Looking for the best baby bottle for reflux issues?
Perfect, you're in the right place!
In this BabySchooling guide you'll learn:
- Why Does Your Baby Have Reflux?
- How Can You Prevent It?
- And What Are My Top 5 Baby Bottles For Reflux?
Let's jump in!
Below is a quick list of all our top products. Keep scrolling to learn more about how to choose and use baby bottles for reflux...
Image | Product | |||
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Our Top Pick | Our Top Pick | Dr. Brown's Original Bottle
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| View on Amazon |
Best High-End | Best High-End | Comotomo Baby Bottle
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| View on Amazon |
Best Budget | Best Budget | Playtex Baby VentAire Bottle
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| View on Amazon |
| Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature Bottle
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| View on Amazon | |
| MAM Easy Start Anti-Colic Bottle
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| View on Amazon |
Our Overall #1 Rated Pick
(updated as of 02/04/2020)
Dr. Brown's Original Bottle
- Shatter-proof, BPA, polypropylene, and phthalate-free plastic
- Soft nipple and wide neck work perfectly together
- Compatible with most pumps like Medela
We love Dr. Brown's Original Bottle. It significantly reduces gas, burping, tummy issues, and spit-up as well as fluid building up in your baby's ear thanks to the anti-colic internal vent system. It keeps milk’s bubble oxidation level in minimum, therefore there isn’t any nutrient loss.
Top 5 Best Baby Bottles for Reflux
Short on time? We understand. Check out this quick overview of our favorite baby bottles for reflux.
What Are Baby Bottles Made For Made For Reflux (Are They Any Different)?
Colic or anti-reflux bottles have one or dual vent system that eliminates air. As the venting provides proper circulation of air, the level of bubbles inside the milk is minimized. The vent also allows extra slow feeding for your baby, thus she spits up less.
Bottles designed for colicky babies also have nipples that do not collapse easily. The nipple is designed to allow the air to escape and prevent pressure that makes the nipple collapse in the first place.
Does Bottle Feeding Make Reflux Worse For Your Baby?
There isn’t a definite answer to this question as both breastfed and bottle-fed babies suffer from acid reflux. Reflux can result from many factors such as an immature sphincter muscle, intolerance to cows’ milk protein, fast-flowing milk, allergies, and many more.
Read Also: How To Clean & Sanitize Baby Bottles (Simple Guide)
How To Soothe Your Baby With Reflux?
If you have a colicky baby, here are a few tips to soother her:
- Using an anti-colic bottle might help. The vent system that comes with these bottles prevents air bubbled from getting into the milk
- Choosing the right bottle with slow-flow nipples might help
- Choosing an anti-colic baby formula might also help as digestion is easier with these types
- Place your child an upright position while bottle feeding in order to reduce the intake of air
- Make sure there is not a big space between the chin and chest
- Take short breaks during feedings if your baby’s suction is strong and fast
- Let your baby suck on your finger or a pacifier during the pause if he gets upset
- Burp your child often
- If you’re breastfeeding, feed her in a more upright position
- Make sure that your baby's mouth latches on the nipple as it directly affects sucking action
- Try to give her a warm bath
- White noise might help
- Make sure you sterilize your baby's plastic bottles
- Put your baby's bottles in boiling water or in the sterilizer before the first use
What About Formula For Your Baby With Reflux?
First of all, it is best to consult your doctor if you are suspicious that your baby is suffering from colic due to formula.
He or she will show you the best method of feeding your little one according to the unique symptoms she is showing. Treatment methods also change according to age and the severity of the case.
Read Also: Top 5 Best Baby Bottles To Buy Now (2020 Review)
Research has shown that, babies who are fed with formula experience more reflux symptoms compared to breastfed babies. The episodes also tend to last longer.
Breastmilk is digested twice as quickly as formula and leaves your baby’s tummy more quickly. In this respect, breastfeeding mothers are advised to continue even if their baby is colic.
Thickening formula with cereal or flour is also common among parents. These methods do not decrease reflux symptoms, either.
There are also "antireflux" formulas available on the market which contain rice starch for babies who use formula instead of breastmilk. It is entirely up to your baby’s physical condition whether these products decrease the symptoms of reflux or not.
Is It Safe For Babies To Have Reflux?
Most babies suffer from reflux especially in the first months after birth. This results from an underdeveloped ring of muscle that is unable to block stomach contents.
Once your baby reaches 6 months, his digestive system is fully developed. After this time, if you detect yellow or green spit-up, weight loss, blood in the stool, irritation after eating, and other things that you feel out of the ordinary, consult your physician.
Our Reviews Of The Best Baby Bottles for Reflux
Number 1 pediatrician recommended baby bottle in the US, Dr. Brown's has an anti-colic internal vent system that prevents your baby from ingesting air bubbles.
This significantly reduces gas, burping, spit-up as well as fluid building up in your baby's ear.
Most importantly, Dr. Brown's preserve Vitamins C, A, and E + lipids which are critical nutrients in your baby’s development.
The vent system keeps milk’s bubble oxidation level in minimum, therefore there isn’t any nutrient loss.
The silicone nipple makes switching between breast and bottle possible. The milk flows very slowly for your newborn allowing your little one to feed at their own pace.
Pros
Cons
This super cute bottle is not just the looks! Comotomo eliminates gas, colic symptoms, possible ear infections, and spit-ups by preventing the air intake during feedings.
It overcomes this problem with dual anti-colic vents. The wide mound and naturally shaped nipple are also there to make the transition from breast to bottle easier.
You will also love the super-wide opening of Comotomo. Because you will spend less time cleaning it by hand. Don’t have time?
Just put it in the dishwasher. Your baby, on the other hand, will enjoy the feeling of the soft, skin-like silicone material in his hand.
Pros
Cons
VentAire channels air not through your little one’s milk but in the back of the bottle. Also, the angled and ergonomic design prevents reflux symptoms. This means; your baby will spit-up and be less fussy.
What we love about VentAire bottles is that they offer 3 nipple types for your baby. Each offers different nipple flows.
Y-cut Naturalatch nipple is designed for thick formulas or cereal and feels “most like mom.” Beastlike nipple mimics the breast and offers slow, fast, and medium flow.
Petite nipple, on the other hand, is designed for newborns and preemies and comes slow flow only.
Pros
Cons
Amazon’s choice Tommee Tippee is an award-winning baby bottle with a breast-like nipple.
It almost feels like mom and promises a comfortable feed. The anti-colic valve decreases the excessive air flow, so your little one drinks more milk and less air. It means peaceful dreams for both parents and the baby!
Tommee Tippee offers different flow rates so that your baby can enjoy his milk in his favorite pace. Moms also love these bottles because cleaning is hassle free.
Another great feature is that the measurement is very clear, so you’ll see how much your precious one has drunk.
Pros
Cons
MAM Easy Start has a SkinSoft nipple that feels like a mom’s breast to babies. The patented vented base regulates airflow while the air valve let the nipple to release air.
By this way, while your little one is sucking, the milk flows evenly.
This bottle is popular even among babies who are very picky.
There is an anti-slip surface at the base of the nipple, therefore babies find it easy to hold on to it.
MAM states that 80% of mothers with colicky babies have reported less reflux problems after using MAM Anti-Colic Bottles.
Pros
Cons
Our Top Pick: Dr. Brown's Original Bottle
We love Dr. Brown's Original Bottle. It significantly reduces gas, burping, tummy issues, and spit-up as well as fluid building up in your baby's ear thanks to the anti-colic internal vent system.
It keeps milk’s bubble oxidation level in minimum, therefore there isn’t any nutrient loss.
My Final Thoughts...
It is completely normal for babies under 6 months old to suffer from fussiness related to reflux. Once their digestive system is fully developed, they will start enjoying the feedings more.
Until that time, baby bottles for reflux can help your baby to get the nutrients and vitamins she needs to thrive.