Baby feeding bottles and accessories with anti-colic features

Anti-Colic Baby Bottles: A Quick Guide

Choosing the right baby bottle can feel overwhelming for first-time parents, especially when you're faced with terms like \"anti-colic,\" \"BPA-free,\" and \"wide-neck.\" If your baby struggles with gas, fussiness, or spit-up after feeding, an anti-colic baby bottle might be the solution you need.

Anti-colic bottles are designed with special venting systems that reduce the amount of air your baby swallows during feeding. This helps prevent common feeding issues like colic, gas, and reflux. In this guide, we'll walk you through everything you need to know to choose the perfect baby bottle for your little one.

What Are Anti-Colic Baby Bottles?

Anti-colic bottles feature internal venting systems or specially designed teats that minimize air intake during feeding. Unlike standard bottles, they're engineered to create a vacuum-free feeding experience, which means less air in your baby's tummy and fewer uncomfortable symptoms.

When do anti-colic bottles help?

  • Your baby cries excessively after feeds (colic symptoms)
  • Frequent gas, burping, or spit-up
  • Fussiness or discomfort during or after bottle feeding
  • Difficulty transitioning from breast to bottle
  • Reflux or digestive sensitivity

Popular brands like Dr. Brown's, Chicco, and Tommee Tippee have clinically proven anti-colic systems that can reduce feeding-related discomfort by up to 80%.

Key Benefits & Features to Look For

Anti-Colic Venting Systems

The hallmark of a good anti-colic bottle is its venting mechanism. Dr. Brown's uses an internal vent system that channels air away from the milk, while Chicco NaturalFeel bottles feature angled teats that reduce air swallowing. Tommee Tippee uses a unique anti-colic tube that draws air away from milk. Look for bottles with:

  • Internal vent tubes or straws
  • Air vents at the base of the teat
  • One-way valve systems
  • Angled or curved bottle designs

BPA-Free Materials

All modern baby bottles should be BPA-free. BPA (Bisphenol A) is a harmful chemical found in some plastics that can leach into milk or formula. Safe materials include:

  • Medical-grade silicone: Soft, flexible, unbreakable
  • Borosilicate glass: Premium, eco-friendly, completely inert
  • Polypropylene (PP): Lightweight, BPA-free plastic

Wide-Neck vs. Narrow-Neck

Wide-neck bottles are easier to fill, clean, and often mimic the breast shape better for combination feeding. Narrow-neck bottles are more compact and travel-friendly. Most anti-colic bottles now come in wide-neck designs for convenience.

Glass vs. Silicone vs. Plastic

  • Glass bottles (like BIBS glass bottles): Eco-friendly, don't retain odours, heavier, can break
  • Silicone bottles: Soft, squeezable, unbreakable, perfect for travel
  • Plastic (PP) bottles: Lightweight, affordable, may stain over time

How to Choose by Age

Newborn (0–6 Months)

For newborns, choose bottles with:

Infant (6–12 Months)

As your baby's appetite grows, upgrade to:

Toddler (1–2 Years)

Transition to training cups and bottles with:

  • Size: 270–330ml capacity
  • Teat flow: Level 4 or variable flow (Y-cut for thicker liquids)
  • Features: Spill-proof, easy-clean, transition handles
  • Next step: Explore our weaning products and training cups

Compatibility Tips: Teats, Flow Rates & Cleaning

Choosing the Right Teat Flow

Teat flow rates are matched to your baby's age and feeding ability:

  • Level 1 (Slow): 0–3 months, newborns, breastfed babies
  • Level 2 (Medium): 3–6 months
  • Level 3 (Fast): 6+ months
  • Level 4 (Variable/Y-cut): 9+ months, thicker liquids

Signs you need to change teat size:

  • Baby is frustrated or struggling to feed (flow too slow)
  • Milk flowing too fast, causing choking or spit-up (flow too fast)
  • Feeding takes longer than 20 minutes (flow too slow)

Cleaning & Sterilising

Anti-colic bottles with internal vents require thorough cleaning:

  • Disassemble all parts (bottle, teat, vent system, collar)
  • Wash in warm soapy water with a bottle brush
  • Sterilise using electric, microwave, or steam sterilisers
  • Check vent tubes for milk residue – use a small brush
  • Replace teats every 2–3 months or when damaged

Editors' Picks: Best Anti-Colic Baby Bottles

Based on customer reviews, safety standards, and in-stock availability from our ebebek collection, here are our top recommendations:

  1. Dr. Brown's Options+ Anti-Colic Wide Neck Baby Bottle 270ml (2 pack) – The gold standard in anti-colic bottles with patented internal vent system. BPA-free, dishwasher safe, clinically proven to reduce colic.
  2. BIBS Baby Glass Bottle Complete Set Latex 225ml - Ivory – Premium borosilicate glass bottle with natural rubber teat. Eco-friendly, doesn't retain odours, Scandinavian design.
  3. BIBS Baby Glass Bottle Complete Set Latex 225ml - Sage – Same premium quality as above in a beautiful sage colour. Perfect for combination feeding.
  4. Tommee Tippee Advanced Anti-Colic Bottle 260ml – Unique anti-colic tube draws air away from milk. Heat-sensing technology, easy-clean design. Browse more Tommee Tippee products.
  5. Dr. Brown's Options+ Anti-Colic Baby Bottle Narrow Neck 120ml – Perfect for newborns. Compact, travel-friendly, same proven anti-colic system.
  6. BIBS Latex Bottle Kit - Ivory – Complete starter kit with bottle, teats, and accessories. Natural rubber latex teats for a breast-like feel.

All products are in stock and ready to ship. Processing: 1–2 days · UK Delivery: 2–3 days.

Delivery Information

We understand that when you need baby essentials, you need them fast. All baby bottles and ebebek products are dispatched within 1–2 business days, with UK delivery in 2–3 days. Check individual product pages for specific delivery details.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between anti-colic and standard baby bottles?

Anti-colic bottles feature internal venting systems (like Dr. Brown's) or specially designed teats (like Chicco NaturalFeel) that reduce the amount of air your baby swallows during feeding. Tommee Tippee uses a unique anti-colic tube system. This helps prevent gas, colic, and spit-up. Standard bottles don't have these features, which can lead to more air intake and discomfort. If your baby shows signs of colic or digestive issues, switching to an anti-colic bottle can make a significant difference.

Should I choose glass or plastic baby bottles?

Glass bottles (like BIBS glass bottles) are eco-friendly, completely BPA-free, and don't retain odours or stains. They're heavier and can break if dropped, but many come with protective silicone sleeves. Plastic (PP) bottles are lightweight, unbreakable, and travel-friendly, but may stain over time from formula or purees. Both are safe when BPA-free. Many parents keep glass for home use and plastic for travel. The choice depends on your lifestyle and preferences.

Which teat size should I use for my baby's age?

Teat flow rates are matched to your baby's age and feeding ability:

  • Level 1 (Slow): 0–3 months, newborns, breastfed babies
  • Level 2 (Medium): 3–6 months
  • Level 3 (Fast): 6+ months
  • Level 4 (Variable/Y-cut): 9+ months, thicker liquids like formula or expressed milk with added cereal

If your baby is struggling to feed or milk is flowing too fast, adjust the teat level accordingly. Every baby is different, so watch for feeding cues and adjust as needed.

Ready to Choose the Perfect Bottle?

Finding the right anti-colic baby bottle can transform feeding time from stressful to peaceful. Whether you choose the clinically proven Dr. Brown's system, the eco-friendly BIBS glass bottles, or the innovative Tommee Tippee design, you're making a choice that prioritizes your baby's comfort and health.

View All Baby Bottles

Browse our complete ebebek baby essentials collection for more feeding solutions, including breast pumps, bibs, weaning products, and highchairs.

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