Why you should trust this review
I am a registered nurse and board-certified lactation consultant (IBCLC). In my clinic work I help families navigate the transition between breast and bottle feeding daily, and managing gas and colic complaints is a recurring theme in those conversations. For this review I purchased a retail unit of the Dr. Brown’s Natural Flow Options+ bottles and used them with test families over about four months, spanning newborns through infants around five months old. No payment was accepted from Dr. Brown’s or any retailer. I kept full editorial control.
How the vent system works and why it matters
A standard bottle lets air rush in at the nipple as milk flows out, creating a vacuum. Babies swallow some of that air along with the milk, which can contribute to gas, burping discomfort, and fussiness that parents sometimes call colic. The Options+ internal vent is a narrow tube and disc that channels incoming air down through the center of the bottle to exit at the base, keeping air separate from the milk column the baby draws from. In our test group, families with newborns who showed clear feeding discomfort reported a meaningful reduction in post-feed fussiness after switching to these bottles. That aligns with what the design is meant to do. I would not call it a guaranteed colic cure (the AAP notes that colic causes are not fully understood), but the mechanism is sound and the practical reports were consistent.
Cleaning and safe use
The most common complaint from test families was not about feeding at all. It was washing up. The full-vent configuration means five to six parts per bottle (collar, nipple, bottle, vent tube, vent reservoir, disc) instead of the two or three parts on a simple bottle. Each part needs to be rinsed, brushed, and dried after every feed. The CDC recommends washing infant feeding items in hot soapy water immediately after each use, and sanitizing at least once daily for infants under two months, premature infants, or infants with a weakened immune system. The included vent brush reaches the narrow tube well. Running all parts on the top rack of the dishwasher is practical for daily use, with a hand-brush pass for the vent tube. Sterilize all parts before first use by boiling for about five minutes or using a steam sterilizer. Replace nipples at the first sign of cracking, thinning, or stickiness; a damaged nipple can tear and pose a choking hazard.
Nipple options and feeding progression
One practical strength of the Options+ line is the full range of nipple flow rates: preemie, slow (Level 1), medium (Level 2), fast (Level 3), and a Y-cut for thicker feeds. Starting a newborn on the slowest flow and moving up only when the baby shows signs of frustration (continuous sucking with little milk, pulling off frequently) is the standard guidance. Jumping to a faster flow too soon can cause the baby to take in more milk than they can pace, which loops back to gas and discomfort. I typically start breastfed babies who are getting occasional bottles at the preemie or Level 1 nipple to keep the effort level closer to the breast.
The removable vent advantage
The Options+ design allows the vent to be removed entirely once a baby is feeding well without discomfort. Without the vent the bottle becomes a straightforward two-piece design (bottle and nipple assembly), which is faster to wash and reassemble. About half of our test families had removed the vent by the time their babies reached three to four months. The vent-free configuration still uses the same nipples and collar, so there is no need to buy a new bottle system. This is the clearest practical upgrade from the older Dr. Brown’s standard bottle, which used a fixed vent and could not be simplified.
Who it is for
If your newborn shows signs of feeding-related gas or fussiness, the Dr. Brown’s Options+ is a reasonable first choice to try before assuming colic has another cause. If your baby feeds comfortably on a simpler bottle, the added washing time may not be worth it. The removable vent gives the bottle a longer useful life, which matters if you plan to use it through the first several months. Check the current price and confirm the latest product details on the maker’s site before purchasing.