In-depth review
Dr. Brown's Options+ Review (2026)
In-depth review of Dr. Brown's Options+: the vent system, part count, flow options, and who should buy it.
Dr. Brown's Options+ Anti-Colic Bottle
The vent system with actual clinical research behind it.
Our verdict
The Options+ is the evidence pick: its vent system has more published research behind it than any rival, and the convertible design means it stays useful after the colicky months. The trade-off is the wash: the vent insert, reservoir, and collar add real minutes to every cleaning session. Buy it for the venting science; accept the parts as the price.
What we like
- Internal vent system routes air away from the milk, reducing air bubbles, and is the subject of published feeding studies.
- Options+ nipple works with or without the vent insert, so the bottle grows from newborn anti-colic use to simpler toddler use.
- Available in 4 oz and 8 oz, plus narrow and wide-neck versions to match preference.
What to watch out for
- The vent assembly adds parts: vent insert, reservoir tube, and nipple collar all need cleaning.
- Narrow version can be fiddly to fill with formula powder without a funnel.
- More parts also means more places for milk residue to hide if you skip a wash.
Who it is for
Parents of gassy or colicky babies who want the most studied anti-colic design and do not mind extra washing.
How the vent system works
The Options+ vent is a two-piece insert: a vent insert sits in the nipple collar and a reservoir tube extends down into the milk. As the baby drinks, air is channeled through the tube and released above the milk line instead of bubbling through the milk into the nipple. The visible result is milk without the foam of bubbles that unvented bottles produce. Dr. Brown's cites published feeding studies on reduced air ingestion, more than any competitor publishes.
The convertible design
The 'Options' in the name is literal: the nipple seats with or without the vent assembly. In the early months you run the full vent for maximum air reduction; later, when the baby feeds efficiently and gas fades, you drop the insert and wash three parts instead of five. Few bottles adapt across that arc, and it extends the useful life of every bottle you buy.
Flow range and sizes
Six nipple levels from preemie through Y-cut is the widest flow range in this guide, which matters because the jump from newborn to 3-month feeding is significant. Bottles come in 4 oz and 8 oz, in narrow and wide-neck profiles. The narrow 4 oz with preemie flow is the classic NICU-discharge setup, which tells you something about clinical trust.
How it stacks up
Against the Philips Avent Anti-colic, Dr. Brown's vents more thoroughly but washes harder: the Avent's single AirFree insert is one piece versus Brown's two-piece vent plus collar, a meaningful difference at 3 a.m. Against the Comotomo, Dr. Brown's wins on venting science and flow options while Comotomo wins overwhelmingly on cleaning simplicity with its three-part wide-neck design. Choose Dr. Brown's when gas is the problem; choose the others when washing is.
What owners report
Commonly praised
- Many parents report less gas and fussiness
- Vent can be removed as baby grows
- Nipples work well for newborns
Common complaints
- Leaking is the most common complaint, especially if shaken
- Many small parts make cleaning a chore
- Requires careful assembly to avoid leaks
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
Key specifications
- Vent system
- Internal vent insert + reservoir tube
- Sizes
- 4 oz and 8 oz
- Nipple flows
- Preemie through Y-cut, 6 levels
- Material
- BPA-free polypropylene; glass version available
- Dishwasher safe
- Yes, top rack
Also consider
Philips Avent Anti-colic Bottle with AirFree Vent
Keeps the nipple full of milk, not air, in any feeding position.
- Vent system: AirFree vent insert
- Sizes: 4 oz, 9 oz, and 11 oz
Comotomo Baby Bottle
Soft, squeezable silicone that mimics the breast.
- Vent system: Dual anti-colic vents in nipple
- Sizes: 5 oz and 8 oz
Research-based assessment. ThePickLedger has not hands-on tested this product; this evaluation synthesizes manufacturer specifications, retailer documentation, and published expert reviews.
Questions, answered
Do I have to use the vent?
No. The Options+ nipple works with or without the vent insert. Use the vent during the gassy newborn months, then remove it for simpler washing once feeding is efficient.
Can the vent parts go in the dishwasher?
Yes, top rack. Use the small-parts basket for the vent insert so it does not fall through. Many parents hand-wash the reservoir tube with the included brush to be thorough.
Is there a glass version?
Yes, Dr. Brown's sells the Options+ in glass as well as polypropylene, with the same vent system. Glass suits parents who want to avoid plastic entirely.