Bottles

Dr. Brown’s Natural Flow® Anti-Colic Options+™ Narrow Baby Bottle

Baby bottle

Manufacturer: drbrownsbaby.com

Product page: Official source

Manual: View manual

Age & weight limits

  • Ultra-Preemie Narrow Nipple: 0m+; for premature babies and babies with feeding difficulties; very slow flow.
  • Preemie Flow Nipple: 0m+; slowest flow; for premature babies and breastfed newborns.
  • Level T / Newborn Narrow Nipple: no separate age range stated on the official allowed sources; official product/support text says it is slower than Level 1, faster than Preemie, and intended for some newborns, breastfed babies, babies with feeding difficulties, or babies transitioning up slowly from Preemie.
  • Level 1 Nipple: 0m+; slow-flow nipple for newborn babies and older; official product text calls it a good place to start with a slow, paced flow.
  • Level 2 Nipple: 3m+; medium-flow nipple for babies whose feeding has developed.
  • Level 3 Nipple: 6m+; medium-fast flow nipple for older babies who are pros at bottle feeding.
  • Level 4 Nipple: 9m+; fast-flow nipple for babies who are more developed or prefer a quick flow.
  • Y-Cut Nipple: 9m+; fast-flow nipple made for thicker liquids.

Transitions

Key transitions

Adjustments and changes as your baby grows, in the order they typically come up.

Use Level T / Newborn nipple if Level 1 is too fast

Recommended

Babies requiring a slower flow nipple than Dr. Brown’s Level 1 Nipple or needing to transition up slowly from Dr. Brown’s Preemie Flow Nipple.

Use the Dr. Brown’s Level T Narrow Nipple. Dr. Brown’s says this nipple is slower than Level 1 and faster than Preemie. Always use the vent system with Preemie Flow and Level T nipples.

Move to the next faster nipple flow

Recommended

Baby is taking longer to finish eating; they become fussy or irritated while eating; they fall asleep during feeding.

Move up to the next faster Dr. Brown’s nipple level. Reassess if fast-flow signs appear: gulping, hard swallowing, coughing, choking, milk dripping from the mouth, or refusing the bottle.

Remove the internal vent system

Recommended

They are able to sit up on their own; they have begun some solid food; they are not showing signs of colic, gassiness, or reflux.

Speak with your pediatrician before making any feeding changes. If appropriate, remove the vent assembly and continue using the bottle without the internal vent system.

Transition to sippy spout on narrow bottle

Informational

6m+ / as baby's feeding progresses.

For Dr. Brown’s Options+ Narrow bottles, remove the internal vent system and use the soft silicone sippy spout in place of the bottle nipple.

Safety

Usage warnings

  • Always check food temperature before feeding.
  • Throw away at the first signs of damage or weakness. Replace the nipple immediately if wear or damage is visible, such as cracking or change of shape.
  • Never use feeding nipples/teats as a pacifier/soother.
  • Do not use a microwave oven to heat the bottle.
  • Do not allow a child to walk or run while using a bottle, and do not let a child take a bottle to bed or self-feed for long periods.
  • With the vent, collar, and nipple on, the bottle is not a sealed storage container. Keep bottles upright during travel; for longer travel or air travel, remove internal parts and use a storage/travel cap.
  • Dr. Brown’s says to always use the vent system with Preemie Flow and Level T nipples.

Details

Product notes

Compatibility

  • Dr. Brown’s support says Standard/Narrow and Wide-Neck bottles use the same internal vent system and offer the same consistent nipple flow levels.
  • Ultra-Preemie and Level T / Newborn nipples are official Narrow-bottle nipples.
  • The soft silicone sippy spout fits any Dr. Brown’s® Options+™ Narrow bottle after the internal vent is removed.

Setup notes

  • Anti-colic assembly: connect the reservoir tube to the insert so they fit tightly together; place the assembled vent system into the bottle; snap the nipple into the collar; affix the collar to the bottle and turn until closed; do not over-tighten.
  • Fill to the desired amount and do not fill above the bottle’s fill-line warning.
  • Do not shake the bottle. Stir formula gently to dissolve lumps, because lumps can clog nipple holes.
  • If warming the bottle, always remove all bottle components before warming and use the storage/travel cap.
  • For feeding, hold the bottle so the reservoir tube hole in the bottom of the bottle is not covered by liquid, approximately a 45° angle.
  • Options+ bottles can be used without the vent by removing the vent assembly, but Dr. Brown’s says the bottle works best with the internal vent system in place.
  • Use the internal vent system until you see improved feeding habits: baby is able to sit up on their own, has begun some solid food, and is not showing signs of colic, gassiness, or reflux. Dr. Brown’s says to speak with your pediatrician before making changes.
  • Official signs the nipple level is too slow: baby is taking longer to finish eating; becomes fussy or irritated while eating; falls asleep during feeding.
  • Official signs the nipple flow is too fast: gulping, hard swallowing, coughing, choking, milk dripping from the mouth, or refusing the bottle.
  • Bottle capacities found on official Dr. Brown’s sources in this family: 2oz/60mL Narrow Preemie, 4oz/120mL Narrow, 8oz/250mL Narrow, 5oz/150mL Wide-Neck, and 9oz/270mL Wide-Neck.
  • I found no official manufacturer product/support/manual source that states a typical age or feeding volume for when parents should move from the smaller bottle to the larger bottle size.

Care instructions

  • Before first use, fully disassemble all parts, wash the product, then place the components in boiling water for five minutes.
  • Fully disassemble all parts and wash prior to each use. Parts are safe for dishwasher (top rack only), electric sterilizer, microwave sterilizer, or boiling water.
  • Do not use the wire cleaning brush to clean the nipple.
  • Bottle instructions say to change nipples/teats after six weeks of use.
  • Dr. Brown’s nipple support page says to check bottle nipples every two to three months for signs they need replacement: faster flow from the hole, discoloration, residue that does not come off during washing, or torn/nicked nipples.
  • Allow all vent parts to air-dry fully before storing; for the vent insert, lay it on its side to allow drainage.

Sourced from the manufacturer's official documentation. View official source.