Why You Should Use a Glass Baby Bottle
Eco Friendly
Glass baby bottles are eco-friendly. Unlike plastics, they are limitless, recyclable, and they don’t create the same harmful byproducts as plastic when they are produced. This is good for both you and your baby, both now and when they grow up!
No Chemicals
This is perhaps the biggest argument for the use of glass bottles. As we all know, plastics can leach harmful materials into anything that they stay in prolonged contact with. This would include baby bottles that are storing milk. This risk is further increased when the plastic is heated, like when a bottle is left in the sun, the car, or warmed up before use.
In 2012 the FDA passed a ban on bisphenol A, or BPA, from being used in any sippy cups or baby bottles. This is because they realized that BPAs were leach out of the plastics and were causing health concerns in children. While it is good that they were on top of this issue, the question remains about whether or not plastics have any other chemicals that are leaching out that we just haven’t learned about yet.
I’m not mentioning this to cause anyone fear, but since there as another option readily available that doesn’t hold these risks, then why wouldn’t you use it. This is the reason most parents and doctors are recommending the use of glass baby bottles. There are so many advantages; it just makes the switch a no brainer.
Easy to Clean
Glass is not porous like plastic, so it will never absorb any flavors or smells. It also never absorbs the color of the liquid in the container. This makes it extremely easy to clean. No matter what has been left inside of the bottle, you know that with some warm water and dish soap, your glass baby bottle will be back to looking and smelling like brand new.
Misconceptions Around Glass Baby Bottles
Fragility
Most people would never think of feeding their baby with an item that is as fragile as glass. But the reality is that glass nowadays is extremely tough and durable enough to withstand a few bumps or drops. Exceptionally durable glasses include tempered glass and borosilicate glass. You can also look out for glass bottles that have a silicone sleeve surrounding them for a little extra protection.
Temperature Resistance
People often worry about glass breaking from thermal shock. If you don’t know, thermal shock is another term for the stress that comes from an item quickly going from one temperature extreme to another. This is something we have all probably experienced at one time or another. You warm up a piece of glass cookware and accidentally stick it under the sink while it is still warm, and the cold water causes it to crack.
People up north can experience the opposite. When you have a frozen car windshield and someone tries to thaw it with boiling water, the temperature change can crack the glass. That being said, the glass that these baby bottles are made of is extremely resilient and can handle extreme temperature changes without a problem. These bottles can go straight from the freezer and onto the stovetop without ever having to worry about them cracking.
Clean Up
Most people have the misconception that glass needs to be cleaned by hand. This is not the case, and almost every glass baby bottle nowadays can be placed into the top rack of the dishwasher. This makes it just as convenient as plastic. Glass also has the benefit of not holding milk fat on the sides of the bottle like plastic does. It won’t absorb bad smells, so you never have to scrub or soak the glass, and they don’t discolor nearly as easily as plastic does.
Disadvantages of Using a Glass Baby Bottle
Durability
Although they can make forms of extremely durable glass now, and the bottles hold up longer to wear and tear from things like scratches, and smells, and color changing. They are still made of glass. If they take a serious tumble, they could break, and that’s not a risk you run with plastic.
Cost
Plastic is so abundant because it is incredibly cheap to make. Glass is not so by nature; these bottles do cost more than your average plastic baby bottle.
Weight
Because glass is thicker and heavier, these bottles definitely weight more than their plastic counterparts. They are heavier in your hand when you’re holding them, and they will probably be too heavy for a baby that is learning to self-feed.
Quantity
Due to the fact that plastic is cheaper and easily mass-produced, they are a lot more abundant and consequently easier to find, with more style variations than glass baby bottles. This doesn’t mean that your local baby shop won’t have glass baby bottles. You just probably won’t get the same selection that you will with plastic. That is why it is your best bet to do the research online for what bottle will work best for you. Then order it directly from that retailer. This will save you from having to make sacrifices and ensures that you get the exact product you need.
How to Clean a Glass Baby Bottle
Dishwasher
These glass bottles can be put in the top rack of the dishwasher for an easy, fast cleaning option. They can withstand high heat and even your dishwasher’s steam cycle when they need to be sanitized.
Boil
If you would like to sterilize your glass bottle, you can put them in boiling water. This is a big advantage over traditional plastic bottles. These don’t require any special cleaners or solvents. You can use a trick as old as time. Just boil a pot of water and throw the glass baby bottles in for about ten minutes. Let them air dry, seal them up, and they’re ready to go.
Electric Steamer
Many companies sell electric steamers that are great for sanitizing baby supplies. These glass bottles are no different. Ensure you read the instructions on the steamer and the glass bottle to double-check. However, most glass bottles and their caps can be thrown into an electric steamer without a problem. This is a natural, chemical-free, and mess-free way to sterilize a glass baby bottle.
How To Warm Up A Glass Baby Bottle
Bottle Warmer
You can use a bottle warmer to heat up your glass bottles, but you need to be careful. Some warmers can handle glass, and some can’t, so make sure you read the directions for your specific brand. That being said, you will find that most brands can handle glass without a problem.
Sink
Just like with plastic bottles running your bottle under some warm sink water is a quick and easy way to get it up to temperature. It also saves you from having to buy another device just to warm up your bottles.
Warm Pot of Water
Just like in the old days, glass bottles are safe to throw into a pot of warm water. This works a little bit faster than under the sink since the bottle can be fully submerged, warming from all sides at the same time. You just need to be careful that the water isn’t too hot before you drop it in.
OUR FAVORITE GLASS BABY BOTTLES!
Best Overall
Although many bottles perform a specific function, this is a great bottle that just seems to do everything well. This is the Philips AVENT Natural Glass Bottle. The bottle is made from pharmaceutical grade BPA free borosilicate glass. That is an extremely durable glass that is often used in cookware because it can handle very rapid temperature changes. This means that the bottles can go straight from the fridge and into a bottle warmer, without having to worry about the glass breaking.
The nozzle is made with a wide silicone tip and a petal-shaped design to mimic a natural nipple. The nipple is also built to prevent collapse. That is great because it means that a child can easily go from a real nipple to the bottle and then back to the real nipple without any confusion. These bottles come with a 1 month+ slow flow nipple, but the bottles work with any Philips Avent natural nipple so you can use whatever works best for your child.
The nipple also has an advanced anti-colic system integrated directly into the nipple, so no more worrying about the hard to clean parts that other anti-colic bottles use. And when you’re done feeding, this bottle can go straight into the dishwasher.
Best For Mothers Who Are Still Breastfeeding
This is the Chicco NaturalFit Glass Baby Bottle, and it is meant for mothers who are still transitioning between the bottle and breastfeeding. It has a wide, round, angled nipple with soft skin-like silicone that mimics the natural breast and ensures a secure latch. And in a clinical study, 96% of babies latched immediately.
Since the whole bottle is specially designed to reduce the risk of nipple confusion, the nipple also mimics the natural flow of a breast. With dual-flow air valves that are clinically tested to reduce colic. Each bottle offers an angled and a straight nipple for whatever your baby prefers.
The whole bottle breaks down into just three pieces for easy cleaning. It features a wide “no mess” opening at the top. And the bottle is encased in a silicone sleeve for better grip and protection for the glass. The whole unit is microwave and dishwasher safe.
Best For Newborns
The Lifefactory Glass Baby Bottle is the perfect bottle to use with newborns. This bottle is made using pharmaceutical grade borosilicate glass. That is one of the most durable forms of glass and exhibits excellent thermal shot resistance, which means that it can go from the freezer straight into boiling water without cracking. The bottle is also compatible with most major breast pumps.
The sleeve surrounding the bottle is made from medical grade silicone and provides a good non-slip grip as well as some extra protection for the bottle. All materials on this bottle are BPA and BPS free.
The nipple is a medical-grade silicone and is rated level one. That means that it is safe for newborns from 0-3 months old. But the nipples are interchangeable so that that bottle can grow with your child.
The whole bottle is also dishwasher safe making for effortless cleanup. The bottle with the sleeve can go on the bottom rack while the cap and nipple are top rack safe. This glass baby bottle can also handle the steam cycle if you need to sterilize it for your newborn.
Best For Colic Prevention
All babies cry, but colic is when a baby cries excessively for seemingly no reason all. It usually happens in the first three months of life and then begins to fade out. Any baby can get colic, and it can stem from many different things that are often out of a parent’s control. But one of the most common factors is when a baby is having digestive distress. This can sometimes be caused when they get air in their belly while feeding. Fixing this problem is what has made Dr. Brown Glass Baby Bottles famous.
The anti-colic vent system is clinically proven to reduce symptoms like spit-up, burping, and gas, resulting in less crying and better digestion. These bottles are 100% vacuum free, providing air free feeding to reduce discomfort. Luckily, the bottle can also be used without the anti-colic vent as the baby gets older.
When not using the anti-colic vent, the bottle vents naturally through Dr. Brown’s new natural nipple that has been engineered for consistent flow to support breastfeeding. This new nipple, in a study with almost 900 babies, proved to have a 93% acceptance rate. Dr. Brown’s glass baby bottles are rated for children 0 to 12 months of age.
Best Price
These are the extremely well priced and well made Evenflo Glass Baby Bottle. Don’t let the blander style of this bottle fool you; these things are loved by many parents. These bottles are made with tempered glass that is 100% free of BPA, polycarbonates, PVC, and phthalates, and are constructed of FDA approved food-grade materials. The bottle has a twist in the glass that helps you keep ahold of it. They are also designed to fit onto most major breast pumps for easy filling, with built-in measurement marks right on the bottle. Allowing you to track exactly how much milk your baby is getting.
The nipple is made with Evenflo Feeding’s patented Proflo Venting Technology. Technology which is designed to prevent your baby from consuming air while feeding. This reduces colic, including spit-up and burping.
The whole bottle breaks down into three pieces for easy cleaning, as well as being top rack dishwasher safe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Glass Baby Bottles Better?
Glass baby bottles have many advantages over their plastic counterparts. Glass baby bottles will never leach any chemicals into the liquids stored in them, even when heated. They will never absorb odors or smells, and they are extremely eco-friendly.
Are Glass Baby Bottles Dangerous?
Glass baby bottles are only dangerous in the fact that they could break, but most bottles are made with extremely durable borosilicate glass and are covered in protective sleeves. In every other sense, they are much less dangerous than plastic.
Can Babies Hold Glass Bottles?
It is not recommended that babies hold their own glass bottles. Once they can feed themselves, it is recommended to find an alternative feeding method for safety. These bottles could break if dropped by a child.
Are Glass Bottles too Heavy for Baby?
A child may be able to hold a smaller glass baby bottle but it is not recommended. Once a child can hold the bottle themselves, giving them one made of glass just becomes too dangerous for them to be trusted with.
Can You Boil Glass Baby Bottles?
Glass baby bottles are safe to boil. Placing them in a pot of boiling water for about 10 minutes is an easy way to sterilize your glass bottles.
Are Glass Milk Bottles Better Than Plastic?
Glass milk bottles are better than plastic because they will not absorb the odors and flavors of the milk. They can also be easily heated without the worry of chemicals leaching into the milk. Something that is a concern when heating plastic.
Do Glass Bottles Prevent Colic?
Drinking out of a glass bottle does not inherently prevent colic. However, there are many glass bottle makers, like Dr. Browns, that have designed special systems within their glass bottles to help prevent colic.
Are Glass Baby Bottles Easy to Break?
Glass bottles are not easy to break. They can break, but not easily. Glass baby bottles are designed with safety in mind. Most use extremely strong lab-grade glass and some are even covered in protective sleeves for further protection.
