Choosing the right baby bottle can feel overwhelming for new parents. With countless brands and designs on the market, finding the perfect fit for your little one can involve a lot of trial and error. This review dives into three popular options: Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature, Evenflo glass bottles, and Avent Natural bottles, comparing their features, pros, and cons based on a parent's real-world experience. We’ll explore nipple shapes, bottle sizes, ease of cleaning, and most importantly, baby acceptance. This honest assessment will help you navigate the world of baby bottles and make an informed decision that suits your baby’s unique needs and your lifestyle.This review details the practical experiences of using three different baby bottles, providing a detailed comparison that goes beyond marketing claims. We'll analyze the benefits and drawbacks of each, from the wide nipple of the Tommee Tippee bottles to the easy-to-clean glass construction of the Evenflo option and the anti-colic features of the Avent Natural bottles. We’ll also consider factors like bottle shape, size, and the overall ease of use for both parent and baby. Ultimately, this review aims to help you find the best baby bottle for your family, saving you time, money, and frustration in the process.
Pros And Cons
- Only two parts (easier to clean)
- Wider nipple than classic Avent
- Similar to Tommy Tippy in shape
- Air vents on the nipple
- Baby latches onto it well
- Good transition from breastfeeding
- Available in various sizes (4 oz, 9 oz, 11 oz)
- Multiple parts make cleaning more difficult
- Sale price of $12 for three bottles
- Five-star rated
- Short and stubby design
- 5-ounce capacity (larger than standard 4-ounce bottles)
- Grips for baby to hold (though baby may be too young)
- Nipple may be too wide for some babies
- Bottle may be too bulky for baby to grip
- Milk can get stuck in the curved area of the bottle
Read more: 5 Best 8 oz Baby Bottles
Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature Bottles: A Closer Look
The Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature bottles were a popular choice, especially because of the sale price. They're advertised as a five-star rated bottle and come in a three-pack or a larger set of five. They're designed with a wide nipple intended to mimic a mother's breast, aiding in the transition from breastfeeding to bottle-feeding. The design has short, stubby bottles that hold 5 ounces, slightly more than most standard bottles.
However, my personal experience with them wasn't as positive. The nipple seemed too wide for my baby, and the bottle’s shape, while cute, was too bulky for him to grip easily. The curved design, while intending to aid grip, caused milk to get trapped in the curve. While not a dealbreaker, it required extra effort to get every last drop for my child.
Evenflo Feeding Bottles: A Glass Alternative
The Evenflo glass bottle is another option I tested. It's marketed as an easier-to-clean, sterilizable option, thanks to its glass construction. It comes with a protective silicone sleeve to prevent breakage. The nipple is narrower than the Tommee Tippee, which may be a better fit for smaller babies, and it is also a longer and narrower bottle shape compared to the Tommee Tippee Bottles.
However, while my son accepted this bottle, it wasn't his favorite. The narrow nipple and bottle shape might be a deterrent for some. Evenflo bottles also come in different sizes, including 4 and 11 ounces; the larger ones are only available online.
Avent Natural Baby Bottles: Our Top Pick
My son has loved the Avent Natural bottles from birth. However, the multi-part design means more components to clean and sterilize which can be inconvenient. The valve system is designed to prevent gas and spit-up, but this adds complexity. The nipples are more similar to the Tommee Tippee bottles in terms of width but overall, they were a better fit for my son.
To address the cleaning issue, I'm planning on trying the Avent Natural bottles with a simpler two-part design. They offer the anti-colic features without the added cleaning burden, which will be helpful for our family as we move towards our eventual return to work.
Target Haul: Avent Natural Bottles on Clearance!
While searching for a simpler solution, I found Avent Natural bottles (the newer two-part design) on clearance at Target! They were significantly discounted from their usual price. The blue color was a nice bonus. These bottles have a slightly broader nipple than the Evenflo bottles but are less wide than the Tommee Tippee options.
I tried this newer bottle with my son, and he loved it. The two-part design makes it much easier to clean, so I was thrilled to find them on sale. The bottles also come in larger sizes (9 oz), perfect for when my son grows older. This seems to be the perfect solution given my son's preferences and the time constraints that we will face with work.
Conclusion: Finding the Perfect Fit
Choosing a baby bottle often involves trial and error. Each baby has preferences, and finding the right fit is crucial for comfortable feeding. While the Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature bottles are attractively priced and designed, the nipple's size and bottle shape were ultimately unsuitable for my son. The Evenflo glass bottle offers an easy-to-clean option but wasn't his preferred choice either.
The Avent Natural bottle (two-piece) emerged as the clear winner due to its ease of cleaning, acceptance by my baby, and effective anti-colic features. If your child is easily gassy or prone to spit-up, the anti-colic feature is crucial, and the two-piece design makes cleaning much faster.