4 Alternatives to Plastic Baby Bottles

Most people remember the big uproar about BPA in baby products in the early 2010s. Bisphenol A, is a chemical used in the production of plastic and linings. It can be found everywhere – water bottles, cling wrap, toys, cups, canned food linings and baby products. The problem is that BPA is a known hormone disruptor and has been linked to problems with brain development and reproduction. The most concerning of these was the issue of BPA in baby bottles. The most vulnerable and still developing population was getting some of the highest exposure to BPA due to baby bottles. Thankfully, BPA has been banned in baby products in many countries, but many sources are now hinting that BPA-free alternatives can be just as – if not more dangerous. BPS (Bisphenol S), is the most commonly used alternative to BPA – and has been linked to many of the same concerns as BPA was – hormonal disruption, increased hyperactivity and heart arrhythmia – except the effects seem to be amplified (source).

With all the controversy (not to mention the havoc plastic wreaks on the environment) of plastic, I prefer not to use it at all for things that go into my baby’s mouth. Luckily, there’s a wide variety of plastic alternatives available on the market.

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1. Glass – Glass is a classic that has been used for decades (although I would hesitate to use older bottles for fear of lead). It’s easy to clean, doesn’t get foggy like plastic, and is easier on the environment. The disadvantages of glass are that they tend to be heavier than their plastic counterparts making it harder for baby’s to self feed at an earlier age, and they are subject to breakage – although silicone and fabric sleeves are available for purchase to aid in preventing breakage. More and more brands on getting on board with the glass trend.

• Lifefactory – This is a favorite in our house. The bottles are durable and the silicon sleeve adds a pop of color while keeping it safe. We use a lot of Lifefactory’s products in our house besides just baby bottles. Lifefactory is available for purchase on Amazon (affiliate) and The Natural Baby Company (affiliate).
• Natursutten – Mostly known for their natural rubber pacifiers and teethers, they also produce glass baby bottles. Available on Natursutten.com.
• Joovy – The Joovy Boob has received a lot of praise for their innovative nipple design that more accurately resemble the breast. It’s available in glass with a silicon sleeve as well. The Joovy Boob is available on Amazon.com (affiliate) and most baby stores.

2. Stainless Steel – Stainless steel bottles are a great option for bottles as well. They are less likely to break than glass, but still have the durability of plastic. They do tend to be slightly heavier than plastic, but aren’t quite as heavy as glass, making it a good option for small hands. Most stainless steel brands also offer different spout options that fit their bottles as well – meaning this bottle can transition from a bottle, to a sippy cup and beyond. Since it is metal, the bottle tends to take on the temperature of the liquid inside of it very quickly. The inside of the bottle has measuring marks.

• Kleen Kanteen – Kleen Kanteen is one of the industry leaders in stainless steel bottles. Available on Amazon.com (affiliate).
• Pura Kiki – Pura Kiki offers one of the only certified nontoxic bottles on the market. Unlike Kleen Kanteen in which the lid/topper screws into plastic, Pura Kiki contains NO plastic. Pura Kiki is available in multiple non toxic colors or silicon sleeves and fits a variety of nipples on the market. Pura Kiki is available on Amazon (affiliate) and The Natural Baby Company (affiliate).

• Aquaheat Bottle & Warmer – I recently got a chance to try the Aquaheat bottle and warmer and it’s a really neat little set! It’s a wonderful 10 oz stainless steel bottle, but what really sets it apart is the portable bottle warmer it comes with. No electricity or batteries required. Get it on amazon.com

3. Silicon – Medical grade silicon is a soft, nontoxic, flexible material used to make a variety of products. Silicon is generally considered the safest material for nipples and pacifiers, and companies have recently started to make the entire bottle out it.

• Comotomo – I’ve heard so many great things about these bottles; I’ve been meaning to pick one up. They come in two colors, pink or green, with a wide base nipple to mimic the breast. The silicon material means the bottles are flexible and squishy – perfect for little hands that like to explore – plus the nipple requires suction, meaning no leaks. Comotomo is available Amazon (affiliate) and The Natural Baby Company (affiliate).
• Honest Company – The soft flexible bottle is great for little ones’ hand eye coordination. Read my full review on the Honest Company Silicone bottle here. Honest Company bottles are available on Amazon.com (affiliate) or The Honest Company‘s website.

4. Hybrid – A hybrid bottle is simple a bottle that combines two or more material types.

• 5 Phases – This is hands down our favorite bottle at home and I plan to do a full review on it soon. 5 Phases combines the safety of glass with the durability of plastic. Glass inserts are held by a plastic shell that is curved to fit their hands. Since the outer shell does not come into contact with liquids, you can resuse the shell and swap out the glass insert on the inside. The inserts are also great for storing pumped breastmilk. 5 Phases is available for purchase on Amazon.com and 5Phases.com.
• Green Sprouts – Green sprouts doesn’t make baby bottles, but they do make sippy cups which is worth a quick mention. Similar to 5 Phases, the liquid is inside a glass insert, which is placed into a plastic outside; it even has optional handles. Available on IPlayBaby.com or Amazon.com (affiliate).

Unfortunately, plastic may not the best material for baby bottles anymore, but luckily there are a wide variety of options to choose from. Have you used any of the bottles from my list? Did I miss any? Weigh in in the comments below!