Are Glass Bottles Okay For Babies?
Yes. Studies show that glass baby bottles can be better than plastic baby bottles because they’re free from harmful chemicals and manufacturing additives such as BPA (bisphenol A), BPS (bisphenol S), PVC (polyvinyl chloride), and phthalates. (1)
They’re less prone to scouring scratches with regular cleaning, which can trap formula constituents and make cleaning or sterilization harder.
These bottles are ideal for breast milk or formula, with some also compatible with breast pumps.
Because glass bottles can be more prone to breaking than plastic ones, you can opt to get a protective silicone sleeve.
Which glass bottle brands are the best choice for your baby? What are the disadvantages of using glass bottles? What’s the best way to clean them?
You can learn more about glass feeding bottles below.
The 12 Best Glass Baby Bottles
- Philips AVENT Natural Glass Bottle (Four bottles, 8 oz) – Breast-shaped, twin-valve nipple design for a natural latch, anti-colic system, and heat or thermal shock-resistant glass
- Dr. Brown’s Options + Baby Bottles (One bottle, 8 oz) – Clinically proven to reduce colic
- NUK Simply Natural Glass Bottles (Three bottles, 9 oz ) – Orthodontic, flexible nipples that resemble a mom’s nipple while breastfeeding
- Evenflo Feeding Classic Glass Twist Bottles (Six bottles, 8 oz) – Unique twist shape can make it easy for babies to hold
- Lifefactory Glass Baby Bottle With Silicone Sleeves (One bottle with silicone sleeve, 9 oz) – Borosilicate glass baby bottle with a silicone sleeve available in cute pastel colors
- Chicco Duo Hybrid Baby Bottles With Invinci-Glass (Two bottles, 9 oz) – Outer layer of plastic with inner layer of break-proof medical-grade glass
- HEVEA 2-in-1 Baby Glass Bottle With Star Ball Cover (One bottle (5 oz) and a star ball) – Borosilicate glass bottle with natural rubber star ball to protect against breakage
- Parent’s Choice Glass Baby Bottles (Three bottles, 9 oz) – Inexpensive, value-friendly glass bottles
- Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature Bottles (Three bottles, 9 oz) – Converts into a drinking cup and storage jar
- Joovy Boob Diamond Glass Bottle (Three bottles, 8 oz, with plain or turquoise silicone sleeve) – Freezer-friendly glass baby bottle
- Simba 9-ounce Ultra Light Glass Bottles (One bottle, 9 oz) – Light glass bottle with cute cartoon prints
- Herobility Eco Glass Bottle (One bottle, 11 oz, with silicone sleeve) – Eco-friendly product partly made with bioplastic produced from plants
Continue reading to learn more about each glass bottle below.
Philips Avent Natural Response Baby Bottles (Glass)
NOTE: The brand discontinued the Philips Avent Natural Glass Baby Bottles, replacing them with Philips Avent Glass Natural Response Baby Bottles.
What Makes It Special?
- Made with pharmaceutical-grade glass for high purity
- Heat and thermal shock-resistant
- No-drip nipple design helps prevent spills
- Breast-shaped bottle nipple design for natural latch
- Ideal for breastfed babies to avoid nipple confusion (baby’s difficulty in switching between a bottle and the breast)
- Anti-colic system incorporated with the twin-valve nipple design
- Different nipple flow options are available (slow flow, medium flow, or fast flow)
- Wide neck for easy cleaning
- Compatible with bottle warmers
Key Features
- Material: Borosilicate glass bottle with silicone nipples
- Safety Features: BPA-free
- Venting System: Anti-colic twin valve
- Capacity: 4 oz or 8 oz
- Bottle Design: Wide-neck bottle
- Dishwasher Safe: Yes
- Sterilizer Safe: Not indicated
Other Specifications
- Sippy Cup Conversion: Yes, compatible with bottle handle grip
Product Recall
- None
Cons
- Some complaints about babies having difficulty drawing milk from the natural response nipple
Dr. Brown’s Options+ Anti-Colic Glass Baby Bottles
What Makes It Special?
- Durable glass that can withstand hot, cold, or gradual temperature changes
- Anti-colic vent system with soft silicone nipple
- Clinically proven to reduce colic
- Helps decreases burping, reflux, spit-up, and gas
- Flow rate that mimics breastfeeding
Key Features
- Material: Pharmaceutical-grade borosilicate glass bottle and silicone nipple
- Safety Features: BPA-free
- Venting System: Anti-colic vent system
- Capacity: 4 oz or 8 oz
- Bottle Design: Narrow-neck bottle
- Dishwasher Safe: Yes, top rack only
- Sterilizer Safe: Yes
Product Recall
- None
Cons
- Because of the vent system, it has more parts to clean than other baby bottles.
NUK Simply Natural Glass Bottles
What Makes It Special?
- Ideal for breastfed babies because the flexible nipple resembles a mom’s nipple while breastfeeding
- One-piece anti-colic air system to help reduce gas, colic, and spit-up
- Orthodontic nipples
- Slow-flow nipples with three holes instead of the usual one hole for comfort even with a slower milk flow
- Safe temperature indicator
Key Features
- Material: The bottle is made of 80% glass and 20% silicone
- Safety Features: BPA-free
- Venting System: Anti-colic air system
- Capacity: 4 oz or 8 oz
- Bottle Design: Wide-neck bottle
- Dishwasher Safe: Yes, top rack only
- Sterilizer Safe: Not indicated
Other Specifications
- Sippy Cup Conversion: Compatible with NUK Simply Natural learner cup
Product Recall
- None
Cons
- Some parents complained about the bottle easily breaking after they accidentally dropped it.
Evenflo Feeding Classic Glass Twist Bottles
What Makes It Special?
- Unique twist shape can make it easy for babies to hold
- Made from FDA-approved food-grade material
- Molded measurement markers (in oz and ml) that don’t get erased even with repeated washing
- Micro air vents to help nipple collapse
- Compatible with all Evenflo Feeding and other standard neck breast pumps
- Recyclable tempered glass bottle
- Sustainable and safe for the environment
Key Features
- Material: Tempered glass bottle and silicone nipples
- Safety Features: Free from BPA, PVC, polycarbonates, and phthalates
- Venting System: Vented bottle nipple
- Capacity: 4 oz or 8 oz
- Bottle Design: Narrow-neck bottle
- Dishwasher Safe: Yes, top rack only
- Sterilizer Safe: Not indicated
Product Recall
- None
Cons
- Some parents complained about the glass quality because their bottles were chipping off.
- Others complained that the glass bottles broke in a bottle warmer or after being placed in hot water.
Lifefactory Glass Baby Bottle With Silicone Sleeves
What Makes It Special?
- Borosilicate glass baby bottle with a silicone sleeve
- Cute color options for the silicone sleeve
- The silicone sleeves are also dishwasher safe, so you don’t need to remove these from the bottles.
- These glass bottles can be used to freeze fluids (breast milk or formula)
Key Features
- Material: Thermal shock-resistant borosilicate glass bottle and silicone nipple
- Safety Features: Free from BPA and phthalates (tested to meet FDA standards)
- Venting System:
- Capacity: 4 oz or 9 oz
- Bottle Design: Narrow-neck bottle
- Dishwasher Safe: Yes, top rack only
- Sterilizer Safe: Not indicated
Other Specifications
- Sippy Cup Conversion: Yes, sippy caps
Product Recall
- None
Cons
- Some parents complained about the nipples collapsing and the glass bottle breaking easily.
Chicco Duo Hybrid Baby Bottles With Invinci-Glass
What Makes It Special?
- Invinci-glass is made of an outer layer of plastic with an inner layer of break-proof medical-grade glass
- Partially made of glass, so it’s lighter than regular glass bottles
- Anti-colic valve vents
- Odor and stain-proof
Key Features
- Material: Combination of glass and plastic bottle with silicone nipples
- Safety Features: Free from BPS, PVC, BPA, and phthalates
- Venting System: Anti-colic valves
- Capacity: 5 oz or 9 oz
- Bottle Design: Wide neck bottle
- Dishwasher Safe: Yes (top rack only)
- Sterilizer Safe: Yes
Product Recall
- None
Cons
- Some parents complained about the bottles melting in the sterilizer.
Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature 3-in-1 Glass Bottles
What Makes It Special?
- Converts into a drinking cup and storage jar
- Breast-like nipple to help easily switch between breast and bottle feeding
Key Features
- Material: Medical-grade borosilicate glass bottle with silicone nipples
- Safety Features: Free from BPA, BPS, toxins, and phthalates
- Venting System: Anti-colic valve
- Capacity: 9 oz only
- Bottle Design: Wide-neck bottle
- Dishwasher Safe: Yes
- Sterilizer Safe: Yes
Other Specifications
- Sippy Cup Conversion: Yes, available in a set that converts into a drinking cup or storage jar
Product Recall
- None
Cons
- It’s only available in 9 oz, with no smaller sizes.
- Some parents complained about the bottles being prone to breakage.
Joovy Boob Diamond Glass Bottle
What Makes It Special?
- Freezer-friendly glass baby bottle
- Can be used with a bottle warmer or in a bowl of warm water
- Designed for use with sudden temperature changes (from freezer to bottle warmer)
- 50% less breakable compared with the original Boob Glass Bottle
- Five different flow options
- The bottle nipple mimics a mom’s nipples.
- Available in two nipple designs: boob nipple (deep and wide) and naturally nood nipple (texture like mom’s nipples to avoid nipple confusion in breastfed babies)
Key Features
- Material: Borosilicate glass bottle with silicone nipples
- Safety Features: Free from BPA, BPS, phthalates, and lead
- Venting System: Easy any-angle venting system
- Capacity: 5 oz or 8 oz
- Bottle Design: Wide-neck bottle
- Dishwasher Safe: Yes (but make sure the glass bottles don’t touch each other because that can lead to breakage)
- Sterilizer Safe: Boiling only
Other Specifications
- Sippy Cup Conversion: None; the sippy cup handles work with the plastic bottles but not with the glass ones
Product Recall
- None
Cons
- Some parents complained about leaking in the vent system.
HEVEA 2-in-1 Baby Glass Bottle With Star Ball Cover
NOTE: 8 oz glass bottles are currently out of stock as of press time
What Makes It Special?
- Star balls are especially designed to protect the glass bottles from breakage (they bounce when the bottle is dropped)
- The star ball is detachable.
- Sold in gift-friendly packaging
- Complies with the safety standards: US CPSIA (Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act) and EN 14350-1:2004 (European standard))
Key Features
- Material: Borosilicate glass bottle with natural rubber star ball and nipples
- Safety Features: Free from phthalates, PVC, and BPA
- Venting System: Anti-colic valve
- Capacity: 4 oz
- Bottle Design: Narrow-neck bottle
- Dishwasher Safe: Yes (information from Amazon)
- Sterilizer Safe: No, only using boiling or hot water
Other Specifications
- Sippy Cup Conversion: None
Product Recall
- None
Cons
- The star balls only work for 4 oz bottles.
- The bottle nipples are made of natural rubber, which is less durable than silicone.
- The star ball only works for 4 oz bottles.
Parent’s Choice Glass Bottles With Silicone Sleeves
What Makes It Special?
- Inexpensive, value-friendly glass bottles
Key Features
- Material: Premium food-grade glass bottles with silicone nipples
- Safety Features: Free from BPA
- Venting System: Vented silicone nipple
- Capacity: 5 oz and 9 oz
- Bottle Design: Narrow-neck bottle
- Dishwasher Safe: Yes
- Sterilizer Safe: Not indicated
Product Recall
- None
Cons
- Some parents complained that the bottle nipples easily go flat while their baby is bottle feeding.
Simba 9-ounce Ultra Light Glass Bottles
What Makes It Special?
- Heat-resistant up to 1112°F
- Can endure sudden temperature changes from 482°F to 70°F
- Cute cartoon prints
- Non-peeling, non-impression printing technology
- Light glass bottle
- Ideal for traveling and putting in your diaper bag
Key Features
- Material: Medically hi-graded, heat-proof glass bottle with silicone nipples
- Safety Features: Printed with non-toxic, lead-free ink
- Venting System: Vented nipples
- Capacity: 9 oz only
- Dishwasher Safe: Yes (info from Amazon)
- Sterilizer Safe: Not indicated
Product Recall
- None
Cons
- Some parents complained that the plastic rings turned sticky and looked like goo after boiling.
Herobility Eco Glass Bottle
What Makes It Special?
- Eco-friendly product partly made with bioplastic produced from plants
- Impact-resistant glass
- Ergonomic nipple
- Mixer lid design that breaks lumps
- Unique double anti-colic system
Key Features
- Material: Glass, silicone, and bioplastics
- Safety Features: Free from BPS, BPA, and other harmful substances
- Venting System: Double anti-colic system
- Capacity: 8.5 oz or 11 oz
- Dishwasher Safe: Yes
- Sterilizer Safe: Yes, microwave sterilizer
Other Specifications
- Sippy Cup Conversion: None; the brand offers a separate sippy cup
Product Recall
- None
Cons
- Some parents complained that the silicone sleeve was difficult to remove and could drip water while their babies were nursing.
Summary & Recommendations
Breast-shaped, Twin-valve Nipples For A Natural Latch
- Philips AVENT Natural Glass Bottle (Four bottles, 8 oz)
Clinically Proven To Reduce Colic
- Dr. Brown’s Options+ Baby Bottles (One bottle, 8 oz)
Orthodontic, Flexible Nipples That Resemble A Mom’s Breastfeeding Nipple
- NUK Simply Natural Glass Bottles (Three bottles, 9 oz)
Unique Twist Shape
- Evenflo Feeding Classic Glass Twist Bottles (Six bottles, 8 oz)
Borosilicate Glass Baby Bottle With Cute Silicone Sleeves
- Lifefactory Glass Baby Bottle With Silicone Sleeves (One bottle with silicone sleeve, 9 oz)
Combination Of Plastic Outer Layer And Break-Proof Medical-Grade Glass Inner Layer
- Chicco Duo Hybrid Baby Bottles With Invinci-Glass (Two bottles, 9 oz)
Borosilicate Glass Bottle With Star Ball Cover To Protect Against Breakage
- HEVEA 2-in-1 Baby Glass Bottle (One bottle (5 oz) and a star ball)
Inexpensive, Value-Friendly Glass Bottles
- Parent’s Choice Glass Baby Bottles (Three bottles, 9 oz)
Converts Into A Drinking Cup And Storage Jar
- Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature Bottles (Three bottles, 9 oz)
Freezer-Friendly Glass Baby Bottle
- Joovy Boob Diamond Glass Bottle (Three bottles, 8 oz, with plain or turquoise silicone sleeve)
Light Glass Bottle With Cute Cartoon Prints
- Simba 9-ounce Ultra Light Glass Bottles (One bottle, 9 oz)
Eco-friendly Glass Bottle
- Herobility Eco Glass Bottle (One bottle, 11 oz, with silicone sleeve)
Should You Use Glass Or Plastic Baby Bottles?
It’s really a matter of your preference. Both have their pros and cons.
Glass Baby Bottles
Benefits Of Choosing Glass Bottles
- Glass is more resistant to scratching and scouring than plastic. Scratches can accumulate formula residue, dirt, and bacteria or other pathogens.
- Glass doesn’t contain harmful chemicals that can leach into your breastmilk or formula.
- Milk fats are less likely to stick to the sides of the bottle.
- Glass is usually stain-proof and odor-proof.
- They’re better at handling warm liquids.
Cons & Disadvantages Of Glass Baby Bottles
- Glass baby bottles are more prone to breakage than plastic.
- They’re usually heavier than plastic bottles, which can be an issue for smaller babies.
- They’re usually more expensive than plastic bottles and could cost more if you want to add silicone sleeves to make them safer from breakage.
- There are fewer choices for glass bottles than plastic.
- Most manufacturers don’t recommend freezing their glass bottles.
Plastic Baby Bottles
Benefits Of Plastic Bottles
- They’re readily available, with lots of options in terms of sizes, designs, and extra features.
- Plastic bottles are usually cheaper than glass bottles.
- They’re lighter and less prone to breakage.
- They can be frozen.
Disadvantages Of Plastic Bottles
- They’re more prone to discoloration, foul odors, and scratching.
- They’re less heat resistant than glass bottles.
Glass Baby Bottle FAQs
What’s The Purpose Of A Glass Baby Bottle?
Glass baby bottles are free from toxic chemicals that can be found in plastic bottles.
Do Glass Baby Bottles Need Sterilization?
You don’t need to sterilize glass bottles after every use. It’s good to do it for first-time use, then once or twice a week.
How to Warm Glass Baby Bottles
You can put the glass in a warm water bath or a bottle warmer, but make sure to check if your warmer is compatible with glass bottles.
Can You Freeze Glass Baby Bottles?
Check the label. Many manufacturers don’t recommend freezing glass baby bottles.
If you want one that can be frozen, you can pick a Joovy Boob Diamond Glass Bottle or Lifefactory Glass Baby Bottle With Silicone Sleeve.
Can You Take Glass Baby Bottles on an Airplane?
Check with the airline before your trip. Although baby food and bottles might be allowed, different airlines have different policies.
REFERENCES
(1) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4499096/
