Should I use glass baby bottles and which are the best to buy?
Most babies will have a bottle at some point. And 82% of these bottles used across the world are plastic. But it hasn’t always been this way. Clay, terracotta and pewter have all been used, while the very luckiest babies got animal horn. Glass bottles emerged in the mid-19th century and had a rubber tube that was so hard to clean and so full of bacteria, they were nicknamed ‘murder bottles’. And now we have plastic baby bottles, which we’ve been happily using since the Sixties. But a study has raised concerns about microplastics. Are these the new ‘murder bottles’? Quick answer: absolutely not. Don’t panic and rush out for an animal horn. Here’s everything you need to know.
What does the research say? In simple terms, please.
High temperatures are required to safely sterilise baby bottles and prepare formula. This heat, as well as shaking the formula, causes millions of microplastics and trillions of nanoplastics to be shed into the milk. I’m not even sure what a trillion is but I think we can all agree this sounds like a lot. I truly feel for the researcher in charge of counting these. I hope they didn’t get interrupted near the end and have to start again.
What are microplastics?
As the name suggests, they are tiny bits of plastic that are released when plastic starts to degrade. They are pretty much everywhere – drinking water, seas, fish, soil, air, the top of mountains, Antarctic sea ice, human tissue. They’re quite hard to avoid. Even though they are less than 5mm in diameter. Nanoplastics are even smaller - less than 0.001mm in diameter. I feel even more sorry for that researcher now.
Microplastics found in the sea off the coast of Spain. This is a close up photo (obviously).
My baby uses plastic baby bottles. Do I need to be worried?
More research is needed but there is currently not enough evidence to conclude that microplastics are harmful to our health. It’s thought that many are just excreted. Those involved in the study urge parents not to be alarmed. But to be on the safe side, they suggest adapting the way bottles are prepared to reduce microplastics consumption.
If I still want to use plastic bottles, what can I do to reduce the microplastics?
1. If using powdered formula, make it in a non-plastic container. This is because both the hot water used (which should be at least 70°C) and the shaking contribute to the shedding of the microplastics. If the non-plastic container doesn’t have a lid, you could stir it with a sterilised (non-plastic!) spoon.
2. It’s important to sterilise baby bottles for the first year. When using a hot sterilising method (microwave, electric, boiling) wait for the bottles to cool before use. Then boil some water in a non-plastic container and once cooled, use it to rinse the bottles three times.
3. Use cold water sterilisation.
4. When warming formula or expressed milk, never use a microwave.
THIS SOUNDS LIKE A RIGHT FAFF. what are the pros and cons of glass baby bottles?
PROS
No concerns about microplastics.
More environmentally friendly.
Easier to clean. Plastic can get small scratches that bacteria like to play hide and seek in.
Plastic bottles can sometimes affect the taste of the milk as it absorbs odours.
They are very durable so can be used for more than one child.
CONS
A bit more expensive.
Slightly harder to get hold of from your local shops but they are still easy to buy online.
Heavier than plastic so harder for your baby to hold if they want to feed themselves. They may also make your changing bag heavier, especially if you’re carrying more than one.
Not as easy to grip, but you can buy silicone sleeves to help with this.
There’s always the chance of them breaking and chipping, even though they are usually made of toughened, reinforced glass.
Glass retains heat so it can be hot to touch at first.
Probably not a good idea to leave a glass baby bottle on the floor.
Can I put a glass baby bottle in a bottle warmer or steriliser?
Glass baby bottles are made from glass that can withstand high temperatures. Many are made from borosilicate glass, which is very durable and thermal shock resistant. This means it can go from the freezer to warm water without cracking. It also means they should be fine in a bottle warmer or steriliser. Always check the instructions first though.
Are they are any other options apart from plastic or glass?
Yes. Stainless steel. These are durable and easy to clean. They also keep the milk warmer for longer. However, this is not always a good thing if you’re trying to cool it down and the lack of transparency makes it harder to measure the amount of milk. Some have measurements on the inside and outside, like the excellent Klean Kanteen (Amazon link) bottles.
There are also silicone bottles. These are made from silica, which is a component of sand. They are lightweight, durable and non-toxic. The Boon Nursh silicone bottles (Amazon link) are very popular. This innovatively designed bottle collapses as the baby drinks to reduce air intake.
THE BEST GLASS BABY BOTTLES TO BUY
This list has been narrowed down to the very best with thorough research and the following considered:
Consumer reviews
Best-seller lists
Recommendations from industry experts
Award-winning products
Personal experience and the products loved by other parents.
The list is updated annually. It was last updated on 28 February 2024.
If you buy through a link, I may earn a small affiliate commission. 5% of profits are donated to UK Baby Banks to help parents in need of essentials.
1. Dr Brown's Options+ Anti-Colic 150ml Glass Bottle
This much-loved anti-colic bottle, which is clinically proven to reduce colic and wind, is also available in glass.
The two bottles come with breast-like level 1 teats that are made from a high-grade, soft silicone.
They are also available in 270ml with faster flow teats.
There are Dr Brown silicone sleeves available to buy: Amazon link.
2. Lansinoh Glass Baby Bottle
This 160ml glass bottle comes with a slow-flow, silicone teat that is suitable for a newborn.
The teat has also been specially designed to not confuse breastfed babies and encourages a baby’s natural ‘wave-like’ tongue movement.
There is a ventilation system to reduce colic.
The bottle is made from borosilicate glass, which is very durable and doesn’t crack under extreme temperatures.
For extra eco-friendly points, it is 100% recyclable.
It’s also available in 240ml with a faster flow teat.
3. NUK First Choice+ Glass Baby Bottle Starter Set
This set has 2 x 120ml glass bottles and 2 x 240ml glass bottles.
They come with size 1, silicone, breast-like teats that are suitable from newborn.
Faster flow teats are available to buy separately.
There is also an anti-colic system.
4. Tommee Tippee closer to nature Glass Baby Bottles Starter Set
The set comes with 2 x 260ml and 1 x 150ml bottles, teats, a dummy and a bottle brush.
They have an anti-colic valve.
There are 3 slow flow and 2 medium flow teats included. They are silicone, breast-like teats.
Made from borosilicate glass.
92% of parents (in a survey of 1200) said their baby accepted this bottle within three attempts, so this might be a good choice for fussy babies.
5. MAM Feel Good Glass Bottle set
Beautifully designed glass bottles in a set of two 260ml and one 170ml bottle with slow and medium flow silicone teats and a soother.
It’s possible to buy 90ml, 170ml and 260ml bottles separately.
Made using strong, temperature-resistant glass.
The bottles can be used in bottle warmers and sterilisers.
There is a protective cap, which can also be used to measure milk powder.
6. BIBS glass baby bottles
Made by the Danish dummy company, these are beautifully designed and come in lovely colours.
Available in 110ml and 225ml.
Heat and shock-resistant durable glass.
Anti-colic design and breast-like nipple.
The rim has a collapsable funnel to make adding formula powder easier.
Comes with a milk lock lid to prevent spills.
Natural rubber latex nipple.