Slow feeding baby bottles

The 6 Best Slow Flow Bottles

Navigating the early days of bottle-feeding a baby is no east feat — especially if your little one might be having symptoms like gas. “Slow flow nipples can be an excellent option in the newborn period. Although [babies] do practice sucking movements while in the womb, actually eating is a totally new experience for them,” explains Dr. Laura Purdy, MD. Scary Mommy spoke with Dr. Purdy to learn what to look for when shopping for the best slow-flow bottles — because choosing the right bottle (and formula, if you’re not breastfeeding) can make all the difference between a happy baby and a downright fussy one.

The Expert

Licensed in all 50 states, Dr. Laura Purdy, MD, is a board-certified family medicine physician and the Chief Medical Officer of OpenLoop Health. Dr. Purdy’s in-depth digital health expertise comes from more than a decade spent providing and directing primary care for hundreds of thousands of patients of all ages. She attended medical school at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences.

What Bottles Are Good For Slow Flow?

Dr. Purdy explains that because slow flow bottles are designed to help control the flow of milk, they tend to make eating easier and more comfortable for babies. Purdy’s personal favorites are the Nanobébé and Tommee Tippee brands but she doesn’t recommend against any either and assures parents that “If the brands I [...] list are not within your family budget, that’s OK! You will not make a bad choice for your baby.”

How Long Do You Use Slow Flow Bottles?

Slow flow bottles aren’t just for newborns. Older babies can absolutely use slow flow bottles, though Purdy recommends taking cues from your baby as the best way to know what’s the right option for them. If they are gassy using slow flow bottles, which is possible, showing other signs of discomfort, or “struggling to get more out of the bottle and are wanting to eat faster than it allows, it’s time to upgrade,” adds Purdy. That last part is especially true when using the slowest flow bottles, like those usually labeled “premie” or “0 to 3 months. ”

Ready to find the best slow flow bottles for your baby? Check out our favorites below — they’re all conveniently on Amazon so you can get the right bottle for your baby ASAP.

1. Expert Pick: These Squishy Triple-Vented Bottles

Amazon

Nanobébé Flexy Silicone Baby Bottles (2-Pack)

$18

These silicone Nanobébé bottles come with Slow Flow nipples, although the brand carries a range of nipple sizes from Preemie to Y-cut for finding the perfect flow as your baby grows. These squishy bottles have a natural feel (like mom’s boobs!) and are triple-vented to help babies from inhaling too much air which can lead to gas and discomfort. Parents will love the wide base designed to keep bottles upright and stable on almost any surface. Reviewers also raved about how easy these dishwasher-safe bottles are to clean.

Helpful Review: “My baby has reflux, bad colic, bad gas and spit up issues so we have been looking for a good bottle to help her with all her issues. We had [tried] a few different bottle before coming to these. We love these the 360 holes for venting air they help with the gas and colic. These are easy to clean, don't have a lot of small parts to deal with, stand well (unlike other competitors) and are soft to touch for baby. I completely recommend these bottles!!”

2. These Sleek Bottles With Reusable Silicone Pouches Inside

Amazon

Boon NURSH Silicone Bottles (3-Pack)

$22

Unlike many bottles on this list that rely on air vents or valves to prevent gas, the Boon NURSH line features reusable silicone pouches inside the bottles that collapse as your baby drinks, cutting down on the amount of air they swallow to help prevent gas and acid reflux. These dishwasher-safe bottles are also some of the prettiest bottles we’ve seen! Choose from several ultra-modern multipack colors available in two different sizes: 4 ounces (that come with Stage 1 Slow Flow nipples) and 8 ounces (that come with Stage 2 nipples). The brand also carries replacement nipples that range from Extra Slow Flow to Fast Flow.

Helpful Review: “This bottle is perfect for us! I breastfeed and it’s a great bottle to give her my pumped milk. Her mouth has to remain in the same position as it does for breast latching which is helpful if you have latching issues and or to avoid nipple confusion. Haven’t had any issues of spilling or leaking, the bottle feel is nice and smooth and the flexible inserts are more durable feeling than I thought it would be.”

3. Another Expert-Recommended Set With Rave Reviews

Amazon

Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature Baby Bottle (4-Pack)

$25

These doctor-recommended Tommee Tippee bottles are ideal for preventing latch issues and nipple confusion thanks to their breast-like nipple. The included Extra Slow Flow, vented nipples are also “anti-colic” so babies can ingest more milk and less air. The wide neck of the bottles also make them easy to hold and clean. The set is dishwasher-, microwave-, and sterilizer-safe. Is your baby ready to go up a nipple size? From Slow Flow to Added Cereal Flow, Tommee Tippee replacement nipples are a clear parent favorite, with a 4.8-star rating after more than 22,000 reviews on Amazon.

Helpful Review: “I absolutely love feeding my baby with these bottles. He is 10 weeks old (almost 3 months) and we are still using these. I’ve tried other bottles and these are by far the best for his AR. Other bottles he was just gulping, [choking] and spitting up all the time. These ultra slow flow nipples are perfect for him. He is not gulping down his milk or [choking] therefore resulting in less spit ups and less air. If you baby has acid reflux or is a spitter I recommend you give these a try.”

4. Some Extra Tiny Slow-Flow Bottles For Newborns

Amazon

POTATO Newborn Baby Bottles (2-Pack)

$17

These POTATO newborn baby bottles comes in the smallest capacity — just 2.5 ounces per bottle — for the littlest of feeders. They come with Slow Flow nipples that are designed to mimic a mother’s breasts with anti-colic vents that control milk flow so that babies can drink comfortably. And the high-performance, dishwasher-safe polymer bottle has all the perks of glass — like stain and temperature resistance — without the worry of breakage. In addition to a range of replacement nipple sizes, POTATO also offers a convertible straw sippy cup for toddlers that shoppers love.

Helpful Review: “Bought these for my grand and I bought many different brands the potato is my fav hands down. Perfect size for new borns and we used formula. The anti cholic is great you can hear the air being removed through the escape. Best bottle on the planet if you ask this Nana.”

5. A Cult-Favorite Set Of Dr. Brown Bottles

Amazon

Dr. Brown’s Anti-Colic Options+ Narrow Baby Bottles (4-Pack)

$23

With 27,000 five-star reviews (and counting), this set of Dr. Brown anti-colic bottles has earned something of a cult following. The polypropylene bottles feature an internal venting system that has been clinically proven to reduce colic, gas, burping, and spit-up. And because they attach directly to most breast pumps and are top-rack dishwasher safe, that means less clean-up for parents. This set comes with a Level 1 nipple (newborn) but the brand also carries an even slower Preemie Flow nipple, as well as their wildly popular line of nipples that go all the way up to the Y-cut nipples.

Helpful Review: “These bottles really do perform exactly the way they are advertised. I went to Dr. Brown's bottle website before purchasing to see "what all the hype" was about. The technology behind this feeding system seemed logical and sound. I decided to purchase a few bottles to try the out and I am SO glad I purchased these! They live up to every bit of "the hype" and more. The design really does help with tummy issues. They also clean easily. A tiny cleaning brush is sent with your order, that makes it fast and convenient for washing the vent holes. If you follow directions, the bottles transport securely with no spills or leaks. [...]”

6. These Innovative Bottles That Mimic The Boob

Amazon

Comotomo Baby Bottles (2-Pack)

$23

Babies love drinking from these innovative Comotomo silicone bottles that have a soft, squishy feel — just like mom’s breast. And Comotomo’s 5-ounce bottles have a slow flow, dual-vented, and realistic nipple so that babies can drink at a comfortable pace with minimal air ingestion. The wide opening makes hand-washing them a breeze, but they’re also dishwasher-safe. When it comes time to upgrade to a faster nipple size, know that the 8-ounce Comotomo bottles come with a medium flow nipple designed for babies 3 to 6 months. You can also buy replacement Comotomo nipples in sizes from newborn to Y-cut here.

One note: Comotomo bottles have a unique wide shape, so you’ll want to make sure you use a compatible bottle warmer.

Helpful Review: “Excellent bottles - the slow flow and shallow nipple means our little one has been comfortable going back and forth from breastfeeding and bottlefeeding without confusion or flow preference. The wide opening makes cleaning very easy, we don't have or need a bottle brush.”

The Expert

Dr. Laura Purdy, MD, board-certified family medicine physician and Chief Medical Officer of OpenLoop Health

Choosing a Bottle Flow Rate

Nationwide Children’s Hospital

Your baby’s bottle flow rate is the rate at which human milk or infant formula moves from the bottle nipple into an infant’s mouth. The bottle flow rate is important because if it is too slow your baby may work too hard to get milk. If the flow rate is too fast, they may have a hard time with the faster flow. Most bottle brand companies give a flow rate name on the nipple, such as, ‘preemie,’ ‘slow,’ ‘medium’ or ‘fast.’ Other brands give a flow rate number, such as 0, 1, 2 or 3. The names and numbers tell how fast the flow rate is. Almost every bottle brand attaches an age range to their flow rate.

Choosing a Bottle Nipple

Every baby has their own feeding style. They may need a slower bottle nipple or a faster bottle nipple depending on their pace (how fast or slow they eat). The pace may not match their age or size nipple, as recommended on the bottle packaging. Babies who are fed by both breast/chest and bottle may benefit from a slower flowing bottle nipple. This helps match the flow rate of human milk during breast/chest feeding. However, most babies who are born around their due date will be able to use a newborn flow rate (such as “level 1” or “slow flow”) whether drinking human milk or formula.

There are many bottle brands, nipple sizes and styles of bottles to choose from. Some bottles are designed to look like a human nipple. Other bottles are designed to decrease colic or reflux. Finding the right bottle is unique to each baby.

When to Change Nipples

If your baby is healthy, growing and enjoys eating from their bottle, continue following your baby’s pace. There is no need to move up a level based on age. A baby may be on the same level nipple the whole time they eat from a bottle. This is okay. However, babies will show signs if the flow is too slow or too fast.

If your baby is ready to move up to a faster flow nipple, they may show these signs:
- Taking longer to finish eating
- Fast sucking with not many swallows (bottle nipple may collapse)
- Getting fussy while eating

Sometimes the nipple flow rate can be too fast for your baby. If they show any of these signs while eating, try a slower flowing nipple:
- Gulping
- Choking
- Hard swallowing
- Coughing
- Increased drooling
- Refusing to eat

Signs You Need a New Bottle or Nipple

Nipples that are weak or worn out are more likely to tear or be a choking hazard. They must be replaced right away. To test a nipple’s strength, pull hard on the end of the nipple. This is called the bulb. The nipple should return to its original shape. If it does not, throw it away.

The following are signs that your bottle nipple may be getting weak:

Changing color
Thinning
Stickiness or swelling
Cracks, tears, or breaks

Other Important Information

If the bottle is leaking, make sure the bottle ring or collar is not too tight or too loose.
If the bottle is leaking and the bottle system has an anti-colic insert, make sure the insert is in place.
Make sure all bottle parts are put together before adding human milk or formula

Choosing a Bottle Flow Rate (PDF)

What a bottle to choose for a newborn

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For a newborn, breast milk is the most useful and complete nutrition, but there are situations when a mother is forced to switch to mixed or artificial feeding, and sometimes she needs to leave on business and in this situation, expressed breast milk can be used for feeding. In such situations, a bottle is indispensable, so parents face the question of how to choose a bottle for their baby.

When choosing a bottle, pay attention to the following criteria: flow

Also note the additional features and properties of the bottles. This can be a special valve or system that reduces the risk of spitting up and gas, a flow-optimized physiological teat with a wide base, or special teats for premature and small babies.

Material

Bottles are usually made of glass or plastic. Glass bottles are considered the most environmentally friendly, they are durable and can withstand repeated sterilization, but they are quite heavy and can be easily broken. Plastic bottles are light and safe and can withstand high temperatures, but they wear out faster and need to be replaced over time.

Bottle nipples are available in latex or silicone. Latex nipples are soft, but short-lived and can cause allergies. Silicone nipples are stronger and last longer, and at the same time they are quite soft and flexible.

Shape

Modern bottles come in a wide variety of shapes and colours. Choose the one that you like, but the main thing is that the baby is comfortable to hold it. For small hands, a narrowed to the center or curly bottle is suitable.

Classic teats are used by many parents, the classic teat is round and slightly elongated. Anatomical nipples resemble a woman's nipple and are considered the most suitable for feeding a baby, since it is just as difficult to drink milk from it as from a breast. This is especially important when combining breastfeeding and bottle feeding. There are also nipples with a beveled edge, it is believed that such nipples do not affect the bite.

Anti-colic valve

Sucking on the bottle can cause air to be swallowed by the baby, causing colic. Therefore, it is worth giving preference to bottles that have an anti-colic valve.

Bottle size

The size of the bottle is selected according to the baby's age. The older the baby gets, the more food he needs, so the volume of the bottle must be increased. Usually there are bottles for the smallest - up to 150-200 ml and for older children from 200 ml. Pay attention to the size of the neck - bottles with a wide neck are easier to clean and it is more convenient to pour the mixture into it.

Teat flow speed For a newborn baby, it is necessary to choose a nipple with a slow flow so that he does not choke during feeding. As they grow older, it is necessary to change the nipple to a faster flow so that the baby does not get nervous and gets enough milk. You should also pay attention to the number and size of holes in the nipple - more for thick food and smaller for liquids.

How many bottles and nipples to have

If the baby is breastfed, two 60 to 125 ml bottles will be enough to supplement him with water if necessary or to feed him with expressed breast milk during temporary weaning mothers. Formula-fed babies will need 3-4 bottles of 150-330 ml and two bottles for other liquids (water, juice, tea).

, and also if the integrity of the nipple is damaged or the baby bites through it when the first teeth appear.

Your Choice

You can now narrow your search down to bottle characteristics and personal preferences. To help you decide, answer a few more questions:

Will you bottle feed your baby only or do you want to combine bottle feeding with breastfeeding?

Are you planning to bottle feed your baby from the first month or be later? Perhaps you will be away on business or want to go to work?

If you plan to combine breastfeeding with bottle feeding, then the Natural bottle is suitable for you and your baby, but if you plan to formula feed the baby, then we suggest considering the Anti-colic bottle. To reduce the risk of spitting up, gas and colic, we offer Anti-colic bottles with an AirFree valve. from natural sucking. The built-in anti-colic valve prevents air from entering the tummy and reduces the risk of colic.

Learn more about Natural bottles:

Philips Avent Anti-colic bottles with a unique AirFree valve are designed to help your baby
swallow less air and reduce the risk of spitting up. The AirFree valve prevents air from entering the nipple: even in the horizontal position of the bottle, the nipple always remains filled with milk, which allows you to feed your baby in an upright position. Reducing the amount of air your baby can swallow while feeding helps reduce the risk of problems such as colic, gas, and spitting up.

More about the bottles of the Anti-Colic series:

volumes of Philips Avent

select the volume of the bottle in accordance with the age of your baby:

0 months- 60 ml

0 month+ - 125 ml

from 1 month - 260 ml

from 6 months - 330 ml

But do not forget that babies have individual characteristics, their own rate of growth and development. Therefore, some children can drink more for feeding, others can drink the same portion in two stages with a short break. Therefore, choose the optimal bottle size for your baby based on his needs and feeding behavior.

Philips Avent Bottle Teats

The size and number of holes in the nipple determine the volume and speed of breast milk or formula from the bottle. The number and size of holes in the nipple increase with the age of the baby.

Natural teat range

just as difficult as the chest.

Variable Flow Teat

The variable flow teat has 3 flow rates and allows you to control the flow rate by simply turning the bottle. Thus, you can adjust the flow rate according to the density of the liquid and the pace at which the baby drinks. This nipple is suitable for babies 3 months+. pulp, cereals, grain milk, etc.

All Philips Avent Natural teats can be found here. 

Anti-colic nipple assortment

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