Green to Grow vs. Born Free Bottles: What’s the Difference?

Posted on November 18, 2007 by softlanding

After a little more home grown research, we’ve gained some insight that might help you choose between Green to Grow and Born Free bottles.

Green to Grow Bottle Features:

  • Babies who prefer a regular neck nipple love Green to Grow (they also have a wide neck option).
  • Rounded nipple is great for developing the lateral muscles of the tongue which is important for later chewing skills and speech skills.
  • Nipples are very affordable and are made of long-lasting, non-toxic silicone.
  • Made from extremely durable and heat resistant PES plastic.
  • Large bottle holds 10oz which some parents find very helpful.
  • They do not have an air vent, so they work best for babies who don’t have troubles with gas/colic.
  • Regular neck bottles work with Medela and Lansinoh breast pumps.
  • Spot tested in Chicago for toxic contaminants. So not only are the bottles BPA, phthalate and PVC free, they are guaranteed to be lead free as well.
  • The company itself stands out from others because of their commitment to eco-friendly practices, including 100% recycled packaging and soy inks for printing.

2/6/08 UPDATE: We’ve just been told by the Green to Grow company that Gerber NUK nipples actually fit their bottles if you’re looking for a vented nipple option.  You might also try the Evenflo standard nipples with the regular neck Green to Grow bottles, as they have patented Micro Air Vents balance air in the bottle.
Born Free Bottles:

  • Babies who prefer open-mouth feeding love Born Free bottles (they do not offer regular neck nipples at this time).
  • The wider based Born Free nipple may work better with babies who are both breast and bottle fed, as it encourages a wider latch to keep the mouth open for feeding, which will make breastfeeding more effective.
  • Rounded nipple (as opposed to NUK shaped) is great for developing the lateral muscles of the tongue which is important for later chewing skills and speech skills.
  • Nipples are also made of non-toxic silicone that is soft and flexible.
  • One of the main highlights of Born Free bottles, other than the fact that they are also BPA, phthalate and PVC free, is their unique air venting system. Born Free bottles are amazing for babies who have difficulty with gas/colic.
  • Handles and cup spouts can be used with their bottles too.

UPDATE 4/24/08:  Thanks to a tip from one of our customers, it appears that Born Free has recently changed the plastic they use in their bottles to PES, just like Green to Grow.

You can read more detailed information about Born Free and Green to Grow bottles in our previous posts.

Update 1/12/08: Green to Grow Starter Kits are now available at The Soft Landing. Whether you’re preparing for the birth of your baby or looking for the perfect shower gift, the Green to Grow Starter Kit is a great option.


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43 Responses to “Green to Grow vs. Born Free Bottles: What’s the Difference?”

  1. KB, on November 25th, 2007 at 1:53 am Said:

    The one issue I’d like to see addressed is that Born Free company has a microwave sterilizer (I don’t know if Green or the Adiri bottles have any kind) and I’ve heard that even BPA, phthalate and PVC free bottles can break down in the microwave.

    We have BPA free drinking bottles we use daily and when we called the manufacturer they told us never put them in the dishwasher or microwave.

    thanks for the site and the information!!!

  2. olga, on December 10th, 2007 at 8:59 pm Said:

    I bought the green to grow bottles for my baby, and I use the Avent nipple for the wide neck version of the bottle. It works great, as it effectively makes this a vented bottle. Hope this helps someone in making a choice!

  3. Sarah, on January 4th, 2008 at 5:03 pm Said:

    Just a heads up - the Green to Grow bottles will have a new vented nipple option coming in February 2008!

  4. Nisha, on January 7th, 2008 at 12:32 pm Said:

    I brought the born free bottles couple of weeks back, since my son was used to the avent and the sassy mam nipples i gave it a try. The Avent nipples and Sassy Mam Nipples fit the born free bottles which was great for the transition. You have a great website and good information Thanks!!

  5. marsie, on January 10th, 2008 at 4:58 pm Said:

    Nisha: you stated that the Avent nipples fit the born-free bottles. I’m stuck in the situation where my little one favours the Avent nipple and I tried to switch to the Evenflo glass without much success. Wondering if you were able to use the born free special “venting” system with the Avent nipple or did you have to remove that? thanks

  6. Sadie, on January 27th, 2008 at 7:41 pm Said:

    I tried the avent nipple with the born free bottles - works fine, except that it leaked all over the place when preparing formula. Born free bottles are great, but if they want to compete, they will have to come up with a system that doesn’t require so many parts. I am going to try the green to grow system with the avent nipples. This is a great website. Thanks.

  7. Elisa, on February 15th, 2008 at 9:54 pm Said:

    I just ordered Green to Grow wide neck bottles hoping to use them with my Avent nipples (based on what another mother wrote) and they do NOT fit. I can screw the top on but it leaks A LOT because it doesn’t screw on all the way. They can not be used together.

  8. amandaguest, on February 18th, 2008 at 8:38 pm Said:

    I’m so confused by the mixed reviews. So do the Avent nipple fit either the Green to Grow or the Born-free bottles without leaking? My son will not take any other nipple and I desparately want to switch to a BPA-free bottle (I’m currently using Avent bottles). Are there any other BPA-free bottles that fit the Avent nipple?

  9. Sapphire, on February 19th, 2008 at 10:23 pm Said:

    I am surprised that the Avent nipples did not fit the Green to Grow Bottles for Elisa, especially because they seemed to fit for Olga in another comment. I wonder if the age of the nipple has anything to do with it and how many times the nipple has been sterilized?? Elisa, you might try buying a new Avent nipple (just a thought). I use the Avent sippy nipple with the Green to Grow wide neck for my toddler. At first, it leaked, but when I pushed it in really hard, it did not leak at all. I am so happy to be using a BPA free sippy-bottle and my toddler loves the yellow smiley guy on the Green to Grow bottle. Other toddlers are always trying to steal his! It sounds like Green to Grow will have another nipple option soon, but I wonder if you have tried other nipples like Dr. Brown’s and why you don’t like the Green to Grow nipple especially since it is chemical free too?

  10. Julie, on February 20th, 2008 at 3:18 pm Said:

    I just tried the Green to Grow bottles with the Avent nipple and it does not work!

  11. Sandy, on February 20th, 2008 at 4:41 pm Said:

    The Avent nipple fits the Gerber Gentle Flow bpa free bottles. The Born Free nipples looks much like the older blue Avent disposable system nipples. Has anyone tried those older Avent nipples with the Born Free bottles (with the venting system in)?
    Thanks

  12. Kristina, on February 20th, 2008 at 7:30 pm Said:

    The Avent nipples DID NOT WORK on my Green to Grow wide neck bottles. They leaked all over the place! My baby was wet with milk before the feeding was even done. Shelley from Green to Grow recommended the GERBER NUK, Orthodontic nipples. THEY WORKED! No leaks! My little one had to get used to how to suck on the different shaped nipple, but by the time he got an ounce or two through the feeding, he was starting to get it. Also recommended was the Dr. Brown’s nipples. I didn’t try those ones since the Gerber Nuks worked for us. I’m so glad the NUKS worked because I was desperate to use a chemical free bottle such as the Green To Grows. Hope this helps some of you.

  13. Kristina, on February 20th, 2008 at 7:34 pm Said:

    Sapphire, My Avent nipples are only three weeks used and they leaked tremendously. I had the newborn flow. The Green To Grow newborn nipple had such a fast flow, a literal stream rather than drips. Shelley from Green To Grow just emailed me this morning that they’ve been working on a slower flow for the many who have contacted her mentioning the flow was too fast. She said the new slower flow nipples should be ready sometime in March. I just tried the Gerber NUK Orthodontic and it worked well. We’ll see how it all goes. I agree that it would be nice to use the Green to Grow nipples as they too are chemical free. We’ll see how this all plays out. I’ve spent a fortune on bottles and nipples just to get it right. Yikes.

  14. Sapphire, on February 22nd, 2008 at 11:33 am Said:

    Just to clarify, I am using the Green to Grow bottle wide neck with an Avent hard sippy spout, not an avent nipple. My guy is too old for nipples (20 months). Sorry for the confusion. I am glad that Green to Grow is giving those of you using nipples other options to their nipples. I ordered mine when they first started knowing that I would have to find a sippy spout option, so I hunted around and found that the avent works for me, but that does not mean the avent nipple will. Sorry for the confusion. I am happy that you are still able to use the Green to Grow with another nipple. When you do get to the sippy stage, you can use the avent hard spout with Green to Grow, but my guess is that they will have their own by then.

  15. Elizabeth, on February 22nd, 2008 at 11:28 pm Said:

    My son, Dante, is just about 3 months of age, & was (literally) breast fed from the moment of birth. That is, until he decided he wanted to be attached to my breast 24/7. In a moment of desperation, late one night, my husband & I ripped open a box of Avent bottles (given to us as a present), & a case of Similac (sent home with us from the hospital), to end his shrill cry of hunger. I knew about BPA, PVC, & the like, & was guilt ridden about using these bottles made of polycarbonate plastic. I am very careful about what we purchase for Dante, & everything is organic, biodegradable, & free of dyes & chemicals. There is so much info, & so many great but differing products out there, that I don’t even know where to begin?? You all seem to be mixing bottles with nipples from other brands, & I’m more confused than ever. My sons eating habits differ from feeding to feeding. 4oz… 8oz… #1 nipple… #2 nipple… sometimes a tbsp. of cereal with formula… etc, etc. Which bottle should I chose?

  16. Lauren, on February 23rd, 2008 at 5:53 pm Said:

    Dr. Brown’s nipple and vent system works perfect on the Green to Grow. You have to use the 4 oz straw for the vent or cut down the 8oz straw to fit in the bottle though. I am pretty sure you can buy the vent system seperate. I just bought more Green to Grow and they are a perfect switch for babies who use Dr. Browns. I plan on going out and buying the smaller straws for the vent system.

  17. Sapphire, on February 25th, 2008 at 6:01 pm Said:

    Elizabeth,
    I have been where you are now and I sympathize. It’s hard enough taking care of a newborn without all of this bottle business to worry about. However, you and every parent should be getting BPA and phalate free baby bottles. The few days you use the avent will not hurt, but I would get another option as soon as you feel up to it. Plus, you do not want Dante to get used to the avent only to switch it on him (that seems to be hard on some babies). My suggestion is to call either Green to Grow or call the soft landing and talk to Alicia. Both companies are super helpful, available, and can help you get the right nipples and bottles as easy as pie. Just one phone call will do it. Hang in there- I know how tough this is. My little guy could not even drink my breast milk and I ended up using goats milk instead. Be aware that similac and other powdered formula containers also have BPA . Check with you doctor on the formula options. Goat’s milk is not the most tasty thing and I had to ease my baby in to it. Good luck.

  18. Sue, on March 5th, 2008 at 7:24 pm Said:

    Can someone help me please. I bought the Green To Grow wide neck bottles and used the NUK sillicone nipples with it as suggested. However it leaked badly when I’m shaking the bottle to mix the formula. I noticed on the internet that there are 2 NUK nipple sizes, i.e. size 1 and size 2. Does someone know which one fits? Or do the NUK nipples just come in 1 size and should fit the wide neck Green to Grow bottles? Thanks so much.

  19. Holly, on March 8th, 2008 at 12:06 pm Said:

    Hi
    I am wondering if the Medela nipples will fit on the Green to Grow regular neck bottles?
    Has anyone tried?
    My daughter prefers the regular neck.

  20. Holly, on March 8th, 2008 at 12:13 pm Said:

    Just read that again and now I am wondering if the Gerber nuk nipples fit the regular neck bottle?

  21. Sapphire, on March 20th, 2008 at 1:30 pm Said:

    To Holly and Sue:
    I am not sure exactly which nipples will fit with the Green to Grow bottles, but I do see that The Soft Landing just did a comparison, so hopefully that answers your questions, but if not, I would suggest calling Green to Grow. They will certainly know which nipples fit with their bottles. I have had great luck with their customer service people.

  22. Janessa, on April 24th, 2008 at 7:39 pm Said:

    I unfortunatly bought all the avent products, and I am trying come up with a solution on what bottles will attatch to the avent electric breast pump? Is anyone pumping using the avent into the green to grow bottles? I am really in a pickle…

    Thanks

  23. Constance, on April 25th, 2008 at 3:30 pm Said:

    Just out of curiosity, can you use Born Free Nipples with Green to Grow Bottles, and if so, wide neck or regular? Also, if you can in fact do that, would you do so with or without the Born Free Venting Pieces… or either way?

    Thanks!

  24. Constance, on April 25th, 2008 at 3:40 pm Said:

    Actually, are there multiple Bottles that the Born Free Nipples would work with, and again would you use them with or without the venting pieces? This is so overwhelming!!!

  25. Dianne, on April 25th, 2008 at 11:13 pm Said:

    just want to clarify, has anyone tried the avent nipple with the born free bottle? if so, did you try it with the vent or without the vent.

    thanks for information, dianne

  26. Laura, on April 26th, 2008 at 8:09 pm Said:

    My born free bottles became sticky after only a months use. They also smell like cotton candy after I use the steamer. My instinct is that even though they are BPA free they break down very quickly which can’t be safe.

  27. Dianne, on April 26th, 2008 at 9:59 pm Said:

    i tried the avent nipple on the born free bottles with the vent in and they work!!!!!

  28. Kristy, on April 30th, 2008 at 4:55 pm Said:

    I am looking on tips on how to help my son adjust to a wide nipple. I purchased Born free after using Standard size Dr. Brown’s for 4 months. He just does not seem to be able to open his mouth that wide comfortably.

    Thanks.

  29. Liz, on May 3rd, 2008 at 11:57 am Said:

    Kristy, if you are looking for a better alternative for your son who is used to the standard size nipple, try the Evenflo Classic glass bottle. They should be similar.

    And just an FYI for all of you ladies who have been using Avent bottles (like myself), if you call them, they will offer you a refund as well as sippy cups for free (the sippy cups are BPA free).

  30. Elizabeth, on May 5th, 2008 at 2:48 am Said:

    ATTN: MOTHERS USING greentogrow BOTTLES.
    After extensive research, I found and fell in love with, Nuby BPA-free, non-drip bottles. That is, until it was time to replace the nipples. Desperate, I ordered greentogrow standard bottles, and “Intermediate” nipples. Dante is a gulper, and at 5mths old, I figured he could handle the “Intermediate” nipple. Immediately, I was disappointed and pissed! These bottles are far too expensive to have as many flaws as they do. Firstly, we had to revert to using the “Beginner” nipple the bottle came with… We all know why. Secondly, I ended up with half the bottle in the cap, after shaking it to mix the formula. Additionally, the cute face on the front of the bottle is already quickly scraping off. Lastly, but certainly not least, IS THE FACT THAT THE MEASUREMENTS ARE OVER BY HALF AND OUNCE! Luckily, this is easily remedied by using a measuring cup. However, I wonder how many of you have been unknowingly watering down your babies formula??? Surely, my husband and I couldn’t have purchased the only six bottles with measurement flaws!!! Has anyone else discovered this? Also, have any of you tried the Adiri Natural Nurser, just to watch the formula flow out of the nipple into the cap as you’re preparing it, like I did???

  31. Michelle, on May 6th, 2008 at 12:58 am Said:

    I too am trying to switch my baby after 4 months on the avent bottles. I love the adiri - but like you, had heaps of trouble with formula in them - these are clearly not made for formula fed babies, they’re so impractical for formula. I’ve also just bought the GTG and am really disappointed in the nipples - I’m in Australia and had to order online, so this is turning into a very costly exercise. If I switch to the think baby nipples, will this solve the nipple collapse problem?

  32. Nany, on May 8th, 2008 at 11:38 am Said:

    Hello, I currently use the Born Free bottles and nipples and the nipples are really soft which my baby loves. I started with Avent nipples and she hated them - they are hard. I’m thinking about switcing to the Green to Grow bottles and nipples. Can anyone tell me if the Green to Grow nipples are as soft as the Born Free or Medela nipples?

  33. Kristy, on May 8th, 2008 at 5:34 pm Said:

    Thank you Liz.

  34. Frannys, on May 9th, 2008 at 6:35 pm Said:

    Hi there! I was using the the avent nipples with the born free bottles of couse with the complete venting systems and it worked perfect, does not leak everything is fine, the only problem that I have now is that when I started using it, there were not too many choices out there for bpa free bottles that I like, so I went for the born free, my baby have never have any problems with colic or gas but was use to the avent nipple and tranfer to born free with no problem, but now since she’s older I do not want to be cleaning those extra parts that the born free has, so I want to know if I can use the avent nipples with the think baby or green to grow bottles or what’s the best choice for me that I do not need anything for colic or gas and do not want to be cleaning extra parts. I haven’t try any of the them either the green to grow or the think baby. Please let me know, I am really getting crazy about this. Thanks so much!!

  35. rose, on June 1st, 2008 at 2:43 am Said:

    Frannys, if you are using avent nipples with bornfree then what other parts would you need to clean? you can’t fit their venting system and avent nipples into the same bottle. just use the nipples

  36. Ashley, on June 1st, 2008 at 8:26 pm Said:

    Just wanted to share that I was delighted to discover today that the Green to Grow standard/regular neck bottles work with the Medela breast pump! I will now be able to pump directly into the GtG bottles! I have coupled the GtG standard/regular neck bottles with the Evenflo Comfort Select nipple (which comes in slow, medium, fast flows) as suggested by The Soft Landing. These nipples act as a wide-mouth nipple making it closer to breastfeeding. This seems to be a great option so far. The Medela bottles and GtG standard bottles seem to be able to interchange collars as well. Will be a nice option to use the Medela caps (the collar with no nipple hole) on the GtG bottles for travel to keep from spilling milk everywhere.

    Hope this helps someone!

  37. Judi, on June 4th, 2008 at 11:23 am Said:

    My breastfed son had a hard time with bottles until we discovered the Second Nature Nipples. The bottles are bad plastic. However, the nipples fit perfectly into the wide-mouth Green to Grow bottles.

  38. Lauren, on June 4th, 2008 at 3:52 pm Said:

    Elizabeth… what was the problem with the nubby bottles? Can you not replace the nipples??

  39. Lauren, on June 4th, 2008 at 4:02 pm Said:

    I would like to also share that like everyone else on here, I am in the middle of finding a good BPA free bottle. Started with avent. found a few of the gerber gentle flow bpa free bottles that my avent nipples fit on. They seem to work okay, but wasn’t doing a good job of venting. So I tried the thinkbaby bottles. WASTE. Nipples with a super fast flow like the green to grow nippels….just faster than all the other brands, MUCH.. Thinkbaby bottles also leak like crazy. I’m in the process of returning those. Then I ran out to get a drop in system, which I thought was going to totally work, and seemed like a great idea. I bought the playtex version at first. At a 3:30am feeding I sat down in the glider, and went to squeeze the bag a little and POP! The whole bottle busted all over me her, and the carpet and glider!! I was furious! I had an avent drop in system from a shower gift, and pulled it out. If you’re going to deal with the drop ins, the avent is certainly worth the little bit of extra $.. much stronger drop ins! They are a good bit bulkier though. Anyway, I am using that and the gerber gentle flow until I find a better alternative. I thought about trying the nubby bottles until I say Elizabeths concern about replacing the nipples. I’m confused about that. She said she liked them until it was time to replace the nipples…. I’m anxious to know what she meant by that…do they no have replacement nipples. Well ladies good luck with the search, if anyone is suuuper impressed with one of these BPA free bottles…please let me know! lmtbodywork@yahoo.com

  40. Frannys, on June 4th, 2008 at 4:10 pm Said:

    Rose,

    Thanks! Now I am using the born free bottles with their nipples, my daugther got use to them and loves them, my problem was not the born free nipples, she did not like it, because I was using the Y cut fast flow nipple for thicker liquids and that was too fast for her, I switched to the regular fast flow nipples and she loves them. I am so happy with born free, I tried green to grow and the nipple collapses a lot maybe because my daugther was already use to a bottle with a venting system. I love my born free bottles and my daugther too.

    Frannys…

  41. Melanie, on June 5th, 2008 at 1:37 pm Said:

    Hi, I currently have the Dr. Brown’s wide neck bottles but I would like to switch to the Born free bottles. I know the venting system are BPA free and fit the Born Free bottles but do the nipples fit?

  42. Charlotte's mom, on June 17th, 2008 at 5:41 am Said:

    To all of the parents out there who are considering switching to Born Free bottles: I have had nothing but problems with these bottles and would not recommend them. My daughter was almost exclusively breast fed until 9 months , though we did give her one bottle of pumped breast milk per day. At the time I was using Avent bottles and they were fantastic: I loved them and my daughter loved them. When switching over to formula I decided to also switch bottles, as the BPA issue was of concern. A friend recommended Born Free so I purchased a few bottles at a local Right Start. Since then, we’ve had nothing but problems with these bottles. First and foremost, they leak…and they leak…and they leak. I’m not sure why they are not designed better so as to avoid this problem. At first I thought it was me…but then my husband and sitter encountered the same problems. Next problem are the nipples, which simply collapse. I’m not sure if this is due to the fact that my mostly breast fed daughter is a strong sucker but many friends, I have since discovered, have encountered this issue with Born Free nipples. I have used occasionally with an Avent nipple but the top is difficult to screw on as the nipples are thicker. I have tried contacting the company and they are essentially non symphatetic, offering few suggestions.

    So, to all you parents considering switching to Born Free bottles, my advice to you is “stay away.” Spare yourself the frustration…not to mention the outrageous expense!

  43. Melisa, on July 1st, 2008 at 5:17 pm Said:

    I purchased the Born Free(glass) bottle as well as the Green to Grow wide neck…this being a switch from Avent and Playtex Drop-Ins. My daughter drank without any problems from the Born Free, though it was too heavy for her to hold, herself. The Green to Grow was purchased as a traveling bottle. Unfortunately, the nipple collapsed too many times for my daughter (12 months-old),that it took her 15 minutes to finish her bottle. I decided to store it in the closet until the vented nipple became available, but my husband accidentally dropped the BornFree bottle…history. I had not choice but to swap out the Green to Grow nipple for the BornFree. I also added the soft plastic venting ring from the BF…the hard plastic piece didn’t allow the collar to screw on at all.
    Basically, the Green to Grow is a functioning bottle as my daughter is able to comfortably drink from it, but it leaks when I shake it up. As long as my daughter is drinking, it doesn’t leak. The minute she stops, it does. So, while I am not completely satisfied with Green to Grow, I’ll stick with it, because I refuse to add to the seemingly growing pile of bottles that weren’t quite right.

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