In short: Anti-colic bottles with a valve, vent tube or wide teat reduce how much air a baby swallows during feeds, but they do not "cure" colic. The NHS says there is no evidence that one type of bottle or teat is better than any other. Choose a bottle your baby accepts, with the right flow, that is easy to clean – and feed your baby upright.
Author: Eva Birsa, mum and co-founder of Evitas · Updated: 28 September 2026
What is colic?
According to the NHS, colic is when a baby cries a lot for no obvious reason: more than 3 hours a day, 3 days a week, for at least 1 week, while otherwise healthy. It usually starts when a baby is a few weeks old and usually stops by 3 to 4 months. The cause is unknown – trapped wind is only one theory – so no bottle can guarantee your baby will not get colic.
What does "anti-colic" mean?
Manufacturers use the label for features designed to reduce the amount of air a baby swallows:
- Valve or vent tube: air enters the bottle away from the milk, so no vacuum builds up and milk flows steadily.
- Wide teat base: encourages a wide latch so air does not get in around the edges.
- Controlled flow: a teat that releases milk only with active sucking, or a flow suited to your baby's age, so they do not gulp.
Do anti-colic bottles really help?
The honest answer: they can help your baby swallow less air, but they are not a proven cure for colic. In its bottle feeding advice, the NHS says there is no evidence that one type of teat or bottle is better than any other. The studies quoted by manufacturers (for example Canpol babies and LOVI) are smaller manufacturer studies (with 100 and 102 babies) and are not the same as independent comparative research. The NHS also says colic remedies such as anti-colic drops, herbal or probiotic supplements are not recommended and there is no evidence they help.
How you feed matters as much as the bottle: hold the bottle almost horizontal so the teat stays full of milk, take breaks and wind your baby after feeds.
What the NHS suggests for colic
- Hold or cuddle your baby when they are crying a lot.
- Sit or hold your baby upright during feeds so they swallow less air.
- Wind your baby after feeds.
- Gentle rocking, a warm bath or steady white noise (such as a tumble dryer) may help.
- If you are breastfeeding, carry on as normal.
When to see a doctor
- If you are worried or nothing seems to help, contact your paediatrician or GP.
- If your baby still has symptoms of colic after 4 months of age.
- Get urgent help straight away (112 in the EU) if your baby has a weak or high-pitched cry, or a cry that does not sound like their normal cry (NHS).
How to choose an anti-colic bottle
- Anti-colic system: valve, vent tube or controlled-flow teat – more parts also means more cleaning.
- Teat shape: breastfed babies often accept a wide-based teat more easily; for mixed feeding see our combination feeding guide.
- Flow: start with the slowest; a hole that is too big makes babies drink too fast (NHS).
- Material: BPA-free plastic is light, glass is heavier but does not scratch; teats are mostly silicone.
- Cleaning: check whether the bottle is dishwasher and steriliser safe and how many parts it has.
- Capacity: 150 ml for the first months, 250–260 ml later.
Anti-colic bottles compared
Data is taken from product descriptions and the manufacturers' official websites.
| Canpol babies Natural Shape (anti-colic) | LOVI Mammafeel | Tommee Tippee Advanced Anti-Colic | Tommee Tippee Natural Start | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| How it reduces swallowed air | DuoFlex dual-zone teat, milk flows only with active sucking, wide base | tight lip seal on the wide teat base | vent tube channels air away from the milk | anti-colic valve |
| Flows / teats | mini 0m+, slow 3m+, medium 6m+, fast 12m+ | MINI 0m+, SLOW 3m+, MEDIUM 6m+, FAST 9m+, CROSS-CUT 6m+ | 0m+ | 0m+ |
| Sizes in our shop | 150 ml, 260 ml | 150 ml, 250 ml | 150 ml, 260 ml | 150 ml, 260 ml (also glass) |
| Special feature | made in Poland; compatible with the SmartSense pump | skin-coloured teat made from two types of silicone; made in the EU | self-sterilising in the microwave (3 min) | self-sterilising in the microwave (3 min) |
| Product | 150 ml | 150 ml | Tommee Tippee | Tommee Tippee |
Browse the Canpol babies, LOVI and Tommee Tippee collections or all baby bottles. More on LOVI bottles in LOVI Mammafeel bottle.
Cleaning and sterilising
Valves and vent tubes only work when they are clean. The NHS advises sterilising bottles and teats until your baby is at least 12 months old. According to the manufacturer, the LOVI electric steam steriliser sterilises in 10 minutes, dries for 10, 30 or 50 minutes, holds up to 4 bottles and 10 small accessories and uses 100 ml of water per cycle. See more in sterilisers and bottle warmers. If you use formula, read our formula feeding guide and the article on the Tommee Tippee Perfect Prep Pro.
Frequently asked questions
Will an anti-colic bottle prevent colic?
No. It may reduce swallowed air, but the cause of colic is unknown and the NHS says there is no evidence that one type of bottle is better than another.
Should I switch bottles because of colic?
If your baby gulps a lot of air, makes clicking sounds or leaks milk from the corners of the mouth, you can try a different teat or flow. First check the feeding position, bottle angle and winding.
Which teat flow should I choose?
The slowest for a newborn. Move up when your baby is clearly struggling or feeds take a very long time – age labels are only a guide.
Are anti-colic bottles suitable for breastfed babies?
Yes. For combination feeding, parents often choose a wide-based, slow-flow teat and use paced feeding.
How long does colic last?
According to the NHS, it usually starts at a few weeks old and stops by 3 to 4 months. If it lasts longer, talk to your paediatrician.
Sources
- NHS – Colic
- NHS – Bottle feeding advice
- NHS – Sterilising baby bottles
- UNICEF UK Baby Friendly – Infant formula and responsive bottle feeding
- Canpol babies – Natural Shape bottle with dual-zone teat
- LOVI – Mammafeel
This content is for information only and does not replace advice from your paediatrician.
