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The Best Glass Baby Bottles: Our Top Durable and Eco-Friendly Picks
The Best Glass Baby Bottles: Our Top Durable and Eco-Friendly Picks

With so many different baby bottles on the market, choosing the right one for your baby can be quite the task. Bottles come in a few different materials—plastic, silicone and glass.

If the thought of glass baby bottles makes you pause, we get it! Some parents prefer to steer clear of plastic for health reasons (like concerns about chemical leaching). Or maybe they want to go green with their baby’s products and like the look and feel of a sturdier glass bottle. In our annual poll of over 6,000 Babylist parents, 27 percent said they preferred glass bottles over plastic. Glass bottles are durable, long-lasting and have all of the same great features as their well-loved plastic counterparts—including our top glass bottle pick from Phillips Avent.

But are glass bottles any better than plastic ones? And with so many options to choose from, how do you know what’s right for you and for baby? We’re rounding up our top picks to help you choose the best glass bottle for your baby.

Why Trust Babylist?

Babylist is the expert in baby; we know baby gear inside and out. We talk with parents face-to-face in our showroom and on our user panels and hear from thousands of people annually via our Best Baby Products survey. We know what items millions of expecting parents are adding to their baby registries.

As a mom of two (who breastfed both babies), I’ve had the opportunity to test out dozens of bottles during my own feeding journey with both of my children. I am also a certified lactation counselor (CLC) and used both of these experiences to help choose the bottles on this list.

For an expert POV, I spoke with pediatrician and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, Dr. Jessica Madden. And I incorporated baby bottle feedback from the experts in the trenches: thousands of parents via Babylist’s annual Best Baby Products survey, with feedback from over 6,000 Babylist users along with parents on the Babylist team.

Babylist’s Top Picks for the Best Glass Baby Bottles

Babylist’s Picks for the Best Glass Baby Bottles

Best Overall Glass Bottle

Pros:
  • Thermal shock-resistant glass
  • Included silicone sleeve helps to reduce breaking
  • Anti-colic venting system
Cons:
  • Heavy
  • Some say the nipple leaks

All of the components parents love about Avent’s plastic bottles are also featured in this glass version. They have a wide, flexible nipple that allows baby to control the flow of milk, and an advanced anti-colic venting system helps reduce the chance your baby will swallow air (which can lead to gas and spit up). The glass is thermal-shock resistant, meaning it can transition between hot and cold without an issue. Like all glass bottles, these are heavy and there’s always a risk of breaking if you drop them hard enough—but the included silicone sleeve is great for grip and helps soften the impact if you do accidentally drop one.

Real Parent Reviews

“We love these bottles. I appreciate that they are not plastic, that they clean easily, and that milk doesn’t come out unless the baby is sucking. Ours never leak. We tried several different bottles and I am glad my baby was not picky because these were my favorite.” — Lindsay S.

“We love the peace of mind that comes with using glass. We used these four years ago with our first son and will be using them again. You can even purchase disks to use in place of the nipple which works great for storing/transporting milk. Post-weaning, we used the sealing disks to store homemade baby food in these bottles. I’ve read reviews from other users about the nipple leaking. This happens when the nipple is not assembled correctly. There are a few youtube videos that explain how to place the nipple into the piece that screws onto the bottle to solve this problem.” — Jessie O.

Best Glass Baby Bottle Bundle

Pros:
  • Allows you to try 5 popular baby bottles before committing
  • Includes only glass bottle options
Cons:
  • No plastic options
  • Can’t select nipple size

Babies + bottles can be a tricky combination. While not all babies are picky about the bottles they love, many are, and you run the risk of ending up with a whole lot of wasted bottles (and wasted money) if you register for or buy a large gift set of bottles to only find out your baby won’t take them. Make your life a lot easier with this exclusive glass bottle try-it bundle. It features four popular glass bottles (Lansinoh, Chicco, Dr. Brown’s and BIBS) so you can test out a variety of shapes, sizes and styles to see what your family prefers before you go all in. You can’t select nipple flow for these bottles—they all come with a Level 1 slow flow nipple—so they may not be ideal for older babies. This set also only includes glass bottle options, but we also have our original Babylist Bottle Box if you’re interested in testing out some plastic and silicone options.

Best Glass Baby Bottles for Colic

Pros:
  • A parent + lactation consultant fave
  • Consistent nipple flow performance
  • Can also be used without the venting system
Cons:
  • A lot of parts to clean
  • Some parents say they’re heavy
  • Longer nipple may cause gag reflex for some babies

Dr. Brown’s plastic version of this bottle is well-known for its unique venting system (and a top pick in our best baby bottles guide). Their glass option features the same anti-colic action parents have come to love. These bottles are designed to aid in digestion and reduce feeding issues like colic, spit-up, burping and gas. The nipple and wide-neck design are perfect for bottle- and breastfed babies (though the nipple may be too long for some babies). The heat-resistant glass is built to withstand temperature changes. Like their plastic counterpart, these bottles have a lot of pieces, which can be cumbersome to clean.

Real Parent Reviews

“My 6-week-old has been having issues with spitting up large amounts of formula after he eats. We changed his formula and that helped for a while but the spit-up problem came back after a few weeks. The flow rate with this bottle helped a lot with almost eliminating the spit-up issues we were having. These bottles work well but all the parts make it a little bit of a hassle to clean these.” — momma_lady

“I got this narrow glass bottle for my son because we already have the plastic bottles and love them. We wanted to try out the glass for the more sanitary reasons and this option just made sense. It is a bit heavy for my son to hold entirely on his own so it does require me to hold it for his feedings whereas the normal plastic bottles he can hold up himself. The insert is easy to clean and [it comes] with a little brush to get inside and into the little holes to make sure it’s thoroughly cleaned. Dishwasher safe which we loved. All around a great glass bottle.” — Lmama

Most Affordable Glass Baby Bottle

Pros:
  • Great value (<$3.00 per bottle)
  • The ergonomic-twist design makes them easy to hold
  • Lightweight
Cons:
  • No anti-colic system
  • Not as durable as other glass baby bottles

All of the features that make the plastic version of this one great are featured in this glass version, too. They’re the most affordable glass bottles on our list by far and we love the simple, no-frills design. Although they’re glass, they’re lighter than most of the other bottles on this list (though you do need to be a bit more careful with them). The twisted design makes them easy for you or baby to hold. They’re also easy to clean since they only have three parts. They do not have any anti-colic venting features, which may be a deal breaker for some babies. Quite a few parents mention they use Dr. Brown’s nipples (which do have air valves) with these glass bottles to solve for that.

Real Parent Reviews

“Best bottles we have owned. I did notice a lot of people buy better nipples with these. My son seemed to naturally take to releasing the pressure so we just let him use what they came with instead of buying more. If you have a baby that’s not a good latcher due to tongue tie or some other palate issue you’d want to buy a better nipple with a valve that works. Again for us it really wasn’t a big issue, but I can see how it could be a struggle with some babies.” — A.T.

“The quality was as expected—I have used these for every pregnancy for breast milk storage. I know they’re easy to clean, never had leaking issues, and as stated, can be used for versatile purposes beyond formula feeding. They’re lightweight and nice.” — Mariah B.

Best Hybrid Glass Baby Bottles

Pros:
  • Lighter compared to an all-glass bottle
  • Anti-colic valve
  • Durable
Cons:
  • Some parents say the nipple leaks easily when the bottle is tilted

Love the feel and light weight of a plastic bottle but the purity of glass? Meet the Hybrid, a first of its kind. These bottles feature a pure glass inner layer and a plastic outer layer. They’re break-proof and won’t shatter, chip, crack or flake. They also won’t discolor or stain. A few parents note the nipples on these bottles leak easily when tipped (something I personally noticed as well).

Real Parent Reviews

“Since my son was born, I have been trying to find a baby bottle that would work for him. Every bottle I tried for my son, he would either choke because the milk came too fast, or he would get frustrated because the milk did not come [out quickly] enough. This bottle is literally perfect! My son takes it happily, latches on really nicely, and because of the anti-colic valve, he seems happier after he eats as well! The nipple is designed perfectly out of silicone which creates a natural eating experience by imitating the shape, skin-like texture, and flow of a mother’s breast. Besides the colors of the bottle which are so cool, I also love the hybrid glass interior and plastic exterior! It keeps the inside of the bottle clean and sterile, while the plastic outer layer makes the bottle durable and strong! This is an amazing feature that many other bottles are lacking. The bottles are also so easy to clean and put together, minimizing the time between preparation and feeding. There are a few downsides that I’ve found in these bottles. Firstly, when tipped, they drip pretty easily, and secondly, the designs and measurements on the outside of the bottle faded after being washed just a few times.” — M.R.

“This was the 5th bottle type we tried for our 4-week-old. She has a tongue and lip tie we are waiting to get revised and a more recessed chin than most babies. We tried Dr. browns, nanobebe and avent naturals. All leaked, clicked, made her gassy and choke. The Mam bottle was almost good, but the Chicco Duo is PERFECT! The nipple is slightly larger than Mam which my little one needed. I also love the slight texture to the nipple, it allows her to grip and stay latched with her ties. No more noises, leaking or gagging. I also LOVE the glass inside. The bottle is extremely lightweight and feels like a nice plastic bottle. Well made and so easy to clean! Only Issues—the flow of the nipple is just a hair too fast, I would like it a bit slower. The nipple can collapse sometimes especially if you forget to check the nipple vent.” — Mariah B

Best Glass Bottle with a Unique Nipple

Pros:
  • 1-piece anti-colic air system
  • Unique nipple design to mimic natural nipple anatomy
Cons:
  • A bit heavy

Although these bottles will work just as well for exclusively bottle-fed babies, the unique design of the Nuk Simply Glass nipples mimics the flow and shape the breast takes while breastfeeding, making them helpful for babies who are transitioning between breastfeeding and the bottle. The scooped nipple cavity also allows space for baby’s tongue and jaw to move naturally. And the one-piece anti-colic air system helps reduce colic, gas and spit-up. Since they’re made of thick, durable glass, these bottles are pretty heavy.

Real Parent Reviews

“We’ve introduced these bottles to our almost 1-month-old and they are splendid. They don’t fit the Spectra pump we use but that’s no problem. We save milk in silicone bags and pour off a meal’s worth each time. The bottle goes into a Phillips warmer and gets nice and toasty. I like glass, to hold and to clean. With few parts, these are quickly hand-washed and set to dry. Every part seems to be well-constructed. They are indeed slow flow. No major gas problems have resulted from feeding and the baby doesn’t have bottle preference over the breast. With these, you get what you pay for in spades.” — Vadim

“Way easier to warm up than the plastic bottles! I do like the nipples that came with my plastic NUK bottles better and it sucks that they aren’t interchangeable but the ease of cleaning with the glass, plus how well they warm up, makes them a winner for me. They are nice thick and sturdy glass too so you don’t have to worry as much about them breaking. 100% would buy again and I strongly suggest them to anyone who’s thinking about trying glass bottles.” — mvaander2

Best Glass Bottles for Breastfed Babies

Pros:
  • Loved by lactation consultants
  • Easy to clean
Cons:
  • Some parents say they can break easily
  • Limited size options

Specially designed for breastfed babies, these glass bottles feature the brand’s NaturalWave Nipple, a soft and flexible silicone nipple that helps babies mimic the same sucking motion they do at the breast when they’re bottle feeding. Another perk: the nipple, collar and cap on these bottles are compatible with Lansinoh plastic bottles, making it easy to switch between the two. They’re only available in two sizes—five and eight ounces—and some parents said they break easily if accidentally dropped.

Real Parent Reviews

“We’ve used every brand possible before we came across these! My son instantly latched onto them and feeding has been a breeze since. The bottles being glass gives my wife and I peace of mind. The bottles also clean extremely well in a dishwasher. We bought 12 bottles total and we can rotate through 2 sets of 6 bottles and it makes life so much easier. They’re also very durable. We’ve dropped them on accident both full and empty and they don’t have any chips, cracks or scratches. If you have a fussy baby and the other brands of bottles don’t work, I’d recommend these as the wide nipple seems to do the trick in mimicking a breast very well!” — Bart K.

“I was unsure if glass bottles would feel too breakable. But these have been perfect and feel sturdy. Love storing milk in glass instead of plastic. Also, they heat up in a bottle warmer faster than plastic. Extra bonus.” — Rb

Glass Bottle Most-Loved by Lactation Consultants

Pros:
  • Sloped nipple great for breastfed babies
  • Easy to clean
  • Anti-colic vent system
Cons:
  • They’re only available on Amazon and the brand’s website
  • Some parents say the nipple sizing is confusing

These bottles are well-loved by lactation consultants, and for good reason. The gradual nipple shape encourages a latch similar to how baby would nurse at the breast, making it a great bottle to start with when introducing a bottle or for babies who seem to refuse everything parents have tried. There are only a few parts to keep track of and clean and the nipples can be used on some other bottle brands (like Lansinoh). They’re not easy to find, though; Amazon seems to be the main retailer here in the US at the moment. Some parents say figuring out the correct nipple flow can be confusing, since the range doesn’t follow the typical numbering system of most brands.

Real Parent Reviews

“After trying so many bottle brands (Dr. Browns, nanobaby, NUK, Mam, Lansinoh) for our exclusively breastfed 3-month-old baby girl I am so happy that we landed on the pigeon bottle!! It’s the only bottle with a nipple that is actually soft and flexible like a real nipple. After going back to work, it’s been a struggle to find a bottle that our girl will latch on to. After many days of tears and trial and error we were starting to lose hope and I was starting to feel discouraged. Keep in mind, it still took about a day or two of practice for her to get used to it but it’s the only bottle she even came close to latching on to and actually finished the bottle. If this sounds like you, give this bottle a try. I hope it works for you like it did for us.” — S.C.

“After doing a bit of experimentation with various bottles and nipples, these Pigeon bottles with accompanying nipples (I actually bought in a few sizes) are amazing. Easy to clean, baby latches quickly, few parts with which to hassle, and leak-proof. Our son is bottle and breastfed, so we didn’t have any issues with him latching; I imagine it may be worthwhile for breast-exclusive babies to try when they are introduced to the bottle.” — Susan M.

Most Durable Glass Baby Bottle

Pros:
  • Silicone sleeves make them easy to grip
  • Can freeze milk directly in the bottle
  • Easy to clean
Cons:
  • Longer nipple may cause the gag reflex for some babies
  • Some parents say they leak
  • Pricey

With a rainbow of color options to choose from, picking out your favorite is going to be your biggest problem when it comes to these bottles. Known for their modern design and high quality, Lifefactory delivers once again with these durable, medical-grade glass bottles. They’re completely dishwasher safe—no need to remove the silicone sleeve—and can safely transition from freezer to boiling water. It’s easy to mix and match nipples, caps and sleeves and to transition the bottles to sippy cups once your little one is ready. ome parents say the bottles leak no matter how tight they screw the cap, and they’re a bit pricier than other options out there.

Real Parent Reviews

“Glass bottles and avoiding plastic are a high priority for me when it comes to choosing a bottle for my baby. These bottles have leach-free glass, and don’t have large plastic ventilators in them like the [other] glass bottles we got. These bottles are more resistant to breaking than other glass bottles. Another pro of these bottles is how many colors they come in. I am trying to establish a freezer supply of breast milk, and they make it easy to keep track of what was pumped [and] when.” — C

“I have several of these bottles and they are my favorite for my now 11-month-old. I like that they’re glass and silicone and LOVE that they are so easy to clean with only the bottle, plastic top and nipple. They were perfect for when I’d pour breast milk in. But I switched to formula recently [and] they can be kind of messy when making bottles because the formula scoop is about the same size as the bottle opening. It just takes a little time to get the hang of it and I make sure I wipe off the top of the bottle so it’s not wet when I’m trying to add the formula. It wouldn’t deter me from using these again with the next baby and I’m sure they’ll last! With my first baby, I went through several bottles because they weren’t as durable as these. These will last for the next baby even! Plus they are beautiful with vibrant colors on the silicon sleeves!” — A

How We Chose the Best Bottles for Breastfed Babies

  • We analyzed results from Babylist’s Best Baby Products survey, which polled 6,000 Babylist users and asked them to share the baby products they love the most and why.
  • We utilized insight from the Babylist editorial team, including me, assistant editor, Briana Engelbrecht, CLC, and a mom of two who has personally researched and tested many different types of baby bottles.
  • We interviewed Jessica Madden, board-certified pediatrician and neonatologist, and an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) and medical director at Aeroflow Breastpumps.
  • We read customer reviews from hundreds of Babylist users and spoke to parents on our Babylist staff about their real-life product experiences.

What to look for

If the idea of giving a baby something made of glass doesn’t sound like the best parenting decision, we get it. But not to worry, because glass baby bottles have some unique features that set them apart from everyday glass. Here’s what to look for when choosing a glass bottle for your baby.

  • Ultra-durable. Glass bottles are made from tempered glass, a “toughened” type of glass that’s processed in a way that gives it much more strength than normal glass. This means they’ll be able to stand up to being banged around and even dropped. (Phew!) And if they do manage to break, they break similar to a car window in that they won’t break into sharp pieces
  • Thermal-shock resistant. This is a fancy way of saying that glass bottles can go from freezing cold to piping hot without breaking. This comes in handy if you’re storing breast milk in your glass bottle in the fridge, for example, and then heating it up before giving it to baby.
  • Easy to clean. Although not the case with all glass bottles, most of the glass options on our list have fewer parts and a more straightforward design than many popular plastic bottles—which means they’re easier to clean. And if you’re not in a hand wash sort of mood, you’ll also be able to toss glass bottles into the dishwasher without the fear of chemical leaching.
  • Don’t forget the nipple. Nipple shape and flow are big factors in whether your baby will take one bottle over another. From long and skinny to gradually sloped—there are plenty of options available so you can figure out which your baby prefers. Breastfed babies tend to prefer nipples that are gradually sloped, since it used the same mechanics at paly when they’re nursing at the breast. If you’re not worried about going from breast to bottle, the standard Dr. Brown’s-style nipple is usually just fine.

Are glass bottles safer than plastic bottles?

There are a lot of baby bottles on the market these days. The bulk of them are made from plastic, but a growing number of brands (and parents) are now embracing the once-retro idea of glass bottles and bringing them back with full force. But why?

The initial concern over plastic baby bottles was because of bisphenol A, commonly referred to as BPA, an industrial chemical used to make certain plastics. Studies have shown that BPA can leach into food or beverages, potentially causing negative health effects. Because of this, the FDA banned BPA from all sippy cups and baby bottles in 2012.

Removing BPA from plastic bottles was a definite step in the right direction. However, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, the jury’s still out on health and safety concerns around plastics, especially in children. Pediatricians now recommend avoiding microwaving beverages in plastic when possible, for example. A study from 2020 suggests that plastic bottles can shed microplastics when heated in general. Want more info? Check out our full article on the safety of plastic bottles.

“Glass bottles are safer in that they can be heated up and put into a dishwasher without a risk of chemical or microplastic exposure to baby,” says Madden, a board-certified pediatrician, neonatologist and IBCLC. She says the best way to limit exposure to microplastics is to hand-wash plastic bottles. And you should never put any bottles in the microwave. If you don’t think you’d be up for handwashing your baby’s bottles, or have concerns about leaching, then glass bottles may be the right choice for you.

Pros and Cons of Glass vs. Plastic Bottles

There are pros and cons to both glass and plastic baby bottles. Deciding which type of bottles are right for you is a matter of personal preference.

Glass bottles

Pros: Glass bottles don’t absorb colors or odors like silicone or plastic bottles sometimes can. Glass bottles can go from cold to hot without breaking and can go into the dishwasher without the fear of chemical leaching. Glass bottles often have fewer parts to clean.

Cons: Glass bottles are heavy and harder to hold. They’re more expensive and there are fewer options to choose from. Dr. Madden points out that some daycare centers may not accept glass bottles due to their potential to break, so check with yours if you’re using glass bottles.

Plastic bottles

Pros: There are lots of options if you want plastic bottles. They’re more affordable than glass and are lightweight, won’t break when dropped and are easy to hold.

Cons: The jury’s still out on health and safety concerns around plastics in children, especially when heated. Many plastic bottles have a lot of small parts and are time-consuming to clean. “Plastic bottles should also be replaced as soon as they show signs of ‘wear and tear’ such as scratches or discoloration/clouding to prevent microplastic exposure,” says Dr. Madden.

EXPERT SOURCE: Dr. Jessica Madden, Medical Director, board-certified pediatrician and neonatologist, and an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) at Aeroflow Breastpumps.

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