As a parent of a premature baby, you know that finding the right feeding equipment can be a daunting task. Preemies have unique feeding needs that require special attention, and choosing the right bottle is crucial for their development and growth.
In this guide, we will explore some of the best bottles for preemies available on the market and provide helpful tips on how to choose the perfect bottle for your little one. Whether you’re looking for a bottle with a slow flow or one that’s easy to clean, we’ve got you covered. We hope that this can help your journey as a parent a little easier.
Our Top Picks
- Best Preemie Bottle Overall: Dr. Brown’s Preemie Original Bottle
- Best Preemie Bottle With Natural Flow: Philips Avent Natural Baby Bottle
- Best Preemie Bottle For Breastfed Babies: Comotomo Baby Bottle
- Best Preemie Bottle For Reflux: Munchkin Latch Baby Bottle
- Best Preemie Bottle For Colic: Tommee Tippee Closer To Nature Baby Bottles
- Best Silicone Preemie Bottle: Boon NURSH Reusable Silicone Baby Bottles
- Best Preemie Bottle With Multiple Holes: NUK Simply Natural Baby Bottle
In This Article
HappyBabyHub’s Best Bottles For Preemies Picks
Dr. Brown’s Preemie Original Bottle – Best Preemie Bottle Overall
- Reduces air swallowing
- Exchangeable nipple
- Slow flow
- Easy to hold
- The venting system can be a pain to clean. However, it comes with a tiny cleaning brush
This bottle boasts a special “no vacuum” design that reduces colic, spit-up, gas, and burping. It even helps prevent fluid build-up in the ear! Plus, it’s a breeze to clean – just toss it in the dishwasher.
The preemie-flow nipple gives you complete control over the amount of milk or formula your little one is consuming. And with multiple nipple flow rates available, you can easily adjust as your baby grows.
Philips Avent Natural Baby Bottle – Best Preemie Bottle With Natural Flow
- Great for a breastfeeding baby
- They are easy to clean with a simple bottle brush
- Warms nicely in a bottle warmer
- No nipple confusion or latch issues
- The 2 oz size will very quickly be grown out of
This innovative bottle is the perfect solution for both babies and preemies, with a smaller size and First Flow nipple that ensures just the right amount of milk is delivered to your little one’s tummy.
The Natural bottle design makes it easy to combine breast and bottle feeding, with comfort petals and a wide, breast-shaped nipple that encourages a natural latch-on. The flexible spiral tip and soft texture of the nipple mimic the feel of a breast, making it easy for babies to switch back and forth.
The unique petal design helps support the shape of the nipple and prevents it from collapsing during feeding, so your baby can enjoy a comfortable and uninterrupted meal. Plus, the ergonomic design makes it easy for parents to hold and for little hands to grip.
Assembly is a breeze with just a few pieces, and the wide neck makes filling and cleaning a snap. Made from BPA-free polypropylene, all nipples, and caps from the Natural line are compatible with the Natural bottle.
Comotomo Baby Bottle – Best Preemie Bottle For Breastfed Babies
- Easy to clean
- Shaped like a real breast
- Vents in the nipple allow for smooth sucking and less wasted milk spitting up or leaking out of the side of the baby’s mouth
- Soft, squeezable sides that baby likes to hold onto
- Soft sides make it difficult to put the lid on
The unique design of this bottle closely resembles nursing, with soft, organically formed silicone nipples that are perfect for preemies who have trouble switching from breast to bottle.
The supple and squeezable body of the Comotomo bottle is skin-like, making it a favorite for your little one to hold onto during feeding time. And thanks to its wide-neck shape, cleaning this BPA-free baby bottle is a breeze, with no need for a bottle brush.
But that’s not all – the Comotomo bottle also has a cutting-edge vent system that prevents leaks and reduces colic symptoms.
Munchkin Latch Baby Bottle – Best Preemie Bottle For Reflux
- Easy transition back and forth for nursing babies
- The nipple is good for a breastfed baby
- Easy to hold
- Easy to measure and clean with 4 pieces
- They are definitely space hoggers
This bottle is equipped with an innovative one-way valve and an ultra-flexible nipple that work together to prevent fussiness and gas in your little one. The Latch’s nipple is incredibly flexible, just like the breast, and can stretch back to the baby’s delicate palate, ensuring a comfortable and secure latch.
But that’s not all! The Latch nipple also releases more milk or formula when your baby presses against its base, just like in nursing. This allows your baby to regulate the flow of milk or formula while feeding, leading to a more satisfying and efficient feeding experience. The nipple’s unique shape bends with the baby’s movements while eating, reducing air intake and minimizing feeding frustration.
Cleaning the Latch bottle is a breeze, thanks to its wide neck design, which allows for easy access and hassle-free cleaning. Plus, it is BPA-free.
Tommee Tippee Closer To Nature Baby Bottles – Best Preemie Bottle For Colic
- No extra valves to clean
- Natural-shaped nipple
- BPA-free
- Comfortable to hold
- These are not cheap
The Tommee Tippee set has everything you need for your newborn, so you don’t have to worry about purchasing additional items. As your baby grows, the set also includes extra nipples for when they need a faster flow. It’s especially ideal for preemies!
It also features an anti-colic valve to reduce gas and colic. With its compact size, you can hold the bottle comfortably and get closer to your baby. This makes it a great choice for parents who share feeding duties.
You can hold the bottle in three different ways, allowing you to find a comfortable position for both you and your baby. The BPA-free materials used in the bottles make them safe for your little one. Plus, they are dishwasher and microwave safe, making cleaning a breeze.
Boon NURSH Reusable Silicone Baby Bottles – Best Silicone Preemie Bottle
- Easy to clean and take apart
- The collapsing silicone keeps all the air out of the bottle
- The plastic outside and top are pretty sturdy, not too bulky or anything
- No gas and fussiness after drinking
- Need to make sure the silicone pieces are wrapped completely around the lip or there will be leaks, but once you get used to it, it’s not a big deal
To reduce colic and avoid gas, it’s crucial to minimize the amount of air your preemie inhales while feeding. The Nursh bottle by Boon employs a unique, collapsible bag to accomplish this, which regulates the quantity of air the baby takes in.
The nipple is intended to simulate the sensation and appearance of a real breast, making the transition between bottle-feeding and nursing more seamless for both you and your infant. Designed to assist your baby in latching on correctly, the broad base and contoured shape promote proper tongue placement, providing relief to parents who have used it with their tongue-tied babies.
The silicone pouches are environmentally friendly, as they can be easily washed in the dishwasher and reused. Boon also offers additional bags of varying sizes if needed. The bottles are microwave, freezer, and dishwasher safe, as well as being BPA- and PVC-free, making them durable and safe for your little one.
NUK Simply Natural Baby Bottle – Best Preemie Bottle With Multiple Holes
- Measurement label on bottle easy to read
- Clear glass
- The shape is that of a traditional bottle so these bottles will fit into bottle pockets in diaper bags
- They heat up pretty easily
- Travel lid could be difficult to remove sometimes
NUK Simply Natural bottles are a fantastic way to combine breast and bottle feeding, giving your baby the feeling of being close to mom. The nipple has a whopping 9 holes, just like the real thing, to ensure a comfortable latch.
These bottles are BPA-free and come with a slow-flow nipple with three holes, making them perfect for newborns. These Tritan bottles are also dishwasher safe, so you don’t have to worry about any extra cleaning.
One of the best things about these bottles is that they are odor and stain-resistant, so you don’t have to worry about any funky smells or unsightly stains. When feeding your little one, make sure the vent is under their nose with the nipple openings on top for optimal airflow.
How To Choose The Best Bottles For Preemies?
- Size: Preemies have smaller mouths, so it’s important to choose a bottle that is appropriately sized for them (1). Look for bottles that come in smaller sizes, such as 2 oz or 4 oz.
- Slow Flow: Preemies may have difficulty coordinating their suck-swallow-breathe reflex, so it’s important to choose a bottle with a slow flow rate (2). This will help them to avoid overfeeding and reduce the risk of choking.
- Shape: Bottles with a more rounded or breast-shaped design may be more comfortable for preemies to hold and latch onto.
- Material: Bottles can be made from a variety of materials, such as plastic, glass, or silicone. Each has its own benefits and drawbacks, so it’s important to consider which one will work best for your baby.
- Ease of Cleaning: As preemies are more prone to infections, it is important to select bottles that are easy to clean and sanitize to prevent any bacterial buildup. You can also opt to use a baby bottle sterilizer.
- Compatibility: Some bottles are specifically designed to work with either breastmilk or formula, so make sure to choose a bottle that is compatible with the type of milk you will be using.
What Is A Preemie?
A preemie, or preterm baby, is a baby born before 37 weeks of pregnancy (3). These babies are considered premature because they have not had the full amount of time in the womb to develop and mature. Preemies are at a higher risk for health complications and developmental delays compared to full-term babies, and as such, they require specialized care and equipment (4).
Why Use A Preemie Bottle?
A preemie bottle is designed specifically for premature babies, who may have difficulty with the size and flow rate of standard baby bottles. Preemie bottles are typically smaller in size and have a slower flow rate, which allows premature babies to eat at their own pace without getting overwhelmed or fatigued.
Due to being admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), the majority of premature babies receive sustenance through an IV, making it difficult to exclusively nurse them (5).
Additionally, preemie bottles may be made from materials that are more appropriate for premature babies, such as silicone or polypropylene, which are lightweight and easy for tiny hands to hold. Overall, preemie bottles are used to make feeding easier and more comfortable for premature infants.
How Many Oz Should A Premature Baby Drink?
As a general guideline, premature babies typically start with small amounts of milk, usually around 1-2 oz per feeding, and gradually increase the amount as they grow and develop. For premature infants born before 32 weeks, the recommended volume per feeding is 1-2 oz. For babies born between 32 to 36 weeks, it could be 2-3 oz.
It’s also important to note that premature babies may need to eat more frequently than full-term babies because of their smaller stomachs. For example, they may need to eat every 2-3 hours instead of every 4-5 hours.
Do Preemie Nipples Flow Slower?
Yes, preemie nipples typically have a slower flow rate than regular baby bottle nipples. This is because premature babies often have weaker sucking muscles and may tire easily, so the slower flow rate allows them to feed at their own pace without becoming overwhelmed. Additionally, a slower flow rate can also help prevent the baby from inhaling too much milk, which can cause choking or other respiratory problems.
How Do You Bottle Feed A Preemie?
Bottle-feeding a preemie requires a bit more care and attention than feeding a full-term baby. Here are some tips to help you bottle-feed your preemie:
- Hold your preemie in an upright position, with their head slightly elevated. This can help to reduce the risk of choking and also make it easier for them to swallow. This position has proven to reduce the chances of reflux (6)
- Use a bottle with a slow flow rate, to help prevent your preemie from overfeeding and reduce the risk of choking
- Preemies have small stomachs, so it’s important to feed them small amounts at a time (7). Start with a 2 oz or 4 oz bottle and increase the amount as your baby grows
- Preemies may have difficulty coordinating their suck-swallow-breathe reflex, so it’s important to pace the feeding. This means letting your preemie take breaks between sucks and watching for signs of fatigue, such as turning their head away from the bottle or falling asleep
- Preemies may have difficulties in burping so, gently pat their back or hold them upright after every few sucks
