Reflux in babies is common, especially in newborns with immature digestive systems. There are several things that can be done to help soothe and prevent reflux in babies.
I have compiled a list of the best bottles for reflux! Keep scrolling to find the best one for your baby.
What is Reflux and How Does It Happen?
Okay, so what is reflux and how does it happen? There are actually varying degrees of reflux and it can be normal for newborns especially to have some tummy discomfort in the first few weeks of life as their bodies adjust to digesting milk.
Reflux is when your baby spits up milk. Reflux happens when the milk comes back up from the stomach up through the esophagus.
Infant reflux can happen in healthy babies multiple times a day as long as the baby is generally happy and consuming food normally.
There is cause for concern when
- baby is uncomfortable or unsettled after feedings
- baby is not gaining weight
- forcefully spitting up
- lethargic
- refusing to eat
The Differences Between Reflux, Colic and Fussiness
Being a newborn is hard. There is so much change and newness around you. Everything is louder than you are used to. You experience cold now, and if you are blessed with siblings they are probably up in your business. That being said, there is a difference between fussiness, reflux and colic.
Fussiness generally happens in short spurts and maybe your baby has a witching hour at night when they are over stimulated from the day.
Colic can be described as marathon crying. With colic, your baby will often cry for hours on end and nothing you do seems to calm them down. This typically starts around 2 weeks of age and generally dissipates around 4 months.
Infant Reflux is when your baby is continually uncomfortable, spitting up, unsettled, etc. Sometimes, the esophagus can become irritated and inflamed depending on how severe the reflux is.
Choosing the Best Bottles for Reflux
Choosing the best bottle for reflux can be challenging because there are lots of options. You want to look for something that will give your baby a deep latch on the bottle. This prevents unwanted air from being swallowed.
You also want to make sure that there is a good venting system in the bottle to help with air.
Related Post: When to Change the Nipple Flow on Your Baby’s Bottle
10 Top Picks For The Best Bottles For Reflux
Here are my top 10 picks for the best bottles for reflux!
1. Nanobebe Flexy Silicone Bottle
The nanobebe bottle has a soft and familiar feel and is not rigid like other bottles. This bottle is naturally hygienic, extra-soft, easy to transition between breast and baby bottles, and avoid nipple confusion. It is made from the highest grade silicone.
The advanced 360° TRIPLE VENTED non-collapsible nipple design makes this the perfect anti-reflux bottle because baby keeps a perfect latch and no post-feeding fussiness, gassiness, or discomfort.
2. Philips Avent
The Philips Avent is a natural baby bottle with natural response nipple meaning that baby controls the pace, just like breastfeeding. The nipple is designed with a unique opening and tip which only releases milk when baby actively drinks and when pausing to swallow and breathe no milk flows from the bottle, just like at the breast.
Our baby bottles make it easy to combine breast and bottle feeding with a wide breast-shaped nipple that has a soft feel that mimics the shape and feel of a breast and baby can control the flow of milk. The anti-reflux valve is designed to reduce discomfort by sending air away from your baby’s tummy.
3. Boon Nursh
The innovative silicone pouch collapses as baby drinks which cuts down on the ingestion of air to decrease painful gas, reflux, colic and burps. Other bottles require vents and valves that allow air back into the bottle, which can allow for ingestion of air.
This bottle is designed to mimic the natural form and feel of mom for baby feeding, easy to latch and encourages proper tongue positioning.
4. Munchkin Latch
The munchkin latch bottle is doctor recommended for healthy feeding and sleeping. The nipple stretches, flexes and pumps just like the breast for a correct latch every time. The anti reflux valve is uniquely located at the bottom of the bottle to reduce gassiness and fussiness.
5. Smilo
Smilo’s patented mom-like feeding nipple provides a controlled, smooth flow for a relaxed deeper latch. Because of the nipple design baby’s relaxed mouth makes a better seal – ingesting up to 44% less air for colic-free uninterrupted feeds.
As milk flows from bottle to baby our leak-resistant vent allows air into the bottle to remove pressure from tiny mouths, tummies, and ears. Fewer, simple parts are easy to assemble and dishwasher safe. There are no additional straws or fiddly components. All parts are BPA-free and safe from toxic chemicals.
6. Tommee Tippee
The original breast-like bottle: Shaped like a breast because babies prefer it that way, our award-winning closer to nature baby bottle could just be the best thing for baby, since you! The soft silicone, breast-like nipple feels closer to skin and flexes like mom for a comfortable feed and supports in the transition from breastfeeding to bottle feeding
Sensitive closer to nature nipple with anti-colic valve reduces excessive air flow, so little ones ingest more milk and less air, preventing symptoms of colic. A latch made in heaven: 95% of moms say baby accepted our nipple – the most easily accepted and breast-like nipple, ever, to encourage a natural latch.
7. ComoTomo
Comotomo baby bottles are designed to most closely mimic breastfeeding to reduce bottle rejection. The ultra wide neck design allows easy cleaning by hand without a brush. The bottle is safe in microwave, boiling water, dishwashers and sterilizers.
The 5oz bottle comes with a slow flow nipple suitable for newborns up to 3 months. The nipple and body is made of 100 percent safe hygienic medical grade silicone.
The dual anti colic vents prevent unwanted air intake and reduce colic.
8. Nanobebe Breastmilk Baby Bottle
The nanobebe bottle his shaped like a breast, which helps baby easily transition between breast and baby bottles, and avoid nipple confusion.
The advanced 360° TRIPLE VENTED non-collapsible nipple design makes this the perfect anti-reflux bottle because baby keeps a perfect latch and no post-feeding fussiness, gassiness, or discomfort.
9. NUK Smooth Flow
NUK Smooth Flow Bottles are the anti-colic solution for bottle feeding, featuring a unique nipple design that allows baby to control the flow rate for colic-free feeding. This Smooth Flow nipple adjusts the flow based on how your baby drinks, adapting to their suction strength to ensure they will always have the right flow rate. The SafeTemp temperature indicator lets you know when milk is too hot with just a glance. The blue thermometer indicator fades when milk is too hot and reappears when milk has cooled and is safe to drink.
10. AviMa Bottle
The Avima bottles were designed to help your baby’s feeding experience. The patented Duo-Flo nipples have valves that flex and adjust the flow of milk according to your baby’s feeding pace, so your baby can drink without interruption or nipple collapse. This minimizes the air going into your baby’s stomach which can reduce colic, gas and spit-up.
Frequently Asked Questions About Best Bottles For Reflux
Reflux can be something that is challenging to deal with. It is hard to see your baby in discomfort and of course we want to have a remedy for that.
What is the best way to care for my bottles for reflux?
Take care of the bottles as directed on the packaging, sterilizing occasionally. I like to soak my bottles at the end of the day before washing.
Related Post: The 10 Best Bottle Drying Rack Options
When will my baby “grow out” of reflux?
Reflux varies from baby to baby and it is something that your baby will likely grow out of even if treatment is required. Typically your baby will grow out of reflux by 1 year old.
What position should I feed my baby with reflux in?
Feeding in a sitting up position is the best for a baby suffering from reflux. This position makes sure that the baby is swallowing the milk and using gravity to pull the liquid into the stomach.
How else can I help soothe my baby’s reflux?
Here are a few of my favorite tips for soothing baby’s reflux:
- Try to keep baby in an upright position or at an angle versus laying flat on the back. This keeps from milk and stomach acid from coming back up
- A pacifier is also known to help with reflux because it increases the production of saliva
- Try to do small and frequent feedings
- Burp often and even after one burp try burping again
- Avoid tummy time right after feedings
- Use gripe water and gas drops
Dealing with reflux can be exhausting and frustrating. Choosing the right bottle can really help soothe that.
What are your favorite tips for soothing babies with reflux? Let me know in the comments below!
