What to Consider When Choosing a Baby Bottle

Congratulations! You're having a baby. As you begin to wrap your mind around this amazing event, you realize your baby will need... things. Lots of baby things.

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It can easily become overwhelming and sometimes confusing when researching baby products like bottles, nipples, and pacifiers. Chicco can help you navigate the information overload, providing the facts so you can feel more confident choosing products that fit your baby's preferences, your needs, and your lifestyle.

Let's Get Started: Baby Bottles

Feeding time is bonding time for everyone in the family. Thus, whether you choose to exclusively breastfeed, combination feed, or use formula, you’ll need baby bottles on hand.

When Should You Introduce a Bottle to Your Baby if Exclusively Breastfeeding?

Valerie Trumbower, a DONA Certified Postpartum Doula (PCD) and a Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC), recommends waiting until your baby is between 4-6 weeks old, assuming everything is going well. The following video from Valerie offers great tips on when and how to introduce a bottle to your little one.

What Are the Best Baby Bottles for My Baby?

The simple answer is the bottle your baby prefers. This involves trial and error, as you'll also want to consider what type of bottle works for you and your family. As a parent, you should think about whether the bottles you want to try are comfortable to hold, easy to use, and most importantly, easy to fill, clean, and sterilize.

Spend a couple of minutes researching baby bottles, and you'll see just how many options are available. They come in various shapes and materials, with nipples equally diverse in design. In this discussion, we’ll review basic baby bottle materials: glass, plastic, silicone, and stainless steel.

Glass and plastic are the most popular choices, but silicone and stainless steel are also available. Each material has its pros and cons, which can help guide your choice.

Silicone Bottles

PROS:
Lightweight, unbreakable, BPA-free, soft, and comfortable to hold.

CONS:
Silicone bottles can be more expensive than glass or plastic. Depending on their size and shape, they may topple over easily, which can be frustrating when you're trying to fill the bottle with your precious breast milk. It's also worth noting that silicone isn't completely non-toxic; synthetic chemicals may leach from the bottle at high temperatures or with extended contact with high-fat substances, like breast milk and formula. With heavy use, silicone can discolor or stain over time.

Stainless Steel Bottles

PROS:
Sturdy and long-lasting, some have double walls for insulation, and silicone sleeves for a softer, non-slip feel. BPA-free.

CONS:
Since the material is not see-through, it's difficult to gauge how much your baby is drinking. Making bottles isn't as easy with stainless steel because measurement markings are on the inside, and they cannot be used in bottle warmers. Stainless steel bottles can be heavy and may dent if dropped. They are typically at the higher end of the price range.

Glass Baby Bottles

PROS:
Glass bottles last longer than plastic, are dishwasher and sterilizer safe, and have no harmful chemicals that could leach into milk. Many are thermal shock-resistant, allowing them to transition from refrigerator to warmer without concern. Some even come with silicone sleeves for easier handling and to help prevent breaking.

CONS:
Glass bottles are heavier than plastic, may chip, shatter, or break if dropped—one reason they are often prohibited in daycare centers. Due to their weight and breakage concerns, they are generally not recommended for babies who are self-feeding.

Plastic Baby Bottles

PROS:
Generally less expensive (depending on the type of plastic), convenient, and lightweight.

CONS:
They need replacement every few months as they can easily stain, scratch, and harbor odors that are difficult to remove. Plastic isn't recommended for microwave or dishwasher use to avoid potential leaching, and should be cleaned carefully to prevent scratching. If using plastic, choose bottles free from BPA, BPS, PVC, and Phthalates.

Both glass and plastic baby bottles are suitable for most families. This led Chicco to ponder, 'Wouldn't it be great if we could combine the benefits of glass with plastic—minus the drawbacks—into a single bottle?' We're thrilled to say the answer is yes! Chicco partnered with a manufacturer of advanced patented technology, used in medical products, to bond pure glass to the interior of a crystal-clear, premium plastic exterior.

Introducing the First Hybrid Baby Bottle: Chicco DUO®

Chicco DUO® combines the wellness benefits of glass with the convenience of plastic in one remarkable bottle. The Invinci-Glass® inner layer shields milk from plastic, ensuring that your baby's milk only touches pure glass. DUO may be the perfect baby bottle for you.

• Invinci-glass inner layer protects milk from plastic
• Won't shatter, chip, crack, or flake
• No unpleasant odors or aftertaste
• Remains clear—won't stain or discolor
• Wide neck for easy filling
• Durable and long-lasting
• Free from BPA, BPS, PVC, and Phthalates
• Lightweight and comfortable for both mom and baby
• Durable and break-proof
• Easy to clean, dishwasher and sterilizer safe

Throughout development, DUO underwent thorough testing for safety, functionality, ease of use, and acceptance by both babies and parents. Chicco DUO offers peace of mind for parents and premium comfort for babies.

After reviewing the pros and cons of glass, plastic, silicone, stainless steel, and the newest hybrid baby bottle, consider additional factors. You may have budget, lifestyle, and personal preferences, but many parents report their biggest concern is their baby’s acceptance of the nipple.

There are numerous kinds of nipples as there are bottle shapes and materials, but don’t worry! We’re here to help you understand the differences in shapes, flow rates, and more. For everything you need to know about baby bottle nipples, check out our guide: How to Choose the Right Nipple for Your Baby.

There are countless baby bottles available—different brands, sizes, styles, and materials. Bottle materials can easily be categorized into three groups: plastic, silicone, and glass. This quick overview will help you determine which type is right for your baby, including their benefits, suitable users, and pros and cons of each material.

First, Let's Start with Glass Bottles:

Avent Natural 9 oz Bottle

Years ago, glass was the only option for bottles. With the arrival of plastic, glass bottles became less popular. However, recent concerns over BPA have brought them back into favor.

Cons:

Glass bottles are often the most expensive option. They are heavier than plastic or silicone, making them harder for babies to hold on their own, and they break easily when dropped.

Pros:

On the positive side, glass bottles are all-natural, free of chemicals, hard to scratch, easy to clean, and have a long lifespan. Silicone sleeves are available to enhance grip and reduce the likelihood of shattering when dropped. Many environmentally-conscious mothers prefer glass due to its natural composition.

Next Up Are Silicone Bottles:

Cons:

Silicone bottles have few downsides aside from availability; luckily, we sell some ComoTomo bottles at The Baby Cubby! If you’d like to find out more about ComoTomo, read here!

Pros:

Silicone bottles are rare yet beloved. They are medium-priced, soft, easy for babies to hold, dishwasher safe, BPA-free, and lightweight. Silicone bottles offer a happy medium between glass and plastic—they are less sterile than glass but less porous than plastic. They’re ideal for moms seeking a lower price point than glass without sacrificing safety.

Finally, the Most Popular: Plastic Bottles:

Cons:

Plastic bottles have the shortest lifespan, due mainly to wear and scratches. They can also become stained or cloudy after extensive use due to their porous nature.

Pros:

Plastic bottles are typically the cheapest and most common option. They offer a vast variety, travel well, and should all be BPA-free, ensuring safety for your baby. Their versatility provides numerous options for parents, from nipples to venting and formula-feeding-friendly designs. Consequently, plastic bottles will likely remain the most popular choice in the market.

Ultimately, the decision depends on how and where you choose to spend your money. Each option serves its purpose and is safe for baby. Bottles are just one of many choices we make as parents, and you can't go wrong with any option you select!

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