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Dr. Brown vs Avent Bottles: Which is Better?

Dr. Brown vs Avent Bottles: Which is Better?

As any parent can attest to, finding the right baby bottle for your baby isn’t as easy as just picking one out from the shelf at a store and going with it. There are special factors to consider, like the flow of the nipple and whether or not the bottle is made to help prevent colic symptoms and gassiness which is why some parents tend to go back and forth between Dr. Brown vs Avent Bottles.

They’re both made to reduce air intake while feeding, thereby reducing the risk of gas and spit-up in babies. But, while they might seem like they do the same thing for your little one, there are some differences to consider. The Philips Avent, for example, is easy to clean and is completely dishwasher safe. The Dr. Browns, on the other hand, have lots of little pieces to clean any nooks and crannies you’ll need to get into every time.

They might be good bottles, but cleaning them can be a pain. And if there’s one thing you don’t want to take the short route with when it comes to bottles, it’s keeping them clean and sanitized. Then again, the Avent bottles are typically more expensive than Dr. Brown’s. So if you don’t mind extra elbow grease, then you might end up going with the Dr. Brown’s anyway.

Of course, there are a lot of other qualities that set the two different bottle brands apart from each other, and if you really want to know which to choose between the Dr. Brown’s and Philips Avent Bottles, then you’re going to need to take a closer look.

Main Differences Between Dr. Brown vs Avent Bottles

The Main Differences Between Dr. Brown vs Avent are:

  • Dr. Brown bottles can be hard to clean, whereas Philips Avent bottles are easier to wash and are dishwasher friendly.
  • Dr. Brown has more affordable bottles, whereas Philips Avent bottles are $29.
  • Dr. Brown’s bottles work better for colics, whereas Philips Avent bottles do offer a certain level of colic relief.

How do Dr. Brown’s Bottles Work?

dr.browns bottles

Most parents have known or have seen Dr. Brown’s name even before they become parents. And Dr. Brown’s bottles are definitely one of the better options when it comes to babies prone to colic or colic-like symptoms. The fully vented design helps reduce the intake of air, thereby making it less possible for excess spit-up, burping, and gas to occur.

Plus, the internal venting system makes it, so the flow doesn’t come out to fast. This way, the venting system will give babies the option to drink at their own pace, regardless of the flow of the nipple you choose.

There is the issue of Dr. Brown’s bottles being a little cumbersome to clean since they have more parts than the Philips Avent Bottles, but for some parents, it’s still worth it. They also tend to be so well made that you don’t get the scratches or fading label on the bottle over time, as some comparable bottles tend to have.

The baby bottles have also been proven to help preserve the freshness and nutrients of the breast milk or baby formula in them. And the caps which you can buy to fit under the nipple make them virtually leak-proof so you can toss full bottles in your diaper bag without worry.

Dr. Brown’s Features

  • Parts And Accessories: The bottles come with nipples, twist-on sealer, and flow tube to make for vacuum-free feeding.
  • How To Clean Dr. Browns Bottles: You need to take all parts out of the bottles to clean separately with differently sized brushes so that it can be a hassle, but most parents get the hang of it.
  • Dr. Brown’s Available Sizes: The bottles come in two, four, and eight-ounce options.
  • Dr. Brown’s Prices: Buy at Amazon.
  • Where To Buy Dr. Brown’s Bottles: You can find them on Amazon or in-store at Walmart and Buy Buy Baby.
  • Dr. Browns Recalls? There are no recent, or current recalls on Dr. Brown’s Bottles.

Pros

  • The bottles have been clinically proven to reduce colic in infants.
  • They can fit most breast pumps so you can pump directly into the bottles.
  • The bottles also help to preserve nutrients and vitamins in the breast milk or formula inside.
  • Compared to some other bottles, Dr. Brown’s are a little more affordable than some others.
  • The small discs that come with the bottles make them truly unleakable when in diaper bags.

Cons

  • Because Dr. Brown’s bottles don’t have flat bottoms, there is the risk of them tipping over as they get more empty.
  • If you forget the discs, the bottles aren’t truly unleakable.
  • It can be a hassle to take them apart to clean by hand each time.

Reviews

“I LOVE Dr. Brown’s bottles and so does my two month old son!!! I wish I had purchased them sooner. My son is almost exclusively breast fed, but I pump so my husband can give him the occasional bottle to give me a break. Unfortunately my son gets very gassy and has colic. We started with the Avent natural bottles, then tried the Lansinoh bottles, which we liked a bit better than the Avent.” – Abby K. on Amazon.

“These bottles are great. My baby that is normally fussy after eating isn’t anymore. I also have more peace of mind being able to see that there isn’t any air in the nipple of the bottle, so none getting in her mouth. That way I can rule out tummy problems if she does get upset. They have a bunch of parts, sure, but once you’re familiar with the bottle, it isn’t difficult to put together or clean. The bottles are slim, so they store easily in any bag or compartment.” – Amber Kidwell on Amazon.

“Dr. Brown bottles worked wonders for our gassy baby at two months. Our baby used to twist his body during feeding, after feeding, and even while sleeping and would wake up in pain. Those episodes cut down drastically after we switched to Dr.Browns.” – Kenny K. Lee on Amazon.

“This is the only bottle that had worked for both my babies. Yes there is a lot of parts, but it’s worth the extra washing to have a happy baby that isn’t swallowing a ton of air and screaming. Don’t like hand washing, so I got some dishwasher bottle racks and just put all the parts in the basket and that’s it.” – Amanda Miceli on Amazon.

Check out our full guide to help you find the best bottle warmers for your need.

How do Philips Avent Bottles Work?

philips avent bottles

One of the better-known top options for baby bottles is easily the Philips Avent Bottles. Depending on which you choose from the brand, they’re typically designed to help your baby transition from breast feeding and back again if necessary, and they come with fewer parts than other bottles. So when you need to take them apart to clean and put it all back together, it’s not a total inconvenience or hassle.

The bottles are also proven to reduce colic in some babies and prevent air bubbles from getting in while your baby drinks from the bottle.

Since extra air intake is typically what adds to discomfort during and after feedings, this is very important when looking at any bottle. The nipple is designed to feel like the real thing and is less likely to collapse than other similar nipples from other brands.

There are also a variety of different flows 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 which way you or your baby hold it.

The Philips brand itself has a variety of bottles and sippy cups to eventually graduate to so you can keep it in the Philips family if you want to.

Philips Avent Features

  • Parts And Accessories: The bottles come with a nipple and ring to screw around it in place and a cap to prevent messes or spills when the bottle is in your refrigerator or diaper bag.
  • How To Clean Avent Bottles: The bottles have just a few parts to clean with ease, and you can even put them in the dishwasher for easier cleaning of large quantities.
  • Available Sizes: The Philips Avent Bottles come in four, nine, and 11-ounce bottles.
  • Avent Bottle Prices: Buy at Amazon.
  • Where To Buy Philips Avent Bottles: You can find them on Amazon or in-store at Target.
  • Have Philips Avent Bottles Been Recalled?: There are no recent, or current recalls on Philips Avent Bottles.

Philips Avent Anti-colic Baby Bottles Clear | Amazon
$25.15

While both are good options, I strongly prefer the more realistic (nipple) and multi-part (better for cleaning + space) bottles over Tommee Tippee.

Buy at Amazon
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03/04/2024 09:00 am GMT

Pros

  • With just a few pieces to clean, you might not even need to use a dishwasher to get the Philips Avent Bottles clean each time.
  • You can swap out nipples for slower or faster flow ones as needed.
  • Babies who have had issues with colic or gassiness can get some relief with these, thanks to the blocking of the air intake.
  • The nipples themselves don’t make for nipple confusion.
  • Unlike some other similar bottles, these won’t leak when put in your diaper bag.

Cons

  • The Philips Avent Bottles are a little pricier than the Dr. Brown’s.
  • Even the slowest flow nipple may be a little too fast for some babies.
  • Because the nipple may not go deep enough in your infant’s mouth, there is a chance that you could see leaking of sorts in that regard.

Reviews

“My son has struggled with taking a baby bottle of all different makes and sizes. Now he’s almost six months and BIG these bottle are perfect. They are a different shaped nipple to the avent four ounce bottles but I still much prefer them over any other brand. Very happy with this purchase.” – Kirsty Garcia on Amazon.

“I’ve tried several brands of baby bottles before settling on Avent. I wish I had tried these first. The classic nipples make it easy for my baby to eat, unlike other bottles with the narrow nipples. The wide opening makes it really easy to pour powdered formula in without spilling it all over the counter. It also means that they’re easier to wash. I prefer Avent to Dr. Brown’s any day.” – Magdalena S. on Amazon.

“I love, love, love these bottles. I started my son with these and another brand. With the Avent I didn’t have a lot of gas or throwing up. Would definitely recommend.” – Kisha Odom on Amazon.

“My five month son loves it. The cap comes off easy you don’t have to fight it. The nipples are stiff so they don’t collapse when feeding. It fit your hand good. The baby’s mouths fit around the nipple well. Overall great stuff.” – Henry H. on Amazon.

The Verdict: Dr. Browns or Avent Bottles?

It’s clear to see the benefits of both Dr. Brown’s and Philips Avent Bottles, whether you look at them at first glance or look at them even more closely. But when it comes down to it, Dr. Brown’s Bottles are the stronger option.

It might be because of their cost compared to Philips Avent or the fact that they tend to reduce colic gas, and fussiness better than Philips Avent Bottles.

But, overall, it’s hard to ignore the benefits that come along with choosing Dr. Brown’s Bottles over most others. BPA-free plastic tends to last over time, whether it be several months or even several years.

If the worst thing about Dr. Brown’s Bottles is the fact that they’re difficult to clean, that’s something most parents can learn to deal with after a while. Although the bottles can be a pain to clean, given their many little parts, they’re worth the effort.

Final Thoughts on the Avent vs Dr. Brown’s Debate

Like so many baby products, bottles are subjective. How good or bad a bottle is will likely differ from baby to baby and even when looking at Dr. Brown’s vs. Philips Avent Bottles, that seems to be the case.

Here, Dr. Brown’s bottles may be the more logical and all-around stronger option, but there is the chance that your baby isn’t too keen on them. In that case, you might find that your little one takes to the Philips Avent or another option altogether a lot better.

No matter your baby’s needs, though, the important thing is that you pick the bottle that suits him or her best now and in the long run. If Dr. Brown’s Bottle happens to be the one, then you’ll have chosen a solid option.

FAQs

Can you use Avent nipples on Dr. Brown’s Bottles?

No, you cannot use Avent nipples with Dr. Brown’s. Dr. Brown’s bottles use specially designed anti-colic system, including the long tube and filter top which are essential to the process.

Do Avent Natural nipples fit on Avent Classic bottles?

Yes, they do, as long as you also use the Avent rings.

Are Dr. Brown’s bottles dishwasher safe?

Yes, they are dishwasher-safe (all parts). I would recommend purchasing a little dishwasher organizer like this one to ensure every component gets thoroughly washed. Also, check out Dr. Brown’s bottle brush here the custom drying rack here.

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