Philips Avent Natural Response review: nipple flow, leaks and breastfed babies

By / 1 November 2026

Researched, not hands-on tested. Specs checked on Philips’ US website and in the Natural Response user manual on October 31, 2026. How we research products.

You are breastfeeding, you want a bottle your baby will actually take, and the Philips Avent Natural Response keeps coming up because of one promise: milk flows only when your baby sucks. This Philips Avent Natural Response bottle review explains what Philips says the nipple does, which flow number to start with (Philips no longer prints ages on the nipples), how it fits with other Avent parts, and how to use it safely. We use Philips’ own specs and manual, plus guidance from the CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

More on feeding: our baby feeding guides.

Quick answer: is the Philips Avent Natural Response worth it?

It suits parents who combine breastfeeding and bottles and want a wide, soft silicone nipple that, according to Philips, releases milk only when the baby actively drinks, with five flow levels in the US. It may not suit a baby who gets frustrated by slow flow, or parents who want to skip choosing between nipple flows.

Philips Avent Natural Response specs (from Philips)

SpecPhilips Avent Natural Response
Plastic bottle sizes (US)4 oz / 125 ml with Slow Flow nipple (pack stage 0-3 months); 9 oz / 260 ml with Medium Flow nipple (3-6 months); 11 oz / 330 ml with Fast Flow nipple (6 months+)
Glass bottles8 oz / 240 ml borosilicate glass with Medium nipple (3-6 months); a 4 oz / 120 ml glass bottle with Slow Flow nipple is also listed
Bottle materialPolypropylene, BPA free (Philips: “0% BPA, following EU regulation 10/2011”)
Nipple materialSoft silicone, BPA free
Nipple flows (US)Flow 1 to 5, from extra slow to extra fast; Philips sizes nipples by drinking pace, not by age
Venting“Anti-colic valve” in the nipple, which Philips says is designed to keep air away from your baby’s tummy
LeakingPhilips says the nipple “will not leak” and releases milk only when the baby is feeding
CompatibilitySame screw ring as Philips Avent Natural bottles; the manual says the bottle parts are compatible only with Philips Avent Natural nipples
CleaningDishwasher safe; sterilize in boiling water for 5 minutes or in a Philips Avent sterilizer
Nipple replacementPhilips recommends replacing nipples every 3 months, or at the first sign of damage or weakness

Source: Philips US product pages for the 4 oz, 9 oz and glass bottles, Philips FAQ pages and the user manual (links under Sources), checked October 31, 2026. Not stated by Philips: ages for each nipple flow, a part count, or a study behind its claims.

What it does well (according to Philips)

  • Flow that pauses. Philips says the nipple has an opening that “only releases milk when the baby actively drinks,” so when your baby pauses to swallow and breathe, “the milk pauses too.” That lines up with the CDC’s advice to let a baby take breaks during a bottle feed.
  • Five flow levels. You choose the flow by how your baby drinks. Philips suggests a lower flow number (such as 1 or 2) for vigorous drinkers and a higher one (4 or 5) for slow drinkers.
  • Works with other Avent parts. Philips says you can mix and match its breast pump, bottle and cup parts, which helps if you already pump with an Avent pump.
  • Glass option. Philips describes its borosilicate glass bottle as heat and thermal shock resistant and suitable for sterilizing.

Its limits

  • The flow can feel too slow. Consumer Reports (March 2025) described parent complaints that the Natural Response nipple gave too little milk. Philips told Consumer Reports it keeps optimizing its products and brought back its 2 oz First Flow bottle. If your baby works hard and gets frustrated, Philips points to a higher flow number.
  • No age guide. Because nipples are labeled by pace, not months, you find the right one by watching your baby, which can take some trial and error.
  • Claims are the manufacturer’s. Philips cites no study for its breast-like or anti-colic claims. The NHS says “there’s no evidence that 1 type of teat or bottle is better than any other.”
  • AirFree vent version. The Natural Response bottle with a built-in AirFree vent sold in other countries is not listed on Philips’ US site.

Safety notes

  • Recall check (October 31, 2026): we searched the CPSC recall database and news and found no recall of Philips Avent bottles or nipples. The only Philips Avent recall we found is for Philips Avent Digital Video Baby Monitors (2023, burn hazard), a different product. In 2026 the CPSC announced a recall of TOMY Boon NURSH 8 oz reusable bottles (choking hazard); we mention it only as a warning.
  • Never prop the bottle or leave it in your baby’s mouth, and do not put your baby to bed with a bottle (CDC). Philips’ manual says to always use the bottle with adult supervision.
  • Inspect the nipple before each use by pulling it in all directions, and throw it away at the first sign of damage or weakness. Never use a feeding nipple as a pacifier (Philips manual).
  • Never thaw or heat breast milk in a microwave (CDC), and always check the milk temperature before feeding.
  • Clean bottles after every feeding. The CDC advises sanitizing at least daily if your baby is under 2 months, was born early or has a weakened immune system.
  • Glass bottles can break; the AAP notes the injury risk with glass.

Who should pick something else

If your baby keeps fighting a slow flow, try the next Natural Response flow number first, then a bottle with a different nipple shape: the AAP says trial and error with different bottles and nipples tends to be the best approach. If gas is your main worry, the AAP mentions vented, angled or collapsible bottles as options. For what to look for in any bottle, see best baby bottle for breastfed babies: what actually matters.

Mixing breast and bottle? Our guide to combination feeding covers timing and keeping up your supply.

When to talk to your doctor

  • You are worried your baby is not drinking enough, or you see fewer wet diapers than usual.
  • Your baby often coughs, chokes or gags during bottle feeds.
  • Your baby refuses both the breast and the bottle.
  • Call 911 if your baby has trouble breathing or turns blue.

Frequently asked questions

Is Philips Avent Natural Response anti-colic?

Philips says the nipple has an anti-colic valve designed to keep air away from your baby’s tummy and to help reduce colic and discomfort. That is the manufacturer’s claim; Philips cites no study, and the AAP says trial and error with bottles and nipples tends to work best for gas.

Which Natural Response nipple flow should I use?

Philips sizes the nipples by drinking pace, not age. In the US they come in flows 1 to 5. Philips suggests a lower number for babies who drink vigorously and a higher number for slow drinkers. Bottle packs still list a starting stage, such as Slow Flow for 0 to 3 months.

Do Natural Response nipples fit Philips Avent Natural bottles?

Philips says Natural and Natural Response bottles use the same screw ring, and its glass bottles take Natural and Natural Response rings and nipples. The manual says the bottle parts are compatible only with Philips Avent Natural nipples.

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Sources

This page is general information, not medical advice. Product details can change; check the manual and Philips’ current instructions. Talk to your pediatrician or a lactation consultant about your baby’s feeding.