MAM Easy Start Anti-Colic vs. NUK Simply Natural Glass

MAM Easy Start Anti-Colic and NUK Simply Natural Glass are both highly rated baby bottles — but they are solving different problems. MAM engineered its bottle around air reduction: the vented base is designed to prevent colic symptoms by keeping air out of the milk. NUK designed its bottle around material purity and breastfeeding compatibility: borosilicate glass and a nipple that mimics how milk flows from the breast.

The honest truth: both are well-made bottles from trusted brands. The right choice depends on what matters most to you — colic prevention, material concerns, weight, or breastfeeding transition.

We broke down the materials, design, cleaning, and cost so you can pick the bottle that fits your feeding situation. For more on how much and how often your baby should eat, see our baby feeding chart.

MAM's signature feature is the vented base — a bottom plate with small holes that allow air to flow into the bottle without passing through the milk. This keeps the milk flow steady and reduces the amount of air your baby swallows.

In MAM-funded clinical studies, 80% of parents reported reduced colic symptoms after switching to MAM Anti-Colic bottles. Independent testing confirms that the base vent design does produce fewer visible bubbles in the milk compared to standard bottles and basic anti-colic vents.

NUK's approach is simpler: the nipple itself has a small anti-colic air vent built into the collar. It works, but it is not as aggressive at air separation as MAM's full-base system.

If colic and gas are your primary concern, MAM has the stronger anti-colic engineering. If colic is not an issue, this advantage matters less.

This is the question most parents are really asking when they compare these two bottles.

NUK Simply Natural uses borosilicate glass — the same material used in laboratory equipment. It is completely inert, meaning it will not leach any chemicals into your baby's milk, even when heated. There are zero concerns about microplastics, BPA alternatives, or degradation over time.

MAM uses BPA-free polypropylene plastic, which meets all current FDA and EU safety standards. Modern baby bottle plastics are rigorously tested and considered safe. However, a 2020 study in Nature Food found that polypropylene bottles can release microplastics when exposed to hot liquids, particularly during sterilization. The health significance of microplastic ingestion in infants is still being studied.

If eliminating any theoretical chemical exposure is important to you, glass is the more conservative choice. If you are comfortable with current safety standards for BPA-free plastics, MAM's polypropylene is considered safe by regulatory agencies worldwide.

How a baby latches onto a bottle nipple matters — especially if you are switching between breast and bottle.

MAM's SkinSoft silicone nipple has a flat, symmetrical shape with a textured surface designed to feel like skin. MAM reports that 94% of babies accept the nipple. The symmetrical shape means the nipple does not need to be oriented in a specific direction, which simplifies feeding for caregivers.

NUK's Simply Natural nipple is asymmetric and orthodontic, shaped to fit the roof of the baby's mouth. It has multiple holes instead of a single opening, creating several thin streams of milk that mimic how breast milk flows from the nipple. This multi-hole design is NUK's answer to nipple confusion — babies who are breastfeeding may find the flow pattern more familiar.

Neither design is objectively better. Some babies strongly prefer one over the other. If your baby is exclusively bottle-fed, the MAM nipple's high acceptance rate is appealing. If you are combo-feeding breast and bottle, NUK's anatomical approach is worth trying.

Day-to-day cleaning and sterilization matter more than most parents expect. You will wash bottles multiple times a day for months.

MAM's self-sterilizing feature is genuinely useful. You disassemble the bottle, place the parts in the base with a small amount of water, and microwave for three minutes. No separate sterilizer needed. This is a real advantage for travel, daycare, and families without counter space for a dedicated steam sterilizer.

The tradeoff: MAM has four parts (base, body, nipple, cap). More parts means more pieces to wash, dry, and reassemble. Some parents find the vented base fiddly to clean thoroughly.

NUK has three parts (body, nipple/collar, cap). Fewer pieces, simpler assembly. Glass is also naturally easier to clean — it does not retain odors or stains the way plastic can over time. However, NUK requires an external sterilizer or boiling water for sterilization.

If convenience and portability are priorities, MAM's self-sterilizing wins. If you prefer fewer parts and already own a sterilizer, NUK is simpler in daily use.

MAM bottles are meaningfully cheaper than NUK glass bottles. A three-pack of MAM 5 oz bottles typically costs $22–$28, putting the per-bottle price around $7.50–$9.30. A single NUK Simply Natural Glass 4 oz bottle runs $10–$14.

If you need six bottles (a common starter set), you are looking at roughly $45–$56 for MAM versus $60–$84 for NUK. That is a real difference in the newborn budget.

However, glass bottles last significantly longer than plastic. NUK glass bottles can be reused for subsequent children without degradation. Plastic bottles should be replaced every 4–6 months or when they show signs of wear (cloudiness, scratches, warping). Over multiple children, the cost difference narrows.

Replacement nipples for both brands cost $5–$8 for a two-pack and should be replaced every 1–2 months regardless of bottle material.

If colic, gas, or fussiness during feeding is your main concern, the MAM Easy Start Anti-Colic Bottles (~$8/bottle in a 3-pack) are purpose-built for the problem. The vented base genuinely reduces air intake, the self-sterilizing feature saves time, and the SkinSoft nipple has one of the highest acceptance rates on the market. Start with the 5 oz size for newborns.

If chemical-free feeding and breastfeeding compatibility are your priorities, the NUK Simply Natural Glass Bottles (~$12/bottle) are a strong choice. Borosilicate glass means zero leaching concerns, the multi-hole nipple mimics breast flow, and the bottles will last through multiple children. Start with the 4 oz size for newborns.

Many parents end up using both — MAM for daycare and on-the-go (lightweight, self-sterilizing) and NUK glass at home (durable, chemical-free). There is nothing wrong with mixing brands.

tinylog earns a small commission on purchases made through these links, at no cost to you.

MAM Easy Start Anti-Colic and NUK Simply Natural Glass are both excellent bottles built on different design priorities:

MAM Easy Start Anti-Colic wins on colic reduction (vented base), convenience (self-sterilizing), weight (half the weight of glass), affordability, and nipple acceptance rate.

NUK Simply Natural Glass wins on material purity (zero chemical leaching), breastfeeding transition (multi-hole anatomical nipple), simplicity (fewer parts), longevity (glass outlasts plastic), and environmental impact.

For gassy, fussy babies — start with MAM. For parents who prioritize chemical-free feeding and are combo-feeding — start with NUK. For everyone else, buy one of each and see which your baby prefers. Babies are the final decision-makers on bottles.

If you are tracking feeds — and you should be, especially in the early weeks — tinylog makes it easy to log bottle amounts, note fussiness patterns, and share data with your pediatrician.

• Baby Feeding Chart — How much your baby should eat by age
• Baby Gas — Causes, relief techniques, and when to worry
• Breastfeeding Positions — Holds that help with latch and comfort
• Baby Spit-Up — Normal amounts vs. reflux warning signs

• MAM Baby. "MAM Easy Start Anti-Colic Bottle — Product Information." mambaby.com, 2026.
• NUK USA. "NUK Simply Natural Glass Baby Bottles — Product Information." nukusa.com, 2026.
• Li, D. et al. "Microplastic release from the degradation of polypropylene feeding bottles during infant formula preparation." Nature Food, vol. 1, 2020, pp. 746–754.
• American Academy of Pediatrics. "Choosing a Baby Bottle." healthychildren.org, 2025.
• Mommyhood101. "Best Baby Bottles of 2026, Tested & Reviewed." mommyhood101.com, 2026.
• BabyGearLab. "Best Baby Bottles." babygearlab.com, 2026.
• Consumer Reports. "Best Baby Bottles From Our Tests." consumerreports.org, 2026.

This guide is for informational purposes only. Bottle choice is a personal preference based on your baby's individual needs. If your baby shows signs of feeding difficulties, excessive gas, or poor weight gain, consult your pediatrician.