Best for severe colic — the most proven anti-colic technology available
The gold standard internal vent system with 20+ years of pediatrician-backed colic reduction.
Full Review
Dr. Brown’s has been the pediatrician’s go-to recommendation for
colic for over 20 years, and there’s a reason: the internal vent
system genuinely works. Unlike most anti-colic bottles that use a
simple valve or base vent, Dr. Brown’s has a multi-piece internal
system that channels air completely away from the milk. The result is
a fully vented bottle that preserves nutrients and significantly
reduces gas.
The Options+ upgrade is clever — once your baby outgrows
the colicky phase (typically around 4-6 months), you can remove the
internal vent and use it as a standard bottle. That’s real long-term
value. The narrow neck design also works well for breastfed babies
who are used to a smaller latch.
Here’s the trade-off: those internal vent parts need to be cleaned.
Every. Single. Time. We’re talking a reservoir, a thin tube, and a
few small pieces that need a dedicated brush. At 3 AM, when you’re
making the fourth bottle of the night, you will curse this design.
The anti-colic performance is arguably the best in class, but the
maintenance tax is real.
| Venting System | Internal vent system |
| Pack Size | 4 bottles |
| Material | Polypropylene (PP) |
| BPA Free | Yes |
| Dishwasher Safe | Yes |
| Price Range | $ |
| Sizes | 4 oz, 8 oz |
| Nipple Type | Narrow medical-grade silicone |
What We Like
- Patented internal vent system — the gold standard for colic reduction
- Options+ design lets you remove the vent as baby grows
- Narrow neck works well for breastfed babies used to a smaller latch
- Over 20 years of pediatrician recommendations and clinical studies
- Most affordable per-bottle option in this roundup
Worth Noting
- More parts to clean (reservoir, tube, and small vent pieces)
- Internal vent is fiddly to assemble, especially at 3 AM
- Narrow neck is harder to fill than wide-mouth designs
Pragmatic Value Framework
Every product on this site is evaluated using our
Pragmatic Value Framework — a structured scoring system
that measures real value, not sticker price. Higher is better across all dimensions.
| Type | Factor | What We Ask | Weight | Score | Weighted | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BEN | Core Function | Does it do the job well? | ×2 | 5/5 | 10 | |
| BEN | Durability | How long will it actually last? | ×2 | 4/5 | 8 | |
| BEN | Time Savings | Does it reduce ongoing effort? | ×1 | 2/5 | 2 | |
| COST | Purchase Price | Score 5 if cheapest option | ×2 | 5/5 | 10 | |
| COST | Maintenance & Replacement | Score 5 if lowest upkeep + longevity | ×2 | 2/5 | 4 | |
| COST | Opportunity Cost | Score 5 if best use of this money | ×1 | 4/5 | 4 | |
| Pragmatic Score | 38 | |||||
The Options+ earns top marks for core function and purchase price thanks to the most proven internal vent system for severe colic and a very affordable per-bottle cost. Time savings and maintenance suffer because the vent reservoir, tube, and small pieces add nightly assembly and cleaning work. Overall it stays a strong pragmatic pick when colic relief is the priority.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Dr. Brown’s Natural Flow Anti-Colic Options+ Narrow Baby Bottle (4-Pack) worth buying?
The Options+ earns top marks for core function and purchase price thanks to the most proven internal vent system for severe colic and a very affordable per-bottle cost. Time savings and maintenance suffer because the vent reservoir, tube, and small pieces add nightly assembly and cleaning work. Overall it stays a strong pragmatic pick when colic relief is the priority. The Dr. Brown’s Options+ is our Runner-Up choice — an excellent alternative if our top pick doesn't match your specific needs.
What is the Dr. Brown’s Options+ best for?
Best for severe colic — the most proven anti-colic technology available. The gold standard internal vent system with 20+ years of pediatrician-backed colic reduction. Key advantages include: patented internal vent system — the gold standard for colic reduction, and options+ design lets you remove the vent as baby grows.
What are the downsides of the Dr. Brown’s Options+?
The main trade-offs to consider with the Dr. Brown’s Options+ are: more parts to clean (reservoir, tube, and small vent pieces); internal vent is fiddly to assemble, especially at 3 am; narrow neck is harder to fill than wide-mouth designs. Despite these, it remains a strong choice for its intended purpose.
Compare with other anti colic bottles
- Philips Avent Anti-Colic Bottle with AirFree Vent (4-Pack) — Pragmatic Dad Review
- Tommee Tippee Natural Start Anti-Colic Baby Bottles (6-Pack) — Pragmatic Dad Review
- Boon Nursh Reusable Silicone Pouch Baby Bottles — Pragmatic Dad Review
- Lansinoh Anti-Colic Baby Bottles (3-Count) — Pragmatic Dad Review
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