Babies change a lot in one year. It is truly something incredible to witness. Though the physical and cognitive developments they make don't happen overnight, it really often does seem like they do. So even though we put both newborns and 12-month-olds into the "baby" category, their needs are quite different. What that means is that products you use for a newborn aren't always suitable anymore for an older baby, and vice versa. Baby bottles are one of the necessities in which some are much better suited for newborns and young infants while others are geared toward older babies.
Today, we're looking into the best baby bottles for newborns. First, let's take a look into why parents might choose a bottle specifically geared toward the newborn phase (or at least choose one that has the ability to "grow" with a baby.)
What to Look for in a Newborn Baby Bottle
The first three months of a baby's life look drastically different than the last three in a baby's first year. Whereas a baby in the newborn stage still has underdeveloped senses, immature body systems, and has lack of strength in comparison, an older baby is already forming words, is crawling or maybe even walking, and will let you know their preferences one way or another. That's a major reason the bottle you give your newborn will be different from the one you give them at 6 months or older.
When looking for a baby bottle for a newborn, the following characteristics will be helpful:
- Stage 1 slow-flow nipples designed for newborns in the first couple months of life. These ensure that milk is not coming faster than a newborn can handle. Though you might be able to continue using the same bottle, the nipples will need to change as your baby grows.
- Smaller in size. Bottles come in a range of sizes with 4-ounce and 8-ounce being two of the most common. Because your newborn won't take in more than a few ounces of milk at one feeding, it's not necessary to use a larger bottle.
- Anti-gas bottles designed to reduce colic. A newborn's digestive system is still developing and maturing. This means that gas is much more common at this age. Choosing a bottle that is vented and moves air out of the milk can be very helpful in reducing this discomfort.
- Wide-neck bottles or bottles that mimic real breasts. These are helpful if you plan to go back and forth between breastfeeding and bottle feeding. That's because your newborn will be used to drinking milk from a breast and any way you can reduce nipple confusion is helpful.
- Bottles that fit directly onto your breast pump. With around 83% of mothers breastfeeding their newborns (and less than 25% after 6 months) many moms of newborns are likely feeding their baby breastmilk via breast pump either some or all of the time. Anyone exclusively pumping will find convenience in bottles that they can feed their baby directly after pumping into them.
- Easily warmed up. We recently wrote about the "Best Bottle Warmers of 2020" and whatever bottle you choose, you'll want to make sure it works with the best bottle warmers. Our top choice, the Baby's Brew, will work with any of the bottles on this list and is perfect for both formula and breastmilk.
What's great about the newborn bottle you choose is that there is probably a pretty easy transition as your baby grows if it's a bottle your baby loves that you want to stick with. For example, you can buy the next larger size bottle while fitting it with faster flow nipples.
But let's get into those newborn bottles, shall we?!
Top 10 Best Baby Bottles for Newborns
Before choosing a baby bottle for your newborn, consider what's most important to you in how you'll be feeding your baby, as well as what your baby's needs are. You won't know if your baby will experience colic right away, so it may take a little trial and error over those first couple of weeks to get the right fit for your baby.
Look for the top feature of each of our recommended bottles to help you make an informed decision on which bottle is best for your newborn.
Best for Anti-Colic in Newborns
According to the American Pregnancy Association, about 20 - 25% of babies meet the definition of "colic." This is defined as crying episodes that last for more than 3 hours per day, 3 days per week, for more than 3 weeks. But whether or not your baby has colic this extreme, an anti-colic bottle can help any baby that is experiencing discomfort with gas-related symptoms. Additionally, using an anti-colic bottle can work well for any newborn. These bottles are great either from your baby's first day, or later if you see them experiencing colic symptoms.
Dr. Brown's Natural Flow Original Bottle
Top feature for your newborn: These bottles are widely known for their ability to reduce spit-up, colic, burping, and gas.
Other features great for newborns include:
- vacuum-free feeding
- fully-vented design
- utilizes an internal vent system that works with the nipple so your newborn can feed at their own pace
- helps preserve bottle milk nutrients
Tommee Tippee Advanced Anti-Colic Bottle
Top feature for your newborn: 80% of parent users of this Tommee Tippee bottle reported fewer colic symptoms such as wind, reflux, and fussing.
Other features great for newborns include:
- the venting system draws air bubbles away from milk
- you can be sure your baby's milk is never too hot since this bottle's venting tube has a heat-sensing strip inside
- breast-like nipple allows for a natural latch
- comes in a 5-ounce size perfect for a newborn; can transition to the 9-ounce bottle as baby grows
Best Newborn Bottles for Moms who Pump
Newborn babies need to eat 8 to 12 times per day. So for a mom who pumps exclusively (or for several of babies feedings), it can be an overwhelming amount of time and energy between pumping and giving baby her bottle. Moms who pump a lot will want to choose a bottle that can fit directly onto their pump.
Medela Breastmilk Bottles
Top feature for your newborn: Exclusively pumping moms will love that they can use their Medela pump to pump milk directly into a bottle that's designed to feed their newborns.
Other features great for newborns include:
- small size is great for the littlest babies
- easy to read volume marks means you can be sure you're pumping the perfect amount to feed your baby
- safe plastic design preserves the nutrients found in breast milk
Have a little older baby and need a list of the best baby bottles? Check our article "The 10 Best Baby Bottles to Buy 2020."
Best Newborn Bottles for Breastfed Babies
Breastfed babies have unique needs when it comes to bottle-feeding. Often, newborns will have been breastfed exclusively for a period of time before being offered a bottle. For each of my children, for example, I exclusively breastfed for about 3-4 weeks before offering my babies a bottle. So at that time, it was important to have a bottle ready that they would easily take after only feeding from a real breast. Nipple confusion is a real thing, and it can be very difficult to have a baby who refuses a bottle when you need them to take one. The next two bottles are your best bets to get your baby to go between breastfeeding and bottle feeding.
Nanobebe Baby Bottle
Top feature for your newborn: One look at this bottle will let you know that the Nanobebe truly gives your baby a unique feeding experience unlike any other. But it's not the shape that's the neatest feature; its unique shape was designed specifically to protect precious breastmilk nutrients.
Other features great for newborns include:
- the unique shape allows milk to cool quickly in the fridge which reduces bacterial growth (much more of a concern at the newborn age)
- babies who breastfeed will be able to go between breast and bottle more easily because it is shaped like a real breast
- comes with a breast-pump adapter so that breastmilk can be expressed directly into it
- warms 2-3 times faster than standard bottles (see our top warmers here)
Comotomo Baby Bottle
Top feature for your newborn: The hygienic silicone material this bottle is made from is very different than almost every other bottle on the market. When baby squeezes it, it feels similar to a real breast!
Other features great for newborns include:
- has been called "breastfeeding in a bottle"
- wide mouth mimics the shape of a real breast
- the perfect solution to "nipple confusion" or "bottle rejection"
- non-leaking dual air-vents
Best for an All-Around Great Newborn Bottle
It doesn't matter whether you breastfeed or give your baby formula. What matters is that your baby is getting fed the nutrition that will help them grow and thrive - and both formula and breastmilk do that. You also want a bottle your newborn will easily take. These are perfect all-around newborn bottles!
Avent Natural Baby Bottle
Top feature for your newborn: Utilizes an ultra-soft textured nipple that helps give your baby a natural latch.
Other features great for newborns include:
- wide breast-shaped nipple that naturally flexes
- has an airflex valve which reduces colic and gas symptoms
- ergonomic shape makes it easy to grasp or hold
- 6 different nipple flow choices means this bottle is great for growing with your little one
NUK Simply Natural Baby Bottle
Top feature for your newborn: The Nuk's unique nipple has nine separate holes (just like mom!) which is much more similar to the flow that comes from a human breast.
Other features great for newborns include:
- designed to grow with your baby
- has an extra soft zone with a scoop nipple cavity that adapts to your baby's mouth
- a flexible nipple that allows for a comfortable latch (which can be difficult for a newborn)
- reduced nipple confusion
Additional Need for Your Newborn Baby's Bottle
Finding the right baby bottle for your newborn is important. They spend so much of their young life taking milk from a bottle! But something else you'll find when you're feeding your newborn is that they likely prefer their milk warm. There are many ways to accomplish this, but some bottle warmers work much better than others. Definitely check out our article about the Best Bottle Warmers of 2020!
