After trying several baby bottle options, you might have decided to settle on Dr. Browns. This brand gives you a few choices: Options, Options Plus and Original expressions are the basic choices you need to select. But, what is the core difference between Dr. Brown bottles blue vs green? Each choice has its own features, depending on what your baby needs.
The Dr Brown green bottle is an updated version of the blue bottle but with a green vent. You can use the green bottle without the inner vent. Blue bottles will leak without the vent. Green bottles can be used as an anti-colic bottle until your baby no longer suffers from colic.
The vent systems for blue and green Dr. Brown bottles
Dr. Brown’s bottles are the most recommended by pediatricians because of the extensive anti-colic internal vents. The vents reduce colic-like symptoms that some babies suffer from. While both blue and green bottles have effective anti-colic systems, they are slightly different.
Blue vent
The original Dr. Brown bottle has a blue vent and is also known as the Options bottle. The vent framework is made up of a straw inside the bottle with a circular part at the top of the bottle. As your baby sucks on the bottle, the straw gathers excess air from the nipples.
Since the excess air is sucked back into the bottle, it’s stopped from entering the baby’s tummy. This innovative vent system prevents colic-like symptoms, gas and burping. Not using the vent properly will cause the Dr Brown bottle to leak, which you can avoid if you know what to do about it.
Green vent
Bottles with the green vent are also referred to as Options Plus. These types of bottles are an updated version of their blue counterparts. Bottles with the green vent can be used with or without the vent framework in the bottle.
Like the blue framework, the vent’s main purpose is to prevent colic-like symptoms. As babies grow older, they swallow less air as they feed. This means they will eventually outgrow their colic symptoms. It, therefore, becomes necessary to use the anti-colic vent system.
Instead of keeping the vent in the bottle and increasing the parts that need cleaning, it can simply be removed. The bottle is then used as a normal, feeding bottle. Knowing when you should stop using a Dr. Brown’s vent will save you a lot of cleaning up when you’re washing the bottles.
Dr. Brown Blue bottles (Options bottles)
Dr. Brown’s blue Options bottles have the original anti-colic venting systems that prevent gas, burping and acid reflux caused by excessive air. Dr.Brown bottles also preserve nutrients in breast milk and formula by keeping the formula in the bottle.
Why you should consider it
If you’re planning to change your baby’s bottle as they grow, you might consider using this option. It’s important to remember that this option can’t be used without its vent.
Continuing to use it as the baby grows simply means you’ll have extra components to clean every time you wash the bottle. Unfortunately, you have to assemble the bottle with all the parts to avoid leakage at the vent valve or nipple.
Pros
- Innovative vent reduces colic symptoms
- Vent prevents baby feeding too fast
- Valves on the inner vent prevent nipple collapse
- Easy to clean
- Easy for you and the baby to handle
Cons
- Water markings aren’t clear which can result in the bottle being overfilled
- Mixing liquid in the bottle often results in leakage or spilling
- Bottle is bulky
- Can’t be used without the internal vent
Dr. Brown Green bottles (Options Plus bottles)
The Dr. Brown green Options Plus bottle is a popular choice with parents because it can be used with or without the anti-colic internal vent.
Why you should consider it
Choosing this bottle saves you from having to buy other bottles as the baby grows and no longer requires the benefits of the anti-colic system. It allows you to remove the vent when it’s no longer needed.
You can then use the bottle without having to wash and assemble the vent system every time you wash or sterilize the bottle. There’ll be no need to spend additional money on bottles as your baby grows. Options Plus bottles can be used from birth so there’s no need to wait for awful colic-like symptoms to set in.
The Options Plus also has a breast-like wide-neck nipple making it easier for your little one to alternate between breast and bottle. Markings on the Options Plus Bottles are also clearer which makes it easier to see how full the bottle should be.
Pros
- The vent reduces and eliminates anti-colic symptoms
- Can be used with/without the vent as your baby grows
- Marking lines are easily identified making it easy to put the exact amount of liquid in the bottle
Cons
- Assembling can be tedious as there are six different parts
- Cleaning and sterilizing takes time because of all the components
- Assembling correctly takes some practice
I’ve included a short clip to show you how easy it is to use the Dr. Brown’s Options Plus (green) bottles.
Conclusion
Dr. Brown’s blue or green bottles can be confusing for first-time parents. Knowing the differences can make choosing the right bottle much simpler. Dr. Brown’s Options Plus or also called green bottle is often a better choice, since it’s more versatile. You can use it as your baby grows. As your little one stops experiencing colic symptoms, you can remove the vent and use the bottle as a regular bottle!
Did you know you can use these Options bottles also for thickened formula? You just need an extra piece to purchase for that which you can learn about in my article.
By the way, both Dr. Brown bottles are dishwasher-safe so you can have an easy or easier time cleaning it.
Last update on 2024-03-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
