Overview: Are Narrow Or Wide Neck Bottles Preferrable?
Dr. Brown’s bottles are among the most popular brands in the US and globally. Both offer vacuum-free feeding to reduce colic, burping, spit-up, and gas. But what do you get your baby (or gift at a baby shower) – the wide-neck or standard (narrow-neck) bottle?
As the brand’s first product, Dr. Brown’s narrow-neck bottle has a longer history on the market. Dr. Brown’s claims that their standard bottles are the #1 most recommended baby bottles by pediatricians in the US. (1)
Because of their slimmer design and narrower nipples, the standard bottles may also be preferred by medical professionals in NICUs and hospitals for preemies and babies with medical problems. (2)
However, the brand also claims that Dr. Brown’s Options+ wide-neck baby bottles may be preferred by as much as 93% of babies, based on the IQVIA Health ProVoice Survey 2023. (1)
The wider nipple and bottle design mimic a mom’s breastmilk, making them ideal for breastfeeding babies.
Still, different babies can have varied preferences.
Speech pathologist and lactation consultant Julie Matheney of LA Lactation, LLC recommends the standard bottle because even with the narrow nipple, it can offer a wider, deeper latch. However, if your baby prefers a wide-neck bottle, she added that it’s also okay to let them use it. (3)
We also provide a detailed review of these products to help you choose the right Dr. Brown’s baby bottle for your little one below.
Key Points: Different Types of Dr. Brown’s Bottles
What Is The Difference Between Dr. Brown’s Wide-Neck And Standard Bottles?
The bottles have a similar design and function and only differ in neck width. They’re also available in glass bottles, have silicone nipples, and can be used with different nipple flow rates.
Wide-Neck Bottles
- Dr. Brown’s Options+ Wide-Neck Bottle (plastic or glass)
- Dr. Brown’s Natural Flow Original Wide-Neck Anti-Colic Bottle (plastic)
Narrow-Neck Bottles
- Dr. Brown’s Options+ Narrow-Neck Bottle (plastic or glass)
- Dr. Brown’s Natural Flow Original Narrow-Neck Anti-Colic Bottle (plastic)
What Is The Difference Between Dr Brown’s Original And Options+?
Dr. Brown’s original bottles have a blue vent that needs to be in place during feeding.
The Natural Flow (original) bottles have been proven effective for colic, decreasing colicky infants’ fussing and crying time in a study as early as 2006. (4)
The original anti-colic bottle has a patented internal vent system designed for vacuum-free feeding.
The Options+ bottles have vents in different colors (e.g., green, pink, blue, purple, etc.) that you can remove when your baby is ready for a regular bottle without a venting system (e.g., when your baby is no longer colicky).
Common Features For All Bottle Types Or Designs
- Nipple Sizes Available: Preemies (0m+), Level 1 (0m+), Level 2 (3m+), Level 3 (6m+), Level 4 (9m+), and Y-Cut (9m+)
- Varied nipple flow rates mimic a mom’s breastmilk, making them ideal for breastfed babies (choose slower flow for younger babies; gradually switch to faster flow as they grow older)
- Designed to prevent spit-up, reflux, excessive burping, and colic by drawing air bubbles from the formula or breast milk in the bottle.
- The brand also claims that these baby bottles have been clinically proven to preserve the nutrients from breast milk or formula, including lipids (healthy fatty compounds) and vitamins A, C, and E.
Continue reading for more info about these baby bottles.
Wide-Neck Bottles
Dr. Brown’s Options+ Wide-Neck Bottle
Materials & Types Of Available Bottles
Plastic Bottles
Glass Bottles
Best Features & Reasons To Buy
- Anti-Colic Options: Removable wand-like, straw-like vents (currently available in green, pink, blue, pink, and purple)
- Bottle Sizes Available: Size options include 4 oz, 8 oz, or 9 oz
Safety Features
- Available in BPA-free plastic bottles (free from bisphenol-A, a potentially toxic chemical)
- Also available in glass bottles
Other Features & Description
- Grows with your little one: with vents for preemie or newborn and without vents for older babies
Cons
- Many parts to clean
- Many customer complaints about leaking
Recalls
- None
What Customers Say
Positive Customer Reviews
“I was worried about glass bottles breaking but I did several drop tests and no creaks or breaks!” – Reviewer for the glass bottle on Dr. Brown’s website
“We love the wide neck bottles! So much easier to get the formula into late at night or while holding baby.” – Reviewer for the plastic bottle on Amazon
Negative Customer Reviews
“…I was very disappointed that both bottles are already chipping after 2 uses. It was washed very gently by hands.” – Reviewer for the glass bottle on Dr. Brown’s website
“Why do they leak so much! These bottles are flawed. Also they are so hard to wash.” – Reviewer for the plastic bottle on Amazon
Dr. Brown’s Natural Flow Original Wide-Neck Anti-Colic Bottle
Materials & Types Of Available Bottles
Plastic Bottles
Glass Bottles
- No longer available
Best Features & Reasons To Buy
- Anti-Colic Options: Wand-style vent system (must be placed in the middle of the bottle when in use)
- Bottle Sizes Available: 2 oz, 4 oz, and 8 oz
Safety Features
- Available in BPA-free plastic bottles
Other Features & Description
- The wider bottle nipple design, shaped like a mom’s breast, might help improve your baby’s feeding experience and reduce nipple confusion.
Cons
- The bottles can leak a lot based on customer reviews on online shops
- Can be complicated to assemble, clean, and use
- Glass bottles are no longer available
Recalls
- None
What Customers Say
Positive Customer Reviews
“…The extra cleaning is actually very minimal. More importantly my daughter hasn’t had any problems with gas or upset stomach.” – Reviewer for the plastic bottle on Amazon
Negative Customer Reviews
“I do not recommend these bottles. They leak horribly. We do not have this problem with our other Dr. Browns bottles.” – Reviewer for the plastic bottle on Amazon
Narrow-Neck Bottles
Dr. Brown’s Options+ Narrow-Neck Bottle
Materials & Types Of Available Bottles
Plastic Bottles
Glass Bottles
Best Features & Reasons To Buy
- Anti-Colic Options: Removable wand-like, straw-like vents (currently available in green, pink, blue, pink, and purple)
- Bottle Sizes Available: Size options include 4 oz, 8 oz, or 9 oz
Safety Features
- Available in BPA-free plastic bottles
- Also available in glass bottles
Other Features & Description
- These are bottles that grow with your little one: can be used for preemie or newborn (with vents) to older baby (without vents)
Cons
- Plenty of parts to clean
- Also has many complaints about leaking and glass breakage
- The narrower neck can sometimes make it difficult to pour in powdered milk if the brand has a wider scoop
Recalls
- None
What Customers Say
Positive Customer Reviews
“…They worked wonders to help reduce air from entering (reducing gas), easy to clean, holds 4oz and is easy to travel with. They are light weight and easy to hold while feeding.” – Reviewer for the plastic bottle on Amazon
“Heavy duty glass. No leaking & I love that after washing it doesn’t smell like my dish soap penetrated through to the glass (like it sometimes smelled with the nasty plastic bottles)! Durable for sure!” – Reviewer for the glass bottle on Target
Negative Customer Reviews
“Dr. Brown bottles have so many parts and they leak like crazy from the collar. The nipples also constantly drip. Which was not helpful when your baby has reflux.” – Reviewer for the plastic bottle on Amazon
“despite description of being top rack dishwasher safe they are in fact not. all 8 of my bottles just shattered in the dishwasher. i’ve only had these bottles for 3 months. I typically wash by hand and throw in the dishwasher to sterilize.” – Reviewer for the glass bottle on Target
Dr. Brown’s Natural Flow Original Narrow-Neck Anti-Colic Bottle
Materials & Types Of Available Bottles
Plastic Bottles
Glass Bottles
- No longer available
Best Features & Reasons To Buy
- Anti-Colic Options: Wand-style vent system (always place in the bottle when in use)
- Bottle Sizes Available: 2 oz, 4 oz, and 8 oz
Safety Features
- Available in BPA-free plastic bottles
Other Features & Description
- Offers varied nipple flow rates that mimic breastfeeding
Cons
- Based on customer reviews from online shops, these bottles can leak
- Can be complicated to assemble, use, and/or clean
- Glass bottles are no longer available
Recalls
- None
What Customers Say
Positive Customer Reviews
“.One thing that puts these bottles ahead of the rest is the nipple flow – not too fast, not too little – perfectly mimicking the shape of the natural breast nipple, which made easy for me to transition to bottle feeding from breastfeeding.” – Reviewer for the plastic bottle on Walmart
Negative Customer Reviews
“I hate these bottles they leak no matter what!!! My baby will be soaked and Ive bought different ones new nipples etc they SUCK!!!!” – Reviewer for the plastic bottle on Walmart
Summary & Recommendations
These Dr. Brown’s bottles have similar features. Here are some considerations for choosing your baby’s bottle:
- Choose Options+ for removable vents
- Choose plastic bottles for lighter, cheaper options with no risks of breakage
- Choose glass bottles for safer options (least chemical risks)
- Choose a wide neck for a bottle similarly shaped as breasts
- Choose narrow neck for slimmer bottles that smaller babies might find easier to hold
FAQs
Do Dr. Brown’s Bottles Leak? If Yes, Why?
Many customer reviews show complaints about leaking. Dr. Brown’s explains that there can be many reasons these bottles leak — and it’s supposedly not a design fault.
Here are some tips to reduce or avoid leaking:
1. Don’t Shake The Bottle
Shaking adds air bubbles to the formula and can send fluid into the vent, causing possible leakage.
Instead of shaking to dissolve the powdered formula, the brand recommends using a spoon to stir the fluid or preparing your baby’s formula in a Dr. Brown’s baby formula mixing pitcher.
2. Use At A 45-Degree Angle
Hold the bottle (applies to wide or narrow) at a 45-degree angle to avoid leakage during your baby’s feeding session.
3. Don’t Heat With The Collar Closed
Avoid heating your baby’s formula more than the body temperature or 99°F (37.2°C) because vapor from the heated fluid might go to the vent when the collar is secured or closed. It can lead to leakage.
If you want to warm your baby’s formula more than their recommendation, the brand suggests doing it without the internal vent system. Keep the top open and return the collar and nipple only when you’re ready to feed your baby.
3. Avoid Over-Tightening The Collar
It’s easy to assume that tightening the collar as much as possible can help prevent leaks from baby bottles. However, Dr. Brown’s doesn’t recommend it because it might lead to leaks due to the pressure build-up inside the bottle instead of preventing leaks.
After preparing your baby’s formula (or adding breast milk), twist the collar tightly enough to close, but don’t apply more force than necessary.
This applies to both warmed or cooled formula or breast milk.
Does Dr. Brown’s Offer Replacement Parts For My Baby’s Bottles?
Yes. Replacement parts are available for Dr. Brown’s baby bottles from the brand’s online store or other retailers and shops, including Amazon, Target, and Walmart.
Remember that Dr. Brown’s offers a wide range of baby bottles. So, it’s good to double-check whether the replacement parts you’re buying are intended for the type of bottles your baby uses (e.g., wide neck vs. narrow neck, Options+, etc.)
Preparation & Feeding Tips For Dr. Brown’s Bottles
How To Use Dr. Brown Wide Neck Bottles?
Dr. Brown’s baby wide and narrow bottles are used similarly as long as they have the same design. For example, bottles with the old-style blue internal vent must always have the venting system and Options+ bottles can be used without the vents (regardless of they’re narrow or wide).
How To Clean Dr. Brown’s Bottles
Are Dr. Brown’s Bottles Dishwasher Safe?
Yes. You can sanitize these baby bottles on the top rack of your dishwasher.
How Can I Prevent Mold From My Dr. Brown’s Bottles?
Mold can grow on milk residues stuck in the nooks and crannies of your baby’s bottle. Regularly brushing these bottles can help remove milk stuck in these hard-to-reach spots.
Consider a silicone bottle brush because it doesn’t scratch the bottles. While they might be less effective for hardened formula or stuck milk clumps, you can avoid this by:
- Rinsing the bottle immediately after each use
- Soaking bottles with hardened particles in warm, soapy water
It’s also essential to sterilize the baby bottles regularly to kill off molds, bacteria, viruses, and other potential pathogens.
Consider getting an automatic baby bottle washer so you never have to worry about brushing and sterilizing, even when busy.
Other options for sterilization:
- Electric steam sterilizer
- Microwave steam sterilizer
Bonus: Other Dr. Brown’s Baby Essentials
- Dr. Brown’s Natural Flow Breastmilk Storage & Collection Bottles
- Dr. Brown’s Insta-Feed Baby Bottle Warmer & Sterilizer
- Dr. Brown’s Deluxe Electric Sterilizer for Baby Bottles
- Dr. Brown’s Customflow Double Electric Quiet Breast Pump
- Dr. Brown’s Manual Breast Pump
- Dr. Brown’s Milestones Wide-Neck Sippy Spout Bottle
Recent Baby Product Recalls & Safety Warnings
Stay informed with the latest news by signing up for our regular Motherhood Community recall alerts so you never miss an important recall.
Check these comprehensive lists of product recalls by category:
- Crib recalls (up to 2023)
- Stroller recalls (2020 to 2023)
- Recalled toys list (2020 to 2023)
- Baby formula recall (2001 to 2023)
- Baby food recall (2015 to 2023)
- Pacifier recall (2019 to 2022)
- Baby wipes recall (2014 to 2022)
References
(1) https://www.drbrownsbaby.com/customer-support/difference-between-standard-narrow-and-wide-neck/
(2) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5033656/
(3) https://lalactation.com/best-bottle-for-the-breastfed-baby-3/
(4) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16770138/
