Glass vs Silicone Baby Bottles: Which Is Best?
Choosing the right baby bottle isn't just about brand or design—the material matters significantly for your baby's safety, health, and your daily convenience. Glass and silicone are two of the safest, most popular materials for baby bottles, but each has distinct advantages and trade-offs.
Whether you're a first-time parent preparing your hospital bag or looking to upgrade from plastic bottles, understanding the differences between glass and silicone bottles will help you make the best choice for your family. In this guide, we'll compare both materials across safety, durability, cleaning, and practical use cases to help you decide which is right for your baby.
Why Bottle Material Matters
The material of your baby's bottle affects three critical factors:
- Safety: All bottles should be BPA-free. Glass is chemically inert in normal use. Food-grade silicone is generally considered safe and compliant with standards; always follow manufacturer care instructions, especially for heating and cleaning.
- Durability: How well the bottle withstands drops, dishwasher cycles, and daily wear affects its lifespan and value.
- Cleaning & Sterilising: Some materials retain odours or stains, while others stay pristine through hundreds of washes.
Both glass and silicone excel in safety, but they differ significantly in weight, breakability, and practical use. Let's break down each material.
Glass Baby Bottles: Pros & Cons
Advantages of Glass Bottles
- Chemically Stable: Borosilicate glass is chemically stable and highly heat-resistant, making it a very safe bottle material that doesn't leach chemicals in normal use.
- Heat Resistance: Borosilicate glass tolerates very high temperatures and can withstand boiling water, steam sterilisers, and dishwashers without degrading. Perfect for frequent sterilising.
- No Odours or Stains: Unlike plastic, glass doesn't retain milk smells or discolour from formula. Bottles stay fresh and clean indefinitely.
- Eco-Friendly: Glass is recyclable and sustainable. A single glass bottle can last through multiple children if cared for properly.
- Premium Feel: Many parents prefer the weight and quality of glass bottles, especially brands like BIBS glass bottles with their Scandinavian design.
Disadvantages of Glass Bottles
- Weight: Glass bottles are heavier than plastic or silicone, which can be tiring for babies learning to hold their own bottle (9+ months).
- Breakage Risk: While modern glass bottles use shatter-resistant borosilicate glass, they can still break if dropped on hard surfaces. Many brands offer protective silicone sleeves (sometimes included, sometimes sold separately). Check what's in the box for the specific model.
- Price: Glass bottles are typically more expensive upfront (£8–£15 per bottle vs £5–£10 for plastic).
- Travel: Heavier and more fragile, making them less ideal for nappy bags or travel.
Best for: Home use, newborns (0–6 months), parents prioritising safety and sustainability, combination feeding (breast + bottle).
Silicone Baby Bottles: Pros & Cons
Advantages of Silicone Bottles
- Unbreakable: Silicone is soft, flexible, and virtually indestructible. Perfect for active babies and toddlers who drop bottles frequently.
- Lightweight: Much lighter than glass, making it easier for babies to hold and for parents to carry in nappy bags.
- Soft & Squeezable: The flexible body mimics breastfeeding and allows you to control milk flow by squeezing gently—helpful for babies with weak suck reflexes.
- Travel-Friendly: Lightweight, unbreakable, and easy to pack. Ideal for daycare, travel, and on-the-go feeding.
- BPA-Free & Safe: Medical-grade silicone is BPA-free, phthalate-free, and generally considered safe when used according to manufacturer guidelines.
Disadvantages of Silicone Bottles
- Odour Retention: Silicone can absorb milk or formula smells over time, especially if not cleaned immediately. Regular sterilising helps.
- Staining: Some formulas or purees can stain silicone bottles, though this doesn't affect safety.
- Heat Limits: Food-grade silicone typically tolerates high heat (often around 200–230°C). Always follow the product's stated temperature limits for safe use.
- Less Widely Available: Fewer brands offer silicone bottles compared to glass or plastic, and they can be harder to find in stores.
Best for: Travel, daycare, older babies (6+ months), active toddlers, parents prioritising durability and portability.
When to Choose Which: Use Case Guide
For Newborns (0–6 Months)
Recommendation: Glass bottles
For newborns who aren't holding their own bottle yet, glass can be a great at-home option thanks to hygiene and heat resistance. The premium feel and chemical stability make glass ideal for this stage, especially for combination feeding.
Top picks: BIBS Baby Glass Bottle 225ml - Ivory, BIBS Baby Glass Bottle 225ml - Sage
For Older Babies (6–12 Months)
Recommendation: Mix of both
Use glass at home for safety and hygiene, and silicone for daycare or travel. As babies start holding bottles, silicone's lightweight design becomes more practical.
Transition tip: Introduce sippy cups around 6–9 months to reduce bottle dependency.
For Toddlers (12+ Months)
Recommendation: Silicone bottles or transition to cups
Toddlers are more active and prone to dropping bottles. Silicone's durability makes it the safer choice. However, many pediatric dentists recommend transitioning from bottles to training cups around 12–18 months to support healthy oral development.
For Travel & Daycare
Recommendation: Silicone bottles
Lightweight, unbreakable, and easy to pack. Silicone bottles won't shatter in nappy bags and are less stressful for daycare staff to handle.
For Home Use
Recommendation: Glass bottles
If you're primarily feeding at home, glass offers excellent long-term value, safety, and hygiene. Pair with protective silicone sleeves (if available for your model) for added peace of mind.
Editors' Picks: Best Glass & Silicone Bottles
Based on safety standards, customer reviews, and availability from our ebebek collection, here are our top recommendations. Editors' Picks are selected from currently available items; availability may change.
Glass Bottles
- BIBS Baby Glass Bottle Complete Set Latex 225ml - Ivory – Premium borosilicate glass, natural rubber latex teat, Scandinavian design. Check product details for included accessories. Perfect for newborns and combination feeding. Browse more BIBS products.
- BIBS Baby Glass Bottle Complete Set Latex 225ml - Sage – Same premium quality in a beautiful sage colour. Eco-friendly, doesn't retain odours, dishwasher and steriliser safe.
- BIBS Latex Bottle Kit - Ivory – Complete starter kit with bottle, teats, and accessories. Natural rubber latex teats for a breast-like feel.
BPA-Free Plastic Bottles (Alternative)
- Dr. Brown's Options+ Anti-Colic Wide Neck Baby Bottle 270ml (2 pack) – BPA-free plastic bottle with proven anti-colic technology. Lightweight and durable. Browse more Dr. Brown's products.
- Tommee Tippee Advanced Anti-Colic Bottle 260ml – BPA-free plastic with unique anti-colic tube. Heat-sensing technology, easy-clean design. Browse more Tommee Tippee products.
- Tommee Tippee Closer To Nature Bottle 150ml Pack of 3 – Award-winning breast-like teat, BPA-free, easy-hold shape. Great value 3-pack for newborns.
Processing: 1–2 days · UK Delivery: 2–3 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do glass baby bottles shatter easily?
Modern glass baby bottles use borosilicate glass, which is much stronger than regular glass and designed to withstand thermal shock (hot to cold changes). While they can break if dropped on hard surfaces like tile or concrete, they're shatter-resistant rather than shatter-proof. Many brands offer protective silicone sleeves (sometimes included, sometimes sold separately). Check what's in the box for the specific model. In practice, glass bottles are very durable for home use. If you're concerned about breakage, reserve glass bottles for home feeding and use silicone or BPA-free plastic for travel.
Are glass and silicone bottles microwave and dishwasher safe?
Glass bottles: Generally dishwasher safe. Borosilicate glass tolerates very high temperatures without cracking. However, always remove teats and collars before microwaving. Important: Avoid microwaving breast milk or formula due to uneven heating that can create hot spots and burn baby's mouth. Instead, warm in a water bath and swirl to distribute heat evenly. Silicone bottles: Dishwasher safe (top rack recommended) and can handle steam sterilisers. Food-grade silicone typically tolerates high heat (often around 200–230°C). Always follow the product's stated temperature limits. Both materials are safe for electric, microwave, and steam sterilisers. Always sterilise new bottles before first use.
Are teats compatible across glass and silicone bottles?
Compatibility depends on the neck design and brand system. Many bottles require brand-specific teats or vents—check the manufacturer's guidance. Teat compatibility is determined by bottle neck size (wide-neck vs narrow-neck), not the bottle material. Some brands like BIBS use the same teats across their glass and silicone bottles. However, brand-specific systems like Dr. Brown's or Tommee Tippee require their own teats due to unique venting systems. Always check the bottle neck diameter and brand compatibility before buying replacement teats.
Ready to Choose Your Bottle?
Both glass and silicone baby bottles offer excellent safety and performance—the best choice depends on your lifestyle and baby's age. For newborns and home use, glass bottles provide excellent purity and longevity. For travel, daycare, and active babies, silicone's durability and lightweight design make feeding easier.
Many parents find that owning both types gives them flexibility: glass for home, silicone for on-the-go. Whichever you choose, prioritise BPA-free materials and proper sterilising practices.
Browse our complete ebebek baby essentials collection for more feeding solutions, including breast pumps, bibs, weaning products, and training cups.