Babies with reflux experience constant pain. They cry and spit up often since their tiny little tummies have stomach acid backing up into their esophagus. When reflux is not resulting in difficulty gaining weight or other serious symptoms, the best strategy is prevention. One of the best solutions to help prevent reflux is the right bottle. Most are slow flow and designed to prevent air bubbles that can make managing reflux more difficult.
Best Bottles for Babies with Reflux
MAM Anti-Colic Bottle come with a slow flow nipple, which helps baby’s who are primarily breastfed as nursing is slower than bottle feeding; however, Evenflo Feeding Premium Proflo Bottles have a faster flow which can cause gagging for slow eating or primarily breastfed infants.
MAM Anti-Colic Baby Bottles for Breastfed Babies
When you are ready to return to work or cannot breastfeed anymore, these are a good option to help your little one transition. They feature a SkinSoft nipple that mimics the shape and texture they would experience while breastfeeding, making the transition easier. An anti-colic venting system works to create a vacuum inside the bottle, trapping air so your little one does not swallow it.
The MAM Anti-Colic Baby Bottles for Breastfed Babies also helps with reflux in the way that it reduces the risk of swallowing air. With an extra-wide opening on the top, it is also easy to clean. It comes with a slow-flow nipple. The biggest downside is the wide bottom, which may not be compatible with all bottle warmers. The frosted design toward the bottom of the bottle also makes it hard to see how many ounces of milk are in the bottle.
Pros
- Reduces the risk of swallowing air
- Wide opening makes bottles easier to clean
- Skin soft nipple mimics the shape and texture of the breast
- Slow flow nipples good for a younger child
Cons
- Hard to see how much milk is in the bottle
- Wide bottom may not be compatible with bottle warmers
Comotomo Natural Feel Baby Bottle
Though this bottle is not designed especially for treating reflux, it does contain dual anti-colic vents that stop air from getting into the bottle. The nipple is designed in a way that closely mimics the feel of breastfeeding (side note: breastfeeding has a ton of benefits!), with a naturally wide shape. This makes it perfect for mothers who are stopping their breastfeeding journey and want to reduce the risk of their little ones rejecting their bottles.
The Comotomo Natural Feel Baby Bottle is also designed with convenience in mind. It is ultra-wide and rounded, letting you clean it without a brush. It is also made of BPA-free silicone, which is safe to use and clean in dishwashers, microwaves, boiling water, and sterilizers. The rounded size also encourages your little one to grip the bottle with their hands.
Pros
- Very easy to clean
- Rounded shape of the bottle encourages little hands to grasp it
- Naturally wide, soft nipple mimics breastfeeding
- Dual anti-colic vent to prevent air from getting in your baby’s stomach
Cons
- We couldn’t find any!
Evenflo Premium Proflo Venting Balance
Breastfeeding is not an option for all mothers. The naturally wide and sloped nipple on this bottle creates a wide latch that lets your little one feel comfortable and natural as they feed. This natural fit also prevents air from being sucked in. Another benefit of this bottle is the gulp-free flow rate, which creates a relaxing drinking pace that lets your little one drink comfortably. The way that this bottle reduces air helps it prevent reflux.
Another benefit of the Evenflo Premium Proflo Venting Balance is the air-free vent that prevents bubbles in your little one’s stomach. Even with the vent, there are only three pieces to the bottle for easy clean-up. Though these could be used for newborns, they may be too fast of flow for some babies. It is also hard finding the nipples to fit in the store.
Pros
- Wide and sloped nipple is a natural feeling
- Gulp-free flow rate to prevent the need for gulping
- Easy-to-clean
- Air-free vent
Cons
- Too fast of flow for some babies
- Hard to find nipples
Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature Bottle with Anti-Colic Valve
This bottle comes with a 97% recommendation from moms who struggle to get their little ones to latch. It is designed with a natural nipple shape to promote a healthy latch that does not let your little one swallow air. It is also designed curved for little hands, but wide enough at the top that you will not have to struggle to clean it.
The Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature Bottle with Anti-Colic Valve also has a valve designed to trap air and stop your little one from swallowing it. The smooth silicone feels natural, like skin, and the bottles are clearly labeled with measurements that will not wash away. This comes with the slow-flow valve but is compatible with other nipples.
Pros
- Anti-colic valve stops air bubbles
- Smooth silicone to create a natural, skin-like feel
- Soft design encourages your little one to hold the bottle
- Wide opening for easy cleaning
Cons
- Need to buy additional nipples for older babies
Evenflo Feeding Angled Proflo Vented Bottles
These bottles come angled, allowing you to feed your baby in an upright position to prevent spit up after eating. They are also vented, which allows air to be trapped and released into the bottle, rather than being released into your little one’s tummy.
The Evenflo Feeding Angled Proflo Vented Bottles also have soft, comfortable grips that encourage your little one to hold onto. They are also comfortable for you to hold until they are ready. Additionally, the measurement markers included are detailed and will not come off in the wash. The biggest downside is the threading on the top, as unscrewing the lid can be difficult. Additionally, if you over-tighten, the lid may come off.
Pros
- Detailed measurement markers will not come off in the wash
- Angled bottle lets you feed your child upright
- Vented design stops air from causing reflux
- Soft outer is comfortable to hold onto
Cons
- Lids are hard to twist off
- Lids may become unsecured if they are over-tightened
Philips Avent Anti-Colic Baby Bottle with AirFree Vent
Reflux meets its match with these baby bottles to prevent reflux and colic. It has an AirFree vent attached to the nipple that traps air and stops your little one from swallowing it. As they are not too full, they will be less likely to spit up. Additionally, the nipple shape prevents air by providing a secure latch.
The Philips Avent Anti-Colic Baby Bottle with AirFree Vent also excels because it comes in a single piece that is easy to clean. It is compatible with nipples in a wide range of flow rates, so you do not have to worry about your little one not making this investment worth your while. The system will grow with them, however, the lowest level nipple may have too fast of a flow for a newborn and especially for a preemie.
Pros
- Natural nipple shape provides a secure latch
- AirFree vent traps air before it goes into the nipple
- Easy to clean
- Grows with your child
Cons
- Nipple may not work for newborn or preemie
Playtex Baby VentAire Anti-Colic Anti-Reflux Bottle
If you are trying to transition between breast and bottle feeding, this bottle is a good choice. It is angled to allow upright positions of feeding, which works well because propping can prevent some reflux. Additionally, a bottom vent keeps air toward the back of the bottle and away from your little one’s tummy.
The Playtex Baby VentAire Anti-Colic Anti-Reflux Bottle also comes with a break-proof, leak-proof guarantee for the nipples, which is a nice feature. They contain just a few pieces, so they are simple to clean. The biggest downside is the nipples, which do not limit flow at all and can cause problems with gagging or choking for babies that eat slow.
Pros
- Good choice for transitioning from breast to bottle-feeding
- Vent near the back of the bottle
- Easy to clean
- Angled to allow upright feeding
Cons
- Not a good choice for babies who eat slowly
Best Dr. Brown Bottles for Reflux
Dr. Brown’s Baby Bottle Options+
Every bottle is 100% vacuum-free, meaning that they are free from the air that can cause an upset tummy when feeding. A vent system design helps prevent babies from experiencing reflux, colic, burping, gas, and spit-up. To explain, air travels into the bottle and goes straight to the internal vent system that is separate from where the milk is. This way, air, and milk do not collide, and your baby is able to feed comfortably.
Dr. Brown’s Baby Bottle Options+ is a classic bottle brand for helping to reduce reflux. You can purchase these in a pack of 4 either as 4-ounce or 8-ounce bottles. As your baby grows, you can choose to keep the vent within the bottle or remove it!
Pros
- 100% vacuum free
- Removable vent
- Available in 4-ounce or 8-ounce
Cons
- More parts to clean (with vent being used)
- May leak
Best NUK Bottles for Reflux
NUK Simply Natural Baby Bottles
A slow-flow nipple offers breastmilk or formula to baby in a natural and comfortable way. To make the nipple more similar to mom’s natural breast, the bottle nipple has multiple small holes for the milk to flow from, is soft and flexible. It also mimics the shape of a natural nipple. The included air system design helps reduce reflux, colic, spit-up, and gas.
The NUK Simply Natural Baby Bottles are accepted by 96% of babies according to a 2019 study in Germany. The nipple is flexible but also thicker than traditional bottle nipples, making these NUK bottles high-quality and long-lasting. To top it off, these bottles are incredibly well-priced!
Pros
- Anti-colic air system
- Multiple holes in nipple for a natural flow
- High-quality
- Nipple shape similar to natural nipple shape
- Incredibly well-priced
Cons
- Can’t find any!
How These Bottles for Reflux Compare
The table below compares only the recommended products on this page. A low or high Price means it is low or high compared to the other products listed.
The Popularity Score reflects how often readers click on and buy the product. The Quality Score is our assessment of the overall performance and satisfaction with
the product compared to others in the table.Evenflo Premium Proflo Venting Balance 8.2 9.2 45.99 Philips Avent Anti-Colic Baby Bottle with AirFree Vent 5.4 9.2 37.26 Playtex Baby VentAire Anti-Colic Anti-Reflux Bottle 7.7 9.0 31.01 NUK Simply Natural Baby Bottles 7.5 9.4 25.89 Comotomo Natural Feel Baby Bottle 9.9 9.6 22.98 Dr. Brown's Baby Bottle Options+ 9.9 9.6 20.16 MAM Anti-Colic Baby Bottles for Breastfed Babies 9.8 9.4 18.11 Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature Bottle with Anti-Colic Valve 9.7 9.2 9.49 Evenflo Feeding Angled Proflo Vented Bottles 3.9 9.2 -
What is Reflux in Babies?
Infant reflux is caused by food (usually formula or breast milk) backing up from the stomach, causing it to go up into the esophagus and making the baby spit-up. This may be due to a liquid diet or from lying on the back all the time. It is less common as children get older and they typically do not struggle with it after 18 months of age.
In rare cases, it can be a sign of medical problems like GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), a digestive system blockage, or an allergy. Typically, however, it is the result of stomach acid backing up into the esophagus and resulting in spit-up.
If baby struggles with gas a lot, you could try giving some baby gas drops in their bottle to ease the discomfort. You could also try a baby formula for gas relief.
When to See a Doctor
Even when your baby is gaining weight well and not experiencing severe colic, you should try to ease their comfort. There are times when baby needs to be evaluated by a doctor, though. Some signs that you need to go to the doctor include:
- Extreme irritability after eating
- Low weight gain
- Yellow or green vomit
- Difficulty breathing
- Refusal of food
- Projectile vomiting
- Vomiting coffee-ground like material or blood
- Blood in the stool
- Spitting up that begins after age 6 months
FAQs – Baby Bottles for Reflux
Is bottle feeding better for reflux?
Breastfeeding is considered to be better, for the reason that breastmilk is digested more easily and quickly than formula.
Which formulas are good for reflux?
ExperiencedMommy recommends Plum Organics Organic Infant formula with iron. Other recommendations are Enfamil AR, Enfamil Prosobee, Enfamil Gentlease, Similac Sensitive Non-GMO, Similac for Spit-Up, Nutramingen, or Alimentum.
Which of the above is best for your baby? It depends on what is causing the reflux. So, if your baby is having significant problems, or if the problems are unresolved over a period of time and a formula change does not help, you should see your pediatrician.
Can overfeeding cause reflux?
Yes. An overfull stomach is more prone to reflux. If your baby has reflux, you may need to give smaller feedings, but every two to three hours.
Is reflux worse at night for babies?
Reflux can be worse (for anyone) at night, not because it is night, but because one is lying down. Be sure your baby is inclined while feeding, and burp and hold him or her upright for 30 minutes after feeding.
When should my baby’s reflux improve?
Many babies’ reflux results from an as-yet-weak lower esophageal sphincter, which allows food to move from the stomach back into the esophagus.
This problem is solved by development and is usually overcome by about a year of age. There are other causes, however, that may require a particular diet or lifestyle or even treatment with medicine.
Does solid food help babies with reflux?
Yes, solid food may help. Speak to your doctor first, and begin with one food that is low in acid; carrots, butternut squash, green beans, avocado, pear, or banana may a good first food for a baby with reflux.
For any baby, when starting on solids, introduce foods one at a time for four days, in order to observe your baby’s reaction to that food. Only then may you introduce the next food.
