“Assuming the baby has no underlying conditions that would require a specific type of bottle or feeder, there are endless choices, and it can be hard to narrow down,” says Elizabeth Meade, MD, a pediatrician at Providence Swedish in Seattle and lactation consultant. “Most parents want something easy to use, easy to clean, and many parents would like to avoid plastic as we become more aware of microplastics and potential health impacts.“
According to Meade, a few essential features that parents should pay attention to when selecting a bottle include the material, size, and nipple. For families who are combination feeding—breastfeeding and bottle feeding—choosing the right bottle to support both is especially important, she says.
So what’s the right way to narrow down your options? Consumer Reports conducted a study with 40 parents who used seven baby bottles we previously identified as free of BPA, lead, or phthalates to find out what they loved and didn’t love about them. The study involved 30 women and 10 men, ages 21 through 41. Twenty-four respondents were talking about their first child, while 16 of them had more than one child.
A common theme? It takes some serious trial and error to get the right fit and flow. Here’s what they had to say—and what they wish they knew a few dozen bottles ago.
