Are Tommee Tippee Bottles Safe For Your Baby? Complete Guide

Tommee Tippee

A well-fed baby is a happy baby. Moms know this- which is why they search for the best feeding tools. If you were planning on buying a Tommee Tippee feeding set, go right ahead. 

Tommee Tippee is a reliable, well-designed brand of baby bottles. They are easy to handle because of their hourglass shape. They can be easily cleaned, taken apart, and reassembled. They have all the features to provide an effortless feed. 

It is free of toxic and harmful chemicals. So enjoy those precious moments with your baby- absolutely worry-free!

What are Tommee Tippee bottles made of? 

Most Tommee Tippee bottles are made of polypropylene plastic. A few bottles have 100% silicone bodies. Some are made of glass like the Close to Nature set. These are made of borosilicate glass. This is medical-grade tempered glass. It is chemical, odor, and stain-free. 

Polypropylene is cheap and flexible. It is shatterproof plastic and lightweight. This encourages your baby to start self-feeding. It promotes motor skills and grip. Tommee Tippee glass bottles are also recommended. They don’t have any nasty additives.

Tommee Tippee nipples are made of smooth silicone. 

Are all Tommee Tippee bottles anti-colic? 

Yes, all Tommee Tippee bottles have anti-colic features. Some are not specifically designed to address colic. For example, the Closer to Nature range of bottles. This range only has an exterior anti-colic valve. The valve is an insert that opens out from the nipple surface. 

In comparison, the Advanced anti-colic bottles have a triple feature design. They have built-in components that tackle causes of colic. There is an integrated system of tubes, valves, and rings.

Do Tommee Tippee bottles cause gas? 

No, on the contrary, Tommee Tippee bottles reduce gas. Babies become gassy when they inhale air during feeding. This causes colic and digestive discomfort. They cannot dispel gas on their own. Their digestive system is still delicate and in the formative stage. 

Tommee Tippee bottles have air outlets and tubes. These push the air away from the teat to the back of the bottle. These units get rid of air bubbles in the milk. The Advanced anti-colic range reduces gas and reflux by 80%. 

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Are Tommee Tippee bottles slow flow? Are they good for newborns and premature babies? 

Yes, Tommee Tippee bottles can be slow flow. This depends on the nipples that you use. Tommee Tippee nipples are of 3 categories- slow, medium, and fast. You can adjust them according to your baby’s needs and age.

The slow flow nipples are for newborn babies. They can be used for babies up to 3 months of age. There are also extra slow flow bottles for preemies. These babies have a very weak and underdeveloped digestive system. So they have to be fed very cautiously. 

The slow flow nipples are a size 1 on the Tommee Tippee scale. They regulate the pace of drinking. The teats are structured to cater to newborn suction strength. This makes sure your baby doesn’t choke or gag.

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Are Tommee Tippee bottles good for breastfed babies? 

Yes, Tommee Tippee bottles are a great option for breastfed babies. The nipple is pliant and tractable. It mimics the motion and shape of a mother’s breast. This makes the transition from breastfeeding to bottle-feeding easier.

The nipple is contoured so the baby can latch on and feed easily. They imitate the natural nursing process. So milk flow is modulated to your baby’s movement. The bottles enable continuous improvement in the jaw and muscle functioning. 

So the baby’s suckling ability develops naturally. There is no distress due to the change. Sudden jumps from breast to bottle nursing can lead to bottle-refusal. Tommee Tippee bottles prevent possible under-nourishment by creating a congenial feeding situation. 

Are Tommee Tippee bottles good for reflux?

Yes, Tommee Tippee bottles can greatly lessen reflux and spit-up. The bottle teats can be chosen to limit quantity. Over-feeding can cause stomach trouble and acid formation. This is because babies’ stomachs are too fragile to break down and absorb excess fluid. 

The milk or formula will just be ejected back out. This will lead to vomiting and spit-up.  Breastfed babies are less likely to have reflux because they adjust their own nursing pace. A controlled feeding and intake mechanism helps to keep reflux at bay. 

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Do Tommee Tippee bottles leak? 

Yes, Tommee Tippee bottles may leak. The external valves can cause spillage. If tilted or dropped, milk can drip from these openings. This happens a lot when on the go.

Make sure you use the right nipple flow. If the flow is lagging, the baby will suck harder. This causes pressure to build up. Milk then squirts out of the valve.  

Your feeding position should be correct. Else, the milk will seep from the sides of the collar. Tommee Tippee bottles may also leak if the milk is too hot. Piping hot milk can damage the tube by raising the air valve.

Are there fake Tommee Tippee bottles? 

Yes, there are fake Tommee Tippee bottles in the market. Many websites sell fake Tommee Tippee branded baby bottles. As far as possible, only buy from the registered site, or from authorized sellers. Check the labels to verify the authenticity.  

If there is no trademark, it might be a dummy bottle. To avoid phony products, stay away from massive discounts. Tackle fraud by keeping track of prices and products on the Tommee Tippee website. Online awareness forums can also help mothers stay abreast of potential scams.  

Are Tommee Tippee bottles microwave-safe? 

Yes, Tommee Tippee bottles are microwave-safe. All materials- glass, silicone, or plastic (PP) are suitable for microwaving. But even though it is safe, it is not recommended. The Tommee Tippee manual does not recommend heating the bottles in the microwave.

The use of the microwave should be limited to sterilization. Microwave steam sterilization will not damage the bottles.

But heating milk in the bottles can cause uneven hot spots. This can scald your baby’s mouth.  Avoid this danger by heating and stirring in another pot. This ensures even heating. Then transfer the milk to the bottles. Or use the Tommee Tippee bottle warmers as an alternative. 

Plastic and silicone Tommee Tippee bottles might warp eventually if repeatedly microwaved. The nipples will also get deformed if placed in the microwave. 

Are Tommee Tippee bottles safe to boil? 

Yes, Tommee Tippee bottles are suited to boiling. The different components should be taken apart. Then, immerse them in boiling water for about 5-10 minutes. You can also close the pot and steam the bottles. 

The silicone teats can also be sterilized in boiling water. Don’t turn them out or invert them.  This can rip and damage the nipple. It can also cause the accumulation of bacteria. Don’t leave them in the water for too long. The plastic and silicone could wear out. 

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Can you freeze Tommee Tippee bottles? 

Yes, Tommee Tippee bottles can be frozen. The Closer to Nature range of bottles has unique lid designs. These lids help to store breastmilk in the freezer without spillage.

Leave the last inch of the bottle empty when filling milk. The milk will expand when frozen. By leaving space you prevent overflow.

You can store the bottles in the freezer for 6 months at a time. You may also use the Tommee Tippee Breast milk storage bags. Or you can try the Express and Go range. They make pumping, storage, and reheating effortless. 

Are Tommee Tippee bottles dishwasher-safe?

Yes, Tommee Tippee bottles are completely dishwasher-safe. They can be handily washed in the machine. Wash them in the top rack. The top-rack is furthest from the heating coil. This way the bottle parts won’t get spoiled by overheating. 

The plastic and silicone parts may get stained with food residue. You can clean them in warm water and soap to maintain hygiene. Try the Tommee Tippee bottle and teat brushes to gently scrub off any smears or grime.

Are Tommee Tippee bottles self-sterilizing? 

No, Tommee Tippee bottles are not self-sterilizing. They are also not pre-sterilized. They have to be disinfected after every use. Even brand-new bottles need to be cleaned before use. This can be done through boiling or steam sterilization.

You can manually steam-sterilize using a pot of boiling water. Or you may use an electric steamer which saves time. You can also use cold or lukewarm water with sterilization tablets. This easy method also removes germs effectively. 

But leaving them in too long can make the bottles murky. 

How long are Tommee Tippee bottles good for? 

Tommee Tippee bottles can be used for a few months. Ideally, they should be replaced every 4-6 months. They can be replaced sooner if the plastic is scratched. Scratched plastic allows microbes to breed. This could make your baby sick. 

Glass can be used for a few years. Toddlers will find it hard to hold heavy glass bottles. They are also breakable and dangerous. Once babies start self-feeding they can be disposed of or recycled. Till then the glass bottles remain a good option.

Glass is more heat-resistant and durable. You just have to change the nipples routinely. The teats have to be changed every 2 months or sooner. Get another set if the nipples are bitten or chewed through.

This kind of wear and tear will increase as babies start teething. Nipples also have to be altered as per the baby’s feeding patterns. If your baby moves from slow to medium flow, you have to switch out nipple sizes.

Are Tommee Tippee bottles BPA-free?

Yes, all Tommee Tippee bottles are BPA-free. The plastic used in Tommee Tippee bottles is made of polypropylene. BPA (Bisphenol A) is used to make polycarbonate plastic on an industrial scale. Tommee Tippee is also free of BPS (Bisphenol S).

These plastics are found in packaging, food and drink containers, electronics, and diverse household items. 

BPA has been associated with causing lifestyle diseases like hypertension and diabetes. It may also affect brain development or cause hormone imbalances. BPA-free Tommee Tippee bottles last double the duration of standard BPA plastic bottles.

What is the hole for in Tommee Tippee bottles? 

The main holes are for the milk to come through! Depending on the flow rate, the number or size of holes will differ. But there is another hole on the side of the nipple. This is the anti-colic air valve. The working of the valve has been described in previous sections. 

This hole is found only in the Closer to Nature bottles. There are no external valves in the Advanced anti-colic bottles. This is because the latter has an internal system to re-route airflow. The valve in the anti-colic bottles is connected to the top of the venting tube. 

In the Closer to Nature bottles, the valve is built-in to the teat. So these two bottles and teat varieties are not interchangeable. Don’t confuse the valve with the actual nipple hole. One is for milk flow and the other for air. 

When feeding, ensure that the valve is positioned near the baby’s nostrils. This way they can breathe easily. They won’t suck in the air causing stomach pain and irritability. 

What does the dotted line on Tommee Tippee bottles mean? 

All Tommee Tippee bottles have a dotted line at the 80 and 210 ml mark. These lines have left most mothers mystified. But we have an answer for you! They are measuring lines for water content. They indicate the minimum water level for steam sterilization.

You no longer need to use a separate measuring cup or jug. These lines accurately mark off the water needed for one cycle. This can be used for manual, electric, or microwave steaming.  

What teats fit Tommee Tippee bottles? 

MAM 

MAM teats do not fit Tommee Tippee bottles. They may fit Dr.Brown or Avent bottles. The Advanced anti-colic neck design is very exclusive to the brand.  It cannot accommodate other nipple designs.

NUK

No, NUK First Choice and disposable teats are not compatible with Tommee Tippee bottles. They will probably leak. The nipple will sag and cave in because they are too small. It may fit for a brief while if stretched. But doing so can tear the nipple.

Avent

Avent teats don’t fit Tommee Tippee bottles. Their structure, sealing, and technology are very distinct from each other.

Minbie

Minbie bottles are unlikely to fit. They can fit bottleneck sizes ranging from 49.5-50.5mm. The teats are not adaptable to sizes outside this range. They do fit Avent bottles though.

Dr. Brown’s

Dr.Brown’s nipples are too narrow to screw onto Tommee Tippee’s bottles.

Pigeon

Pigeon Peristaltic nipples are not interchangeable or compatible with Tommee Tippee bottles.

This article has dissected the Tommee Tippee baby bottles for you. Why wait? Get your hands on a Tommee Tippee set and make feeding enjoyable again!

References:

  1. https://www.tommeetippee.com/en-us/shop/bottle-feeding/bottles
  2. https://www.healthline.com/health/best-anti-colic-bottles#best-anti-colic-bottles

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Anand Srinivasan
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