Anti-colic baby bottles do one job — they reduce the air your baby swallows during a feed, which means less wind, less spit-up, and (if you’re lucky) more sleep. We’ve tried most of the popular brands across two of our team’s babies. All picks are on Amazon AU and Amazon US.
In this guide
- Our top picks at a glance
- How “anti-colic” actually works
- Dr Brown’s Natural Flow Options+ — Best Overall
- Comotomo Wide-Neck Silicone — Easiest Clean
- Philips Avent Natural Response — Best for Switchers
- Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature — Best for Travel
- MAM Easy Start Anti-Colic — Best Self-Sterilising
- What we’d skip
Our top picks at a glance
| Pick | Best for | Rating | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Dr Brown’s Natural Flow Options+Best Overall | Reflux / gassy babies | ★ 4.8 | $$ | Amazon AU Amazon US |
Comotomo Wide-Neck SiliconeEasiest Clean | Sleep-deprived parents | ★ 4.7 | $$$ | Amazon AU Amazon US |
Philips Avent Natural ResponseBest for Switchers | Breast-to-bottle transition | ★ 4.6 | $$ | Amazon AU Amazon US |
Tommee Tippee Closer to NatureBest for Travel | Change-bag bottles | ★ 4.5 | $$ | Amazon AU Amazon US |
MAM Easy Start Anti-ColicBest Self-Sterilising | Microwave self-sterilise | ★ 4.4 | $$ | Amazon AU Amazon US |
How “anti-colic” actually works
- Internal vent system (Dr Brown’s) — separate vent inside the bottle that channels air around the milk.
- Anti-colic teat valves (Tommee Tippee, Avent) — valves at the base or in the teat.
- Wide-neck angled (MAM, Comotomo) — reduce bubbles by shape and orientation.
- Disposable liner systems (Playtex Drop-Ins) — soft pouch that collapses as baby feeds.
- Don’t bulk-buy a single brand before testing. Babies have strong opinions about teats.
The picks — reviewed in detail
Dr Brown’s Natural Flow Options+
The bottles paediatricians recommend most often. The internal vent genuinely works for reflux-prone and gassy babies. Vent removes once colic isn’t an issue, so the bottle grows with you. More parts to wash — the trade-off.
Comotomo Wide-Neck Silicone
Two parts, dishwasher-safe, anti-colic vents in the base of the teat. The bottles we’d hand a sleep-deprived parent who wants to wash everything in 30 seconds.
Philips Avent Natural Response
Teat only releases milk when baby actively sucks — closest to breastfeeding mechanics we’ve tested. Babies who refused other bottles took these.
Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature
Three parts, easy assembly, wide soft teat, and the bottles seal genuinely well. Throw in a change bag with a fresh feed, arrive 40 minutes later with no leaks.
MAM Easy Start Anti-Colic
Vented base unscrews so you can self-sterilise in the microwave with a splash of water. Broad-based teat well-loved by older babies who refused other shapes. Available in glass too.
What we’d skip
- Vintage/heirloom plastic bottles. Pre-2010 polycarbonate can leach BPA.
- “Self-feeding” bottle holders. Choking and ear-infection risk.
- Generic “universal” replacement teats. Almost never fit properly; flow rate is unpredictable.
Frequently asked questions
How many baby bottles do I need?
Exclusively breastfeeding: 2–3 small bottles. Combination: 4–6 mixed sizes. Exclusive bottle: 6–8 bottles. Don’t bulk-buy a single brand before you know which teat your baby accepts.
Glass or plastic baby bottles — which is better?
Both modern materials are BPA-free and safe. Plastic is lighter and shatter-proof; glass doesn’t scratch and lasts indefinitely. Many parents use plastic for the change bag and glass at home.
When should I switch teat sizes?
When baby starts working hard during feeds (sucking effort visibly increases) or when feeds take much longer than usual. Move up one stage at a time. Most babies move from Stage 1 → 2 around 3 months.
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