Choose a newborn feeding bottle that is easy to clean, with a slow-flow newborn teat. The bottle type matters less than the teat and the cleaning: wide-neck and vented bottles are the easiest to fill and wash. Sterilise feeding equipment until your baby is 12 months old. At Zawadi, bottles cost KES 600 to 2,500 as of September 2026.
This guide explains the nine main types of feeding bottle, how to choose one, how many you need, and how to clean and sterilise them. Whether you are giving expressed breast milk or formula, the same checks apply.
What types of feeding bottles are there for newborns?
There are nine common types of feeding bottle. Most differ in the shape of the neck, the teat, or how air gets into the bottle while your baby feeds.
1. Standard feeding bottles
A standard feeding bottle has a narrow neck and a basic teat. Standard bottles are widely available and fit most teats and brushes, but the narrow neck makes them slower to fill and harder to clean. Our Momeasy PP feeding bottle is a simple bottle with a soft silicone teat and a handle.
2. Anti-colic feeding bottles
An anti-colic bottle has a vent, valve or tube designed to reduce the air your baby swallows while feeding. Makers sell them for fussy feeders, but no bottle is proven to stop colic, and the UK National Health Service colic advice does not mention bottles. Our guide to colic covers what parents can try.
Momeasy Newborn Bottle Gift Set
Wide-neck bottle with a vent and a soft teat.
KSh 2,500
Lipa na M-Pesa Delivery across Kenya
3. Self-sterilizing feeding bottles
A self-sterilizing bottle sterilises itself in the microwave: you add water, assemble it as the maker shows, and heat it for the stated time. It saves carrying a separate steriliser, but you need a microwave and power, and you must follow the instructions exactly.
4. Disposable bottles
Disposable bottles come pre-sterilised and are thrown away after one feed. They are handy for a trip, but they are expensive to use every day and create a lot of waste.
5. Wide-neck feeding bottles
A wide-neck bottle is shorter and wider, with a broad teat. The wide opening makes it quick to fill and easy to clean with a brush, and many parents of breastfed babies like the broader teat. Check that replacement teats for your bottle are easy to buy.
6. Angle neck feeding bottles
An angle neck bottle bends near the top, so the teat stays full of milk while you hold your baby semi-upright. Angled bottles can be awkward to fill and clean, and they need a longer brush.
7. Breast mimicking feeding bottles
A breast-like bottle has a wide, soft teat shaped to feel closer to the breast. Parents who combine breastfeeding with expressed milk often choose one. The Lansinoh NaturalWave bottle is designed for breastfed babies and has only four parts to clean.
Lansinoh Feeding Bottle with Natural Wave
NaturalWave teat for breastfed babies, four parts to clean.
KSh 1,650
Lipa na M-Pesa Delivery across Kenya
8. Vented feeding bottles
A vented bottle lets air into the bottle through a vent instead of through the teat, so the teat does not collapse while your baby sucks. Vented bottles have more parts, so they take a little longer to wash and assemble.
9. Bottles with disposable liners
These bottles hold a thin plastic bag that you fill with milk and throw away after the feed. They are quick for travel, but you keep buying liners and the teat still needs cleaning and sterilising.
Which feeding bottle type suits you?
For most families, a wide-neck or vented bottle is the practical everyday choice. This table sums up the trade-offs:
| Bottle type | Good for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | Easy to find, fits most teats | Narrow neck is harder to clean |
| Wide-neck | Quick to fill and clean | Check spare teats are available |
| Vented or anti-colic | Less air through the teat | More parts to wash |
| Breast-like | Babies who also breastfeed | Usually costs more |
| Self-sterilizing | No separate steriliser needed | Needs a microwave and power |
| Disposable or with liners | Travel and trips | Ongoing cost and waste |
How do you choose a newborn feeding bottle?
Choose by the teat, the materials and how easy the bottle is to clean. Check these points before you buy:
- Teat flow: a newborn needs a slow-flow teat. Move to a faster flow only as your baby grows and feeds get quicker.
- Materials: look for bottles labelled free of bisphenol A (BPA-free).
- Cleaning: fewer parts and a wide neck mean quicker, more thorough washing.
- Clear measurement marks that do not rub off.
- Compatibility: if you express milk, check whether the bottle fits your breast pump and your steriliser.
If your baby struggles to feed, chokes or splutters often, or is not gaining weight, see your clinic. Our breastfeeding guide covers where to get feeding help.
How many feeding bottles does a newborn need?
It depends on how you feed. A baby who is mostly breastfed and has the odd bottle of expressed milk may only need two or three. A baby who is bottle-fed at every feed needs enough bottles to get through the day while others are being washed and sterilised.
A set can be the simplest way to start. Our newborn feeding set includes four bottles, two bottle brushes and a pacifier, and costs KES 2,500 as of September 2026. You can compare every option in our feeding bottles and sterilisers range.
How do you clean and sterilise baby bottles?
Wash first, then sterilise. The UK’s National Health Service (NHS) advises sterilising all feeding equipment, including bottles and teats, until your baby is at least 12 months old, to protect against infections such as diarrhoea and vomiting.
- Wash bottles, teats and other equipment in hot, soapy water as soon as possible after feeds.
- Use a clean bottle brush for the bottles and a small teat brush for the inside of the teats.
- Rinse everything in clean, cold running water.
- Sterilise, using one of the methods below.
| Method | What the NHS advises | At Zawadi (September 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Steam (electric or microwave) | Follow the maker’s instructions, as there are several different types | Electric steam steriliser KES 6,500; microwave steam steriliser KES 3,500 |
| Cold water solution | Leave equipment in the solution for at least 30 minutes; change the solution every 24 hours | Milton sterilising tablets KES 1,000 |
| Boiling | Boil for at least 10 minutes, with everything under the water. Teats wear out faster this way, so check them often | A large pan you already have |
Where can you buy feeding bottles in Nairobi?
You can buy feeding bottles, teats and sterilisers at Zawadi Baby Shop, Shop F12, IBEA Building, Moi Avenue, Nairobi. We are open Monday to Saturday 8:30am to 7pm, and Sunday 11am to 6pm. Call or WhatsApp 0706 561 855 to check stock before you visit.
You can also order online, pay with Lipa na M-Pesa, and we deliver across Kenya. If you plan to express milk, our guide to choosing a breast pump is a good next read.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best feeding bottle for a newborn?
The best bottle is one your baby feeds well from and you can clean easily. For most newborns that means a wide-neck or vented bottle with a slow-flow teat. Babies who also breastfeed often do well with a breast-like teat.
How many feeding bottles does a newborn need?
A mostly breastfed baby who has the odd bottle of expressed milk may need only two or three. A fully bottle-fed baby needs enough bottles to last the day while the others are washed and sterilised.
Until what age should I sterilise baby bottles?
The UK National Health Service advises sterilising all feeding equipment, including bottles and teats, until your baby is at least 12 months old. Always wash in hot, soapy water and rinse before sterilising.
Do anti-colic bottles stop colic?
No bottle is proven to stop colic. Anti-colic bottles are designed to reduce the air a baby swallows while feeding, and some parents like them for that. If your baby cries a lot, see your clinic and read our colic guide.
How much are baby feeding bottles in Kenya?
At Zawadi Baby Shop, feeding bottles cost KES 600 to 2,500 as of September 2026, and a newborn feeding set with four bottles is KES 2,500. Prices change, so check the product page for the current price.
