Bottle choices

We currently use the Avent bottles, but don't love them (leaky!) and want to switch to BPA-free. That seems to leave 2 options: Born Free glass or Playtex Drop-ins. From what I gather, the pros/cons of each are:

Born Free:
Pros: Reusable/environmentally sound, dishwasher safe, upfront/sunk cost
Cons: I've heard the measurement markings wear off in the dishwasher, expensive upfront, need to be washed (use energy and water to run dishwasher or handwash)

Drop-ins:
Pros: Disposable liner for easy clean-up (a major plus), cheaper upfront cost
Cons: Environmentally wasteful, cost to purchase liners, hard to read measurement markings to tell how much is in bottle

What do you use and why? Am I missing any pros/cons on either? What do you recommend?

For us, cost is an issue, but so is maintaining sanity...

Thanks for your help!

 

I use Avent... I love them.. sometimes they leak for me too.. Maybe you need new nipples.. Maybe they are worn already.. Also.. what i do before i even shake the bottle is squeeze the nipple to find out if its going to leak. If its going to leak Air will come from everywhere.. If not.. It will only come from the hole in the nipple..
Also.. I tried drop-ins babies didnt like them.. And i tried to switch bottles (because of the leaking).. Babies werent too happy about it.. Maybe buy one (or 2.. ) and see if the babies even like them first...

 

we use the drop ins because of the fact that you can squeeze out the air, thus reducing gassiness

but if i had to do it over again, i would just buy regular bottles like the vent air because of the hassle and expense of buying the liners....what you save in clean up time is really minimal because you still end up washing the nipple/nipple ring/lid and if you're like me you just toss the bottle in and wash the top where the ring screws on, just for the heck of it...i also sterilize them for some bizarre reason, i always say, next time i wont do it, but i just do....

i heard the avent bottles leak a lot too, that was why i didnt purchase them, but i have also heard that it happens when you screw the lid on too tight

don't know about the glass bottles you mentioned, but i have a couple of 4 oz evenflo glass bottles, which were VERY cheap, don't know if they make em bigger though

good luck

 

Arghgh I just wrote a long post, and it got eaten.

Gerber makes a bottle called "Gentle Flow" that looks just like Avent, but is BPA-free. In fact, it takes Avent nipples. I've only found it at Walgreens, but I think Buy Buy Baby also carries it.

Unsure if it leaks the same way -- I've heard not to over-tighten, and to leave a little water on the nipple ring before screwing it on, to make a good seal.

I wanted BPA-free also, but the Avent-type nipple has never worked for any of my 3 kids. They all preferred Dr. Brown's. So, I use Dr. Brown's nipples on Gerber "Clear View" or "Fashion Tint" bottles, which are also BPA-free. There is a bit of nipple collapse because I'm not using the straws, etc. with the Dr. Brown's, but ah, well. Nothing is perfect, LOL.

Nuby also makes a new bottle that is BPA-free, and holds the standard-size Dr. Brown's nipples...(they have a funny shape, like a snowman).

ETA -- We've also tried the Evenflo classic glass bottles, which I like, but they're too heavy to prop for a second if you're feeding by yourself and need to burp one baby....

 

I never used either (I did hate avent though), just wanted to wish you luck in your bottle search!!

 

I use Dr. Brown's. Mine had reflux pretty bad and it hasn't been too much of a problem since they came home. Although there are lots of pieces to wash, I love them! When I just put a nipple on the little pre-mixed bottles, I could tell a real increase in gassiness and spit up.

 

we used drop ins with silicone nipples...if you use the Target brand liners - they are as soft and pliable as the original Playtex (some store brands such as Wal-Mart and Wegmans are very stiff and don't fill right)...and they're $2 cheaper a box...

 

We started with Dr. Browns (what a PAIN to clean those!) and then switched to Evenflo glass because of the BPA issue.
I have never looked back. Mine had no digestive issues, and the glass bottles are heavy, but I fed them at the same time, in their bouncers/high chairs facing me while I was sitting on the floor or a chair. A cinch to clean in the dishwasher, the markings are molded into the glass, and they don't break (the girls drop them ALL the time, not a single one has broken in 7 months.)
I bought a bunch online, but recently saw them at ToysRUs. I'm pretty sure they were cheaper than Dr. Browns too. They come in packs of three. I bought 4 oz and 8 oz bottles, more than I needed, and spent about $60-80 on them, I think. But I have a ton.
I plan to sell them on ebay when I am done. You might want to check there or Craig's list. You never know...

Oh, they never leaked, (except a tiny bit very occasionally if the nipple wasn't in tight enough, so I would have to adjust it) but none of the crazy leaks you get with plastic bottles.

 

Thanks for the Evenflo suggestion--it seems like a better priced alternative to Born Free. I wasn't familiar with them until your post. I think this may be the way to go. Dr. Brown's and Avent are not options, due to BPA, but Drop-Ins seem so wasteful and expensive.

I appreciate your help!

 

My Jack had reflux and different bottles didn't make a difference. I tried 'em all and he still had gas issues. His fave was the Gerber plastic bottles. I use those on Katie as well.

 

I thought those were the only two options as well but then I found out about Gerber Gentle Flow bottles. They're the same design as the Avent ones but they're made from safe plastic (it's clear, hard plastic that you have to worry about - the Gerber ones are soft, cloudy plastic). As for leaking, I was able to correct the problem by tightening the bottles by holding the cap, not the ring (Avent Customer Service gave me this tip). Apparently leaking issues are caused by overtightening. The Gerber bottles are great and they're inexpensive. Plus you can use all of your existing nipples.

 

We started out using the Dr. Browns bottles, but switched soon after when I realized they weren't Bisphenol-A free. We now use the cloudy soft plastic Gerber bottles with the Dr. Brown nipples. The Gerber bottles are super cheap ($3.50 for 3 in my grocery store) and very easy to clean.