Finding the best bottles for tongue-tied, lip-tied babies requires doing some homework. Not all feeding bottles are designed to help babies with these special oral conditions. But, there are special bottles that can help with oral feeding challenges. This is why Dr. Brown’s Original Bottle Specialty Feeding Set is my top pick.
My research has uncovered other bottles for tongue tie and lip tie babies – 7 in total, 3 of which I show in the table below. While not specifically designed for these conditions, these bottles share features that make it easier for your baby to feed. This includes slower milk flow and softer nipples.
My Top Picks
Best Overall – Dr. Brown’s Original Bottle Specialty Feeding Set for Tongue-tie and Lip-Tie
This particular feeding set has been designed specifically for babies with challenging oral feeding conditions including tongue tie, lip tie, and cleft palate. This is made possible by the unique “Infant-paced feeding valve”.
Who It’s For
For parents looking for a bottle that helps prevent colic or reflux symptoms.
Why You Should Consider It
The unique design of the silicone nipple and valve allows your baby to regulate the flow of milk during feeding. The flow valve is inserted into the base of the nipple and placed into the collar of the bottle.
The silicone nipples are soft enough for the baby’s jaw movements to activate the milk flow without leading to nipple collapse. The natural flow design of the actual bottle is fully-vented, giving a vacuum-free feeding experience. This means less air is being ingested while feeding which also minimizes gassiness, reflux, and colic.
Product Information
- Dimensions: 9.1 x 4.8 x 2.6″
- Quantity: 8 oz.
- Material: Plastic/BPA-free
Pros
- Includes a cleaning brush
- The valve can be removed for normal feeding
- Flow valve compatible with all Dr. Brown’s bottles
Cons
- Some parents find the bottles to be too big (8 oz)
- Nipple sizes not printed on nipples
Best Value – NUK Smooth Flow Anti-Colic Bottle for Tongue-Tie and Lip-Tie
This 5-ounce bottle helps to prevent any air from being ingested during feeding, preventing any problems associated with colic, reflux, and spit-ups.
Who It’s For
For moms transitioning from breastfeeding to bottle-feeding.
Why You Should Consider It
The flatter, smooth-flow design of the silicone nipple helps the baby to regulate the milk flow. This prevents any danger of choking. This works by helping the baby find the right suction for the right flow.
The nipple is also shaped just like mom’s so no problem switching from the breast to the bottle. A nice safety feature is the temperature icon on the bottle which indicates when the milk is too hot.
Product Information
- Dimensions:2.5 x 7.5 x 6.75″
- Quantity: 5 ozs.
- Material: Plastic
Pros
- Cute patterns and colors
- Helps with colic and reflux
- Wide neck for easy cleaning
Cons
- It may be difficult to get the right flow initially
- Flow is dependent on the type of suction strength from baby
Best for Newborns – MAM Easy Start Anti-Colic Bottle for Tongue-Tie and Lip-Tie
This bottle has been specifically designed to help with colicky newborns suffering with tongue tie. Up to 5 percent of newborns are born with ankyloglossia, also known as tongue tie.
Who It’s For
This is ideal for babies starting bottle feeding from birth up to 2 months old.
Why You Should Consider It
The silicone nipple is not only soft but it has an anti-slip texture which helps to keep it in the baby’s mouth while sucking. The vented base of the bottle regulates the pressure, preventing the build-up of air, essential for preventing colic, spit-ups, and reflux.
This self-sterilizing bottle is easy to clean. All you have to do is put 20 ml of water into the bottle and microwave for 3 minutes. The bottle is free of both BPA and BPS materials.
Product Information
- Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.8 x 3.1″
- Quantity: 4. oz.
- Material: Polypropylene/BPA-, phthalate-, latex-, and lead-free
Pros
- Flat shorter nipple easier for lip tie babies
- Well-priced
- Easy to switch from breastfeeding
Cons
- Too many different parts for cleaning
- The bottom part opaque so can’t see when the formula is dissolved
- Faster flow can be challenging for some babies
Best for Traveling – Dr. Brown’s Options Slow Flow Bottle Set for Tongue-Tie and Lip-Tie
This is another Dr. Brown’s bottle many parents like to use for their babies challenged with tongue tie or lip tie feeding conditions.
Who It’s For
This is great for parents traveling with their baby as the bottles come with storage caps.
Why You Should Consider It
The bottles have been designed with a vent that preserves nutrients, aids in digestion, and prevents air from getting in while your baby is feeding. The nipples (1-level) are designed to help your baby pace their feeding and control the amount of milk being ingested.
The silicone nipples are soft enough while the narrow base allows for the full nipple to be engaged during feeding. The bottles can be washed both in the dishwasher and used in a bottle sterilizer.
Product Information
- Dimensions: 4.3 x 4.3 x 8.5″
- Quantity: 4 oz.
- Material: Plastic/ BPA-free
Pros
- The vent can be removed for normal feeding
- A cleaning brush is included
- A great bottle for preemies
Cons
- Some parents do report leaking problems with the bottle
Best for Latching – Munchkin Latch Anti-Colic Baby Bottle for Tongue-Tie and Lip-Tie
The ultra-flexible nipple of this bottle makes feeding so much easier for your tongue tie or lip tie baby.
Who It’s For
For parents who battle to get their baby to sleep because of fussiness caused by gas, colic, or reflux.
Why You Should Consider It
Babies with tongue tie and lip tie will love the flexible nipple that stretches and flexes depending on the suction strength. This makes it easier for them to drink. The anti-colic valve at the bottom of the bottle ensures your baby won’t be taking in too much air while feeding.
Babies latch easily with this bottle and the milk flow is dependent on how much pressure is placed on the nipple. This allows your baby to control how much milk to swallow. This bottle is dishwasher-safe on the top rack.
Product Information
- Dimensions: 8.66 x 6.89 x 2.95″
- Quantity: 4 oz.
- Material: Plastic/BPA-free
Pros
- Has an adapter for direct pumping’
- Easy to clean
- Works well for babies after tongue tie and lip tie surgeries
Cons
- Nipple can collapse
- Valve causes leaking if not well-cleaned
Best for Babies Who Can’t Breastfeed – Comotomo Baby Bottles for Tongue-Tie and Lip-Tie
This bottle is known for its unique design resembling the mother’s breast. This helps a lot when you transition from the breast to the bottle.
Who It’s For
For babies who battle to latch during breastfeeding.
Why You Should Consider It
The soft 100% silicone nipples are easy for your tongue tie or lip tie baby to latch with their shape and design. The wide mount also helps during latching. The slow-flow design of the nipple prevents too much milk from flowing into your baby’s mouth.
The dual-vent reduces air-intake, preventing your baby from becoming gassy during and after feeds. The bottle is also easy for your baby to hold with its pliable silicone construction. Cleaning is easy with the bottle being dishwasher-safe or being washed in boiling water.
Product Information
- Dimensions: 5.2 x 2.6 x 5″
- Quantity: 5 oz.
- Material: Silicone/BPA-, phthalate-free, and PVC-free
Pros
- Easy to clean with wide neck
- Comes in 3 parts so no fiddly bits to deal with
- No leaking problems
Cons
- Not easy to warm quickly in bottle warmers
- The shape makes it difficult to pack in diaper bags
Best for Special Needs – Medela Specialneeds ™ Feeder for Tongue-Tie and Lip-Tie
While this bottle is the most expensive one compared to the other bottles reviewed in this article, its design is specifically for babies with cleft palate and for those with serious tongue tie or lip tie conditions. This is a great choice also for babies with a high palate.
Who It’s For
For babies who struggle to feed with more conventional feeding bottle designs.
Why You Should Consider It
If you’re really battling to find a suitable bottle for your tongue tie or lip tie baby, then this is the one for you. This 5-ounce bottle has a unique nipple design to help babies who need paced feeding and relies more on compression than a vacuum for milk flow.
Regulated milk flow helps to minimize choking. The one-way valve will prevent any air-intake which could cause colic or reflux symptoms. This bottle can only be hand-washed.
Product Information
- Dimensions:8.3 x 4.8 x 2.1″
- Quantity: 5 oz.
- Material: Not specified/BPA-free
Pros
- Helps the baby to develop sucking skills
- A perfect stream of milk even when using munching motions
- Easy to grip nipple with the bottom lip
Cons
- Very expensive
- Can leak
What to Look Out For When Buying the Best Bottle for Tongue Tie and Lip Tie Babies
The biggest challenge for babies with tongue tie and lip is choking on too much milk when feeding and being able to latch properly. This can become a problem for breastfeeding mothers which is why many moms look at bottle feeding to ensure their baby gets enough food.
Another problem facing tongue tie and lip tie babies is too much air-intake during feeding. Look out for the following features in a bottle when deciding which is the best bottle for tongue tie and lip tie babies:
- Paced feeding: If your baby can regulate the flow of milk while feeding it helps to minimize gagging or even choking. The unique valve design of Dr. Brown’s Original Bottle Specialty Feeding Set aids in paced feeding as does the nipple design of the Medela SpecialNeeds Feeder. The nipple design of the Dr. Brown’s Options Slow Flow Bottle Set helps the baby to pace their feeding.
- Anti-colic design: All the bottles in this review have been designed to prevent colic, reflux, spit-ups, and gassiness. Babies with tongue tie and lip tie are more likely to take in air which is why these types of bottles are best for them.
- Soft, flexible nipples: Latching can be a problem for tongue tie and lip tie babies. Soft, flexible, or flat-designed nipples go a long way to making it easier for these babies to latch. All the bottles in this review have soft, silicone nipples but the Munchkin Latch Anti-Colic Baby Bottle makes special mention of their pliable nipples that flex as the baby latches. The flatter, smooth-flow nipple of the NUK Smooth Flow Anti-Colic Bottle is popular with many babies. The MAM Easy Start Anti-Colic Bottle has an easy-grip texture on their nipples.
- Easy to clean: Having a bottle that’s easy to clean makes parenting simpler! The Comotomo Baby Bottles are dishwasher-safe, can be washed in boiling water, or sterilized in the microwave or a bottle sterilizer. The only bottle that’s not dishwasher-safe is the Medela SpecialneedsTM Feeder.
If you pick a feeding bottle that factors in all of these features, you’ve got a winner for your baby’s challenging oral feeding needs!
Watch this video by Pathways describing some of the most common problems tongue tie and lip tie babies face during feeding.
Final Thoughts
Finding the best bottle for tongue tie and lip tie babies is possible. You just need to know what to look out for such as soft nipples, valves for milk flow management, and for minimizing air-intake. I picked Dr. Brown’s Original Bottle Specialty Feeding Set but which one would you pick for your baby’s special feeding needs?
Last update on 2024-03-31 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
