In a nutshell

A great BPA-free feeding device that enables mums to switch between breast and bottle without disrupting their breastfeeding routine.

What we tested

  • Ease of use
    A star rating of 5.0 out of 5.
  • Ease of cleaning
    A star rating of 5.0 out of 5.
  • Effectiveness
    A star rating of 5.0 out of 5.
  • Design
    A star rating of 5.0 out of 5.
  • Durability
    A star rating of 5.0 out of 5.
  • Worth the money
    A star rating of 4.0 out of 5.
Overall Rating
A star rating of 4.8 out of 5.

Pros

  • Ideal for those combining breast and bottle, allows your baby to suck at his own rhythm (which minimises spillages), compatible with the complete Medela range

Cons

  • Expensive

Medela, the name behind those top-rated breast pumps, has released the Medela Calma, the bottle that claims to help breastfed babies take milk from a bottle in the same way they take it from the breast. A big claim, but it really seems to be true.

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After years of research and innovation Medela has produced a bottle that makes babies suck the same way that they would when being breastfed, which will be welcome new for mums who want or need to make the transition from breast to bottle and more importantly back from bottle to breast.

I exclusively breastfeed my baby, and while it’s a wonderful experience that I treasure, it can sometimes be quite problematic and difficult when you want to give the occasional bottle. With my previous two boys I’d tried every bottle and teat around - big ones, small ones, ones with lumps and bumps around them, and we even bought lots of different ones to try whilst on holiday in France, all to no avail. When Oscar, my third baby arrived, I’d decided that I’d stay an exclusive breastfeeder and not even try any bottles. But when I was asked to review the new Calma I jumped at the chance to see if what Medela claimed was true.

What we love

The Medela Calma is ergonomically designed, small and discreet in size. It’s very easy to put together, clean and is BPA free.

A great bonus is that it’s compatible with all of the Medela range, so if you have a Medela breast pump you can screw the Calma teat straight onto your expressed milk bottle.

As the Calma works differently to other teats by using a vacuum system, your baby can suck to their own rhythm so there’s very little, if any, spillage.

I tried the Calma when Oscar was 10 weeks old, established and happy with his breastfeeding. I was amazed that Oscar straight away took all of the milk that I’d expressed. The first couple of sucks seemed to shock him (I think it was more the strangeness of having a teat in his mouth) but he soon got used to it and was most definitely sucking the same way as when on the breast. Also, at his next feed on the breast, he sucked as if nothing had been different.

What to watch out for

The Calma is sold exclusively at Mothercare and is £11.99, which makes it one of the most expensive bottles on the market. If you were planning on using it often and buying a few bottles, the cost could soon mount up. Depending on why you’re buying it though, it could be a gamble or it could be the best £11.99 you’ve ever spent.

Who is the Medela Calma best for?

Breastfeeding mums who want a seamless move from breast and bottle and back again as they require.

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MadeForMums verdict

The Medela Calma and the innovation that has gone into it make it a very special feeding bottle. It will enable mums to have the freedom to change between breast and bottle without jeopardising their breastfeeding routine. It’s also easy to use and clean, and a handy choice for mums who express with Medela breast pumps. Just be prepared to pay more than you would for a standard bottle.

Product Specifications

Product
BrandMedela
ModelCalma
Price£11.99
Available sizes
  • Bottles: 150ml
  • Teats: Calma Solitaire (comes with bottle, plus sold separately)
Features
Anti-colicNo
Component parts (excluding teat)3 – Bottle, multi-lid, protection cap
Made fromNon-BPA
Features
  • Forces your baby to use the same technique she uses for feeding from your breast
  • Makes moving between breast and back and back again easier
  • Bpa-free
  • Teat (calma solitaire) fits milk storage bottles of medela breast pumps
  • Teat allows your baby to control the milk flow
  • Multi-lid prevents spills and closes the bottle tight
Accessories
Optional extrasExtra Calma Solitaire teats, £9.99
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