For many parents, introducing a bottle can be one of the biggest feeding challenges during the first year. Some babies accept a bottle straight away, while others can be much more reluctant, especially if they have been exclusively breastfed.
That is why choosing the right bottle can make such a difference. A bottle that feels natural to latch onto and helps reduce swallowed air can create a more comfortable feeding experience for both babies and parents.
If you’re searching for anti colic baby bottles, the Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature Baby Bottles are among the most popular options available in the UK. Designed with a soft, breast-like teat and an anti-colic valve, they aim to make bottle feeding feel as natural as possible while helping to reduce the amount of air your baby takes in during feeds.
But do they live up to their reputation?
In this review, we’ll look at how the Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature bottles perform in everyday life, what makes them different from standard baby bottles and who they are best suited for.
Why Can Switching from Breastfeeding to a Bottle Be Difficult?
Many parents are surprised to discover that introducing a bottle isn’t always straightforward.
Babies become familiar with the shape, feel and flow of breastfeeding, so changing to a completely different teat can sometimes lead to frustration. Some babies refuse the bottle altogether, while others may take longer to settle into a new feeding routine.
A successful transition often depends on choosing a bottle that closely mimics the natural feel of breastfeeding.
This is exactly what Tommee Tippee had in mind when developing the Closer to Nature range.
Rather than creating a traditional narrow teat, the Closer to Nature bottle features a wide, soft silicone teat that encourages a natural latch, helping many babies move between breast and bottle with greater confidence.
While every baby is different and no bottle works for everyone, this design has made the range a favourite among many parents looking for a smoother transition.
What Makes the Closer to Nature Teat Different?
The teat is undoubtedly the standout feature of these bottles.
Unlike standard bottle teats, the Closer to Nature teat is shaped to resemble the breast more closely. It is made from soft silicone and flexes gently during feeding, allowing babies to feed in a more natural way.
Some of the main benefits include:
- A breast-like shape that encourages a natural latch.
- Soft silicone for a comfortable feeding experience.
- A design that supports switching between breast and bottle.
- Different flow rates available as your baby grows.
Parents often appreciate that the wide teat encourages babies to open their mouths more fully, creating a feeding position that feels familiar.
Although every baby has individual preferences, this thoughtful design is one of the reasons the bottles remain so popular with breastfeeding families.
How Does the Anti-Colic System Work?
One of the biggest concerns during bottle feeding is the amount of air a baby swallows.
When excess air enters the tummy during feeds, it can contribute to:
- Wind.
- Discomfort.
- Fussiness after feeding.
- Increased burping.
The Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature bottles include an anti-colic valve built into the teat. As your baby feeds, the valve helps allow air to enter the bottle rather than being swallowed with the milk.
The result is a smoother flow of milk and a feeding experience that may feel more comfortable for many babies.
While no bottle can completely prevent colic, reducing unnecessary air intake can be a helpful feature for babies who are prone to trapped wind or feeding discomfort.
What Are the Bottles Like to Use Every Day?
When choosing baby bottles, practical features are just as important as feeding performance. Parents quickly discover that bottles need to be easy to prepare, comfortable to hold and simple to clean, especially during those busy early months when they may be making several bottles every day.
The Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature bottles have been designed with everyday family life in mind. Their curved shape makes them comfortable to hold during feeds, while the wide neck allows formula to be added with less mess than some narrower bottles.
The clear measurement markings are easy to read, helping parents prepare feeds accurately, whether using formula or expressed breast milk.
Many parents also appreciate that replacement teats are widely available, making it easy to continue using the bottles as babies grow and require different flow rates.
Cleaning and Sterilising
No parent wants bottle cleaning to become a chore, particularly during the newborn stage.
Thankfully, the Closer to Nature bottles are straightforward to take apart and clean. The wide-neck design makes it easier to reach inside with a bottle brush, helping ensure every part of the bottle is cleaned thoroughly before sterilising.
The bottles are compatible with most common sterilising methods, including:
- Electric steam sterilisers
- Microwave sterilisers
- Cold water sterilising solutions
Because there are only a few parts to assemble, preparing bottles for the next feed is quick and simple—something busy parents will certainly appreciate.
Tommee Tippee vs MAM: Which Is Better?
Tommee Tippee and MAM are two of the biggest names in baby feeding, and both produce excellent anti-colic bottles.
The Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature bottles are often the preferred choice for parents who are combining breastfeeding and bottle feeding, thanks to the soft, breast-like teat that encourages a natural latch.
MAM Easy Start bottles, on the other hand, are well known for their self-sterilising design and vented base, making them particularly convenient for parents who sterilise bottles while travelling.
In simple terms:
Choose Tommee Tippee if you:
- Are transitioning from breastfeeding.
- Want a breast-shaped teat.
- Prefer a simple bottle design.
- Value a trusted, easy-to-use feeding system.
Choose MAM if you:
- Want the convenience of self-sterilising bottles.
- Have a baby who experiences significant trapped wind.
- Don’t mind a bottle with a few extra parts to clean.
Both are excellent products, but for babies moving between breast and bottle, the Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature range remains one of the strongest choices available.
Who Are These Bottles Best For?
The Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature bottles are particularly well suited to:
- Breastfed babies beginning bottle feeds.
- Combination feeding families.
- Newborns and young babies.
- Parents looking for anti-colic support.
- Families wanting bottles that are easy to clean and widely available.
While no bottle is guaranteed to suit every baby, these bottles offer a great balance of comfort, convenience and thoughtful design, making them a reliable option for many families.
Pros and Cons
Pros
✔ Soft breast-like teat designed to encourage a natural latch
✔ Anti-colic valve helps reduce swallowed air
✔ Comfortable shape that’s easy to hold
✔ Wide neck makes filling and cleaning easier
✔ Different teat flow rates available as your baby grows
✔ Trusted Tommee Tippee quality
Cons
✘ Some babies may still prefer a different teat shape
✘ Anti-colic bottles can require slightly more attention during cleaning than very basic bottles
✘ Finding the correct teat flow may involve a little trial and error as your baby develops
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature bottles suitable for newborns?
Yes. They are designed for newborns and are available with slow-flow teats suitable for younger babies.
Do Tommee Tippee bottles really help reduce colic?
The anti-colic valve is designed to reduce the amount of air swallowed during feeding, which may help minimise wind and feeding discomfort. However, no bottle can completely prevent colic.
Can I use these bottles with expressed breast milk?
Yes. They are suitable for both expressed breast milk and formula feeding.
Are the bottles easy to clean?
Yes. The wide-neck design makes cleaning easier, and they are compatible with most sterilising methods.
Can I switch to faster-flow teats later?
Yes. Tommee Tippee offers a range of teat flow rates, allowing you to adapt the bottles as your baby’s feeding needs change.
Final Verdict
The Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature Baby Bottles have remained one of the UK’s most popular feeding bottles for good reason. Their breast-like teat, comfortable design and anti-colic valve make them an excellent choice for parents looking to make bottle feeding feel as natural as possible.
While every baby is different and some trial and error is perfectly normal when choosing bottles, the Closer to Nature range offers many of the features parents look for: a familiar teat shape, reliable anti-colic support and simple everyday usability.
If you’re searching for anti colic baby bottles that are easy to use, trusted by parents and designed to support a smoother transition from breast to bottle, the Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature bottles are a fantastic option and well worth considering.
