All bottle-feeding parents want the best bottles for their babies, whether filled with formula or breast milk. One of their criteria is selecting baby bottles that are safe and non-toxic. Today, we shall explore different bottle types – glass and silicone, which is truly non-toxic.
Stick with us a while and learn all there is to know about baby bottles, including our top picks.
Glass Bottle Advantages & Disadvantages
Glass bottles are fast becoming a favorite for new parents, thanks to their durability. It also helps that these bottles are non-toxic and recyclable, so you don’t have to worry about your baby’s health or the environment.
Find out more about glass baby bottles in subsequent sections.
Pros
Glass baby bottles have a lot going for them in terms of functionality and design. Find a few of the advantages glass bottles offer you.
1. Chemical, Non-reactants, and Toxin Free
Your little one’s bottle should be free from chemicals, toxins and non-reactants. Thankfully, glass bottles are 100% chemical and toxin-free, so you don’t need to worry about harmful chemicals leaching into your little one’s food.
2. Stain and Odour Resistant
Parents prefer glass bottles because they do not retain colours and odours. This is made possible by their non-porous nature. Thus, you are sure your baby is getting natural breast milk or formula untainted with other things.
3. Easy to Clean
The fact that the bottles are non-porous also means that they remain stain-free and have fewer bacteria growth. Add this to the fact that glass baby bottles are sterilizable, and you have baby bottles that are super easy to clean.
4. Heat Tempered
Baby glass bottles are tempered as such; they can withstand high temperatures. Thanks to this property, they can be sterilized at high temperatures and even be cleaned in a microwave. Alternatively, you can sterilize them in boiling water.
5. Durable
Glass baby bottles pick up fewer scratches than plastics, making it easier to tell when they are dirty. Thanks to their tolerance for extreme temperatures, glass bottles are also very durable. They do not lose their shape when subjected to boiling or sterilization.
6. Longer Life Span
Baby bottles made of glass are long-lasting and recyclable. Owing to the longevity of the bottles, the cost is slightly higher. Of course, glass bottles are made from environmentally friendly.
7. Retain Its Shape
Glass bottles are resilient and retain their shape even in harsh conditions. Thanks to their resilience, you don’t need to fear them getting misshapen when heated.
Cons
Although glass baby bottles sound great on paper, there are still disadvantages that may make them unsuitable for certain parents. We have listed some of the cons of glass bottles.
1. Glass Bottles are Heavier
One of the drawbacks of glass bottles is their weight. They are heavier than other types of baby bottles. Thus, they are not recommended for self-feeding children.
2. Glass Baby Bottles are More Expensive
Quality products don’t come cheap, and neither do glass baby bottles. However, the extra cost is worth the quality of the bottles. If it makes it easier, consider the bottles an investment.
3. Concerns of Breakage
Another downside to glass bottles is their fragile nature. Tempered glass or not, these bottles are still fragile, and caregivers fear that glass bottles can break and shatter if dropped. These shards could cause serious risks for the baby. Thus, they are not used for self-feeding babies.
4. Harder for Babies to Grip
Babies have a tough time gripping glass bottles because of their smooth surfaces. Thus, they don’t work well for self-feeding babies. However, some manufacturers have introduced silicone sleeves to make grasping easy for the baby.
How to Clean Glass Baby Bottles
Glass baby bottles are super easy to clean. You can plop them in a dishwasher and have them cleaned in no time. Alternatively, good old soap and warm water will do the trick if you don’t have a dishwasher.
Yet another issue is to sterilize your baby glass bottle in boiling water or a sterilizer. Since they are heat tempered, there is no fear of the glass cracking.
Are Glass Bottles Shatter-Proof?
Yes, some baby glass bottles are shatter-proof. While this is not the standard, they help minimize the chances of the glass shards harming your baby. Instead, shatter-proof bottles break inwards, effectively trapping the shards in the baby bottle.
Silicone Baby Bottles Advantages & Disadvantages
Silicone baby bottles are a sweet alternative to heavy glass bottles and unsafe plastic baby bottles. They are rare, fairly priced and light enough for babies to hold up independently. They contain none of the harmful chemicals some plastic bottles have and are dishwasher and microwave safe.
Silicone baby bottles are a firm favorite for moms on a budget. One drawback, however, is that they are difficult to find.
Pros
Below are some of the pros of silicone bottles. You will find that they are by far better than plastic bottles.
1. They are Lightweight
One upside to silicone bottles is that they are lightweight and durable. Since they are not so heavy, babies have an easier time gripping them and self-feeding. Caregivers also love it because they do not shatter on impact.
2. BPA-Free
Your baby’s bottle is an essential aspect of their care; thus, safety is always a priority. Silicone bottles are free from BPA and other harmful chemicals.
3. Comfortable to Hold
Unlike glass bottles that are heavy for your baby to hold up, silicone baby bottles are lightweight and comfortable for the baby to hold up. Thus, they are great for self-feeding babies. Let’s not forget that caretakers love these bottles.
4. Soft and flexible
Silicone baby bottles have a soft natural feel to them. They are flexible and can be squeezed if the need arises. Another plus is that they don’t crack or break easily and withstand hot liquids.
Cons
While silicone bottles are generally great for newborns, there are still a few drawbacks. We have outlined them below.
1. Cost
Some silicone bottles are more expensive than plastic baby bottles, and depending on the size and bottle design; they may topple over easily. Yes, that’s exactly what you don’t want to happen after loading up the bottle with precious breast milk or formula. However, it is important to state that silicone bottles are cheaper than glass bottles.
2. Not Completely Safe
While silicone baby bottles are BPA-free, they are not completely non-toxic. We will explain what we mean. There is a risk of synthetic chemicals leaching into the bottle with silicone bottles at high temperatures. The risk is more pronounced when the bottle stays in contact with high-fat substances for extended periods.
3. Can Color
Yet another drawback of silicone baby bottles is that they tend to stain or discolor with time and heavy use. Sadly, you can’t do anything about this.
4. Not Readily Available
Unlike glass bottles that have broken into the market, silicone bottles are quite new and not readily available. Since most stores don’t have them, you may be forced to order the baby bottles online.
How to Sterilize Silicone Baby Bottles
Now that you have a baby bottle, you need to keep it clean, and that involves routine sterilization. The real question for many people is how to sterilize the silicone baby bottles correctly. We know that they can withstand heat since they are made with the best materials and are durable.
The truth is that most baby bottles come with instructions on sterilising them. As a rule of thumb, they can be dipped in boiling water or placed in a steamer and left to boil at 212F. You can plop the bottle in the baby bottle sterilizer if you have one.
Glass Baby Bottles Vs. Silicone Baby Bottles
We have highlighted key differences between glass baby bottles and silicone bottles. We hope this helps you decide on the best bottle for your baby.
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Silicone Bottle
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Best Baby Bottles of 2022
Now that you know the difference between silicone and glass baby bottles, you can go ahead and make your pick. Find some of the best baby bottles out there.
We chose these bottles based on certain criteria like affordability, nipple slop, ease of feeding, grasp and cleaning. You will find that these bottles come highly recommended by experienced paediatrics. Scan through the list to find a baby bottle that works for you and your little one.
Dr Brown’s narrow glass bottle is designed to give your baby maximum comfort. It provides your little one with a steady stream of milk or formula, very much like breastfeeding. The narrow design helps ease nipple confusion and makes it easy for your baby to latch on easily.
Another plus for this bottle is the internal vents that help expel excess air and reduce gas build-up. Of course, Dr Brown’s baby bottle is made from quality materials and tempered glass so it can withstand high temperatures.
Pros
- Made with tempered glass
- Can withstand freezing and boiling
- Dishwasher and sterilizer friendly
- inbuilt vent lets out excess air
- Made from high-quality borosilicate glass and is durable
- It can be used with an anti-colic vent system
Cons
- It weighs more than silicone baby bottles
- The anti-colic vent involves several parts
- Not easy to clean
A firm favorite, the Comotomo baby bottle is made with BPA-free silicone that guarantees your baby’s safety while giving him something soft to hold on to. Silicone coating makes the bottle even more durable and longer-lasting.
With a wide nipple that looks a lot like a humans nipple, the Comotomo bottle helps reduce the chance of nipple confusion. Another reason to love this bottle is its inbuilt vents that expel excess air, reducing discomfort. It’s a great thing that this bottle is easy to clean.
Pros
- BPA-free
- Easy to clean
- Microwave and dishwasher safe
- Durable
- Prevents nipple confusion
- Nipple vents to expel gas
- Extra-wide base design to reduce the stress of cleaning
Cons
- It is expensive; it costs almost $20
- Wide bottle base makes it difficult to fit in traditional bottle holder slots
- It comes in limited color options
Phillips Avent Natural Baby bottle is one of the best and most economic glass baby bottles on the market! It comes in a set of four different sizes to suit your baby’s ever-changing needs. Each bottle is made with completely safe materials (No BPA) and has a natural-looking teat to reduce nipple confusion.
Nipple design aside, this bottle is fitted with an anti-colic valve to expel unwanted air and keep your baby comfortable. Designed with a wide base, the Phillips baby bottle is easy to clean and affordable to boot!
Pros
- It comes in a set of four sizes (2″, 4″, 9″, and 11″)
- Each pack comes with two different glass bottles for feeding
- Compatible with Avent and spectra breast pumps
- Two options are available: Glass or polypropylene
- Easy to clean
- Durable
Cons
- Priced at $52, this bottle is quite expensive
- The wide base may not fit in traditional bottle holder slots or warmers
- Can leak if the plastic ring is not well tightened
- Hard to see the markings on the bottle
Sometimes, some manufacturers prioritize fancy designs over the safety and comfort of the baby, but parents and doctors agree that the Evenflo balance bottle is great! It has everything that matters in a baby bottle and gets the job done seamlessly. What’s more, this bottle is affordable.
Evenflo balance bottle sports a slow flow nipple design that is great for tiny babies and closely resembles the human nipple. The sloping nipple design reduces the risk of nipple confusion and makes the transition from breastfeeding to bottle-feeding seamless. It is easy to see why this bottle is adjudged the best bottle for newborns with all of these features.
Pros
- Affordable
- Sports a slopping breast-like nipple
- Easy for the baby to latch
- No risk of nipple confusion
- It is durable
- Suitable for tiny babies
- Makes the switch from breast to bottle feeding easier
- BPA, PVC and toxin-free
Cons
- Narrow bottle opening
Lansinoh silicone baby bottle is another great feeding bottle for newborns, howbeit with less popularity than its competitors. It is designed to support latching and limit nipple confusion. The nipples are akin to a human, sloping gradually to allow easy feeding. Thanks to the nipple design, your baby can switch from breast to bottle without any hassles.
Another great thing about this baby feeding bottle is that it is supremely easy to clean since only a few parts. Most parents have indicated their love for the compact bottle size and that it fits easily into a purse or diaper bag.
Pros
- Great nipple design that reduces nipple confusion
- Gradually sloped nipple allows babies to latch easily
- It is affordable
- Very durable and easy to clean
- Compact and fits into diaper bags easily
Cons
- Not many color options are available
Pumping moms know how stressful moving the precious liquid from one container to the other can be. Medela Breast Milk bottle was designed to ease this burden; the breast milk bottles are designed to offer optimum comfort and functionality. You can pump and feed your baby from the same bottle. The icing on the cake is that each bottle comes with a storage cap so that the milk doesn’t spill.
Made by one of the biggest breast pump brands, Medela’s bottles are compatible with breast pumps, so you don’t need to switch bottles or worry about compatibility when you get a new pump model. The narrow top design of the bottle is another selling point for this brand.
Pros
- Compatible with the Medela breast pump
- Incredibly convenient to pump into
- Durable and affordable
- Comes in a pack of three 5-ounce bottles
- Slow-flow nipples for easy feeding
- Lightweight
Cons
- Has a narrow top
- The flow is a bit faster than with other bottles
Bonus Tip: Features of Great Baby Bottles
Picking out the best glass or silicone baby bottle is often harder than it looks. To help, we have made a list of essential features to look out for. Read our guide to learn more.
1. Nipple Design
When selecting a bottle for your breastfed baby, you must consider the nipple flow. Get one that mimics the natural flow of milk from a human breast. Some slow flow bottles are a hit with babies because they mimic the natural flow design of the breast. That doesn’t mean that bottles with wide nipples cant work either. We recommend you go for a bottle with a narrow neck and soft silicone nipple that your baby can latch unto.
2. Material
Next up is checking the material the bottle is made from. Great baby bottles are made from either silicone or glass are made from food-grade materials that are completely free from toxins and chemicals. We advise that you select a lightweight material that supports your self-feeding baby.
3. Compatibility with Breast Pump
If you’re going to be using a breast pump, you should go for a bottle that is compatible with that pump model. That way, you don’t have to bother about transferring the milk or formula from one to the other. You can simply pump the milk and then store it in a freezer to preserve it.
4. Durability
Think of the baby bottle as an investment and select the one that best fits your baby’s needs. Try to make sure it is durable so that you can reap the dividends of the investment before you have to let go of the bottle.
5. Bottle Size
Like clothes and shoes, baby bottles are of different sizes. So, you need to choose a bottle size suitable for your child’s age and needs. If you have extra cash to spare, we suggest going for bottles that come in sets of different sizes. In the long run, they save you a couple of bucks.
6. Shape
Another thing to consider when choosing baby bottles is the shape. You want to pick out something that your little one can grip easily. So look at how wide or narrow the bottle is and if it has handles that make gripping easier for your baby.
7. Cost
With all the criteria listed above, there is still one important one missing; price. After all said and done, it is important to choose a baby bottle in line with your budget. But remember that good thing are often not so cheap, so be ready to shell out a few bucks for great quality bottles.
Final Thoughts
Now, you should know the pros and cons of glass and silicone baby bottles. While silicone bottles are more like the middle ground between glass and plastic bottles, they still have drawbacks. One of which is that silicone bottles are not completely toxin and chemical-free in some cases.
Whichever bottle type you opt for, you will find a guide on selecting the best of its kind out there, including a list of the best baby bottles available. Please leave us a comment if you enjoyed this article.
