Philip Avent nipples has six nipple sizes, but how do you know the best avent nipple size for your baby?
It is not advisable to feed your baby with the wrong Philip avent nipple size because it can make your baby upset, increase the flow of milk making it spill out of your baby’s mouth, or cause an overfed baby.
We know how confusing it can be for new parents wondering which of the six nipples sizes to use.
This post is here to guide you on the right size to choose so your baby will be well-fed, happier, and the weaning process will be easier.
AVENT nipple size chart
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Do you need a quick visual guide to Avent nipples? Here’s one:
| Avent First Flow Nipple | Avent Newborn Flow Nipple | Avent Slow Flow Nipple | Avent Medium Flow Nipple | Avent Variable Flow Nipple | Avent Fast Flow Nipple | |
| Baby’s age | 0 months | 0+ months | 1+ months | 3+ months | 3+ months | 6+ months |
| Recommendation | Best for newborn and preemies | Best for newborns and breastfed babies of every age | Best for newborns and breastfed babies of every age | Best for 3 months old babies and above | Can be adjusted to dispense thicker liquids | Best for 6 months old babies and above |
Avent Nipple Sizes For Different Ages
1. First Flow Nipple
This first type of advent nipple is ideal for preemies and newborns. Babies within the age of 0 to 1 month can make use of this easily without any challenge.
The Philips Avent Natural Nipple First Flow pack contains 6 nipples that are BPA free and they are rated size 0.
They have comfortable petals that make the nipple more comfortable and super soft.
The shape of the nipple promotes natural suckling motions. They have two valves each that make feeding more comfortable and the durable silicon they are made of is easy to sterilize and odorless.
Features
- A pack contains 6 nipples
- Odorless
- Easy to sterilize
- Free from BPA and other dangerous chemicals
- Perfects for newborns
Check it out on Amazon.
2. Newborn Nipple
The Philips Avent newborn nipples are suitable for kids aged 0 to 3 months. Newborn babies aged 0 to 1 months can use this and breastfed babies aged 0 to 3 months can use it.
It has a wide-shaped nipple. It is soft and flexible and offers a natural latch-on which makes it easy for babies to hold on to.
It has a twin valve that offers advanced anti-colic features. It is odorless, flavorless, soft, durable, and dishwasher safe.
The newborn nipple is made from durable silicon and it is compatible with all Philips Avent natural bottles.
It provides the ideal flow rate for newborns and breastfed babies of all ages.
It is BPA free and also free from other harsh chemicals.
Features
- Wide shaped nipple to promote natural latch-on
- A pack contains 2 nipples
- Odorless, flavorless, soft, and durable
- Dishwasher safe
Check it out on Amazon.
3. Slow Flow Nipple
Also suitable for kids 1 to 3 months old. Newborns 1 to 3 months old can use it and breastfed babies 3 months and older can also use it.
The wide breast shaped nipple provides a natural latch-on. It has an innovative twin valve which offers an advanced anti-colic system.
This ensures that air goes into the bottle and not into your baby’s tummy.
Features
· BPA free
· Anti-colic nipple
· Unique comfort petals offer extra soft and flexible nipples
· A pack contains 2 nipples
Check it out on Amazon.
4. Medium Flow Nipple
Suitable for kids 3 to 6 months old. These soft and natural shaped Avent nipples make it easier to switch between breast and bottle feeding.
It is designed in such a way that the valve keeps air out of the baby’s tummy. It allows the baby to control the milk and this, in turn, prevents overeating and spitting up.
Features
· A pack contains 4 nipples
· Ideal for bottle fed babies
· Makes weaning easier
Check it out on Amazon.
5. Variable Flow Nipple
This size is suited for kids 3 months and above. It has different flow rates with the same nipple.
It has an integrated airflex venting valve that helps in reducing colic and discomfort during feeding.
These nipples have a slot-shaped opening that helps them adjust the flow rate to the baby’s preference.
To adjust the flow rate, you simply turn the bottle to line up the I, II, or III marking with your baby’s nose. This helps you to choose slow, medium, or fast flow.
The variable flow nipple is compatible with all Philips Avent Classic bottles.
Features
· A pack contains 2 nipples
· Reduces colic and discomfort
· Soft, durable, flavorless, and BPA-free
· Can offer various flow rates
Check it out on Amazon.
6. Fast Flow Nipples
This is suitable for kids 6 months and above. This unique anti-colic valve has a natural latch on and the nipples are wide breast shaped.
There are comfort petals inside each nipple that increase flexibility and stretch. This prevents the nipples from collapsing.
A pack contains 6 nipples and they are free from BPA.
Features
· A pack contains 6 nipples
· Offers fast flow
· Suitable for kids aged 6 months and above
Check it out on Amazon.
Wondering if Avent nipples are the best for your baby? Read reviews from real moms.
Gagandeep loved it
Gagandeep Kaur is a yoga instructor at Yogic-experience.com. She said:
“Although I exclusively breastfeed my newborn, I do occasionally give him a bottle when we are out. I have been using Avent Nipple, and I couldn’t be happier with my decision. The flow is a bit slower which has been great for my baby. He is very comfortable with this nipple and seems to use the same amount of effort suckling compared to nursing. To avoid any nipple confusion, the nipple features a wide base that mimics breastfeeding and that’s something I like about it because my newborn is comfortable with combined feeding and doesn’t have any preference yet. This has really made my life easier as a mom.”
Brianna preferred Dr. Browns
Brianna Leonhard is the founder of Third Row Adventures. She is a mom of a 4 year old, a 2 year old, and is pregnant with the third. She said:
“I tried 8-10 different bottles with my firstborn because he was so colicky. Philips Avent came highly recommended to us as a more natural option because the nipple had more of a breast-like shape (he could not nurse so I pumped some and supplemented it with formula). However, it did not work well for him. Though it is more naturally shaped, it has less grip than other bottle nipples which made it harder for him to latch to. The base of the nipple is not very wide where it meets the plastic rim. He would gulp and grab at it like a fish which caused him to suck in excess air, making his present gas situation even worse. We eventually transitioned to Dr. Browns and saw a marked improvement in the severity of the gas after feedings and in colic.
These were the ones we used and loved! They are shaped similarly to the Avent naturals but the nipple base is wider which gives baby more room to grip. They also have a built-in anti-colic feature!”
Katie loves it so much
Katie of KT Likes Coffee said:
“I am a mom that used Avent nipples with my child. She was actually breastfed, but eventually, I switched to exclusively pumping so she was fed breast milk in a bottle.
I love Avent nipples, it was the only brand we could get my daughter to take a bottle with. They have a number of different flow options and the number 4 flow (for ages 6M+) worked great for us after I switched to exclusively pumping when she turned 5/6 months. I can’t recommend Avent enough!”
Rachel loves it
Rachel Taylor is a mom of 3, a Postpartum Nurse, postpartum doula, founder of Mama Did It, and a Spinning Babies® Certified Parent Instructor. She used Avent bottles and nipples with 3 of her babies. She said:
“Though we tried several varieties of bottles, we always went back to Avent. I liked that the bottles and nipples didn’t have several parts to put together and take apart. They are straightforward, easy to clean, and do the job. I also really liked that they offer different “flow” nipples. One of my babies would get mad if their milk didn’t come fast enough and another would choke if it came too fast. The different flow nipples allowed us to choose what was right for each baby.”
When should I change my baby’s nipple size?
There are many signs to tell when a baby needs a change of nipple size.
However, if you are strictly breastfeeding and want to move to bottle feeding, start with the newborn nipple size. This is because the newborn nipple size mimics the natural flow from the mother’s breast which your baby is used to. Trying any other size may be problematic for them as they would battle to take in more milk at once than before.
If you have been bottle feeding for a while, your baby needs a nipple change in the following situations:
- If your baby overspills during feeding
If your baby spills over milk when they didn’t do that before, or spills more milk from the sides of their mouth than before, it may be time to change the baby’s nipple again.
Babies spill milk because they cannot keep up with the amount that is coming in no matter how much they try. Hence, milk leaking from the middle or sides of the lips is a sign that the flow rate is too fast. Use a slower nipple rate.
Also, if a nipple’s flow rate is too fast, it can choke your baby and that’s harmful.
- If your baby frequently pulls away from the bottle and cries
If your baby frequently cries and pulls away from the bottle when feeding, it could be a sign that they are frustrated with the amount of milk they are getting from the bottle. This means that the bottle flow rate is too little to suit their needs.
Another sign of an insufficient flow rate is if your child takes longer than 30 minutes to finish drinking a bottle. Resolve this by choosing a nipple with a faster flow rate.
However, every baby is different.
Tips from moms on when to change your baby’s nipples
Michelle says you can’t trust the age guidelines
Michelle McCarthy is the founder of FreshFlowersandSpilledMilk. She said:
As a mom of 2 young boys, I’ve experimented with many different feeding methods, bottles, and Avent nipple sizes. My first had acid reflux and my second had a milk protein allergy and a little trouble gaining weight (we had to fortify his milk). I would advise new moms to disregard some of the age guidelines and just use what seems to work best for their baby! When babies become uninterested, frustrated, or it is taking too long to finish a bottle, these are all good signs that you can go a size up. If they are choking, spitting up excessively, or finishing their bottle too quickly, these are all signs that you can go down a size. Every baby is different!
Rachel recounts her experience
Rachel Taylor is a mom of 3, a Postpartum Nurse, postpartum doula, founder of Mama Did It, and a Spinning Babies® Certified Parent Instructor. She said:
“Avent offers 5 different nipple sizes for babies. These sizes determine the flow of the milk: how slow or how quickly it comes out. Size 0 is the slowest flow and is recommended for newborns or new babies who are choking with feedings. Size 1 is also recommended for newborns. This size is more standard for a newborn, though some may need a size 0 to start. Size 2 is still considered a slow flow nipple, but is more appropriate after one month old as your baby is hitting growth spurts and wanting more milk at a faster speed. Size 3 is medium flow. And Size 4 is fast flow. Size 4 is usually used more as your baby can hold their own bottle and may be eating solid foods as well.
As a mom, I chose a size 1 for my babies to start with. They were able to nurse and bottle feed well without choking on the milk flow, so this was the right size for them. At one month old, we increased to size 2 as they felt hungrier and were more eager to feed. We skipped size 3 and by 6 months old, they were at a size 4. Drinking bottles quickly and eating solid foods.
You can tell it’s time to move to a faster flow nipple when the baby is collapsing the nipple when trying to feed.”
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on the Best Avent Nipples
It may make your baby frustrated as he may not be getting the right amount into his mouth. A way to know is to observe if your baby is sucking furiously or calmly.
If he is sucking aggressively, you need to change the nipple size.
Size matters a lot, slow flow can make your baby cranky or frustrated. Fast flows will lead to the milk spilling out of his mouth. He may even start spitting up more.
Here is a summary on the general guidelines.
· Newborn nipple which has just one hole should be used for a baby’s first month of life whether the baby is breastfed or bottle-fed.
· Slow flow nipples are for babies who are 1 to 3 months old. This one has two holes.
· Medium flow nipples have three holes and it is best for babies aged 3 to 6 months old.
· Fast flow nipple is for babies who are 6 months old and older.
If your baby is comfortable while feeding, there is no need to change nipple sizes but if you notice any discomfort, crankiness, or your baby showing that he is furious, you can now change nipple size.
Go for slower nipple size if your baby is fussy and gassy. If he spits up more after meals, especially after moving up to the next nipple size, you need to get a slower nipple flow.
These age guidelines are only recommendations and we don’t think you should change nipple size just yet.
Watch your baby first and if she seems happy with a certain nipple flow, wait a while before moving to the next flow size especially if she breastfeeds.
This will prevent you from making bottle feeding so easy for her and thereby loses interest in breastfeeding.
The first sign you will see is milk leaking out of your baby’s mouth.
Also, notice how long her feeding time takes. If it is longer or shorter than 15 minutes, you need to reevaluate the nipple size.
The Avent variable flow is a good option for this as it has an extra fast flow that can accommodate liquids that are thick.
Conclusion
You can tell if your baby has issues with their nipples by paying attention to their reaction when bottle feeding. The right nipple size will deliver the right amount of food to your baby and prevent crying and fussiness.
Avent provides great nipple sizes that suit your baby’s needs per time.
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