You would think that all baby bottles are made equally but you couldn’t be more wrong.
There are so many different types of bottles available that it is mind-blowing and they all claim to be the one that will solve all your feeding problems from spit-up, gas, and even nipple confusion!
Many of their claims are very true and there have been huge leaps in the design of baby’s bottles in order to combat these exact problems.
So we took a look at two of the most popular brands available Dr. Brown vs Avent. But which brand wins the race, take a look below to find out the pros and cons of each brand.
| Title | Price | Prime | Buy | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Dr. Brown's Baby Bottle, Options+ Anti-Colic Narrow Bottle, 8 Ounce (Pack of 4) | PrimeEligible | Buy Now | |
 | Philips Avent Natural Baby Bottle, Clear, 9oz, 4pk, SCF013/47 | PrimeEligible | Buy Now |
In this article
The Main Differences Between Dr. Brown vs Avent Bottles
Not all bottles are made the same and these two brands are no different. Here are the main differences between Dr. Brown vs Avent bottles.
- Dr. Brown bottles operate on an internal vent system, this basically means that your baby gets less air in each gulp, leading to less gas and stomach upset. While the Avent bottles do not have this feeding system.
- Avent bottles are slightly more expensive than the Dr. Brown bottles but only by a few dollars for four bottles.
- Dr. Brown bottles can be tricky to clean as they have a few different pieces that have to be taken apart and you will require a very small brush, whereas Avent bottles are easier to wash and are also dishwasher friendly.
What Is So Great About Dr. Brown Bottles?
Most parents have heard of Dr. Brown bottles and only a few years ago, they were a huge breakthrough in baby’s bottles. Their bottles have a specially patented two-piece internal vent system that eliminates air and provides vacuum-free feeding.
This system helps to reduce air bubble oxidation of the milk and so essential vitamins are preserved.
By using this system it also ensures that your baby takes in less air when they’re feeding and so reducing the amount of gassiness and colic that they are suffering from.
Dr. Brown
Key Features
- Specially patented with a two-piece internal vent system that eliminates air and provides vacuum-free feeding.
- Reduces air bubble oxidation of the milk.
- Preserves vitamins and lipids, both of which are key to your baby’s health.
- Essential vitamins such as A, C, and E are preserved because air never mixes with the milk.
- You need to take all parts out of the bottles to clean thoroughly. You will need different sized brushes it can be a little tricky.
- Dr. Brown bottles are available in two, four, and eight-ounce options.
- Both breast milk and formula can flow freely through the nipple without it collapsing.
- Contains no PVC, lead, or phthalates
Pros
- They have been clinically proven to reduce colic in infants.
- They have a patented feeding system that reduces air intake.
- Economically priced
- Easy to measure accurately as bottles are straight
Cons
- The bottles are quite difficult to clean as there are some very small parts.
- As the bottles do not have a flat bottom there is a greater risk of them tipping over.
- They are prone to leaking
- It is quite difficult to get wide neck accessories at the grocery store.
What Is So Great About Avent Bottles?
Avent is a well-known brand that has been around for over 30 years and they were the first company to make bottles that were short with a wide neck. They were also the first company to produce teats from odorless and tasteless silicone.
Avent bottles are super easy to clean with very few parts. Their nipples have a petal design that prevents nipple collapse and it also helps to promote a natural latch like your baby would have if they were breastfeeding.
They also have a great anti-colic system but do not have hundreds of different parts to clean.
Avent
Features
- The Avent bottles are available in four, nine, and 11-ounce bottles.
- The bottles are easy to clean as they have very few parts and they are even dishwasher safe.
- Avent bottles are available online at Amazon and also in some grocery stores.
Avent Pros
- Only come with a few pieces so super easy to clean.
- Nipples can easily be changed for slower or faster-flowing ones.
- Nipples are designed to mimic a real breast so less chance of nipple confusion.
- Unlike similar bottles, they won’t leak when in your diaper bag.
- They can provide some relief for babies suffering from colic or gassiness.
Avent Cons
- They are a little more expensive than the Dr. Brown bottles
- The slowest flow nipple may be too fast for some babies.
- As the nipple does not go far enough into your little one’s mouth, you may experience some leaking.
FAQs
Which Dr. Brown bottles are suitable for newborns?
Brown’s Natural Flow Options+ Anti-colic baby bottles newborn feeding set would be the best option for a newborn. It comes complete with everything that you need to get started.
What is the difference between the green and blue Dr. Brown bottles?
You may have noticed that there are 2 main types of Dr. Brown’s Natural Flow bottles.
The ones with blue inserts are the original bottles, while the ones with green inserts are the options plus bottles which is a newer version of the options bottles.
Do Dr. Brown bottles have an expiry date?
Baby bottles do not usually have an expiration date, but they will need to be replaced periodically due to normal wear and tear. Plastic baby bottles should be replaced when they are cracked, chipped, discolored, or leaking.
What size do nipples come on Avent bottles?
Avent nipples are available in a variety of sizes according to your baby’s age and the speed of flow.
First flow nipples – 0-1 month, Newborn nipple – 0-3 months, Slow flow nipple – 1-3 months, Medium flow nipple – 3-6 months, variable flow nipple – 3+ months, and fast flow nipple – 6+ months.
Can you use Dr. Brown nipples in Avent bottles?
Avent bottles work with the following nipple brands: Dr. Brown’s wide neck nipples.
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Dr. Brown vs Avent – Our Choice
Both Dr. Brown and Avent bottles are fantastic bottles and each has its pros and cons. The choice that you make will also depend on the preference of your baby and if they are suffering from colic or excess gas.
Dr. Brown bottles do just pip Avent at the post with their advanced anti-colic system that is proven to reduce colic and fussiness in infants. They are also slightly cheaper than the Avent bottles.
These benefits seem to put them on the top of the list for best bottles by parents. There is one drawback to them and that is that they truly are a pain to clean as they have so many parts.
But if it means that your baby is more comfortable and able to feed without pain and discomfort most parents will figure it out, they’re worth it.
The Final Thought
Like all baby products what works for one doesn’t necessarily work for another baby or parent for that matter. The question of if a bottle is good or bad does come down to your own personal experience with it.
Personally, I have used Avent bottles, they were great, never had any problems with them at all. They were super easy to clean and maintain. But I haven’t used Dr. Brown bottles but that doesn’t mean that they are a better or worse option for your baby.
Do your research, talk to other moms about their experiences. Ultimately, you’ll have to find the bottle.
In fact, all other baby products that work for your baby and it does not necessarily mean that what you choose will be the top of every baby list. But does it really matter?
