Advertisement

In a nutshell

A BPA-free anti-colic bottle that's reassuringly safe, but bulky and difficult to clean

What we tested

  • Ease of use
    A star rating of 2.0 out of 5.
  • Ease of cleaning
    A star rating of 4.0 out of 5.
  • Effectiveness
    A star rating of 4.0 out of 5.
  • Design
    A star rating of 3.0 out of 5.
  • Durability
    A star rating of 4.0 out of 5.
  • Worth the money
    A star rating of 4.0 out of 5.
Overall Rating
A star rating of 3.5 out of 5.

Pros

  • Anti-colic design, BPA-free, well established in its home country USA

Cons

  • Big and bulky, more expensive in comparison to basic bottles, many parts to clean and lose in the steriliser, not very stylish looks

A plastic anti-colic bottle, free from the dangers of BPA, the BornFree BPA-Free Vented Plastic Bottle - sold in a twin-pack for £13.99 - uses a venting system in an aim to reduce colic and ear infections.

BornFree is an American company that has developed a whole range of baby bottles, cups and accessories that are totally free of the potentially dangerous chemical Bisphenol-A (BPA). BPA is a known oestrogen mimicker that is used in the production of polycarbonate plastic bottles - these are the ones which don’t state they are BPA-free. According to independent research, BPA may cause developmental and neurological problems if it leaches from plastic, which can occur through repeated washing and sterilising in hot water.

Like all BornFree bottles, the BPA-Free Vented Plastic Bottle also contains a venting system, which has shown in various tests to reduce the incidence of colic and ear infections. This vent works by reducing the build-up of vacuum in the bottle, which also in turn maintains a constant pressure, so in theory your baby isn’t made to work harder for his milk as he progresses down the bottle.

What we love

It’s reassuring to use a bottle free from BPA, PVC and Phthalates. The anti-colic system is extremely good news if you have a newborn baby, as it seems to cut down on the amount of wind your baby ingests - and therefore the amount of floor-pacing you do to soothe any wind or colic. Jack, 9 months, did seem to burp less after a drink from this BornFree than from his usual brand.

This bottle is cheaper and lighter than the BornFree glass version and the plastic is more resistant to detergents than standard plastic bottles, which means the bottle doesn’t become scratched and dulled over time so easily.

What to watch out for

This bottle was tricky to fill as the valve has to be out to get the milk in. This means that some of the sterilising goes to waste, unless you're prepared to wear rubber gloves each time! This could be a problem for a younger baby where cleanliness is particularly important.

The bottle is also bulky and resolutely 1970s in its design. It could do with a face-lift. It's not particularly cheap.

Jack, 9 months, initially applied himself to this BornFree bottle with gusto, however, he was bemused by the fact the milk comes out faster (and from only one hole) than his usual bottle, despite using the same speed teat. This meant that lots of milk leaked out down his chin. The bottle is quite bulky and so it’s not particularly easy to hold.

The worst thing about BornFree bottles in general is that they're difficult to clean because there are so many component parts.

Who is the BornFree BPA-Free Vented Plastic Bottle (260ml) best for?

Parents passionate about the dangers of BPA, and who want to help prevent baby burps!

Advertisement

MadeForMums verdict

Free from BPA and anti-colic, the BornFree BPA-Free Vented Plastic Bottle (260ml) is a reassuringly safe plastic bottle option. While it stands up well to washing, it’s not easy to clean and is bulky.

Product Specifications

Product
BrandBorn Free
ModelBPA-Free Vented Plastic Bottle (260ml)
Price£13.99
Available sizes
  • Bottles: 160ml, 260ml
  • Teats: Medium, fast and variable flow teats. Also 'Y cut' fast flow teats for thicker liquids
Features
Bottle typeNarrow neck
Anti-colicYes
Dishwasher safeYes
Microwave safeYes
ComponentsVenting system, travel (non-spill) lid
Made fromBPA-free plastic
Features
  • Bpa free
  • Venting system to help to reduce colic symptoms
Accessories
Optional extrasBornFree 'Twister' cleaning brushes for teats, caps and bottles; breast pump adaptor; handles
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement