Tommee Tippee Natural Start Anti-Colic vs. MAM Easy Start Anti-Colic

Tommee Tippee Natural Start Anti-Colic and MAM Easy Start Anti-Colic are two of the most popular anti-colic bottles on the market. Both are designed to solve the same problem — reducing the amount of air your baby swallows during feeding — but they go about it in completely different ways.

The honest truth: both bottles work well at reducing gas and fussiness. Most babies will feed happily from either one. But the differences in cleaning, assembly, nipple shape, and sterilization can make one a better fit for your daily routine than the other.

We broke down the venting systems, materials, cleaning, and pricing so you can pick the right bottle without buying five different brands first.

For more on how much your baby should eat per feeding, see our baby feeding chart.

The core difference between these bottles is where the air goes.

Tommee Tippee Natural Start Anti-Colic uses a one-piece anti-colic valve built directly into the nipple. As your baby drinks, the valve channels air away from the milk and back into the bottle through the nipple vent. It is simple, integrated, and requires no extra parts. The downside: the valve is small and needs regular inspection to ensure it is not clogged with dried milk.

MAM Easy Start Anti-Colic uses a vented base with small perforated holes at the bottom of the bottle. Air enters through the base and rises to the top, while milk flows down through the nipple without mixing with air bubbles. The base is a separate piece that pops off, making it easy to clean but adding a fourth part to track.

Both systems are clinically shown to reduce air ingestion. The difference is practical, not performance-based. If you hate extra parts, go Tommee Tippee. If you want a system where every piece is easy to inspect and clean, go MAM.

Nipple acceptance is the number-one reason parents switch bottle brands. A bottle with the best anti-colic technology in the world is useless if your baby refuses to latch onto it.

Tommee Tippee's nipple is rounded and breast-shaped, designed to mimic the natural breast as closely as possible. For breastfed babies transitioning to a bottle, this shape can make the switch less confusing. The silicone is soft and flexible, and the nipple compresses similarly to breast tissue.

MAM's SkinSoft nipple is flat and symmetrical, meaning your baby can take it from any direction. The surface has a textured finish designed to feel like skin. MAM reports that 94% of babies accept their nipple — a claim based on their own clinical testing. The flat shape is different from the breast, which may be a pro or a con depending on your baby.

There is no way to predict which nipple your baby will prefer. If you are exclusively breastfeeding and introducing a bottle, Tommee Tippee's shape is a reasonable first try. But many breastfed babies take to MAM without any fuss. The only reliable test is to offer both and see what happens.

Let's be honest — cleaning bottles multiple times a day gets old fast. This is where the two bottles differ most in daily use.

MAM bottles separate into four wide, flat pieces. Every surface is accessible. The wide bottle opening means you can reach the inside walls with a sponge, no bottle brush required. And the vented base doubles as a microwave sterilizer: add water, reassemble the bottle upside down, microwave for three minutes, and you are done. No separate sterilizer to buy, store, or clean.

Tommee Tippee bottles have three pieces — fewer parts to track and reassemble. But the bottle neck is narrower, and you will likely need a bottle brush to clean the inside thoroughly. The anti-colic valve in the nipple is small and should be rinsed carefully to prevent milk buildup. You will need a separate sterilizer (electric or microwave) or boiling water to sterilize.

If cleaning convenience is a priority — and after the first week of parenthood, it will be — MAM has a clear edge here. The self-sterilizing feature alone saves time, counter space, and money on a separate sterilizer.

Unlike diapers, bottles are a one-time purchase (assuming you do not lose them, which you will). The upfront cost difference between Tommee Tippee and MAM is small — typically $1–$3 per bottle.

Where the ongoing cost comes in is replacement nipples. Both brands recommend replacing nipples every two to three months, or sooner if the silicone shows signs of wear, cracking, or thinning. Replacement nipples for both brands run about $5–$8 for a two-pack. The cost is essentially identical.

One hidden cost advantage for MAM: you do not need to buy a separate sterilizer. A microwave sterilizer runs $15–$30, and an electric sterilizer costs $30–$80. If you choose MAM, that is money you keep in your pocket.

Most families need 4–6 bottles total. At that quantity, the total cost difference between the two brands is under $15. Pick the one your baby feeds from well — that is the better investment.

If you want a breast-shaped nipple with a simple design, the Tommee Tippee Natural Start Anti-Colic (~$8–$10 per bottle) is a strong choice — the rounded nipple shape helps breastfed babies transition, the valve system is effective without extra parts, and it is one of the most trusted bottle brands worldwide.

If easy cleaning and self-sterilization matter most, the MAM Easy Start Anti-Colic (~$7–$9 per bottle) is hard to beat — the wide opening and removable base make cleaning painless, the microwave sterilization saves you from buying extra equipment, and the SkinSoft nipple has a high acceptance rate.

Our honest advice: if your baby has not been born yet, buy a single bottle of each. The "right" bottle is whichever one your baby latches onto and feeds from calmly, and you will not know until you try.

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Both Tommee Tippee Natural Start Anti-Colic and MAM Easy Start Anti-Colic are well-made bottles that do what they promise — reduce air intake to help with gas and fussiness.

MAM Easy Start edges out on cleaning ease, self-sterilizing convenience, and the wide opening that makes every part accessible. The SkinSoft textured nipple has a high acceptance rate, and the vented base system works reliably.

Tommee Tippee Natural Start edges out on nipple shape for breastfed babies, simpler three-piece assembly, and the integrated valve that keeps things straightforward without an extra part.

For most families, the deciding factor will be nipple acceptance — your baby will tell you which one they prefer. Buy one of each, try both, and stock up on the winner. There is no wrong choice between these two.

If you are tracking feeds — which is especially helpful when troubleshooting colic or reflux — tinylog makes it easy to log bottles and spot patterns over time.

• Baby Feeding Chart — How much your baby should eat by age
• Baby Spitting Up — What's normal and when to worry
• Baby Gas — Causes, relief, and when to call your doctor
• Baby Colic — Understanding excessive crying in newborns

• Tommee Tippee. "Natural Start Anti-Colic Bottles — Product Information." tommeettippee.com, 2026.
• MAM Baby. "MAM Easy Start Anti-Colic Bottle — Product Information." mambaby.com, 2026.
• Pediatrics in Review. "Infantile Colic: Recognition and Treatment." American Academy of Pediatrics, 2023.
• Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition. "Air Ingestion During Feeding and Colic Symptoms in Infants." 2022.
• Mommyhood101. "The Best Anti-Colic Bottles of 2026, Tested & Reviewed." mommyhood101.com.
• What to Expect. "Best Anti-Colic Bottles for Gassy Babies." whattoexpect.com, 2026.
• BabyList. "Tommee Tippee vs. MAM Bottles: How They Compare." babylist.com, 2025.

This guide is for informational purposes only. If your baby has persistent colic, excessive gas, or feeding difficulties, consult your pediatrician. Bottle choice is one factor among many, and colic often resolves on its own by 3–4 months of age.