not only for mothers that wish to formula feed but also for mothers that choose to breastfeed through pumping and even for mothers that are required to supplement breast milk with formula.

Since there are so many bottles that can be chosen from, learning about each of the types of bottles can be a great way to help make the decision.

Cost is an influence for many parents, as the cost of the bottle increases the cost of the ‘gear’ for that child. Bottles range in price between as little as three dollars per bottle, to as much as twenty dollars.

Navigating the cost of the bottles can be tricky, but the parent should consider that between eight and twelve bottles will help to alleviate some of the stress of having to constantly clean bottles. Considering the budget, and how many bottles are preferred can be a great way to determine the budget.

The cost of baby feeding bottles can depend on a number of factors. Bottles that are created from plastic are often less than those created with glass, as they are often easier to find. Bottles that are considered to be eco-friendly and contain fewer chemicals are often more expensive, as with most natural products. These bottles are often desired and even considered to be trendy and are therefore higher in price.

Bottles that have accessories, like glass bottles that are designed with sleeves, are often more expensive, as they can cost an extra five to seven dollars for these protective sleeves.

Comparing the costs through local stores and even shopping for promotions online can be an effective way to get the price that you want and the baby feeding bottles, you need.

Baby Bottle Types

When making the decision of which baby bottles are best, what’s more, important is to determine which baby bottles are best for the needs of the infant. Taking into account the age of the infant, the current feeding habits and any digestive needs can help the parent to choose the best bottle.

For instance, there are certain bottles that are designed for colicky babies. These bottles are designed with vented airflow shapes and specific nipples that will reduce the amount of air that is swallowed along with the milk and therefore reduce the gas created, reducing many of the symptoms of colic in the infant.

Bottles that are designed for breastfed babies will often include a bottle that the milk can be pumped into and therefore attached to the breast pump. These bottles are often suitable for milk storage as well and can, therefore, be frozen and warmed with ease.

The nipples that are chosen for these bottles are often similar to the shape and mechanics of the breast and will, therefore, help to avoid nipple confusion for the child that is breastfeeding. These bottles are specialized with a flow system that requires the infant to actively suck, to produce milk, similar to the act of breastfeeding.

Glass bottles are a great choice for parents seeking a natural choice. Glass bottles do not contain the harmful chemicals found in plastic and therefore can be easily washed by hand or in the dishwasher.

Bottles made from glass are a great choice for parents since there are many durable sleeves and other accessories that can help to create a durable choice for parents. Glass bottles are available through most leading retailers and therefore can be easily compared at price, and are often an affordable choice for parents.

Brands

Best Baby Bottles

Dr. Brown's Original Bottle Newborn Feeding Set Review

Buying sets of bottles rather than individually packaged choices can help new parents to save on the cost of feeding the infant. Sets of bottles are as much as forty percent less than the individual costs and are often packed with convenient accessories and additional components to simplify the feeding of the infant.

Dr. Brown’s Bottles are available in convenient packages of four and eight, allowing the parent to make one purchase to accommodate the bottles needed to feed the infant on schedule. These convenient packages offer the same benefits of the single Dr. Brown’s bottles while enabling the parent to save money.

Features

The natural flow of the bottles can help to soothe and settle infants suffering from colic and other digestive conditions
It helps to prevent fluid build-up in the as there is no vacuum effect that is created while the infant is sucking on the bottle.
Easily cleaned and dishwasher friendly
Can be used from newborn throughout toddlerhood for parents introducing the bottle from birth
Reduces spit-up and gas from the infant and natural flow makes for easier burping

Dr. Brown’s bottles are a great choice for parents that are trying to soothe a baby that is suffering from colic. The painful condition can cause gas, bloating and other symptoms in infants and can create difficulty settling the infant – causing frustration to parents. The natural flow throughout the design can help to reduce these symptoms and reduce the spit up and gas while making it easier to burp the infant.

These popular bottles are BPA free, easy to clean and can be placed in the dishwasher for easy maintenance. Parents that are placing the entire bottles in the dishwasher are recommended to use a dishwasher basket to keep hold of those small pieces of the bottle, including the nipple and the rings.

Easily used from infancy, parents can choose from various nipple stages depending on the age of the child and create easier feeding.

Evenflo Feeding Classic Glass Twist Bottles Review

Evenflo Bottles include six bottles in the package, to reduce the need to buy multiple single bottles wasting package and money on baby bottles. These popular bottles are a great choice for parents seeking versatility as standard nipples from leading brands can be combined with the bottle pieces to create a soothing feeding experience for infants.

The micro designed airflow nipples ensure that the liquid from the bottle is going to flow easily with the infant, reducing the symptoms and pain of colic in infants and reducing indigestion making for easier burping of the infant.

Features

A great alternative to plastic for parents seeking durable bottles that can be placed in the dishwasher without worrying about degrading plastic
Sensitive response design throughout the nipples to create even airflow throughout
Available in a convenient six-pack, budget-friendly bottles
Created from recycled glass to provide an alternative to plastic bottles
Clear bottles allow parents to easily see how much breast milk or formula has been consumed by the infant

Evenflo bottles are a great option for parents seeking affordable options for feeding. Available in a package of six for just over ten dollars for the smaller sized four-ounce bottles, Evenflo has created an affordable all-in-one bottle for parents.

The four-ounce size is the perfect option for parents that are searching for alternatives to larger sized bottles for infants. Made smaller for easier portion control while feeding, parents are easily able to fill and monitor the feeding habits of the infant to track how much has been eaten.

When the infant is ready to transition to the larger sized bottles, parents can easily switch the size of the bottles and continue to use the same rings, covers, and even the nipples if they are the right stage for the infant. Evenflo bottles are a versatile choice and can be used at home for infants from birth to toddlerhood, allowing parents to save on the cost of trendier bottle options.

Lifefactory BPA-Free Glass Baby Bottle Review

For parents seeking a modern and stylish choice that is available in a wide range of colors, Lifefactory Glass Baby Bottles are the premier choice.

The durable glass design of the bottle is complimented with the silicon sleeve in bright and bold colors tones including yellow, orange, blue, magenta, pink, purple and green. The popular colors for the bottles are a modern choice for parents on the go that are seeking the safety of the glass bottle, with the durability that comes from traditional plastic bottles.

Available in both four and nine-ounce sizes, the Lifefactory Glass baby bottles are suited to parents that are breast or bottle feeding.

The varying stages of nipples that are available to be paired from the bottle allow the parent to choose from leading brands of slow to fast nipples, as they are compatible with the bottle. This means that parents can find additional, and replacement parts for the Lifefactory Glass baby bottles through the local retail stores that stock baby items and bottles.

The silicon sleeve for the bottles is a great way to protect the Lifefactory glass bottle against the occasional toss by the infant or toddler, but also a great way to allow the child to grip the bottle while learning to feed themselves and a way to ward against glass bottles that have become a little too warm to the touch after being placed in the warmer.

The price is offset by the fact that many parents that use the bottles for up to two years find that the silicone sleeves on the bottles appear brand new. They are easily tossed in the dishwasher or washed by hand and are durable enough to be placed in the sanitizers and bottle warmers. This makes them durable and stylish choice a parent’s favorite once they have tried the bottles.

Playtex Ventaire Baby Bottle Review

Playtex Ventaire Baby Bottles allow parents of children suffering from colic symptoms to reduce the gas, pain, bloating and fussiness that come with the illness. The angled design of the bottle reduces the amount of air that is swallowed while the child is being fed and can help the child to remain comfortable while feeding, even without feeding while sitting up. In addition, the angled design of the Playtex VentAire Bottle can reduce spit-up and help to keep more milk down with each meal.

The benefits to the Playtex Ventaire Baby Bottles don’t stop at reducing the symptoms of colic. The unique design and shape of the bottle, with the angled feeding system, can also help to reduce the instance of ear infections that the child suffers from. The angled shape of the bottle encourages parents to feed the infant in a semi-upright position, to reduce the instance of ear infections.

The Playtex Ventaire Baby Bottle uses specialized vents throughout the design of the bottle to virtually eliminate air bubbles from the feeding. The reduction of the air bubbles can create healthy feeding, and the venting system is only available through Playtex Ventaire Baby Bottles.

With two sizes of bottles that are available, parents can choose the smaller design for younger infants or the larger nine-ounce design for older infants and toddlers. The varied sizes allow parents to use a combination of the bottles for easy feeding, though most parents prefer the larger size, as it can help the parent to avoid refilling the bottles half-way through the feeding. For this reason, more and more parents are choosing the economical solution of the larger sized bottles, and simply halfway filling the nine-ounce bottles for younger infants.

Playtex Ventaire Baby Bottles are a great choice for parents seeking a healthy feeding option for the infant because of the venting system used, but also as the bottles are designed with BPA-free and Phthalate-free plastic. The healthy design of the plastic ensures that no chemicals are going to leech into the milk inside of the bottle, exposing the child to harmful chemicals.

Mimijumi Very Hungry Breastfeeding Baby Bottle Review

The Mimijumi Very Hungry Baby Bottle has been designed to mimic the experiences that come with breastfeeding. From the texture of the nipple that attaches to the bottle, mimicking the softness of the breast to the shape and tone of the nipple, this bottle is designed to completely mimic the shape and the appearance of the breast to the child that is breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding mothers are often very concerned about the relationship and the latch that is developed in the early stages of infancy. Success throughout breastfeeding can be troublesome for many women and therefore parents that choose to introduce bottles should choose bottles that are considered to be ‘breastfeeding friendly’ and bottles that aren’t going to cause nipple confusion in the infant.

The Mimijumi Very Hungry Baby Bottle is easy to open and easy to clean. The wide neck of the bottle allows parents to fill the bottle without worrying about spilling liquid into a narrow opening, like traditional bottles. The wide opening of the bottle also makes it easy to clean, as parents are able to cleanse the entire bottle using a cloth and their hand, or bottle brush that has been designed for wine bottles. These features, combined with the breastfeeding-friendly nature of the bottle and the similar appearance to the breast make it one of the most popular breastfeeding bottles, despite being one of the newest designs on the market.

The bottle is created from BPA free plastic and is a traditionally-sized bottle that will accommodate eight ounces of liquid. The bottle comes with the slow flow nipple suitable for infants, which may have to be replaced once the infant becomes older and a medium flow or fast flow nipple is more suited to their feeding needs.

Parents shopping for the bottle may not find the Mimijumi bottle in their local retail stores, but there are many online baby boutiques offering sales and promotions to help parents to find the best deals while shopping for their baby bottles. As an added bonus, parents can take advantage of these sales and promotions, like free shipping, to save while shopping for baby gear.

Philips Avent Natural Baby Bottle Review

Philips Avent Baby Bottles are a convenient choice for parents that are seeking a healthy option for their child. The practical plastic bottles are available in both five-ounce sizes for infants, and larger nine-ounce bottles for toddlers and older infants. With features that are designed to ease the common feeding troubles associated with infants, parents can rest assured that they are choosing bottles that have proven themselves.

Parents choose Philips Avent Bottles because of the convenience of the packages that the bottles are available in. Parents can choose from bundles of between four to six bottles, including other accessories like bottle brushes, and even formula containers for parents on the go. This way, the parent can choose pre-measured formula to add to the Philips Avent bottle, making being out with baby easier than ever.

Avent bottles are designed with features to reduce the symptoms of colic and are therefore one of the leading choices for parents with colicky babies. The features of the bottle include a vented system that can reduce the amount of air that is being swallowed while feeding and therefore can reduce the pain of gas and colic that babies often suffer from. The specific flow nipples are designed to regulate flow, depending on the age of the child, to also reduce the amount of air that is swallowed. These techniques can be an effective way to reduce the symptoms of colic that are being experienced, and the pain that comes with it.

The design of the bottles is easy for infants to grasp, and comfortable for parents. The design of the Philips Avent baby bottles includes an easy traveled shape with a cap that is contoured and curved to fit directly over the nipple. This can help to avoid spills and also to ensure that the bottle cap is going to stay put while being tossed around in the diaper bag.

With so many options that are available for the Philips Avent bottle systems, parents can easily transition from infant bottles to toddler cups – and be sure that the child is being fed with ease, the entire time.

The First Years Breastflow Bottle Review

Parents that have chosen to breastfeed their infants are often warned to be careful about the types of nipples and feeding systems that are used while supplementing with formula or providing the baby with pumped breast milk.

Many of the traditional bottles that are available allow the child access to the milk without having to suck adequately, which can cause problems when the child is at the breast. The unique design allows for the tongue to remain in the same position as it would be when the child is breastfeeding, allowing for a reduced chance of the infant developing nipple confusion.

Choosing bottles like the First Years Breastflow Bottle can help to retain the latch that has been developed with the child, as the system requires the child to suck to get the milk, and the compression that is created with the nipple is similar to that of the child actually being at the breast.

The design of the bottle includes the wide-neck plastic bottle, BPA free and easy to fill throughout the plastic shaped bottle. The curved design makes it simple for infants to hold on to the bottle while the two-part nipple system allows the child to suck the milk, and the exterior of the nipple to compress when being sucked, just like at the breast.

The feeding system includes the soft outer nipple, the inner nipple for the bottle, the plastic bottle and feeding caps that can be used to store breast milk or formula that hasn’t been mixed with water. Using the feeding system can be a convenient way for parents to be ready to go in a few moments' notice, reducing the amount of baby gear that’s required for the infant.

The First Year’s Breastflow Bottle is the premier choice for parents that are seeking a natural experience for their baby’s feeding. Proven to reduce the symptoms of colic in infants because of the two in one nipple design, parents can reduce the amount of air that is swallowed and therefore reduce the symptoms like gas, stomach pain and spitting up.

Safest Baby Bottles

Parents have many decisions to make when it comes to their children. Through the hoards of baby products and brands that are available, it can become confusing while searching through the various types of baby products, including bottles.

What Types of Baby Bottles are Safest For Parents to Use For Their Infants?

BPA Free Baby Bottles: are going to ensure that the infant using the bottles is not going to be exposed to levels of BPA through regular use of the bottles as the plastic in the bottles becomes degraded from washing, usage, etc. It is important to research the various brands and consider which bottles are truly BPA free and determine which offer the best choices for your needs.
Glass Baby Bottles: contain fewer chemicals than their plastic counterpart, but also provide the parent with bottles that are going to be dishwasher friendly, easily sterilized and bottles that are going to outlast through more than one child. Glass baby bottles are available from leading baby bottle companies and are becoming a stylish and innovative way to choose an eco-friendly baby bottle option.

As an added bonus, glass baby bottles are often being created with bright and stylish colorful sleeves that can be used on the baby bottles to increase the style of the bottle, but also to create a durable option for baby bottles that are dropped on the ground and that undergo the wear and tear of regular use.

Comparing the features, methods of use and even the customer service from the various baby bottle companies can be an effective way to create baby bottles that are simple to use and that can be chosen to ensure that the child remains safe, reducing the exposure to harmful chemicals that are found through some brands of baby bottles.

How to Sterilize Sanitize and Clean Baby Bottles

To create a safe experience while using baby bottles, it is important to ensure that the bottles are sterilized and cleaned before use to rid the bottles of the harmful bacteria that can cause stomach bugs and other maladies in the infant or toddler that is drinking from the baby bottle. Sterilizing the baby bottle also removes any of the harmful components or residue that the bottle may have been exposed to through the manufacturing and shipping process.

How can you sterilize the baby bottle? There are many ways that you can sterilize the baby bottle. Bottle sterilizers are some of the easiest ways to sterilize the bottle and can be used on a regular basis in as little as five minutes to ensure that there are no harmful germs inside the bottle that is being used to feed the infant.

To clean the baby bottles, there are two options that are available. Some baby bottles are dishwasher friendly and can be placed in the top rack of the dishwasher (faced down) to ensure that they are going to become cleaned, while other types of bottles are not dishwasher friendly and must be washed by hand. This information can be found on the packaging or by contacting the manufacturer of the bottles. In any case, the nipples and bottle tops should not be placed in the dishwasher and should be washed by hand.

Sanitizing the baby bottles is completed through hot temperatures and steam. Placing the bottles in the dishwasher can help to sanitize the bottles, but there are also many gadgets that can sterilize and sanitize bottles and toys and can help to complete the process in as little as two minutes, creating a clean bottle with no germs that can be used for babies and toddlers as conveniently as possible.

The Proper and Best Way Sterilize a Baby Bottle

When baby bottles are opened out of the package, they are far from being sterilized. The glass has gone from the factory to the packaging, to the store shelves to then being finally delivered to the customer. Throughout this entire process, there are countless hands and exposure to potential germs and bacteria that could be inside or on the baby bottle.

Learning the proper ways to sterilize a baby bottle can ensure that it’s safe before use:

Dishwasher: Using a dishwasher on high temperature is one of the easiest ways that can be used to sterilize a baby bottle. Baby bottles that are placed in the dishwasher should be placed on the top rack of the dishwasher to ensure that they are sterilized without being damaged. Be sure that the dishwasher is on heated dry, or temperature boost – to ensure that the bottle is going to be sterilized effectively.
Baby Bottle Sterilizers: Baby bottle sterilizers can be used to effectively sterilize the baby bottles. Bottle sterilizers can be found through department stores, baby boutiques, baby-supply stores and through online retailers. Baby bottle sterilizers are countertops units that simply plug into an outlet. The user fills the sterilizer with water and places the bottles that are going to be sterilizer. With the simple touch of a button, the steam will sterilize the bottles that are placed in the sterilizer.
Boiling Method: Baby bottles can be sterilized using a simple stove-top method. Using a large pot of water that has been heated to the boiling point, baby bottles can be placed inside the pot. The hot water will sterilize the bottles. Leaving the bottles inside of the water for two to three minutes, and removing the bottles to allow air-drying will sterilize the bottles for use.

Baby bottles should be sterilized when they are first purchased from the store, or ordered online. It’s not necessary to sterilize the bottles each time they are used, but they should be sterilized every two to four weeks to ensure that they remain healthy.

How Often Should Baby Bottles Be Replaced?

Baby bottles are one of those things that are used less once the infant becomes a toddler and begins the transition to training cups, but most parents store these bottles – especially parents that have plans for multiple children.

Learning when to replace the bottles is the first step for parents while planning for a second, third or fourth child.

Storing bottles can be harmful to the child, especially if the bottles being stored were created before the awareness rose of BPA in the plastics that were used to create these bottles. Additionally, bottles that have been washed excessively are more likely to leech this toxic chemical into the milk, water, and juice being given to the infant.

As a general rule, glass bottles can be kept longer than plastic bottles. Glass bottles can be washed in the dishwasher, traditionally washed in the sink and even used for multiple children. Plastic bottles degrade quicker, especially when exposed to the high temperatures of the dishwasher.

How often should you replace baby bottles? Baby bottles should be replaced once the quality of the bottle begins to degrade. In plastic bottles, the plastic can often be used for as much as eighteen months, throughout the traditional time that infants will use the bottles. For glass bottles, they can be used up to four times as long, ensuring that there are no cracks or splices in the bottle and that the plastic components of the bottle, including the top ring and nipples, have been replaced.

To increase the usage of the baby bottles, parents might want to consider avoiding using the dishwasher to clean the bottles. Using a bottle brush, the parents can easily clean the bottles without relying on the dishwasher. Rinsing the bottles once they are used, it can help to reduce the build-up and residue from milk and make them easier to clean.

When is the Right Time to Take Away the Baby Bottle?

We’ve all seen it – a toddler with a bottle in public, or even an older toddler with a bottle filled with juice or water. If you are like most parents, you have judged the behavior questioning the dental implications that extended bottle use will have on the infant or even the developmental issues that could develop through extended bottle use. When is the right age to take the bottle away from the toddler?

When considering the right age to take the bottle away from the child, parents may want to consider the recommendation of the pediatrician. Pediatricians recommend taking away the bottle for nap time and bedtime at the age of fifteen months. Bottles filled with milk at bedtime and nap time can cause the milk to pool in the mouth as the child falls asleep and can be detrimental for the dental health of the child.

Removing the bottle completely can be a challenge, and there are steps that the parent can take to remove the bottle. First, beginning to reduce the amount of milk in the bottle and replacing with water, can help to water down the milk so eventually, the child becomes used to drinking water from the bottle, as opposed to milk. This process can take weeks, and parents may want to consider using 1/3 water and 2/3 milk, for a week, half water and half milk for a week and eventually reduce the milk in the bottle so the child is only drinking water at bedtime and nap time. This can help to reduce the potential damage to the teeth caused by the natural sugars in the milk.

Rather than serving juice or milk in a bottle to toddlers over the age of fifteen months, parents can use trainer cups and teach the child to sip from a cup. This way, the child is able to enjoy these drinks and ensure milk is part of the diet, without damaging the teeth.

Most parents try and remove the bottle completely from use between the ages of two and three. It becomes easier once the child is introduced to cups and sipping, so the earlier that these are introduced, the better.

Conclusion

Experts agree: not all baby bottles are created equal. If you are a new parent, dealing with a fussy baby and those late-night feedings can be frustrating enough. There are plenty of other important decisions that parents have to make on a regular basis, finding the best baby bottle should be the last thing that moms and dads should have to worry about.

However, recent discoveries have shown that how baby bottles are designed is important when it comes to keeping your baby satisfied, reducing gas and colic, and keeping your baby healthy. Studies have also revealed that BPA, an ingredient found in some plastics used to make baby bottles, can also be hazardous to your baby’s health.

Choosing the best baby bottle for your newborn can be a bit tricky at first, but heeding the advice of other parents and experimenting with certain bottles to find what your baby likes can help reduce your baby’s fussiness and help prevent costly mistakes in the long run.

Last Updated: 12th Dec, 2020