Dr. Browns VS Tommee Tippee

Before Brielle was born, we researched bottles and it was a toss-up between Dr. Browns and Tommee Tippee. In the end Tommee Tippee won so we watched the Toys R Us flyer for a sale and headed out to make our purchase. On the list were the Closer To Nature Newborn Set (bottles), Breast Milk Protection Lids, Electric Bottle Warmer and Microwave Steam Sterilizer. We were very happy with our purchase, that is until we had a preemie. Once home, Brielle was unable to use the newborn nipple because the flow was way too fast. We set out and purchased one of the only preemie nipples we could easily find, which was the Dr. Browns brand. The nipple did not fit on the Tommee Tippee bottle so we used the mini bottle that came from the hospital, purchased one little Dr. Browns bottle, and also used the Madela bottles that came with our breast pump. This was not a long term solution so a month or so later, we tried the Tommee Tippee bottles/nipples once again and still they were way too fast for Brielle. She would choke within seconds of trying to drink. It was then we decided we weren't going to be happy enough with the Tommee Tippee brand and made the complete switch to the Dr. Browns bottles. Had she been a full term baby, I think we could have made the Tommee Tippee bottles work. Nothing at all against them, other than the fact that they don't carry a preemie nipple. We are super happy with the switch and therefore I'd like to do a little review on both brands, in my opinion, in hopes that it can help others with babies or babies on the way.

First off, both brands of bottles are top rated and have their own special air venting system to help reduce gas during feedings. The Tommee Tippee has a vent in the nipple so you have to be very particular in having the vent pointed upwards or milk will flow out all over baby. Because we didn't have the chance to use the bottles for more than a minute at a time, I have no input as to if the vent works well. I'm assuming it does, but not from our experience. The Dr. Browns bottle has a tube down the middle of the bottle and filters air back into the bottle and not in babies mouth. If Brielle is frantically eating, she does gulp air. I'm not sure how she manages this, but she does. When she's not eating like a beast, she I do believe it works since she burps very little.

For cleaning, the Tommee Tippee has very few parts, 3 in total, where the Dr. Browns has 5 per bottle. I read reviews, or rather complaints, from people saying that 5 parts are just too much and it's such a pain to clean these bottles. I personally don't find them hard to clean, sterilize and put back together. A few seconds more just doesn't seem to phase me. I love the bottles so much that it's a small sacrifice.

Because it was the only bottle warmer we had for over a month, we used the Tommee Tippee and didn't have any issues with it at all. It is pretty basic where you put water inside of it and then turn the dial from low to high and check your bottle periodically as not to overheat it. We didn't think anything of it until we switched to the Dr. Browns 8 oz bottles. They are TALL! Tommee Tippee bottles are short and fat, so putting the tall bottle into this bottle warmer really was a pain. Shortly after getting the Dr. Browns bottles, we purchased the Dr. Browns Deluxe Bottle Warmer, which is super cool! I couldn't imagine going back to the basic now that we have this one. Just program the time on the digital keypad and walk away. There is no water inside; it heats the bottle with steam from a water reservoir on the side. The keypad saves your last heating time so if you always have bottles pre-made in the fridge (like we do), then just push go twice and walk away until it's done. Very slick! I highly recommend this bottle warmer over any other I've ever seen!!

Again, we had the Tommee Tippee brand microwave sterilizer because it was with our original purchase and it is a great sterilizer. No issues with this at all and would highly recommend it for the average bottle. But, due to the tall Dr. Browns bottles, we did have to switch to the Dr. Browns sterilizer due to it's unique design to hold the tall bottles. Would highly recommend this one as well. Would rate both the same.

It sucks that we had to make our original bottle decision only to have to switch it down the road, but such is life. We did what we needed to for Brielle and don't regret our decision at all. Both are great but if you have a preemie, I would not recommend Tommee Tippee. If I did have to choose one over the other, I would recommend going with the Dr. Browns brand.


Brielle recommends Dr. Browns as well!!!!