Baby Bottles for Colic: What Anti-Colic Bottles Can Do

Researched, not hands-on tested. Guidance checked with the AAP, CDC and NHS on November 1, 2026. How we research products.

It is evening again, your baby is pulling up their legs and crying after the bottle, and you are wondering: is it the bottle? Should I switch? Parents ask exactly this in forums every week. This guide to baby bottles for colic gives you the honest answer first, then a step-by-step feeding check you can do tonight, which bottle types are designed to limit swallowed air, and what to skip.

More on feeding: our baby feeding guides.

Quick answer: can a bottle fix colic?

No bottle is proven to cure colic. The AAP says there is no definite explanation for colic, and the NHS says there is no evidence that one type of bottle or teat is better than another.
A bottle can help with one piece of it: swallowed air during feeds. The AAP lists vented, angled and collapsible bottles as designs meant to limit swallowed air.
How you feed matters as much as the bottle: a slower flow, an upright position, breaks and burping (AAP, CDC, NHS).
The AAP says trial and error with bottles and nipples tends to work best, so try one or two before buying a full set.
See your pediatrician first if the crying is new, constant or sounds different, to rule out illness.

Why colicky crying happens

The NHS describes colic as crying more than 3 hours a day, 3 days a week, for at least a week in an otherwise healthy baby. It can start when a baby is a few weeks old and usually stops by 3 to 4 months. The AAP adds that crying often peaks in the early evening and that colic can last until 6 months in some babies.

Gas is common in colicky babies, but the AAP lists it as a symptom, not a proven cause. Swallowed air during feeding can add to gas, which is why bottle design and feeding technique come up so often. Our baby colic guide covers soothing beyond feeding.

What to do, step by step

Check with your pediatrician first. The AAP advises ruling out a medical cause, such as an illness or hernia, before treating crying as colic.
Slow the flow. The AAP says slowing the flow of liquid from the bottle helps your baby swallow less air. If milk pours out or your baby gulps and sputters, try a slower nipple.
Hold your baby upright and the bottle at an angle. The NHS advises holding your baby upright during feeds so they swallow less air. The CDC says to tilt the bottle so milk only comes out when your baby sucks.
Let your baby take breaks. Pause when your baby pauses, and stop when they show they are full, even if the bottle is not empty (CDC).
Burp during and after each feed (AAP). See our guide to feeding positions for gas and spit-up.
Mix formula gently. The AAP notes that more shaking means more air bubbles, and suggests asking about concentrated or ready-to-feed formula. Stir or swirl instead of shaking.
Avoid overfeeding. The AAP suggests waiting at least 2 to 2.5 hours from the start of one feed to the start of the next.
Change one thing at a time. Give a new nipple or bottle a few days so you can tell what made a difference.
Talk to your pediatrician before changing formula. The AAP says to discuss formula changes first; it may suggest a protein hydrolysate formula.

Bottle types that are designed to limit swallowed air

Bottle type	How it handles air	Trade-off
Internal vent (for example Dr. Brown’s Options+)	An internal vent system that the maker calls “vacuum-free feeding”; the AAP lists vented bottles	Extra parts to wash; can leak if overfilled, shaken or warmed with the collar on
Valve in the nipple (for example Philips Avent Natural Response)	An “anti-colic valve” in the nipple that the maker says is designed to keep air away from the tummy	Fewer parts; you still need the right flow level
Angled bottle	The AAP lists angled bottles among designs meant to limit swallowed air	Can be harder to clean and to read the volume
Collapsible liner or bag	The AAP lists collapsible bottles among designs meant to limit swallowed air	Ongoing cost of liners

Specs and claims for each product are on our researched pages: Dr. Brown’s Options+ review.

For a valve-in-nipple design, see the Philips Avent Natural Response review.

Breastfeeding too? Read best baby bottle for breastfed babies first.

What to avoid

Anti-colic drops, herbal supplements and probiotics without advice. The NHS says they are not recommended and there is no evidence they help colic. The AAP says to consult your pediatrician before trying anti-gas drops.
Propping the bottle or leaving it in your baby’s mouth, and putting your baby to bed with a bottle (CDC).
Sleep positioners, wedges and inclined sleepers for a gassy or spitty baby. The AAP advises a flat, firm sleep surface on the back for every sleep. See our safe sleep guide.
Heating bottles in a microwave, which can create hot spots (CDC and bottle makers).
Buying a full set before testing. Start with one or two bottles and nipples.

Spit-up a lot too? Our guide to baby reflux explains what is normal.

When to talk to your doctor

You are worried about the crying, or nothing seems to help (NHS).
You are finding it hard to cope. Put your baby down safely in the crib and take a few minutes; never shake a baby.
Your baby is not gaining weight as expected, or has fewer wet diapers (NHS).
Colic-like crying continues after 4 months (NHS).
Your baby vomits forcefully, has a fever, or seems unwell or unusually sleepy.
Call 911 if your baby has a weak or high-pitched cry, a cry that does not sound like their normal cry (NHS), or trouble breathing.

Frequently asked questions

Do anti-colic bottles really work?

They are designed to reduce swallowed air, and the AAP lists vented, angled and collapsible bottles for that reason. No bottle is proven to cure colic, and the NHS says there is no evidence one bottle is better than another. Feeding technique matters too.

What are the best baby bottles for colic and reflux?

There is no single best bottle. The AAP says trial and error with different bottles and nipples tends to work best. Try a slow-flow nipple, an upright feeding position and frequent burping, and talk to your pediatrician about reflux.

Are glass baby bottles better for colic?

Neither the AAP nor the NHS says glass reduces colic. Glass is a material choice; what affects swallowed air is the flow, venting and how you feed. Glass bottles can break, so inspect them before each use.

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Sources

This page is general information, not medical advice. Talk to your pediatrician about your baby’s crying and feeding.