13 Best Bottles that Mimic Breastfeeding

many new mothers, actually babies for that matter, suffer from “nipple confusion.” It sounds funny at first, but new parents are usually unaware of the gravitas of the issue until it happens to them and their little ones. Usually, babies with nipple confusion start feeding erratically after they’re introduced to their first bottles. That’s why you need to pay a little more attention to the bottle you give them. Even if you’re exclusively breastfeeding your tot, there are many reasons to provide them with the bottle, such as everyday errands, your job, social obligations, etc. These could throw your nursing schedule off sometimes, so you could do with the best bottles that mimic breastfeeding. Also, who doesn’t sometimes mind a partner or a caregiver feeding the baby? Plus, let’s face it, your boobs do need a break!

What’s more, It’s important to introduce bottles to breastfeeding infants at the right time; otherwise, you risk nipple confusion or your baby becoming too attached to the bottle. Keep reading to learn when to give bottles to a breastfed baby, and check out our round-up of the best options on the market today. 

Dr. Brown’s Wide-Neck Bottle

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Dr. Brown’s Wide Neck Bottle is one of the best bottles that mimic breastfeeding. It also happens to be one of the best glass bottles for babies. This brand’s bottles have always been solid all-rounders, and this wide-necked one is no different. It’s made from shaped BPA-free plastic, so it’s easy to grip for both you and your growing baby. What’s more, it offers a feeding experience that mimics breastfeeding as possible. The venting system, which has a straw valve, reduces spit-up, gas, and colic. Plus, it is a sterilizer and dishwasher-safe and can be removed to clean.

Moreover, you can buy these bottles in packs of 2 to 8 to suit your needs, especially since the price is very reasonable. And they have both a four oz. and an eight oz. size bottle. So, if you have a baby who’s colicky or shows signs of nipple confusion, then this bottle is the one you want.

Tommee Tippee Closer Nature Bottles

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The Tommee Tippee Closer Nature Bottles are yet another fantastic set of bottles. The bottles boast a distinctive shape that fits well into your tot’s equally tiny hands. Breastfeeding experts have designed the nipple carefully, so it closely resembles a breast, complete with a flattish profile and a wide base. So, the long, natural-looking nipple allows almost 90 percent of babies to latch on it within three attempts. What’s more, there are different flow rates to choose from, as well as a sophisticated anti-colic valve. So, your baby won’t be gulping in tons of air or suffering from gas or colic. The best bit? You have the choice of 5, 9, or 11-oz. bottle sizes to choose from to match your kid’s appetite.

Lansinoh mOmma NaturalWave Bottle

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The Lansinoh mOmma NaturalWave Bottle is one of the best bottles that mimic breastfeeding. These bottles have gotten rave reviews from parents who’ve struggled to coax their tots for bottle feeding. For one, the bottle’s shape is slightly different from usual. Secondly, the surface is thick and matte, with the nipple itself tapering off less sharply, so it feels more natural in your kid’s mouth. What’s great is that this design promotes the same sucking motions that your tot would be practicing at the breast. Moreover, they’re necessary for a good latch and proper oral development, making this bottle more perfect. Aside from the nipple, the rest of the bottle is made from sturdy plastic and has a wide and easy-to-clean neck. Finally, it’s compatible with a range of other brand nipples.

Philips Avent Natural Glass Baby Bottles

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The Philips Avent Natural Glass Baby Bottles are another excellent feeding bottle, especially for picky babies. The brand makes many products that aim to make the breastfeeding experience a successful one. Firstly, these bottles come in a three-pack, and everyone has a capacity of four oz. But, what makes them stand out is the realistic nipple, which is made from soft silicone. Additionally, they’re wider than many other nipples, thus reminding your baby of a breast and mimicking the breastfeeding experience. They’ve also incorporated an anti-colic system that’s easy to operate, straightforward, and hassle-free to assemble. Finally, the bottle is made from strong borosilicate glass, so your tot won’t ingest any harmful chemicals.

Munchkin Latch Newborn Bottles

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The Munchkin Latch Newborn Bottles are one of the best bottles that mimic breastfeeding. In fact, the brand won the 2015 American Baby award for the “Best Bottle Chosen by Moms!” And it’s easy to see why. For one, the set comes with three four-oz. bottles and three sealing discs, one stage-two medium flow nipples, and two slow flow nipples. It doesn’t get more reasonable than this! Moreover, the pump adapters make these bottles compatible with many breast pumps, despite being sold separately. These bottles are also great for preventing colic thanks to the stretchy nipples, which help with the proper latch. So, your baby takes in less air with every sip. Plus, the base’s anti-colic valve reduces any gas that your baby might suffer from. Finally, their make is silicone and plastic, so they’re all top-rack dishwasher-safe. 

Mimijumi Get Going Bottle Kit

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If you want your baby to get as close to a breastfeeding experience with a bottle, then get them the Mimijumi Get Going Bottle Kit. Your baby will especially love the appearance of this bottle set with the large, flesh-colored nipple. It’s so realistic and surprisingly boob-like that it feels and looks like the real deal. So, your baby will have no problem latching on to it. What’s more, the set comes with four bottles, two in the smaller size and two in the larger size. There are hardly any parts to fuss with or take care of, making them extremely easy to handle and assemble.

In fact, the nipple screws directly onto the bottle, so you don’t even need to bother with a ring around the nipple. The nipple design and slow-flow nipples help ward off any fussiness caused by colic. Finally, the BPA-free bottles have super-wide necks, so cleaning is a hassle-free job.

Nanobebe Baby Breastfeeding Bottles

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The Nanobebe Baby Breastfeeding Bottles are among the best bottles that mimic breastfeeding. The brand is attempting to break the mold with these uniquely shaped “bottles.” To begin with, the shape is most breast-like on this list, complete with a hollowed dome. Moreover, the angled nipple makes it easy for you and your baby to hold it around the lower rim as the tots feed. You needn’t be concerned about retaining nutrients as the design optimizes cooling and heating so that no minerals or vitamins are damaged when breastmilk is stored in the bottle. If that wasn’t enough, the bottles are concave so that mothers can pump directly into them, and they also stack very nicely. Finally, they’re anti-colic and even inhibit bacterial growth.

NUK Simply Natural Bottles

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NUK Simply Natural Bottles are just like their name – “natural.” They’re great for parents on a budget and are very reasonably priced. This three-pack of nine-oz. bottles is big and perfect for growing babies. Plus, they come with multiple nipple holes that give your baby a more realistic breast feel. Depending on the nipple flow, it can have up to as many as nine tiny holes, which makes it perfect for a growing baby’s needs. Moreover, the wide silicone nipple stretches easily with your baby’s movement, helping them keep latched on and not break very often, which could cause them to be fussy. The one-piece anti-colic system helps cut down on gas and spit-up both. And since it’s in-built in the bottle, there’s no hassle of cleaning up lots of complicated pieces. Finally, the bottles boast an ergonomic design and are stain-resistant as well.

Comotomo Natural-Feel Baby Bottles

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Comotomo Natural-Feel Baby Bottles are one of the best bottles that mimic breastfeeding. Feeding doesn’t get any simpler than with these bottles, which have ultra-wide necks that make them both easy to clean and simple to assemble. What’s more, they’re as close as it gets to the breastfeeding experience, thanks to the soft and big nipples and a flexible base. So, your tot can grab and squish the bottle when they’re feeding, just like they do the breast. They’re great for parents, as they are dishwashers, boiling water, and even microwave-safe. Do you have a baby bottle sterilizer? You can toss this bottle in there too! Wrapping up the features are the dual anti-colic vents and the fact that both the base and the nipple are made completely from silicone.

Nuby Natural Touch Newborn Starter Set

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The BPA-free Nuby Natural Touch Newborn Starter Set is perfect for your newborn baby and is one of the bottles that comes closest to mimicking the breastfeeding experience. The bottle set has everything new parents could need in the first few days of transitioning their tots from the breasts to the bottles. These include a bib, a chewable teether, a bottle brush to clean it easily anytime and anywhere, and a set of four bottles. What’s more, two bottles are six oz. each and the others are nine oz. each, which makes this set great value for money. And, of course, the little extras are fantastic. The standout feature is the Easy Latch teats that mimic the natural flex, texture, and shape of your breasts, encouraging your kid to latch on more easily.

Evenflo Feeding Balance + Wide Neck Glass Bottles

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Evenflo Feeding Balance + Wide Neck Glass Bottles is one of the best bottles that mimic breastfeeding. According to lactation consultants, the bottle’s nipple is best for latching due to its gradual sloped design. What’s more, the nipple also has a slow flow, allowing for a steady stream of milk, just like breastfeeding. The in-built patented venting system reduces gas, which makes the babies less fussy. Furthermore, the six oz. bottles allow for pumping milk directly into them. And since they’re made from glass, they can go from the freezer to boiling water to the dishwasher and back without shattering. The best bit? These BPA-free bottles are top-rack dishwasher-safe.

Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature Newborn Baby Bottle Starter Set

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The Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature Newborn Baby Bottle Starter Set is an excellent value for those who indulge in bottle feeding just occasionally. Whether you’re feeding with the bottle because of transitioning or simply using it once a day between breastfeeds, this starter set is perfect. Plus, it has everything you need for beginning your bottle-feeding journey. For one, you’ll find three nine oz. and five oz. bottles each. The set also comes with a dummy and a teat brush that makes it very easy for you to clean up. Finally, the silicone slow flow nipple teat feels like a real one, helping your kid make that change from the breast to the bottle seamlessly.

Mam Easy Start Self Sterilising Anti-colic Bottle

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The Mam Easy Start Self Sterilising Anti-colic Bottle is one of the absolute best bottles that mimic breastfeeding. They go a long way in helping soothe kids who suffer from acid reflux or gas. Thanks to their patented vented base, the bottle throws out air bubbles, so they don’t get trapped in your baby’s tummy. What’s more, these feature a soft silicone nipple, which helps your children take to the bottle very easily. The best bit? The set is a smart buy because it comes with two nine oz. and five oz. bottles each. So, you can actually use it with your newborn will your baby is old enough to be drinking out of a cup! 

How To Choose The Best Bottles That Mimic Breastfeeding?

Material and size

Baby bottles are usually made of either glass or plastic. Plastic bottles have a lot of pros, such as they cost less and are lightweight, thus making it easier for you to carry them and your baby to grip them. However, there are concerns about them containing BPA, phthalates, etc., that could leak into your baby’s milk. Glass bottles, on the other hand, are heavier but are shatter and heat-resistant. Plus, they’re naturally free from chemicals, easy to clean, and double as storage containers. The downside? They’re heavy and cost more. You also need to consider the size of the bottles you buy. For instance, the cute little 4-ounce bottles are perfect for newborns but not for quickly-growing babies. So, it’s best to buy the biggest-sized bottle you can find, along with a pack of slow-flow nipples for your tots when they’re younger.

Also, check out the best bottles for newborn babies.

Nipple design

Slow-flow nipples are best for breastfed babies as they best mimic the natural flow of milk from a mother’s breast. What’s more, wide-neck nipple bases might not work for all babies as their mouths are smaller. In such cases, go for bottles with narrow necks with gradually sloping nipples. That way, your kid can get the nipple deeper into their mouth, just like breastfeeding.

Pump compatibility

If you want to make your feeding life easier, and we know you do, look for bottles that your breast pumps are already compatible with. That way, you don’t have to worry about transferring breastmilk from the bottles to bags and back to the bottles. Basically, they can be used to directly pump the milk into, as they connect directly to breast pumps. After pumping, all you need to do is place the bottles right in the freezer, taking them out only during feeding. This will certainly go a long way in saving you from all that extra dishwashing.

Number of bottles

Do not buy bottles in bulk, no matter how good a price you’re getting for them. If your baby hates a bottle, you’re going to be sorry that you went out and bought 20 of them. Instead, find three potentially good candidates for bottles and buy one or two of each one of them. Then, you can see which one works best for your baby, saving you from wasting money and making a better investment instead. Also, more importantly, get new bottles if this is your second baby. Don’t use older bottles that you used years ago with your first tot.

Will a bottle confuse a breastfed baby?

Sometimes, babies have difficulty switching between breasts and bottles. There’s no way to predict who’ll have such issues and who won’t. So, it’s best to introduce your baby to the bottle and then figure out what works for them.

Can you overfeed a breastfed baby with a bottle?

While overfeeding breastfed babies is rare, it could happen in some cases during bottle feeding with expressed milk. However, overfeeding is more common in combination-fed and formula-fed babies for this very reason.

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Why is mixed feeding not recommended?

Combining bottles and breastfeeds right from birth could make breastfeeding more difficult. That’s because your body might think it needs to produce lesser milk.