Preemies (also known as premature babies) are babies born before the 37th week of pregnancy. They are usually born before their right time and are therefore not developed as it should be, before birth. Such babies require special bottles for preemies when feeding them, since they are still delicate.
When giving them milk, they may not be able to latch well on the normal bottles and may require bottles with slower flow. Size of the bottle nipple also matters since the baby is usually too small to use the normal nipple.
Due to that, we have researched The Best Bottles For Preemies, and reviewed them for you, such that it won’t be hectic for you to decide on which to buy.
Best Bottles for Preemies Reviews
1. Philips Avent Natural Baby Bottle.
Slowest flow
Premature babies are usually not fully developed and usually require attention and delicate products. When not breastfeeding them, you can opt to use a bottle to keep them full always for them to gain weight much easily. Philips Avent Natural Baby Bottle is well designed for preemies sine they have a natural nipple that is breast shaped to enable your baby latch easily just like breastfeeding. it is also extra soft just like that of the breast to enable you combine with breastfeeding without the baby noticing any change.
Since their stomachs are still not fully developed, they may experience discomfort if they swallow air when using a bottle, that is why this bottle is well designed with an anti-colic air flex valve to reduce colic and discomfort by expelling air away from the baby’s tummy.
The 2-ounce bottle is small to ensure you give the baby the appropriate amount since the tummy is still small. It has a controlled flow rate to keep up with the baby’s growth. Its easy to clean and assemble.
It’s made from polypropylene which is a BPA free material and can work with all nipples and caps from the natural line.
Pros
- Has a slow flow nipple suitable for preemies.
- Easy to clean and use.
- Ergonomic shape that is comfortable to hold.
Cons
- May leak if not assembled properly.
2. Dr. Brown’s 15cc First Feeder Bottle
Best Smallest Feeding Bottle
Some babies are born so small such that they require just a small amount of milk or formula to make them full. In order to ensure you don’t overfeed them, you should opt for Dr. Brown’s 15cc First Feeder Bottle since they are small and will provide the appropriate amount needed in a reliable delivery system. They are marked from 1cc which is equivalent to one tablespoon up to 15 cc therefore excellent choice for infant formula or even colostrum.
Since it is free of BPA and is not made with natural rubber latex, it is safe to be used by babies without giving them any discomfort. The preemie level nipples also reduce air intake which brings tummy discomfort or colic.
They are easy to carry around since they are small, with a wide base which makes them stable thus avoiding spillage. Due to their small size, they are very easy to clean and assemble.
The top and nipple can also work on other bottles.
Pros
- Perfect for babies who need small amount of formula.
- Can also be used to give medicine.
- Comes with a clear plastic cap for covering the nipples.
- Designed well to reduce air intake.
Cons
- May leak if not aligned properly.
3. Comotomo Baby Bottle
Best For Transitioning Babies
When switching from breastfeeding to a bottle, the baby should not be aware to avoid confusion and bottle rejection. Due to this reason, Comotomo Baby Bottle is well designed with a naturally shaped nipple with a wide mound, to help your baby switch and latch easily.
You wouldn’t like your baby to be gassy or have colic every time she/he takes milk. That is why this baby bottle for preemies, is designed with dual anti-colic vents that allows air to go in as the milk comes out, to eradicate unwanted air intake, thus reducing colic, gas and spit up.
Due to the wide opening, the bottle can easily be cleaned by dipping in your hand making it easy for you to access all corners. They can also be dish-washed and are heat resistant hence you can disinfect it in boiling water safely.
Preemies products should be 100% free of chemicals to ensure they don’t get sick since they are already vulnerable. This baby bottle is one of the bottles that are free of chemicals like BPA, PVC and phthalate. The outer soft silicone material makes it easy for the baby to have a grip and a calming touch.
Pros
- No need to use bottle brush when cleaning.
- The silicone material enables you squeeze the last drops of milk.
- Perfectly fits in the bottle pocket in a diaper bag.
Cons
- The engraved oz lines cannot be seen in dim rooms.
4. Tommee Tippee Closure To Nature Fiesta Baby Bottles
Best Starter Bundle
This six-pack bundle offers the best nipple for a preemie plus other nipples with a fast flow for bigger babies thus ensuring they grow with your baby. The extra slow flow is for a preemie or newborn, medium flow for a 3+ months baby and fast flow for over six months babies.
For the slow flow that is to be used by preemies, features an anti-colic valve that eliminates unwanted air to ensure less intake of air that may cause discomfort to the baby.
To enable the baby latch perfectly, Tommee Tippee Closure to Nature Fiesta Baby Bottles for preemies, has a breast-like nipple with a compact shape that allows your baby to be closer to the mum and in a natural position. Its easy to clean since it has a wide opening that also makes it easy for you to pour in breast milk or formula powder.
For ultimate assurance, this baby bottle is free of chemicals like BPA and phthalate.
Pros
- Does not leak.
- Comes in exciting colors.
- Easy to clean.
- wide mouth makes it easy to pour in breast milk or formula powder.
Cons
- Cannot be used in a dish washer.
5. Boon, NURSH Reusable Silicon Pouch Bottle.
Best For Reducing Air Intake
Babies are attracted to colors, and with these beautiful bottles, be sure your baby will automatically love them and will feed without any problem. Boon, NURSH Reusable Silicon Pouch Bottle, is well designed to eliminate the ingestion of air which may make the baby gassy, by use of the silicon pouch that collapses as the baby drinks the milk. The silicon pouches are reusable to minimize waste.
The nipple is breast-like to mimic the natural form of a breastfeeding baby making it easy to latch and switch from breast to bottle without being fussy. It also reassures perfect tongue positioning of the baby.
To avoid stomach upsets, milk bottles should be well cleaned, and in this case the bottles can be washed in a dish washer and can be boiled to disinfect. They can also be microwaved, frozen and sterilized.
It comes as a package of three bottles with vibrant colors. The four-ounce bottle is suitable for a tiny tummy like that of a preemie and offers a comfortable grip for the parent.
Pros
- Comes with reusable silicon pouches.
- Can be dish-washed and microwaved.
- Free from chemicals like BPA and phthalate.
Cons
- The silicon pouch can’t collapse if not properly aligned.
6. Munchkin Latch Baby Bottle
Best latch Bottle
Due to the amalgamation of an ultra-flexible nipple and anti-colic valve, Munchkin Latch Baby Bottle reduces the intake of air which may make the baby gassy hence fussy. A good latch makes it easy for a baby to transition from breastfeeding to bottle. That’s why this bottle features an ultra-flexible nipple that pumps and moves just like the breast and stretches to reach the baby’s soft palate. The baby can control the flow of milk during feeding by applying pressure against the latch nipples base hence the baby cannot choke.
With this package, you don’t have to buy fast flowing nipples for big babies, since they come in stage 1 (slow flow flexible silicon), 2 and 3 that increases flow as the baby grows plus one sealing disc.
It’s a three pack package that is easy to clean and free of chemicals such as BPA.
In case you want to pump breast milk directly to the bottles, the pump adapter (which is sold separately) is compatible with Medela, Lansinoh, and Evenflo breast pumps.
Pros
- Compatible with many pump adapters.
- Recommended by doctors for healthy feeding and sleeping.
- Top rank dishwasher safe.
- Easy to wash.
Cons.
- They sometimes leak.
7. MAM Easy Start Anti-Colic Bottle
Best Anti-Colic Bottle
There is nothing that can be stressing than a baby with colic or gassy tummy. To avoid this, ensure to buy milk bottles that has an anti-colic valve. This specific bottle has a removable patented vented base that regulates pressure and prevents bubbles and foam to ensure the baby does not swallow air while feeding thus avoiding colic and gassy tummy.
MAM Easy Start Anti-Colic Bottle is easy to clean because the base is removable and is dish washer safe. Since preemies require high standards of hygiene, be sure to sterilize the bottles occasionally. In case you don’t have a bottle sterilizer, you can self-sterilize this bottle by filling the base with 20 ml of water and microwaving it for three minutes. And that’s it!
Its easy to switch from breastfeeding to bottle since the nipple shape feels just like mum making it comfortable for the baby.
Keeping in mind newborns are still delicate and requires high standards products, these bottles for preemies are BPS and BPA free thus safe for your newborn.
It’s a pack of three 5 oz bottles with three slow flow silicon nipples.
Pros
- Dish washer safe.
- Can be sterilized in the microwave.
- Comes with bottles caps to avoid spillage.
Cons
- Takes a little longer to heat in a bottle warmer.
8. Lansinoh Breastfeeding Bottles For Baby
Best For Breastfed Babies
Being founded by a breastfeeding mom, Lansinoh Breastfeeding Bottles for Baby is well designed with a clinically proven nipple to enable your baby to easily transition from breastfeeding to a bottle. The natural wave nipple feels the same as natural sucking for a smooth transition. The inner vertical grooves make the nipple strong and therefore cannot collapse.
This bottle encourages proper position of the tongue and has an air ventilation system that reduces intake of air therefore reducing colic and gassy tummy which makes a baby fussy. This pack of three consists of a slow flow that is suitable for a preemie or newborn.
To ensure your baby is always full, you sometimes have to pump breast milk for later use. And to make it easier for you, these bottles are compatible with the Lansinoh electric and manual pumps.
You can easily clean them and maintain their color and shape, by hand washing gently with soap and water and can be sterilized by boiling them in water for five minutes while ensuring they doesn’t get in Contact with the hot pan to avoid melting.
Pros
- Compatible with Lansinoh electric and manual pumps.
- Can be used to take breast milk or formula without affecting flow rate.
- Comes with clear caps to prevent leaking.
Cons
- Cannot be used on a microwave.
9. Dr. Brown’s Original Bottle Specialty Feeding Starter Kit
Best For Cleft Lip Babies
Some babies may be born prematurely and still have a cleft lip thus making it more difficult for the baby to feed. In such a case its good to buy a good feeding bottle to enable them feed easily. In this case we highly recommend Dr. Brown’s Original Bottle Specialty Feeding Starter Kit since its precisely designed for children with difficulty in competently expressing a fluid bolus during sucking. To help them feed well, the unidirectional flow valve known as the infant-paced feeding valve is inserted into the silicon nipple at the nipple base and placed into the collar. Once fully assembled, the system allows the infant to use their tongue and jaw movements during sucking to adequately express and deliver a fluid bolus into their intra-oral space for safe and effective swallowing.
This bottle is fully vented to create a positive-pressure flow for vacuum-free feeding. As the baby sucks, the air is channeled back to the nipple to avoid swallowing air that may make the baby’s tummy gassy.
This set includes 2 four ounces bottles with level one nipples, 3 eight ounces bottles with level one nipples, 5 level two nipples, 5 infant paced feeding valves, 5 travel discs, 3 cleaning brushes made of wire, and 2 travel caps.
Can be used by babies with these conditions; cleft lip/palate, oro-neuromotor dysfunctions, heart diseases, common syndromic sequences and craniofacial anomalies
Pros
- Good for babies with special feeding needs.
- Dish washer safe and can be sterilized.
- Comes with cleaning brushes and travelling caps.
- Eradicates air swallowing which may cause colic
Cons
- Preemie nipples are to be bought separately.
10. Playtex Baby Ventaire Baby Bottle
Anti-Colic Bottle
Many babies experience colic which may affect their feeding. To avoid that, Playtex Baby Ventaire Baby Bottle, is well designed for upright feeding which can make digestion easier, prevent reflux and ear infections. The air free bottom vent, prevents air from getting into the baby’s tummy and prevents vacuum within the bottle.
To enable your baby latch conveniently, the nipple has a raised texture and naturally wide shape. For easier feeding, it comes with a slow, medium and fast flow for milk and a y-cut for thick formulas.
For safety purposes, these bottles for preemies are PVC, BPA and phthalate free and comes with beautiful colors and decorations to match your style. Comes in a pack of five bottles with 3 six ounces bottles and 2 nine ounces bottles which means you won’t have to purchase other bottles since they will grow with the baby.
Pros
- Very affordable.
- Angled design suitable for upright feeding.
- Easy to clean.
Cons
- When using a bottle warmer, water fills on the seams and you can easily burn the baby or yourself.
- Can leak if not properly closed.
What To Look For When Buying Preemie Bottles.
Size of the bottle
Preemies are born when too small so they only need small quantities of milk but frequently to be full. In this case no need of purchasing a big bottle. A bottle less than 5 ounces can work perfectly well.
Flow of the nipple
The preemie bottle should have a slow-flow since a fast flow can easily choke the baby because they are not used to feeding and can only be able to swallow small quantities of milk or formula.
Anti-colic valve
When feeding, babies tend to swallow unwanted air which make them have colic or gassy tummy which makes them uncomfortable. To avoid this, ensure to buy a bottle with an anti-colic technology that eliminates air in the milk as the baby feeds.
Material of the bottle
Most of these bottles for preemies are made of plastic, but then it will depend on which type of plastic it is. The best bottle material should be free of BPA and phthalate for the safety of the baby. It should also be durable such that it wont break when it falls accidentally.
Cleaning
Some bottles are dish washer safe while others just need hand washing. Before purchase confirm the manual in order to buy the one that you will be able to maintain effortlessly. Ensure also to check on whether they can be sterilized or microwave safe.
Verdict
Premature babies need to feed every now and then for them to gain weight easily for them to get out of NICU. Good bottles for preemies will play a major role to ensure your baby feeds well effortlessly. They should also have a slow flow to make sure they don’t choke when feeding. Where in some cases the slow-flow nipple is not available, you can always purchase it separately.
All in all, we hope that these tips of choosing The Best Bottles For Preemies will help you get what will work best for your little baby.