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Best bottle feeder for baby


9 Best Baby Bottles of 2023

Written by Jenni Gritters

Updated August 9, 2022

Feeding your baby takes a herculean amount of effort when you’re a new parent, whether that means breastfeeding, formula feeding with a bottle, or a combination of the two. Your little one will probably need to eat every few hours and the choice of which bottle to introduce can feel like a huge decision.

Of course, your baby might have a bottle preference based on their unique needs and experiences, but there are some universal bottle qualities that will make your life easier as a parent. We researched and tested 9 of the most popular baby bottles, and in the end we landed on the Comotomo Baby Bottle (available at Amazon for $23.98) as the best option. It’s easy to clean and fill, made with a squishy silicone, and has a wide-neck, rounded nipple design that makes latching a fairly easy process for most babies.

Credit: Reviewed / Betsy Goldwasser

The Comotomo bottle is our favorite of the ones we tested.

Best Overall

Comotomo Baby Bottle - 8oz

Material: Silicone Dishwasher safe: Yes, top rack Available sizes: 5 ounce, 8 ounce

If you’re introducing a bottle to an exclusively breastfed baby, the Comotomo Bottle is an ideal choice. Our baby took to the squishy, silicone bottle quickly, as it comes closest to mimicking a breast, compared to the other products we tested. After just a day of using these bottles, we immediately added them into our family’s rotation.

The Comotomo bottles are wide-necked, which means they’re easy to fill with refrigerated or pumped breast milk or to mix formula in with minimal spillage. The top of the bottle is easy to open and close, and the silicone nipple pops out for straightforward cleaning, plus there are few crevices for dried milk to get stuck in. We loved that this bottle can be put in the dishwasher (top rack!), and it’s also microwave safe.

During our leak tests, which involved dropping the bottle (with a cap on) from hip height, letting our 11-month-old son shake the bottle, and tucking it into a diaper bag during trips to and from the grandparents’ house, the Comotomo was the best of the bunch. (This matters because as any parent knows, there’s hell to pay for spilled breast milk!).

These bottles are slightly squishy, which means they’re also easier to store than most of their competitors, and they don’t retain that sour-milk smell that can sometimes permeate plastic bottles. With over 17,000 reviews on Amazon and a 4.7 out of 5-star rating, it’s clear that parents agree: The Comotomo bottle is a winner.

The Comotomo is available in various colors, and you can also buy a transitional sippy cup spout for the bottle.

$23.98 from Amazon

$23.99 from Target

$21.00 from Walmart

Credit: Reviewed / Betsy Goldwasser

Dr. Brown's bottles are ideal for preemies and newborns.

Best for Preemies and Newborns

Dr. Brown’s Natural Flow Original Baby Bottle - 8oz

Material: BPA-Free plastic or glass Dishwasher safe: Yes, top rack Available sizes: 2 ounce, 4 ounce, and 8 ounce

If you have a preemie who needs to use bottles from birth, or if you decide to introduce bottles for breast milk or formula from the start, you’ll find that many doctors and NICU professionals recommend Dr. Brown’s Original Baby Bottles. Their slow-flow nipple design, which is purported to reduce colic and spit-up, makes them a favorite.

Dr. Brown’s bottles come with a filter, and the controlled flow rate allows babies to drink at their own pace. As they become more adept at bottle feeding, you can up the nipple size. (Typically you’ll start with a preemie nipple, then graduate sizes every few months.)

Dr. Brown’s bottles are fairly leak-proof, as long as they’re sealed well. (Although we found that after 6 or so months of using these bottles, there were more rogue drips during car trips.) These bottles don’t mimic a breast, but they’re still fairly easy to latch onto, especially for babies who use bottles from birth.

The tall, skinny configuration of Dr. Brown’s bottle makes them tough to clean. However, the set includes wire cleaners for the filters, and a good bottle brush will make a big difference for getting into all the nooks and crannies. The skinny neck can also make the bottles a bit harder to fill and mix formula in, but they’re not the worst of the bunch. (Many parents opt to use a funnel.)

All of the separate parts (the filter, cap, nipple, and bottle) come apart; make sure you clean them well or you’ll find bits of formula or dried milk in the crevices, which can lead to a sour smell.

Buy now at Amazon

$21.32 from Walmart

Other Baby Bottles We Tested

Lansinoh Breastfeeding Bottles with NaturalWave Nipple - 8oz

Material: BPA-free plastic or glass Dishwasher safe: Yes, but hand washing recommended Available sizes: 5 ounce and 8 ounce

The Lansinoh bottles were just fine—not stellar, but not problematic. The bottle design is easy for an older child to hold, and the nipple shape (purported to reduce colic based on a “unique air venting system”) is intended to mimic breastfeeding, and was fairly easy for our baby to latch onto. However, if your child leans their cheek up against the nipple, as they might on a breast, it can add pressure to the bottle, which causes air bubbles.

We also found these bottles to be fairly easy to clean, as they have very few parts—just the nipple, cap, and bottle—with a neck that’s wide enough for easy filling, too. During leak testing, they emerged victorious with no stray drips.

Buy now at Amazon

MAM Easy Start Anti-Colic 9oz Baby Bottle

Material: BPA-free plastic Dishwasher safe: Yes, top rack Available sizes: 5 ounce and 9 ounce

The MAM bottles were initially a favorite. Our son latched onto the nipple shape right away, despite it being a bit flatter than many other options we tested, and we loved that they had a 9-ounce capacity, with easy-to-see markings.

But quickly, we realized that the MAM bottles had many weak points—the bottom screws on and off, which occasionally meant that all the milk came pouring out of the bottom if it wasn’t fastened on just right, and the lid had to be put on just-so to prevent leaking. In fact, this was the leakiest bottle we tested.

MAM’s anti-colic technology works well for slowing the flow of milk for young babies. Like Dr. Brown’s options, MAM allows you to size up on nipples as your baby gets older. The semi-wide neck of these bottles also makes them fairly easy to fill and clean, and the brand notes that you can self-sterilize the bottles by putting them in the microwave for 3 minutes.

Pros

  • Anti-colic

  • Easy to latch

  • Easy to clean

  • Easy to fill

  • Large capacity

$17.99 from Amazon

$17.99 from Target

$17.99 from Bed Bath & Beyond

$27.40 from Walmart

Philips Avent Natural Baby Bottle - 9oz

Material: BPA-free plastic Dishwasher safe: Yes, top rack Available sizes: 4 ounce, 9 ounce, and 11 ounce

Another “just okay” option, the Philips Avent had a generic shape that was difficult for our baby to hold himself. The nipple shape was also harder for him to latch onto than many of the other options we tested, likely because the nipple attachment was fairly rigid.

The bottles have an airflex valve, to reduce colic, although we didn’t notice that the flow from this bottle was particularly slow. Like many of the other anti-colic options, you can size up on nipples as your baby grows more adept at feeding.

The fairly wide mouth made these easy to fill and clean, but the top didn’t easily seal, which made leaking a frequent occurrence.

Cons

  • Very leaky

  • Tough to seal

  • Tough to latch onto

$49.95 from Amazon

$10.59 from Walmart

Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature Baby Bottle - 9oz

Material: BPA-free plastic Dishwasher safe: Yes, top rack Available sizes: 9 ounce

These bottles are inexpensive, and it shows in the materials. They feel cheaper than their competitors, with a rigid nipple and tinny-feeling plastic. The ounce-markings are obvious and they’re easy to fill and clean (by hand or in the dishwasher), given their short and squat shape.

They’re also easy to store, due to their small size, and they didn’t leak. However, our son found the large nipple size difficult to latch onto.

$18.99 from Target

$14.99 from Bed Bath & Beyond

$18.47 from Walmart

Nuk Simply Natural Baby Bottle - 5oz

Material: Plastic and glass Dishwasher safe: Yes, top rack Available sizes: 5 ounce, 9 ounce, and 10 ounce

Inexpensive pricing shows on this product too. The nipple is rigid, which means it presses against your baby’s face rather than giving a bit as they lean into it, and the nipple’s shape (flat on one side, rounded on the other) may be tough for your baby to latch onto.

That said, the wide-mouth shape of the bottle makes it easy to clean and fill, and it didn’t leak.

Pros

  • No leak

  • Easy to clean

  • Easy to fill

Buy now at Amazon

$13.76 from Walmart

Munchkin Latch - 4oz

Material: BPA-free plastic Dishwasher safe: Yes, top rack Available sizes: 4 ounce and 8 ounce

The shape of the nipple pulled the Munchkin bottle out of the running from the start: Like the NUK, it was rigid and didn’t give when our baby leaned his face up against it. The straight nipple shape also made it tough for our baby to latch.

However, the wide-mouth setup was easy for him to hold, and made for a straightforward filling and cleaning experience.

Then came the true kicker: The Munchkin leaked when it was shaken, as well as when it was being transported. There are simply better options available.

Pros

  • Easy to fill

  • Easy to clean

  • Easy to store

Cons

  • Tough to latch onto

  • Rigid nipple

  • Very leaky

$15.78 from Amazon

$15.78 from Walmart

Kiinde Twist Squeeze Bottle

Material: BPA, PVC, and phthalate-free plastic Dishwasher safe: Yes, top rack Available sizes: Works with Kiinde breastmilk bags up to 6 ounces

It’s tough to compare the Kiinde to the other bottles in this guide because it’s a whole different beast. The Kiinde Twist Squeeze is basically a plastic holder with a nipple, which allows you to slide bags of breast milk right inside. If you’re pumping breast milk into Kiinde bags, this saves you the step of needing to transfer the milk from a bag to a bottle.

The Squeeze is a great concept, but filling the milk bags is tough unless you pump right into them. (We experienced a lot of leaking, due to the small opening.) It’s also easy to leak more milk onto the counter when you remove the bag’s lid to screw it into the Squeeze bottle.

You won’t need to do as much washing—the only part that really needs to be cleaned is the nipple—but throwing away many plastic bags per day is not the most sustainable option. We also worried about the holder’s materials, which are made with a simple, thin plastic and feel likely to break over time. The nipple was also difficult for our son to latch onto, and the bottle’s shape makes it difficult for little ones to hold.

$8.49 from Amazon

$13. 00 from Walmart

How We Tested Baby Bottles

The Tester

I’m Jenni Gritters, a journalist with a decade of experience writing about all things health and science. I previously edited longform product reviews about the outdoors, parenting, and travel at the New York Times product review site, Wirecutter. You can also find my bylines in all sorts of publications, like the New York Times, the Guardian, the REI Co-op Journal, Gear Patrol, and beyond.

I had my first baby—a little boy named Liam—in December 2019, and since then I’ve been reviewing baby gear and writing about the psychology of parenting. In the past, I’ve covered infant vitals monitors for Wirecutter and baby swings and baby baths for Reviewed. I was also an exclusive pumper because my son was born prematurely and spent time in the NICU, so I have many, many months of experience under my belt spent filling, washing, and feeding my son from bottles.

The Tests

I used each bottle in this guide for at least two days. I filled them with infant formula or breast milk, offered them to my son Liam (who was 8 months old when we started this guide), then cleaned the products by hand and in the dishwasher. I even tried to fill them all with one hand while holding my 20+ pound kiddo.

I also did some serious leak-testing by packing the bottles in a diaper bag for car trips to the park. I also dropped them all—both purposefully and accidentally—to see if they remained intact, and allowed my son to play with them (which meant they all got a very good shake).

What to Consider When Selecting a Baby Bottle

It should be easy to assemble and fill

You should be able to easily put the pieces of the bottle together, which usually means popping in a nipple and screwing on the top. The bottle should also have a mouth that’s wide enough to pour milk into without dumping it onto the counter. Or, if you’re using powdered formula, the bottle should allow for easy stirring. (Pro tip: We like to use a chopstick. )

It should be easy to wash

When choosing a bottle, look for a shape that makes it easy to clean. Sour milk or extra formula powder can get stuck in the cracks and corners, which can lead to bad smells and make the bottle unsafe for a baby to use. Most bottles can be put in a dishwasher, but we prioritized bottles with a wider-neck shape, which made them easier to clean with a good bottle brush.

It needs to be leak-free

There’s nothing worse than discovering a puddle of breastmilk on the floor of the car next to a tipped-over bottle. Thus, we searched for bottles that sealed tightly and didn’t leak, even after being shaken up or dropped. Most came with lids, and we made sure that they sealed well and didn’t fall off in transit.

It needs to be durable

You’ll be using these bottles for at least a few months, if not for a full year, so we looked for bottles that could handle being used daily for many months, without picking up nasty smells or cracking.

It should be easy to store

While no baby bottle is completely convenient to store, we picked options that could at least be tucked into a bin or a drawer, or easily stored in the pocket of a diaper bag.

Your baby needs to like it

Most babies have varying nipple preferences, based on the shape of their mother’s breast, so this measure is a bit subjective. But based on online reviews and our personal experiences, we noticed that certain nipple shapes were easier for most babies to latch onto. Wider, shallower-shaped nipples with a skinnier teat made for an easier experience, especially if the bottle's nipple had a little bit of give, just like a mother’s breast might.

You might need colic-free technology

Some bottles, Dr. Brown’s in particular, are made with anti-colic vents, which limits the amount of milk your baby can take in and helps to reduce gas or air bubbles in their stomach. While this isn’t necessary for older babies, pediatricians often recommend this option for infants under the age of 6 months, and especially for babies born prematurely.

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Meet the tester

Jenni Gritters

Contributor

@jenni_gritters

Jenni Gritters is a Seattle-based freelance journalist who covers health, psychology, business, and travel. You can find her bylines in The Guardian, Wirecutter, Outside magazine, 538, Mindbodygreen, and beyond. When Jenni isn't working with words, she's teaching yoga and mindfulness; hiking, camping, and snowshoeing in the Pacific Northwest mountains; and running with her husband and puppy.

See all of Jenni Gritters's reviews

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The 5 Best Baby Bottles in 2023

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This article was medically reviewed by Dipesh Navsaria, MPH, MSLIS, MD, FAAP, an associate professor of pediatrics at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, and president of the Wisconsin Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

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Our stories are reviewed by medical professionals to ensure you get the most accurate and useful information about your health and wellness. For more information, visit our medical review board.

Amazon; Evenflo; Dr. Brown's; Lansinoh; Rachel Mendelson/Insider
  • Here are the best baby bottles in 2023
  • Best baby bottle for ease of use
  • Best baby bottle for newborns
  • Best baby bottle for gas and reflux
  • Best baby bottle for breastfed babies
  • Best baby bottle for pumping
  • Our baby bottles selection methodology
  • What else we considered
  • Baby bottle FAQs
  • Our sources

When you buy through our links, Insider may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more.

Choosing a bottle for a baby is one of those things that you might not put much thought into until you need to buy one or you realize that the bottle you're currently using isn't working. Then you notice that the baby bottle market is, well, busy. 

Today, there are bottles with venting systems and glass bottles and dishwasher-safe bottles and futuristic-looking bottles and bottles that you can pump into and more. And there are marketing messages that are telling you that this is the bottle that you need.

Pediatricians tend to agree that there are a few key ingredients to a good bottle. We also know that every baby is different — and the bottle that works best for one baby might not work best for another. So, to make our picks for the best baby bottles, we went straight to bottle-feeding parents and spoke to two pediatricians. Read more about how we chose bottles at the end of this guide. Learn more about how Insider Reviews tests and researches products here.

Here are the best baby bottles in 2023

Best baby bottle for ease of use: Philips Avent Natural Baby Bottle- see at Amazon
Philips Avent Natural Baby Bottle makes for an easy transfer of breast milk or formula, has few parts for easy cleaning, and encourages a deep latch.

Best baby bottle for newborns: Evenflo Balance+ Bottle - see at Walmart
The simple Evenflo Balance+ bottle has a nipple shape that mimics the breastfeeding experience and includes slow-flow nipple options for tiny babies.

Best baby bottle for gas and reflux: Dr. Brown's Options+ Bottle - see at Buy Buy Baby
The venting system on the Dr. Brown's Options+ bottle may allow your baby to swallow less air, making it a top pick for babies with gas or reflux.

Best baby bottle for breastfed babies: Lansinoh Baby Bottle - see at Amazon
A smaller size and breast-like nipple that helps babies switch back and forth between bottle and breast make these Lansinoh bottles our top pick.

Best baby bottle for pumping: Medela Breast Milk Bottle - see at Amazon
Medela Breast Milk Bottles, made by a popular breast pump brand, blend convenience and functionality.

Best baby bottle for ease of use

Cassie Shortsleeve/Rachel Mendelson/Insider

Philips Avent Natural Baby Bottle makes for an easy transfer of breast milk or formula, has few parts for easy cleaning, and encourages a deep latch.

Pros: Wide bottle allows easy transfer of thawed breast milk or formula; easy to clean

Cons: Nipple can bend, which can take a little getting used to

One of the things you realize about bottles when you have to make them and wash them all day is that a simple one is everything. Philips Avent Natural Baby Bottles have only three parts, and after using them for months, I've never noticed a leak. 

While some parents might favor the packability of a slimmer bottle, I appreciate a wide one. It means an easier transfer of liquid, which is important not just for mess control but also investment: time if you're pumping, money if you're buying formula. 

Moms we spoke to love the wide breast-shaped nipple, saying that it encouraged a wide latch. We also found it's easy for babies to grip. If plastic gets to you, they come in glass too.

Best baby bottle for newborns

Cassie Shortsleeve/Rachel Mendelson/Insider

The simple Evenflo Balance+ bottle has a nipple shape that mimics the breastfeeding experience and includes slow-flow nipple options for tiny babies.

Pros: Affordable, breast-like nipples

Cons: Narrower bottle opening

Sometimes, marketing and fancy designs can get in the way of choosing a bottle, covering up what matters most: that a bottle does its job seamlessly and doesn't break the bank. Parents and doctors agree that Evenflo's Balance+ bottles are a standout, and there are "slow flow" nipple options for tiny babies.

"These bottles all have more gradual, sloping nipple shapes which more closely resemble a human nipple," explained Dr. Krupa Playforth, a pediatrician in Virginia. "This makes it so that the latch is more physiologically consistent rather than an abrupt transition, which is true of many other bottles." 

"I felt that this protected my breastfeeding experience with my baby, which was something I had poured my heart and soul into," said Christy H., a mom from Boston, Massachusetts.

Best baby bottle for gas and reflux

Cassie Shortsleeve/Rachel Mendelson/Insider

The venting system on the Dr. Brown's Options+ bottle may allow your baby to swallow less air, making it a top pick for babies with gas or reflux.

Pros: Venting system may help ease reflux and gassiness

Cons: Many parts, difficult to clean, some leaking

Among the parents we polled, Dr. Brown's Options+ bottles are the pick for gassy babies, in part because of a removable venting system that is said to help reduce gassiness and reflux by separating air from milk.  "When I used the bottle without the vent, I could see the difference," Areen M., a mom in Los Angeles, California, told us.

There's very little evidence to verify that this insert is the reason behind thousands of parents' experience, said Dr. Kelly Fradin, a New York City-based pediatrician. But a preemie nipple — a flow rate that's hard to find in other brands — and a smaller-sized nipple with a gradual slope could actually be what's helping babies who are struggling with reflux or colic, said Playforth.  

I found the Dr. Brown's Options+ worked well for my daughter, who struggled to switch to a bottle, and I liked that I could use the bottle with or without the venting system, which isn't the case with the Dr. Brown's Original bottles. Options+ come in a glass version, too.

Best baby bottle for breastfed babies

Cassie Shortsleeve/Rachel Mendelson/Insider

A smaller size and breast-like nipple that helps babies switch back and forth between bottle and breast make these Lansinoh bottles our top pick.

Pros: Gradually sloped nipple encourages deep latch, affordable

Cons: None

Another bottle that tends to get overlooked in lieu of buzzier competitors is the Lansinoh Breast Milk Feeding Bottle. "The nipples on these bottles are more gradually sloped, which can be easier for babies going between bottle and breast," said Playforth. 

The shape of the nipple also makes it easier for a baby to get more than just the tip of the nipple into their mouth. That means feeding with a Lansinoh bottle is a bit closer to the physiological experience that a baby would get at the breast — where they get both the areola and tip of the nipple in their mouth, Playforth explained. 

Plus, with just a few parts, these bottles are easy to clean. Moms also told us they liked the more compact size that easily fit into a diaper bag or a purse.

Best baby bottle for pumping

Cassie Shortsleeve/Rachel Mendelson/Insider

Medela Breast Milk Bottles, made by a popular breast pump brand, blend convenience and functionality.

Pros: Incredibly convenient to feed out of what you pump into

Cons: A bit of a faster flow, narrow top

Pumping moms don't want to clean more parts than they need to, which is why, especially if you're exclusively pumping, it's good to know about bottles that you can both pump into and feed out of. Medela's Breast Milk Bottles fit the bill and come with storage caps.

Medela is a leading maker of breast pumps, which are often covered by health insurance. "I chose Medela because I already pumped directly into them and just bought some nipples to pop on top and my baby took them fine," said Stephanie Weidner, a mom in Centennial, Colorado. "Magically, I cut my bottle/pump clean in half," 

Medela's bottles are compatible with all of the brand's breast pumps, which means you won't need new bottles just because a new version of your pump comes out. The bottles have a narrower top than others on the market, but if you're pumping into them, you likely won't need to transfer milk. Fradin also told us that they tend to be faster flow than other bottles.

Our baby bottles selection methodology

Cassie Shortsleeve/Rachel Mendelson/Insider

We chose our top picks by consulting two pediatricians, speaking with 11 breastfeeding and bottle feeding parents of young babies, and looking into existing research on baby bottles. Our writer, a mom to two children under 2 years old, has also used many different bottles on her quest to find the ones that work. 

We evaluated baby bottles according to the following criteria:

  • Easy to clean: We considered factors such as how many parts a bottle had, if those parts were dishwasher safe, and how easy it was to wash the bottle and its parts.
  • Affordability: We compared the price of each bottle to similar ones on the market.
  • Size and shape: We looked at the different sizes (in ounces) the bottles came in and the shape of each bottle, whether it was wide or narrow and how easy it was for a baby to grasp.
  • Nipple shape, size, and slope: We looked for bottles with nipples that gradually sloped narrow to wide, similar to a breast, which can encourage a deeper latch.
  • Material: We looked for bottles that came in both plastic and glass while also considering silicone bottles.

What else we considered

  • Comotomo Silicone Bottle ($23.99): Parents told us babies tended to either love or hate this silicone bottle with a flexible nipple.
  • Kiinde Active Latch Silicone Baby Bottle ($17. 99): Parents who pump also liked Kiinde's bags that snap into bottles, but most agreed Medela was a more seamless experience and noted inaccurate readings on ounces using Kiinde.
  • Nanobebe Flexy Silicone Baby Bottle ($24.99): This cool-looking bottle might allow milk to heat up faster, but price is prohibitive for many parents.
  • Pop Yum Formula-Making Bottle ($35.99): Although convenient if you're formula feeding, this bottle has a lot of parts to clean and can take some time to figure out.

Baby bottle FAQs

How safe are certain materials?

As a parent, you may not have a problem with plastic bottles, or you may only want a glass or silicone non plastic bottle. Silicone and glass bottles eliminate the risk of microplastics, says Fradin. However, glass is heavier and there's a risk of breaking, while silicone bottles are less common.  

Should you sterilize a bottle?

The CDC recommends taking additional sanitizing precautions for babies younger than 3 months, those born prematurely, or with a weakened immune system.

What should you look for in a nipple?

A gradually sloped nipple is best, according to our experts. Round nipples that abruptly transition to the tip of the nipple may be a little more challenging for some babies to feed from, especially if they go between bottle and breast, Playforth told us.

Our sources

  • Kelly Fradin, MD, a pediatrician based in in New York, New York
  • Krupa Playforth, MD, FAAP, a pediatrician based in Northern Virginia
  • Liz Elliott, a mom based in Chicago, Illinois
  • Nadege Toomey, a mom based in Denver, Colorado
  • Tiffany Adams, a mom based in New York, New York
  • Danielle Wynkoop, a mom based in Lawrence, Kansas
  • Christy H. , a mom in Boston, Massachusetts
  • Jemma Schwartz, a mom based in New York, New York
  • Deanna Gordon, a mom based in San Francisco, California
  • Kelly Adams, a mom based in Sumter, South Carolina
  • Stephanie Weidner, a mom based in Centennial, Colorado
  • Jacqueline Brennan, mom based in Wellesley, Massachusetts
  • Areen M., a mom in Los Angeles, California
  • Pados, Britt F., Jinhee Park, Suzanne M. Thoyre, Hayley Estrem, and W. Brant Nixa. Milk Flow Rates From Bottle Nipples Used for Feeding Infants Who Are Hospitalized. Am J Speech Lang Pathol. 2015 Nov; 24(4): 671–679. doi: 10.1044/2015_AJSLP-15-0011 
  • Pados, Britt F., Jinhee Park, Suzanne M. Thoyre, Hayley Estrem, and W. Brant Nix, BMET, BA. Milk flow rates from bottle nipples used after hospital discharge. MCN Am J Matern Child Nurs. 2016 Jul-Aug; 41(4): 237–243. doi: 10. 1097/NMC.0000000000000244

Cassie Shortsleeve

Freelance Writer

Cassie Shortsleeve is a freelance writer with a decade's worth of experience reporting for the country's top health, travel, and parenting magazines. She's a former Men's Health and Shape editor and the founder of Dear Sunday, an online platform for new and soon-to-be moms (follow along at @dearsundaymotherhood). She lives in Boston, with her husband and daughter Sunday. Learn more about how our team of experts tests and reviews products at Insider here.

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original ideas and their photos

Birds that have chosen the urban environment experience great difficulties in winter: frosts are fierce, a sheet of snow covers the ground. Not only is it cold and bad weather, but there is also an acute shortage of food, which can be detrimental to feathered beauties. But it is in our power to help our friends through difficult times.

With very little effort, you can make a bird feeder out of a plastic bottle and fill it regularly with food. nine0003

Contents

  • 1 Benefits of making a plastic bottle feeder
  • 2 What else you need: what materials and tools
  • 3 Instructions for making plastic bottle feeders: tips, diagrams and step-by-step guides
    • 3.1 ) bottles
    • 3.2 From a one and a half liter (1.5) bottle
    • 3. 3 Miscellaneous recommendations and tips for making
  • 4 What to feed birds or what food to sprinkle

Benefits of making a feeder from a plastic bottle

Often a refectory for birds is made of wood, making a wooden structure is a more laborious task and requires at least minimal skills in working with wood. And if we consider plastic bottles as a feeder, then working with them is much easier. In addition, there are a number of other undeniable advantages:

  • Convenience for birds - with the right construction, the birds will be able to regularly fly to the meal with convenience, and the feeder will protect the food from snow and rain. nine0012
  • Benefit - the material is very cheap, whether you buy the container separately or with a drink. But many people do not even need to buy it, since such containers are probably already stored at home.
  • Convenience - plastic bottles are very easy to work with, for example, plastic can be easily cut, holes can be made in it.
  • Material resistance - the container is able to withstand frost, heat, bad weather, and is not afraid of temperature changes. nine0012
  • Availability - the material is easy to find, you may already have several suitable containers in your home.

What else do you need: what materials and tools

Great if you decide to do a good deed. But the process requires certain materials and tools. Here's what you need to prepare before making the design:

  • plastic bottles: 1.5 liter or 5 liter. If you plan to make several feeders, then there should be several bottles; nine0012
  • scissors;
  • awl;
  • electrical tape;
  • sharp knife;
  • wooden sticks;
  • ruler;
  • wire or strong rope.

Plastic Bottle Feeder Instructions: Tips, Schematics, and Step-by-Step Guides

Construction is easy and simple, but there are a few things you need to know in order to be successful.

From a 5 liter (5) bottle

A 5 liter bottle is a very suitable and convenient material for making bird food. Due to its volume, it will be able to accommodate more birds than its more "slender" 1.5-liter relative. From a container of this volume, you can make a wonderful vertical and horizontal feeder.

Horizontal feeder

The main advantage of the horizontal arrangement of the container is that several birds can start eating at once, but if the bottle is placed vertically, they will be constrained by a small area. nine0003

Photo of a practical feeder from a 5-liter bottle:

You can make a bird feeder from a plastic 5-liter container as follows:

  • horizontal position.
  • From 2 opposite sides, draw the outline of future rectangular windows, they should be large enough. The outline can be drawn with a marker.
    • nine0011 Now you need to carefully make cuts along the outlined contour, and you need to do this with a sharp knife or scissors. In order to conveniently wield them, it is necessary to make holes with a sharp awl and from this place start cutting with scissors.

Tip! A canopy can be made on the bottle, which will additionally protect bird food from bad weather and precipitation. To do this, make a cutout from the bottom and sides, and bend the plastic visor up with pliers.

  • Bottle cutouts have sharp edges. To protect yourself from them, just cover them with electrical tape.
  • An important element of any feeder are the perches, on which the birds can sit, hiding from the weather or enjoying the food in comfort. To do this, make 2 small holes on both sides at the level of the lower border of the window and insert a not very thick wooden stick into them.
  • To fix the structure on the street, it is necessary to fix it with a wire or a strong rope. To do this, make 2 holes at the bottom of the container, they should be opposite the neck. Then thread the wire or rope through the holes in the bottom, and also tie the rope or wire tightly around the neck. Thus, you can secure the structure to a tree or something else. nine0012

Video: how to make a DIY bird feeder out of a 5 liter plastic bottle.

Vertical design

The technology for manufacturing vertical structures does not differ much from horizontal ones, but nevertheless has some features that need to be taken into account: If the bottle is square, then you can make 3 large windows on three sides, if it is round, then it is optimal to make 2 windows opposite each other. nine0012

  • Make cutouts with a knife or scissors. You can become like a horizontal structure and make a canopy that will protect you from the weather.
  • Tape the cutouts as shown in the photo below:

    • To make perches, you need to make a hole just below the window with an awl and insert wooden sticks there.

    • To attach the product to a tree or other outdoor object, you can simply punch a hole in the cover and thread a string through it. nine0012

    Video: how to make a vertical bird feeder.

    Vertical feeder with dispenser

    In addition to the 5 liter container, you will need a 1. 5 liter container. Do all the same manipulations as above, just make four large windows. Then follow the instructions:

    • It is necessary to cut the bottom of the smaller bottle so that there is a distance of about three centimeters between its neck and the bottom of the large container. nine0012
    • Then spread the bird food in a thin layer on the bottom of a large container.
    • After that, you need to put in a vertical position a small container with an unscrewed lid in a large container upside down, open the lid of a five-liter container and pour bird food into a one and a half liter container.

    When you close the large capacity lid, you can hang it outside for the birds to enjoy.

    Video: version of the bird feeder with dispenser.

    From a 1. 5 liter (1.5) bottle

    This feeder, of course, is less capacious, but it can be made a little faster. You can also hang several 1.5-liter plastic bottle feeders nearby so that more birds can satisfy their hunger.

    Standard feeder

    Do-it-yourself canteen for birds from a container of this volume is made in the same way as a vertical feeder from a 5-liter container. Only one or two windows are made. nine0003

    Video: how to make a standard feeder from a 1.5 liter container.

    Wooden spoon feeder

    Very interesting and original design. For such a non-standard product, you will need a one and a half or two-liter bottle, two wooden spoons with a long handle. Everything is done according to the following scheme:

    • Make a mark on the bottles so that the cutouts are in the correct places. Since 2 spoons will be located in one container, 4 cutouts must be made (paired cutouts should be located at different heights). Cutouts should be made at a slight slope. First make a mark on one side of the container, then a little lower on the other. nine0012
    • Cutouts should be kept small so that the spoons do not fall out and prevent too much grain from spilling out.
    • Then insert both spoons at a slight inclination: the handle will serve as a perch, and food will pour into the scoop.
    • After that, you can pour food into the mouth of the container, screw on the lid and hang the product outside.

    The design should look like a feeder in the photo:

    Design for tits with protection against pigeons and crows

    You can also make a tricky design that will allow you to feed tits, but will not be available to more determined and voracious pigeons and crows. How to make a handy plastic bottle feeder with protection against pigeons and crows:

    Miscellaneous recommendations and tips for making maximum pleasure:

    • Sharp tools are required for manufacturing, handle them with extreme care to avoid injury and damage to the skin.
    • Such containers are most often transparent, so it is advisable to mark the entrance boundaries with a bold contour using a colored marker.
    • It is important that the feeder is easily accessible to the birds so that they can easily fly up and consume the food.

    By the way! Drainage holes can be made to prevent moisture from accumulating at the bottom of the container. Just make small holes in the bottom of the container. nine0003

    • It is advisable to hang the structure at a height of about 1.5 m, due to this height it will be difficult for cats to grab the bird.
    • It is not recommended to place feeders next to the house, otherwise the house will have to be regularly cleaned of droppings.
    • It is necessary to position the feeder in such a way that there is an open area in front of it, and the birds could notice the approach of the cat in time.
    • Don't forget that birds are wildlife, so the feeder can become a source of infection. To prevent this from happening, it is necessary to eliminate half-eaten food every day. About once a month, you should thoroughly wash the feeder in rubber gloves with hot water and soap, be sure to pour boiling water over it a couple of times. nine0012
    • It is a great idea to make a bird feeder with your children, especially if they have been given the task of making their own bird feeder in kindergarten. Surely the guys will be delighted with such an activity, just watch them carefully so that they do not get scratched or hurt.
    • If you want to make a beautiful and original feeder with your own hands, you can bring some of your own unique ideas, for example, use colored pencils as a pole. In addition, you can attach a decorative flower to the product. It will be extraordinary to draw some colorful drawing on a plastic bottle, as in this photo:

    What to feed the birds or what food to feed

    It is important not only to simply make and hang a feeder, but also to regularly feed the birds. It is best to do this once or twice a day.

    Birds can be fed with these products : unsalted bacon, raw unsalted seeds (pumpkin, sunflower), unsalted crushed peanuts, nuts, wheat, oats, millet, unsalted butter, cones.

    It is forbidden to feed the following foods : salted (lard, chips, nuts, etc.), fried (that is, absolutely any fried foods, including fried seeds), spicy, spicy, sour foods, millet, fresh bread, rye bread, cookies, buns, spoiled cereals should not be given to birds.

    Below you can study the photographs illustrating the gastronomic preferences of various birds:

    You should be very careful about these rules for choosing products for feeding birds, otherwise prohibited products will cause diseases of varying severity and even death in birds. nine0003

    It is also necessary to talk to the children and tell them about the peculiarities of the birds' diet so that the children do not accidentally give them destructive and harmful food.

    Video: how to feed birds in winter.

    Thanks to such simple manipulations with plastic containers, you will help birds survive the cold winter, and instill in children love and care for our smaller brothers. In addition, your whole family will surely enjoy watching the different birds that have come to feast with great pleasure. nine0003

    How to quickly and easily make a bird feeder out of a plastic bottle?

    Birds in a private garden are pleasant chirping and lively fluttering through the branches. In autumn, when the garden is "bare" and empty, little birds give it a new sound.

    Birds play an aesthetic and sanitary role. They are indispensable helpers in the fight against harmful insects. Feeders will help attract and keep orderlies in the garden. You can make beautiful bird feeders with your own hands from improvised materials, for example, from plastic bottles. nine0003

    Article content:

    • General rules for the manufacture of feeders
    • Good ideas with quick instructions
    • Master class: convenient feeder hopper type

    General rules for making feeders

    When the weather gets colder and the first snow begins, the birds of the forest experience an acute shortage of food. It is advisable to hang feeders in the garden at the beginning of autumn and replenish stocks as they become empty. Don't put too much food in at once. Over time, mold and mildew develop, turning the grain into unsuitable food. nine0003

    When choosing a design, consider the following:

    • keep the feed dry even when it rains;
    • free access of birds to food;
    • the presence of perches is desirable;
    • the presence of two or more holes, while they must be through, so that the bird does not perceive the feeder as a trap;
    • sections are glued with adhesive plaster or electrical tape;
    • side height 7-10 cm.

    Mount the finished feeder with the calculation of the convenience of replenishment, but take into account the inaccessibility for cats. Material suitable for the feeder is resistant to moisture and the sun, light, wear-resistant and safe for birds. Plastic meets these criteria, and plastic bottles will serve as an excellent base. nine0003

    Good ideas with quick instructions

    The design of bird feeders made of 1.5 liter or 5 liter plastic bottles has 2 types: free access to feed and bunker system. In the first type, windows are cut out in the bottle through which the bird takes food poured to the bottom. In the second case, the feed is poured with a margin into the “bunker”, from where it “by gravity” enters a special tray or at the bottom of the feeder as it is eaten by birds. The second design is convenient in that it is not possible to replenish the “dining room” every day, and the remainder is clearly visible through the transparent plastic. nine0003

    Orientation of the feeders can be vertical (it is more convenient to fasten with twine through the lid) or horizontal (more birds can feed at the same time).

    Consider original ideas that will inspire craftsmen to create a real decorative element with a useful function.

    A simple and quick way to make a feeder: take a container of 5 liters, cut out a small window (preferably two) at the bottom, stepping back from the bottom 7 cm, and hang it vertically on a branch by the handle. In the lid, make a hole for the wire, for which you can hang a piece of unsalted lard. nine0003

    If a 1.5 liter container is available, then we make one hole, but large enough. Having processed the edges with colored material, we get both a safe and bright feeder. To fix it on a tree, it is enough to tie it by the neck with a strong tape to the branch.

    Bird-friendly version with perches that pierce the bottle just below the holes. Perches serve as a kind of weighting agent and empty containers will not “fly” in the wind. To protect from rain and snow, visors are left. At the bottom, holes are made with a heated nail to drain condensate. A good place for a feeder is not only on a tree, but also under a porch canopy. At the same time, it is protected from winds and rain. nine0003

    A 1.5 or 2 liter plastic bottle can be used to make a simple hopper feeder. To do this, prepare two wooden "spoons" with a long handle, make holes in the bottle of the appropriate diameter and push the handle through. A small hole is made above the “spoon” tray so that a flying bird can take the grains. Waking up grains will remain on the tray, and not fall to the ground.

    Fill the bottle completely with grain. You should not make holes too high, as they will quickly turn out to be unclaimed, although the container will still be half full. You can make two trays at the bottom and one at the top. To protect the trays from snow, a roof is installed from a 5-liter bottle. nine0003

    Bin feeders can be fixed by tying a strong belt or twine around the neck, or by passing a metal pin with a loop on top through the lid (it is even easier to make a loop from a piece of wire or wire and hang it on a branch).

    If you glue a plate to the bottom of a liter plastic bottle (an old children's bowl made of thick plastic will do), you will get a comfortable canteen with a bunker system. You can fix the plate with liquid nails or other fastening compounds that are designed for outdoor use and are not afraid of moisture. Below, stepping back 5 cm from the bottom, 3-4 holes are made to extract food. The plate performs the function of both the tray and the perch at the same time. nine0003

    In addition to plastic bottles for water or drink, use plastic 5-liter canisters for liquid soap, fabric softener or construction primer. First you need to rinse and dry them well, then cut the required number of holes. If the container has a handle, then there will be no problems with hanging.

    Otherwise, proceed similarly to the previous examples and thread the cord or wire through the holes in the lid.

    A 5 liter canister and a 1.5 liter bottle make a good feeder with hopper. It is enough to cut a large window on one side of the canister, and cut off the bottom of a 1.5-liter bottle and tie it upside down inside the canister so that grain can be poured through the canister lid. The result is a food base for birds protected from wind and rain.

    If you show a little imagination and involve children's imagination in the process, then a home-made feeder from a plastic bottle will become an unusual decor for the garden.

    Learn more