Once you’re on the hunt for the perfect baby bottle for your precious little one, chances are that you’ll find brand leaders like Dr. Browns and Philips Avent.
Indeed, both of them are premium bottle makers that provide you with a great selection to pick from.
However, just like with absolutely anything, not all choices are alike and in specific circumstances, you might choose one bottle over the other.
In the following, we have ranked the most important distinctions among Dr. Brown’s bottles and Avent bottles that will allow you to determine quickly, easily, and accurately a bottle that is ideal for your little one.
Avent vs Dr Brown Bottles
Difference between bottles
As all parents can confirm, picking the perfect bottle for your infant will not be something that is as straightforward as simply taking a bottle from the store rack and going with it.
There are certain factors to consider, such as airflow at the nipple and whether the bottle is suitable for avoiding colic and bloating problems. This is one reason why some parents tend to switch back and forth between Dr. Brown and Philips Avent bottles.
Both are supposed to lower air supply when feeding, thus decreasing the probability of flatulence and vomiting in babies. But although it appears that they do indeed work the same for your baby, there are a number of differences to be aware of.
The Philips Avent, for instance, is simple to keep clean and is fully dishwasher friendly. The Dr. Browns, however, have many small pieces that must be cleaned, as well as corners and crevices that must be reached into with each cleaning.
These may be great bottles, but they can be inconvenient to wash. And if there’s the one thing you might never want to make short work of when dealing with bottles, that’s having them kept tidy and sterilized.
Then again, Avent bottles are costlier, generally, than Dr. Brown’s. Consequently, unless you dislike additional work, then you might decide to go with Dr. Browns anyway.
Clearly, there is a ton of different qualities that make these two various bottle brands stand out from each other, so if you are serious about knowing which one to go for between the Dr. Brown’s and Philips Avent bottles, you will have to give them a more detailed look.
Principal distinctions between Dr. Brown's and Philips Avent bottles
The key distinctions between Dr. Brown’s and Philips Avent bottles are:
- Dr. Brown bottles might be tricky to keep clean, whereas Philips Avent bottles are much simpler to maintain and are dishwasher-safe.
- Dr. Brown has more reasonably priced bottles, whereas Philips Avent bottles have a $29 price tag.
- Dr. Brown bottles are more effective for colic, while Philips Avent bottles offer a certain degree of soothing for colic.
How do Dr. Brown’s bottles function?
Most parents have heard or seen the brand name Dr. Brown’s before becoming parents. And Dr. Brown’s bottles are actually one of the more superior choices when it concerns babies susceptible to colic or colicky symptoms. The fully vented design aids in decreasing the ingestion of air, thereby reducing the possibility of excessive spitting up, bubbling, and bloating.
Moreover, the internal venting system keeps the flow from becoming too rapid, giving babies the opportunity to drink at their own speed, no matter the flow rate of the nipple you pick.
There is the concern that Dr. Brown’s bottles can be a bit inconvenient to wash, since they feature more components than the Philips Avent bottles, though, for some parents, it’s definitely worth it nonetheless. In addition, they are typically so well-constructed that as time goes on, you will not see any scratches or fading tags on the bottle, as some similar bottles do.
The bottles are also scientifically shown to aid in maintaining the freshness and nutrients of the milk or formula. Plus, the caps you can get to fit under the nipple make them practically spill-proof, allowing you to toss full bottles into your diaper bag with no fear.
Dr. Brown’s features
- Parts and Accessories: Bottles are supplied with nipples, twist caps, and flow tubes to enable zero-vacuum feeding.
- Directions on cleaning Dr. Brown’s bottles: You’ll have to take all the parts out of the bottles to wash them individually using various sizes of brushes, making it a little tedious, though the majority of parents can get the hang of it.
- Dr. Brown’s sizes to choose from: The bottles are available in two, four, and eight-ounce versions.
- Dr. Brown’s prices: On Amazon, a four-pack of four-ounce Dr. Brown’s bottles is $20.
Where you can get Dr. Brown’s bottles: They can be found on Amazon or in stores like Walmart and Buy Buy Baby.
Pros:
- The bottles have been clinically proven to reduce colic in infants.
- They fit almost any breast pump, so you can pump directly into the bottles.
- The bottles are also great for preserving the nutrients and vitamins in milk or formula.
- Compared to some other bottles, Dr. Brown’s are a little less expensive than others.
The tiny disks that come with the bottles actually make them indispensable in the diaper bag.
Cons:
- Since Dr. Brown’s don’t have flat bottoms, there’s a chance they’ll fall over as they get emptier.
- Forgetting the disks means the bottles can’t really be emptied.
- It could be inconvenient to take them apart and wash them by hand each time.
Dr. Brown’s bottles reviews
- “I LOVE the Dr. Brown bottles and my two-month-old son loves them too!!!! I really wish I would have bought them sooner. My son is mostly exclusively breastfed, however, I do pump so my husband can give him the bottle from time to time to give me a break. Unfortunately, my son has severe gas and suffers from colic. We started with the Avent Natural bottles and then tried the Lansinoh bottles, which we liked a little better than the Avent bottles.” – Abby K. on Amazon.
- “These bottles are fantastic. My baby who is usually fussy after feedings are no longer. I am also more reassured because I can see that there is no air in the nipple of the bottle, so no air gets into her mouth. This way I can rule out stomach issues if she does get fussy. There are a lot of parts, but once you get familiar with the bottle, it’s not difficult to assemble or wash. The bottles are slim, so you can easily stash them in any bag or pocket.” – Amber Kidwell on Amazon.
- “The Dr. Brown bottles did miracles for our baby with flatulence at the age of two months. Our baby used to contort and wake up in pain while feeding, after feedings, and even during sleep. These episodes dropped significantly once we changed to Dr. Brown’s.” – Kenny K. Lee on Amazon.
- “This was the only bottle that has worked for both of my babies. Yeah, it comes with a ton of parts, but it is definitely worth the additional washing to get a happier baby who doesn’t swallow a ton of air and cry it out. I really don’t like to handwash, which is why I picked up a few dishwasher bottle racks and simply place all the parts in the rack and that’s it.” – Amanda Miceli on Amazon.
How do the Philips Avent bottles work?
One of the more well-known top options for baby bottles is simply the Philips Avent bottles.
Depending on which one you choose from the brand, they are generally designed to help your baby transition from breastfeeding and back again if needed, and they are made up of fewer parts than other bottles. So if you have to take them apart to clean them and put them back together, it’s not a total inconvenience or hassle.
The bottles have also been shown to reduce colic in some babies and prevent air bubbles from entering while your baby is drinking from the bottle.
Since extra air infiltration typically causes discomfort during and after feeding, this is very important when looking at a bottle. The nipple is designed to feel like a real nipple and is less likely to collapse than similar nipples from other brands.
There are also a variety of different flow speeds to choose from. So as your baby gets older and needs a faster or slower flow, it’s easy to find a new nipple for your Philips Avent bottle. The bottle itself has a unique shape that makes it easy to grip no matter how you or your baby hold it.
The Philips brand itself offers a variety of bottles and sippy cups that you can switch to later, so you can stay in the Philips family if you want.
Philips Avent Features
- Parts and supplies: the bottles are delivered with a nipple and a gasket ring, along with a cap to prevent potential leakage or mess if the bottle is kept in the fridge or in the changing case.
- Instructions for cleaning Avent bottles: The bottles include only a couple of components making them effortless to wash, and the bottles can actually be put in the dishwasher to handle large volumes with no problems. Sizes to choose from: Philips Avent bottles are available in four, nine, and 11-ounce bottles.
- Avent bottle pricing: Online on Amazon, a four-pack of Philips Avent four-ounce feeding bottles goes for $29.
- Where you can get Philips Avent bottles: They can be found on Amazon or at the store at Target.
Pros - Since there are minimal parts to wash, you might not have to use the dishwasher to keep the Philips Avent bottles clean all the time.
- You can change the nipples for those with either slower or faster flow, according to your needs.
- Infants experiencing issues with colic or bloating may get a bit of ease with these bottles since they block the air from coming in.
- The nipples themselves will not cause nipple confusion.
- Contrary to some related bottles, these will not spill once you insert them into your swaddling bag.
Cons - Philips Avent bottles are slightly costlier than Dr. Brown’s.
- Even the laziest nipples have the potential to be a bit too quick for some babies.
- Since the nipple just might not get deep enough into your baby’s mouth, it is possible that there could be leaks in this respect.
Phillips Avent Bottles reviews
- “My son has struggled with taking a bottle from all different brands and sizes. Now he is almost six months old and BIG these bottles are perfect. They have a different shaped nipple than the four-ounce bottles from Avent, but I still prefer them much more than any other brand. I am very happy with this purchase.” – Kirsty Garcia on Amazon.
- “I tried several brands of bottles before choosing Avent. I wish I had tried this one first. The classic nipples make it easy for my baby to eat, unlike other bottles with narrow nipples. The wide opening makes it really easy to pour powdered infant formula without pouring it all over the counter. It also means they are easier to wash. I’ll take Avent over Dr. Brown’s any day.” – Magdalena S. on Amazon.
- “I absolutely adore, adore, adore these bottles. I got my son started on these and a different brand. I didn’t have a lot of gas or vomiting with the Avent. Definitely would highly recommend them.” – Kisha Odom on Amazon.
- “My 5-month-old son absolutely adores it. The top goes off smoothly, no need to struggle with it. The nipples are rigid to keep them from falling apart when feeding. They are comfortable to hold. The Baby’s mouth fits well around the nipple. All in all, a terrific item.” – Henry H. on Amazon.
Best Bottles for Baby Care
Philips Avent Natural Baby Bottle
Dr. Brown's Baby Bottle Options+ Anti-Colic Narrow Bottle
Philips Avent Anti-colic Baby Bottle with AirFree vent
Dr. Brown's Options Slow Flow Bottle
Common features of Dr. Brown's and Avent
Despite all the distinctions listed above, these two bottles share a lot of the same characteristics as well.
They come in a number of sizes to accommodate various age groups. All of their materials are top quality and make certain that the common chemical suspects, like BPA, are eliminated.
Anti-colic is a choice for both, although Dr. Brown’s appears to offer a more suitable option for those experiencing a true concern.
Wash and clean any way you want (including in the dishwasher for both making them simple to get clean), though Dr. Brown’s are a little fiddlier and might take a bit extra manual cleaning or extra time.
What's perfect for your baby?
Ultimately, it depends on a couple of factors.
- Anti-Colic/Gas: When this is a concern for you, or you would like to keep it from happening before it begins, Dr. Browns are the right choice.
- Leakage: Dr. Browns, possibly because of their venting system, tends to be fussier and leak more.
- Nipple adjustment: Philips Avent comes with two choices, one more closely resembling the natural breast. Great for matching to bottles or formula mixed feedings.
Other than that, it’s really a matter of trial and error and finding what your baby prefers. Finally, we would not over-invest in bottles or corresponding cleaning devices until you know for sure what will work for you. And keep in mind, there are always changes you can make and perhaps will need to make as your baby is growing. Because nothing ever remains the same!
Dr. Brown Vs Avent - Our Pick
Both Dr. Brown and Avent bottles are awesome bottles and there are benefits and drawbacks to each. Your pick is also going to be based on your baby’s likes and if they experience colic or overwhelming bloating.
The Dr. Brown bottles are on the same level as the Avent bottles with their progressive anti-colic system, shown to decrease colic and discomfort in babies. They also cost a little less than the Avent bottles.
These benefits seem to place them at the top of the list for the greatest bottles among parents. They do have one drawback, which is that they are really cumbersome to keep clean because they have a lot of pieces.
However, if it signifies that your baby will be more convenient and able to feed with no pain and discomfort most parents will figure out they are worth it.
Conclusion
As with all baby products, what works for one does not necessarily work for another baby or parent. The question of whether a bottle is good or bad depends on your personal experience with it.
Do your research, talk to other moms about their experiences. Ultimately, you will have to find the bottle.
In fact, any other baby products that work for your baby and don’t necessarily mean that what you choose will be at the top of any baby list. But does it really matter?
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FAQ’s about Avent vs Dr. Brown Bottles
✅ Which Dr. Brown bottles are suitable for newborns?
The best bottle for newborns is the Dr. Brown Natural Flow Options+ Anti-colic Baby Bottle Set for Newborns. It comes complete with all the accessories you need to get started.
✅ What's the main distinction between the green and blue Dr. Brown bottles?
Well, you’ve probably noticed that there are 2 main models of Dr. Brown’s Natural Flow bottles.
The bottles with the blue squares are the real bottles, while the bottles with the green squares are the Options Plus bottles, which are a newer version of the Options bottles.
✅ Do Dr. Brown's bottles have an expiration date?
Normally, baby bottles do not have a best before date, but they do need to be replaced periodically due to regular wear and tear. Plastic baby bottles need to be replaced when they are cracked, broken, stained, or when they leak.
✅ Which size are the nipples on Avent bottles?
Avent nipples are available in various sizes, based on the age of your baby and the speed of flow.
First-flow nipples – 0-1 month, neonatal nipples – 0-3 months, low-flow nipples – 1-3 months, mid-flow nipples – 3-6 months, adjustable-flow nipples – 3+ months, and high-flow nipples – 6+ months.
✅ Are you able to get Dr. Brown's nipples to work in Avent bottles?
Avent bottles function with the following brands of nipples: Dr. Brown’s wide-neck teats.