Choosing a Bottle for Your Breastfed Baby

Choosing a bottle for a breastfed baby works best when guided by feeding function, not trends or convenience alone. Many IBCLCs (International Board Certified Lactation Consultants) recommend bottles based on how well they support baby’s latch, pacing, and oral development. Here are options often suggested depending on your baby’s needs:

For Babies Transitioning Between Breast & Bottle

Evenflo Balance + Bottle
Frequently recommended because:

• Naturally-sloped, slow-flow nipple encourages a deep latch and wide gape
• Designed to support baby’s tongue and jaw motion similar to breastfeeding
• Helps avoid fast-flow “chugging” that can lead to bottle preference

For Babies Still Mastering Latch or Needing a Gradual Flow

Lansinoh Breastfeeding Bottle
Frequently recommended because:

• Narrow nipple base helps babies maintain proper lip flange
• Slower, controlled flow helps prevent overwhelm
• Consistent milk release only when baby actively sucks (similar to nursing)

For Babies With Oral Tension, Prematurity, or Extra Latch Support Needs

Pigeon Peristaltic Nipple + Bottle
Frequently recommended because:

• Soft, flexible nipple designed to mimic compression and tongue movement
• Supports babies who fatigue easily or struggle to maintain suction
• Often used in clinical lactation settings

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What IBCLCs Emphasize When Choosing a Bottle

When supporting breastfed babies, many IBCLCs look for bottles that:

• Encourage baby to open wide
• Allow baby to control milk flow
• Mimic breastfeeding sucking/pausing patterns
• Pair well with paced bottle-feeding techniques
• Maintain a slow flow (even if the package says “newborn” or “slow”, not all slow flows are equal!)

It’s completely normal to try a couple of options before finding the right fit. Babies are individuals, and feeding should support their rhythm.

If you’d like help choosing a bottle or learning paced-bottle feeding, our postpartum doulas can guide you and help make feeding confident, calm, and connected.