The Breastfeeding Parent's Guide to Bottles

I often get asked which bottle to use. With so many choices available, it can feel overwhelming. It has taken me years to navigate all the different brands, flows, shapes, and textures of bottles. Then you have to consider the baby—the shape of their mouth, the strength of their suck, and whether the suck is organized or unorganized. Giving a parent a simple, direct answer isn’t always possible.

I do have some favorites, but that doesn’t mean another baby won’t do better with a completely different shape, size, or flow. Let’s talk a bit about why I recommend the ones I do. Beyond that, many times it comes down to trial and error until you find the one your baby will take. Please visit the product recommendations to find links to bottles and other recommended supplies that are recommended by other families.

When to Introduce a Bottle

Not all mamas are going back to work. Many who are staying home often ask why they would introduce a bottle at all if the baby is nursing well. I have had many calls from mamas who didn’t need to introduce a bottle at first, but later found themselves in situations where they were unexpectedly separated from their baby.

I remember a call many years ago from a mom with a 6-month-old who needed urgent surgery and would be receiving medication that was not safe for the baby. This situation was completely unexpected, and her baby had never been introduced to a bottle or a sippy cup. In the end, we were able to work with the surgical team and adjust her medication so the baby wouldn’t have to go without. This is not always possible, and because of experiences like this, I began recommending that all babies learn how to take a bottle.

Many people and providers say that a baby will eventually take a bottle—that they won’t let themselves go hungry. At one time, I may have believed that, but I’ve seen babies go 12 hours without eating while waiting for mom. I’ve known nurses who work a 12-hour shift and come home to a hungry baby who then nurses nearly nonstop for the next 12 hours to catch up.

Many providers recommend waiting six weeks before introducing a bottle. This may work for some, but many babies develop a strong preference for mama and begin to refuse the bottle. This creates significant tension and anxiety for the family—especially the mom who must return to work.

According to breastfeeding guidelines from the World Health Organization, a bottle can be introduced once breastfeeding is well-established, around 3–4 weeks. In my practice, most babies do well when breastfeeding and taking one bottle a day, three days a week. I recommend developing a schedule so as not to go too long between bottles. This gives them the practice they need without replacing too many nursing sessions. Some families prefer to give 1–2 bottles every day. Each family finds the routine that works for them.

To maintain a good milk supply so baby continues to latch and nurse well, mothers must pump whenever a bottle is given. The goal is to pump enough to replace the amount the baby received. If a mama is returning to work, she can pump a little extra to start a small freezer stash. It’s not necessary to have hundreds of ounces, just enough to get started. When mom is away at work, she will pump and bring milk home for the next day.

Choosing a Bottle

When a baby breastfeeds, the nipple and areola stretch and extend toward the soft palate. When we think about the shape of the breast in the baby’s mouth and translate that to bottle shapes, only a few truly mimic that structure for most breasts. These bottles are:

• Lansinoh ( S )

• Pigeon ( S )

• Gulicola ( S is preferred over the SS )

• Spectra ( S comes with the pump)

• Motif ( S comes with the pump)

• Evenflo Balance Wide (Slow Flow)

The flow of the breast also matters when choosing a bottle nipple.

• If a mama has a fast letdown and can pump a 3–4 oz bottle in just a few minutes, a faster-flow nipple is often best. Lansinoh, Spectra, Motif slow flow nipples. Evenflo, Gulicola, Pigeon medium flow nipples if the baby is rejecting the slow flow nipple.

• If a mama has a slower letdown and it takes 20–30 minutes to pump the same amount, a slower-flow nipple is usually better. Gulicola SS, Pigeon SS, Dr Brown P, Philips Avent 1 or 2.

Some babies have tighter jaws or mouths and shorter tongues. These babies often do better with:

• Dr. Brown’s (#1)

• Philips Avent (#2)

• Tommee Tippee

• Comotomo

• MAM

There are many other bottles available, and ultimately, I always recommend the bottle that the baby will actually take. When choosing where to start, I suggest getting 2–3 different bottles and seeing which one your baby prefers.

Glass Bottle Options

Glass options are more limited, but some brands allow nipple interchangeability.

Popular glass bottles include:

• Dr. Brown’s

• Gulicola

• Philips Avent

• Evenflo Balance Wide Neck

The Evenflo Wide nipple fits on the Philips Avent collar, as do Spectra and Motif nipples.

Final Thoughts

Start with a few different bottles. Find the one your baby prefers and does best with, then purchase what you need. Some babies will take almost any bottle. Others struggle to draw milk from certain nipples and need a different shape or flow in order to feed well.

If you’re having trouble figuring out which bottle to use, or if your baby is having difficulty taking a bottle in a timely manner, please seek help. Gulf Coast Lactation offers appointments specifically for bottle-feeding support. Please reach out if you have questions or concerns. We are here to help. Click here to visit the product recommendation page to find links to the bottles.