5 Best Anti-Colic Bottles for Newborns
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Today, my top choice for fighting colic is Dr. Brown’s Natural Flow Anti-Colic Options+ Bottles – they’re what I bought my niece for her most recent baby! They work and are well-received by breastfed babies. And while they aren’t particularly easy to clean, at the end of the day, easing your baby’s discomfort is worth the extra effort.
I’ve got others I love that are best for various needs. The good news? They’re ALL made from BPA-free plastic and are all dishwasher safe!
All My Top Picks
Overall Best Anti-Colic Bottle
Dr. Brown’s Natural Flow Anti-Colic Options+ – jump to my review here
Best Budget Anti-Colic Bottle
Tommee Tippee Natural Start Baby Bottles, Anti-Colic – jump to my review here
Easiest to Clean Anti-Colic Bottle
Lansinoh Anti-Colic Baby Bottles – jump to my review here
Anti-Colic Bottle with the Best Flow Control
MAM Easy Start Anti-Colic+ Vented Baby Bottle – jump to my review here
Best Anti-Colic Bottle for Upright Feeding
Philips Avent Anti-Colic Baby Bottle with AirFree Vent – jump to my review here
Choosing the Best Anti-Colic Bottle
I made it my mission to find the best anti-colic bottles once I realized eating was causing my firstborn pain. One day while feeding her I saw her formula bubble back up in her throat with my own eyes. As soon as it went back down her throat, she screamed horribly.
Determined to ease her discomfort, I researched every single product I needed to use. From my research, I found that using the right bottle can help with a host of baby pains such as colic, gas, reflux, spit-up, and hiccups! All of these conditions are related and boil down to one thing: too much air getting into your baby’s tummy.
The truth is, not even the most detailed reviews can help you choose the best bottle for your baby. Every baby is different! They all have different latches, sucks, and preferences.
If a bottle doesn’t work for your baby, that doesn’t mean it’s a bad bottle. It can take many, many, frustrating (and expensive!) tries to find the best bottle for your baby. So, considering the features most important to YOU, let’s take a look at what bottles might be the best to try first.
The Best Anti-Colic and Reflux Bottles
Overall Best Anti-Colic Bottle
Dr. Brown’s Natural Flow Anti-Colic Options+
✅ It’s great for:
- Consistent milk flow
- Venting
- Flexibility as feeding needs change
🛑 Biggest drawbacks:
- Lots of parts to wash
- Difficult to assemble
- Bottle sizes: 4 oz. and 8 oz.
- Number of parts per bottle: 7 (including travel disc)
The Anti-Colic Mechanism
Dr. Brown’s uses a patented internal vent system that channels air away from the milk, creating vacuum-free feeding to help reduce swallowed air, gas, spit-up, and discomfort. The vent can be removed as baby grows.
Best Budget Anti-Colic Bottle
Tommee Tippee Natural Start Baby Bottles, Anti-Colic
✅ It’s great for:
- Affordability
- Simple assembly
- Breast-like nipple
- Self-sterilizing in the microwave
🛑 Biggest drawbacks:
- Unusual shape for bag compartments
- Can’t let the valve get covered
- Bottle sizes: 5 oz., 9 oz., and 11 oz.
- Number of parts per bottle: 4
The Anti-Colic Mechanism
Tommee Tippee uses an anti-colic valve integrated into the nipple that allows air to flow back into the bottle instead of creating a vacuum, helping reduce air ingestion and feeding discomfort without additional venting components.
Easiest to Clean Anti-Colic Bottle
Lansinoh Anti-Colic Baby Bottles
✅ It’s great for:
- Natural sucking rhythm
- Flow-rate customization
- Simple cleaning
🛑 Biggest drawbacks:
- Nipple flexibility doesn’t always translate well from breastfeeding
- Bottle sizes: 5 oz. and 8 oz.
- Number of parts per bottle: 4
The Anti-Colic Mechanism
Lansinoh features an Air Ventilation System (AVS) built directly into the NaturalWave nipple, allowing air to enter the bottle instead of being swallowed by baby. This helps reduce gas and fussiness while supporting a natural feeding rhythm.
Anti-Colic Bottle with the Best Flow Control
MAM Easy Start Anti-Colic+ Vented Baby Bottle
✅ It’s great for:
- Microwave sterilization
- Easy to clean by hand
🛑 Biggest drawbacks:
- The base is a separate piece
- Can leak if not reassembled properly
- Bottle sizes: 5 oz. and 9 oz.
- Number of parts per bottle: 6
The Anti-Colic Mechanism
MAM features a patented vented base with a silicone valve that allows air to enter through the bottom of the bottle, preventing vacuum buildup and minimizing air bubbles in the milk for a smooth, steady flow.
Best Anti-Colic Bottle for Upright Feeding
Philips Avent Anti-Colic Baby Bottle with AirFree Vent
✅ It’s great for:
- Upright feeding
- Keeping milk in the nipple
🛑 Biggest drawbacks:
- Vent MUST be facing up during feeding to work/not leak
- Bottle sizes: 4 oz., 9 oz., and 11 oz.
- Number of parts per bottle: 5
The Anti-Colic Mechanism
Philips Avent uses a specially designed AirFree insert that keeps the nipple filled with milk rather than air, even when the bottle is held horizontally. This helps reduce swallowed air and allows for more upright feeding.
Do Anti-Colic Bottles Actually Help?
Colic is still a bit of a mystery to health professionals. Really, it’s just a term to refer to a baby crying nearly constantly without one specific “cure” for their discomfort.
The type of bottle you use can be a major factor in causing (or reducing) colic or reflux in your baby. Some bottles create too much air in breast milk or formula as it passes through the nipple. This fills the tummy too quickly and also makes digestion uncomfortable or painful as the air travels through the digestive system.
When You Can Stop Using Special Bottles
Colic often seems to resolve itself by the time the baby is three months old, but there’s no proven reason as to why. Many people believe it’s just because their digestive systems have finally developed enough to better handle gas and airflow.
That doesn’t mean you have to stop using anti-colic bottles at three months. If they’ve been helping your baby, you don’t need to break what you already fixed! However, if your baby becomes frustrated with the flow of milk and going up in nipple size doesn’t help, you may eventually want to try other bottles.
What to Look for in an Anti-Colic Baby Bottle
Not all anti-colic bottles work the same way! While they’re designed to reduce the amount of air your baby swallows during feeding, their features can vary quite a bit. Here’s what to consider when choosing the best anti-colic bottle for your baby.
Venting System
Anti-colic bottles use different methods to keep air out of your baby’s tummy. Some feature internal venting tubes, while others have valves built into the nipple or base of the bottle. Certain designs even keep the nipple filled with milk to reduce air intake.
No system guarantees relief from colic, but the right design may help reduce gas and feeding discomfort.
Nipple Shape and Flow Rate
Look for a soft, flexible nipple that encourages a comfortable latch. Multiple flow-rate options are also helpful as your baby grows.
If your baby coughs, gulps, or dribbles milk, the flow may be too fast. If they struggle to get milk or become frustrated, it might be too slow.
Your baby’s feeding behavior matters more than the age recommendations on the packaging.
Ease of Cleaning
Some anti-colic bottles have just a few parts, while others require disassembling multiple tubes and valves. Look for dishwasher-safe components, wide openings, and fewer pieces if convenience is a priority.
Remember, you’ll be cleaning these bottles several times a day! Wanting the best for your baby doesn’t mean you have endless time.
Bottle Size and Shape
Smaller 4-5-ounce bottles are ideal for newborns, while larger 8-9-ounce bottles accommodate bigger feedings as babies grow. Narrow bottles may fit better in diaper bags and cup holders, while wide-neck designs are often easier to fill and clean.
Before You Go
If you’re struggling with infant reflux, I’m willing to bet your struggling with motherhood in general right now. Check out my advice to newborn moms for some help.
