Yes, Tommee Tippee bottles can suit newborns when you use extra-slow or slow-flow teats and feed responsively with safe prep and cleaning.
New parents ask this a lot, and for good reason. People often type “are tommee tippee bottles good for newborns?” into a search box on night one. A newborn needs a soft latch, a gentle flow, and a bottle that fits tiny hands and tiny mouths. Tommee Tippee’s wide, breast-shaped teats and slow options line up with those needs. The fit still depends on the baby. This guide shows how to set them up well, what to watch for, and when to tweak parts so feeds stay calm.
Quick Fit At A Glance
The table below sums up how the core parts map to the needs in the first weeks.
| Part Or Choice | What It Means | Newborn Fit |
|---|---|---|
| Teat Flow (0 or 1) | Milk speed marked on the teat | Best start for day-one |
| Teat Shape | Wide, breast-like dome | Helps a deep latch |
| Anti-Colic Vent | Tube and valve route air away | Can cut gas for some babies |
| Bottle Size | 5 oz / 150 ml body | Right scale for small feeds |
| Material | BPA-free plastic | Light, easy to hold |
| Neck Width | Wide neck | Easy scoop and cleaning |
| Cap Style | Travel cap that seals | Handy for shaking |
| Measurement Marks | oz and ml on the side | Check mix and top-ups |
Are Tommee Tippee Bottles Good For Newborns?
They can be. The match hinges on flow, latch, and your feeding method. Pick a 0 (extra slow) or 1 (slow) teat for the first weeks. Keep baby upright, pace the feed, and pause often for burps. If you see dribbles, coughing, or a hard gulp, the flow may be too fast. If feeds drag past 30 minutes with strong sucking, the flow may be too slow. Swap the teat level rather than pushing volume.
Tommee Tippee Bottles For Newborns — Flow, Fit, And Care
Flow: Start Slow, Watch Cues
Newborns handle a gentle stream best. Tommee Tippee marks teats by level. Level 0 is extra slow. Level 1 is slow. Many babies do well on level 1; some do best on level 0 in the first days. Signs the flow fits: steady sucks, soft jaw, lips flanged on the wide base, no gulps, and few drips at the corners.
Red flags that call for a change: the teat caves in, baby tugs and fusses, or feed time stretches and baby tires out. Those signs can point to a flow that’s too slow. On the flip side, coughing, clicking, or milk pooling can point to a flow that’s too fast. A simple level swap fixes many sessions.
Teat Shape And Latch
The dome is wide with a soft tip. That shape asks baby to open wide and take a deep mouthful. Aim the tip at the roof of the mouth and let baby draw the teat in with lips flanged. If the latch is shallow, angle the bottle so the base meets the lips first, then tilt until milk reaches the teat.
Anti-Colic Options
Some sets include a venting tube and star valve that routes air to the base. Parents who see lots of gas or spit ups may like this. The trade-off is extra parts to clean. If gas is mild, the standard bottle may be simpler day to day. If gas is strong, the vented set can help.
Size, Mix, And Hygiene
A 5 oz body gives room to shake. Follow safe prep and storage from the CDC, and see the NHS page on bottle feeding advice. Wash, rinse, and air-dry every part.
Setup Steps For A Calm First Feed
1) Wash, Rinse, And Dry
New kits carry factory residue. Wash all parts, rinse, then air-dry. No towel lint near teats. Check the vent tube and valve if you chose the anti-colic set.
2) Pick The Right Teat Level
Start with level 0 or 1. If you are combo feeding, many babies like the slowest level at first. If baby works hard and falls asleep mid-bottle, try the next level up.
3) Warmth And Mix
Warm feeds in a bowl of warm water or a warmer. Do not microwave. If you mix formula, add water to the bottle first, then scoops. Shake with the travel cap on, not the teat. Swirl to settle bubbles.
4) Position And Pace
Hold baby more upright than flat. Keep the bottle level so milk just fills the teat. Pause every few minutes to burp. Tip the bottle down to let baby rest, then tip back to resume. That simple pace keeps rhythm and comfort.
5) Watch The Seal
Lips turned out, chin near the base, no clicks. If you hear clicks, reset and re-latch.
Pros And Trade-Offs For Newborn Use
Why Many Parents Like Them
- Wide, soft teat that can feel gentle in the mouth.
- Slow levels that suit tiny tummies.
- Wide neck that helps with scoops and cleaning.
- Anti-colic option for babies who swallow lots of air.
Where Fit Can Be Tricky
- The wide base can be hard for a shallow latch.
- Anti-colic sets add parts to scrub and to keep track of.
- Flow can feel fast or slow by baby; levels are a guide, not a rule.
How To Solve Common Feeding Hiccups
Many bumps in week one trace back to flow, angle, or prep. The fixes below save a lot of trial and error.
| Symptom | Likely Cause | Try This |
|---|---|---|
| Clicking sounds | Shallow latch or fast flow | Re-latch deeper; drop a level |
| Coughs or sputters | Flow too fast | Use level 0/1; tip down to pause |
| Long feeds (>30 min) | Flow too slow | Go up one level |
| Teat collapses | Seal too tight or vent blocked | Break suction; check valve/vents |
| Gassy after feeds | Swallowed air | Upright hold; paced breaks; try vented set |
| Milk leaks at ring | Parts mis-seated | Rebuild and don’t over-tighten |
| Refuses bottle | Flow, temp, or feel | Warm teat; change level; try another position |
| Spit ups soon after | Fast volume or bubbles | Smaller feeds; more burps; longer upright time |
Cleaning And Care So Parts Last
Rinse right after a feed so milk does not dry on. Wash with hot soapy water. Use a soft brush on the dome and tip. Poke vents and the tube with the thin brush if you use the anti-colic set. Air-dry on a rack with space so the teat keeps its shape. Check teats weekly for thinning, splits, or a sticky feel. Swap them at the first sign of wear.
Signs You Picked The Right Match
Feeds take 15–25 minutes without strain. Baby breathes easy with a steady suck-swallow pattern. There is little dribble. Gas is mild and settles with a short burp. Weight checks stay on track. You feel calm during feeds. If those boxes tick, keep the setup. If not, change one thing at a time so you can see what helps.
When To Try A Different Bottle
If you have scaled up and down on flow and still see coughing or long feeds, a different shape may help. Some babies latch better on a narrower base. Others like a taller teat. That is normal. The goal is comfort, not brand loyalty. Save your best sessions and copy that setup.
Picking Between Sets In The Same Brand
Closer To Nature keeps parts simple. Advanced Anti-Colic adds a vent tube and star valve. Try one of each on day one. Pick the setup that gives steady sucks, fewer drips, and easy burps.
Level numbers guide flow, but brands pour differently. Watch the rhythm. When friends ask, are tommee tippee bottles good for newborns?, point to fit, not labels.
Combo Feeding Without Chaos
A slow teat helps match breast pace. Hold the bottle more horizontal, keep the teat just full, and pause often. Keep one warm-up routine so cues stay clear.
Pumped milk: date labels, single-feed portions, no reheat loops. Formula too? Mix water first, then scoops, and stick to the time windows in the CDC guide. A soft bottle brush and a thin vent brush make cleanup quick.
Safety Notes New Parents Ask About
Dishwasher? Bodies on the top rack; teats last longer by hand. BPA? The plastic sets are BPA-free. Microwave? Skip it. Warm in water or a warmer and swirl well.
Sterilize in the early weeks if you prefer. Hand wash with hot soapy water and air-dry. If spit ups turn forceful, green, or blood-tinged, call your clinician. Low weight gain or few wet diapers also need care fast.
Are Tommee Tippee Bottles Good For Newborns? Final Take
Yes, when the setup fits the baby in front of you. Use level 0 or 1 to start, pace the feed, and clean parts well. If gas or leaks crop up, use the quick fixes above. If latch stays tricky, test a different shape. Your baby will show you what works.