Parenting can be tough, especially when newborns have lengthy spells of pain. No two kids are alike, and this is true whether a person is a first-time parent or not. So, what happens when a baby’s requirements have been addressed yet they continue to wail for hours on end? Colic may be the cause of the infant curling up their legs, crying at the same time of day, and exhibiting other signs of pain.
Gas occurs when the air becomes stuck in a baby’s stomach or intestines. This can happen when a baby drinks milk too quickly or swallows too much air. Newborns are especially prone to gas because their digestive systems are not fully developed.
The good news is that the best anti-colic bottles can help reduce the signs of many typical feeding problems, including flatulence. If you’re thinking about using a baby bottle for gas, examine the material, how simple it is to clean, and any additional gas-helping features, like a vent or valve.
With the right anti-colic bottle, you can help your little one get the relief they need from gas and get back to enjoying their feedings. We’ve put in numerous hours of research, listened to many parents’ stories, and compared every top colic and gas bottle on the market. We can only hope that your baby’s stomach issues will soon be a thing of the past with one of these anti-colic bottles.
Our Top Picks
- Best Anti-Colic Bottle Overall: Philips Avent Anti-colic Baby Bottles
- Best Anti-Colic Bottle For Newborns: Nanobebe Breastmilk Baby Bottle
- Best Internal Vent Bottle: Dr. Brown’s Natural Flow Wide-Neck Anti-Colic Baby Bottles
- Best Anti-Colic Bottle For Gas: NUK Simply Natural Baby Bottles
- Best Anti-Colic Bottle For Breastfed Babies: Comotomo Baby Bottle
- Best Anti-Colic Bottle For Upright Feeding: Playtex Ventaire Anti-Colic Baby Bottle
- Easiest To Clean Anti-Colic Bottle: Tommee Tippee Closer To Nature Baby Bottles
- Best Silicone Anti-Colic Bottle: Boon NURSH Reusable Silicone Baby Bottles
In This Article
HappyBabyHub’s Best Anti-Colic Baby Bottles Picks
Philips Avent Anti-colic Baby Bottles – Best Anti-Colic Bottle Overall
- Does not leak
- Easy to clean with few parts
- No gas problems
- Comfortable to hold the bottle for feedings
- Might be too fast for some babies
These bottles are easy to clean, quick, and leak-proof with only four pieces. With a wide neck and rounded edges, the anti-colic bottles are designed to prevent leaks during feeding for a stress-free experience for both parent and baby.
The best part is that these bottles are compatible with other conventional bottles, nipples, or toddler cups from the Avent range. Plus, they are BPA-free for added safety.
One of the key features of these bottles is the special vent in the nipple that helps release air back into the top of the bottle and away from your baby, reducing gas and fussiness. And the science supports it too – studies have shown that these bottles can reduce overnight fussiness by 60% compared to standard bottles (1).
Nanobebe Breastmilk Baby Bottle – Best Anti-Colic Bottle For Newborns
- The bottle does warm up fast like it’s supposed to
- They’re very easy to clean
- Easy to store, because they are stackable
- Affordable compared to other baby breastfed bottles
- If the bottom isn’t secure the bottle can leak, so make sure it’s on tight, especially if shaking while mixing the formula
These uniquely shaped bottles are perfect if you need to save space in your fridge. By stacking the bottles on top of each other, you can keep track of the order of pumping, making life easier for you. The concave shape of the bottles allows for a thin layer of milk, making it quick and easy to warm up when your baby is hungry and fussy. Plus, even warming ensures that your baby’s nutrients won’t be damaged.
These bottles are designed with your baby’s health in mind, with a 360° venting mechanism on the Nanobebe nipples to prevent colic by reducing air pressure during feeding. Plus, the domed shape and concave base make it easy for little hands to handle and learn to feed themselves. And with rapid cooling, bacterial growth is minimized, making sure that your baby’s milk stays fresh and safe.
Dr. Brown’s Natural Flow Wide-Neck Anti-Colic Baby Bottles – Best Internal Vent Bottle
- Easy to clean
- Comes with a piece to prevent spilling
- Patented to minimize and reduce colic
- Wide opening
- If the bottom isn’t secure the bottle can leak, so make sure it’s on tight, especially if shaking while mixing the formula
Dr. Brown’s wide-neck bottles have a unique shape that makes them easy to hold and fill up, making feeding time a breeze. The soft silicone nipple with a wider base allows for a more comfortable and efficient latch, which can be a lifesaver for nursing moms.
But what sets the Options bottle apart is its flexibility. The vent system can be removed to create a nipple-vented bottle, making it ideal for babies who don’t like too much air in their tummy or those with colic. The vent system helps to reduce feeding problems, promotes digestion, and preserves vitamins (2). The nipple-venting system also ensures a consistent flow rate during feeding.
NUK Simply Natural Baby Bottles – Best Anti-Colic Bottle For Gas
- Easy for the baby to latch on
- Easy to hold
- Helps with gas
- The shape is closer to how a real nipple would mold
- The flow might be too fast for younger babies
NUK Simply Natural baby bottles are designed with a focus on simulating the natural feeding experience that babies receive from their mothers. The innovative design includes up to nine nipple openings, allowing for a more natural transition from breast to bottle.
These bottles mimic the shape and movement of a mother’s breast during nursing, with a unique scooped nipple cavity that creates the perfect space for your baby’s tongue and jaw to move naturally. This feature ensures that your baby can transition easily from breast to bottle without any confusion or difficulty.
Comotomo Baby Bottle – Best Anti-Colic Bottle For Breastfed Babies
- Wide nipple mound for easy latching
- The wide neck makes it easy to hand-wash
- BPA- and phthalate-free
- 100% medical-grade silicone is safe to boil, put in the dishwasher or microwave
- Tips over easily
These bottles have soft, organically shaped silicone nipples that closely resemble nursing, making it easier for newborns to latch on.
The unique, skin-like, and flexible design of the bottle makes it easy for your little one to hold on to. In addition, the wide-neck shape of the BPA-free bottle makes cleaning a breeze, without the need for a bottle brush.
What’s more, these bottles come with cutting-edge vents that help prevent both unpleasant leaks and colic, making feeding a comfortable experience for both baby and parent. The 8oz bottles come with Medium Flow nipples, while the 5oz bottles have Slow Flow nipples suitable for 0-3 months. Faster flow nipples are also available separately.
Playtex Ventaire Anti-Colic Baby Bottle – Best Anti-Colic Bottle For Upright Feeding
- Can hear the air escaping the bottom as your baby eats
- Minimal bubbles
- Multiple nipple options
- The design works well as far as venting is concerned
- The thick bottom makes heating in steam warmers take a lot longer than regular bottles
The Playtex Venture Advanced 9-oz. Wide Bottles have been scientifically proven to reduce gas, colic, and spit-up in babies.
A unique bottom vent allows air to flow in while keeping your baby’s precious liquid free from any contaminants. Plus, the angled shape of the bottle encourages a semi-upright feeding position, which can help prevent ear infections according to pediatricians.
These bottles are perfect for both bottle-feeding and breastfeeding mothers, thanks to their wide design and superior venting mechanism. And of course, they are BPA and phthalate-free for your peace of mind.
Tommee Tippee Closer To Nature Baby Bottles – Easiest To Clean Anti-Colic Bottle
- Readable lines
- Nipple upgrades are cheap
- Not shaped like a boob, won’t topple over the minute you try to set it down
- Baby can easily grab and practice feeding self
- Can be hard to get the lid off
The innovative anti-colic valve in Closer to Nature nipples reduces the amount of air your baby ingests, which can prevent colic. The bottle’s wide neck and flexible valve encourage your baby’s natural feeding motion, ensuring maximum milk intake.
Not only does the Closer to Nature bottle help your baby feed more naturally, but its compact size also allows you to keep your baby close while feeding. The bottles come in a variety of colors, shapes, and designs, and the nipples come in various flow rates to accommodate your baby’s growing hunger needs.
Plus, the bottle’s wide neck design simplifies cleaning, and it can be sterilized in a microwave, dishwasher, or steam sterilizer for added convenience.
Boon NURSH Reusable Silicone Baby Bottles – Best Silicone Anti-Colic Bottle
- These bottles do not leak
- Does not have too many pieces
- Easy to clean and take apart
- The collapsing silicone keeps all the air out of the bottle
- The dome lid is slippery and can be a bit tricky to remove
These silicone bottles don’t have any vents or valves, but they can still work wonders for reducing gas in infants. Their soft and flexible design is made from 100% silicone, which can help prevent colicky babies.
And don’t worry about harmful chemicals – they’re BPA-free and dishwasher-safe. Plus, they’re easy to clean and care for – you can boil, freeze, sterilize, and even microwave them!
How To Choose The Best Anti-Colic Bottle?
- Vent/Valve: One important factor to consider when choosing a baby bottle is how well the bottle prevents air from entering the baby’s stomach. This is important because excess air in the stomach can lead to gas and discomfort. Bottles with a detachable vent, built-in valve, or another venting device can help to prevent this by allowing excess air to escape. If you don’t have a dishwasher or you want quick and easy cleaning, a bottle with a built-in valve may be a better option for you.
- Nipple Shape: Different infants have different preferences for nipple size and shape. If you are both nursing and bottle-feeding your infant, it is important to observe how they latch onto the nipple in order to determine which size and shape are most similar to breastfeeding. The form of your baby’s nipples is crucial, as different forms can lead to different amounts of air being inhaled. Additionally, bottle nipples must be made with as little chance of air bubbles gathering in the tip as possible.
- Slow Flow Nipple: There are a few reasons why slow flow is often ideal for colicky and gassy newborns. First, babies’ stomachs expand fast, which can cause them to get gassy and become uncomfortable. Second, if infants try to drink milk from the bottle too quickly, they can end up inhaling air. To find the perfect balance for your baby, make sure to buy a bottle that comes with different nipple flow options, including a slow-flow nipple.
- Disposable Liners: If your baby is experiencing colic or gas, bottles with disposable liners might be an excellent solution. The liner’s thinness and flexibility cause it to fold in on itself when the infant eats, creating a vacuum in the bottle. This vacuum does not need to be released, in contrast to conventional bottles, because it does not obstruct the flow of the baby’s milk. By eliminating the need for air to flow back into the bottle, you might be able to reduce gas bubbles and stomach discomfort for your baby.
- Bottle Shape: There are many different sizes and shapes of bottles. Some are angled in the middle, some are curved, and some are straight to help direct the passage of gas bubbles through the milk and back to the bottle’s mouth-safe end. Your baby’s favorite feeding posture must be taken into account while selecting the proper bottle shape.
What Is Colic?
Colic is a condition that affects infants and is characterized by them crying for long periods of time. It is usually accompanied by other symptoms such as clenched fists, drawing up of the legs, and a red face. It is usually diagnosed when a baby cries for more than three hours a day, more than three days a week, for three weeks in a row (3). But don’t worry, per the AAP, this is common for babies and it tends to happen between 6:00 p.m. and midnight (4).
Do Anti-Colic Bottles Actually Work?
There is no medical evidence to support the claim that anti-colic bottles actually work to reduce colic in infants. However, some parents report that their babies seem to be less fussy and cry less when using these bottles. It’s possible that the shape of the bottle or the design of the nipple helps to reduce air bubbles in the milk, which can cause gas and tummy discomfort in babies. You might want to look into giving them gripe water as well.
What Are Some Tips For Reducing Colic While Bottlefeeding?
One of the main causes of colic is the gas buildup in the stomach. When your baby drinks from a bottle, air can become trapped and irritate the stomach, causing pain and discomfort (5). Here are some tips to help reduce colic while bottle feeding:
- Use a slow-flow nipple. This will help your baby control the flow of milk and reduce the amount of air they take in.
- Burp your baby often (6). This will help release any air that has been swallowed.
- Hold your baby upright. This will help keep air from accumulating in the stomach.
- Avoid letting your baby drink too quickly. This can cause them to gulp down the air.
- Use a smaller bottle. This will help reduce the amount of air your baby takes in while drinking.
How Does A Vent In A Baby Bottle Help With Gas?
When a baby drinks milk from a bottle, air bubbles can get trapped in the milk. This can cause the baby to swallow air, which can lead to gas and bloating. A vent in the bottle helps to release the air bubbles so that the baby doesn’t swallow them.
Is Warm Or Cold Formula Better For Gas?
There is no definitive answer as to whether or not a warmer temperature for breast milk will help to prevent an infant from developing gas. However, many parents report that their infants seem to prefer milk that has been slightly warmed. You can experiment with different temperatures to see what works best for your baby.
Instead of immediately holding your baby upright after feeding, ensure that they have some “belly time” lying down. This will help to prevent gas and discomfort. During feedings, make sure to pause periodically to burp your baby. Also, use a slow-flow nipple to help control the rate at which your baby is ingesting milk or formula. Finally, aim for a feeding duration of 15-20 minutes.
How Long Do You Need Anti-Colic Bottles?
Anti-colic bottles are designed to help prevent your baby from swallowing air while they are drinking, which can cause them to be gassy and uncomfortable. Most babies will outgrow the need for anti-colic bottles by around 4-6 months, but some may need them for longer. After that, you can slowly transition them to regular bottles if you wish.
How Can You Tell The Difference Between Gas And Colic?
There are several key differences between gas and colic that you can use to help identify what your baby is experiencing. First, gas is usually caused by your baby’s dietary habits or swallowing too much air, while colic is typically the result of an immature digestive system.
Additionally, gas typically passes quickly and does not cause your baby pain or distress, while colic can be very painful for your baby and may last for several hours. Finally, you can usually tell if your baby is experiencing gas if they pass wind or burp frequently, while colic may cause your baby to cry inconsolably and clench their fists.
Do Breastfed Babies Get Colic?
Colic is a condition that can affect babies who are otherwise healthy and well-fed. Breastfed babies can get colic, although the exact cause is unknown. Some experts believe that colic may be due to an immature digestive system or a sensitivity to certain proteins in breast milk.
If your baby is breastfed and has colic, there are some things you can do to ease the symptoms. You can try offering your baby smaller, more frequent feedings, burping your baby often, or avoiding foods that may trigger colic (such as spicy or gas-producing foods). If you’re concerned about your baby’s colic, talk to your pediatrician.
