The Philips Avent Natural Response Nipples review answer is yes for most bottle-feeding parents. These extra slow flow nipples work like a breastfed baby actually feeds, which makes them a smart pick for newborns. You get four BPA-free nipples for around $13.31, and they fit standard Avent bottles. That’s a solid deal.
High customer satisfaction and trusted brand reputation make this a strong value relative to comparable mid-tier nipple packs.
Price vs. rivals
Pricier
CheaperTypicalPricier
Priced slightly above typical competitors due to brand reputation and specialized extra slow flow design.
Ease of use
Excellent 95/100
Highly rated and designed for natural feeding, the nipples are intuitive to attach, clean, and use, making them very easy for caregivers.
Overview: The Philips Avent Natural Response Nipples Review
The Philips Avent Natural Response Nipples are made for babies who also breastfeed. The tip has a non-drip valve that releases milk only when your baby actively sucks. That stops the constant dripping you get with regular nipples, so a baby can pause, rest, and breathe mid-feed. It’s a slow, rhythmic system that respects how a baby eats at the breast.
The real problem it solves is flow confusion. When a breastfed baby takes a bottle, a fast-dripping nipple teaches them to let gravity do the work. That wrecks their latch at the breast. The Philips Avent Natural Response Nipples are a favorite among parents who combo-feed from day one, because the pace stays close to a real breast.
Key Features: What You’re Paying For
Non-drip valve – Milk stays put until the baby sucks. You can hold the bottle upside down without a dribble, so fewer soaked onesies and less wasted formula.
Extra slow flow – The slowest flow Avent makes. It matches the pace of a nursing newborn, when ordinary slow-flow nipples can still cause gulping and coughing.
BPA-free silicone – It’s genuinely soft and flexible, not that hard, plasticky rubber you feel on some bargain nipples. Softness matters for a good latch.
Four-pack for $13.31 – About $3.33 a nipple. You’ll want a spare for the diaper bag, one in the kitchen, and one in the nursery.
Fits standard Avent bottles – No adapters or rings needed. If you already use Avent Natural bottles, these screw right on.
Anti-colic side vent – Designed to reduce air swallowing. You’ll still burp your baby, but there’s less groaning and squirming after feeds.
Fit for You: Is This the Best Extra Slow Flow Nipples for Newborns?
You nurse your baby and pump, and you want a bottle nipple that won’t cause a nursing strike against your actual breast.
Your newborn gulps and chokes on standard slow-flow nipples, and you need something calmer.
You’re already in the Avent bottle system and want a better nipple without switching bottles entirely.
You like the idea of paced feeding but don’t want to hover over your baby manually controlling the bottle tilt.
Your baby snacks and naps at the breast, and you want a bottle that keeps them actively working for the milk.
Uses: Real Bottle Moments That Earn Their Keep
The middle-of-the-night feed. You’re half awake, the baby is crying, and you flip the bottle upside down to check the temperature. With most nipples, you’re suddenly wiping milk off the bedsheet. With these, you maybe get one drop. That’s a small mercy you’ll appreciate at 3 a.m.
The witching-hour pause. Newborns often gulp for a minute, then stop to breathe. This nipple stops right along with them. No continuous drip to contend with while your baby catches her breath.
The return to the breast. If you’re mixing nursing and bottle feeding, this nipple keeps the mechanics similar. Your baby still uses her jaw and tongue to draw milk out, rather than just catching a falling stream.
Experience: Living with the Philips Avent Natural Response Nipples
Expect a short learning curve for you, not the baby. When you first use these, you’ll instinctively press the bottle to start the flow. Don’t. The whole idea is to let the baby suck. Owners tend to mention a little frustration in the first feed or two — you’ll wonder if the milk is coming out at all. It is, just slowly.
Setup is nothing. Screw onto a standard Avent bottle, give the tip a light tug to check the seal, and go. Cleaning is easy because the nipple is one solid piece of silicone. No valves to unscrew or pins to poke out. It survives the dishwasher’s top rack without warping, and the bottle brush handles the rest.
Storage is the small annoyance. The pack doesn’t include external caps, and the nipples are wide, so they don’t stack neatly. You’ll probably end up keeping them in a clean bowl or a jar. It’s fine, but not the tidiest system.
Noise is minimal. There’s a quiet whistle from the anti-colic vent every so often, and a soft suction pop when the baby pulls off. Nothing that’ll wake a partner. The bigger issue is that the extra slow flow can feel glacial by month three. Some parents say their older baby gets impatient and falls asleep before finishing. That’s the trade-off for the newborn-friendly pace.
Pros and Cons
Pros
Respects breastfeeding rhythm – Milk flows only when the baby sucks, which keeps their mouth mechanics closer to nursing.
Genuinely extra slow – It’s slower than most “slow flow” nipples, so it works for the first weeks when a newborn’s coordination is shaky.
No dripping mess – The non-drip valve means you can tilt the bottle without a flood. A life-saver for middle-of-the-night feeds.
Simple to clean – One piece of food-grade silicone, no narrow crevices. A rinse and a brush handle it.
Fair price – Four nipples for $13.31 is a reasonable buy for something you’ll replace in a few months.
Cons
Too slow for older babies – By 3–4 months, many babies get frustrated with the trickle and need a faster flow level.
Requires an active eater – If your baby is a lazy feeder, they may give up before the bottle is empty. You’ll be constantly checking if they’re actually swallowing.
Silicone softens over time – After weeks of sterilizing and dishwasher cycles, the tip can feel sticky and compress more than it should. Watch for cracks and replace.
No storage caps included – You get just the four nipples. Not a deal-breaker, but you’ll want your own container for travel.
Advantages: How It Beats the Alternatives
Let’s settle the obvious debate: Philips Avent Natural Response vs Medela nipples. Medela’s Calma nipple also aims to mimic breastfeeding, but it’s a more complicated assembly and costs more per nipple. The Avent is refreshingly simple. You screw it on a standard bottle and it works. If you’re doing a Philips Avent baby bottle nipples comparison, the short version is this: Avent gives you better drip control and a wider base for a deep latch, while Medela’s system is more portable but fussier to clean.
Better drip control – Invert an Avent and nothing comes out. Medela’s standard slow-flow nipples still leak a little when tilted.
Wider, softer base – The broad shape encourages a deep, flared-lip latch, which matters for breastfeeding babies.
Fewer pieces – Avent is two-stage simple. Medela’s Calma has multiple parts that everyone in the house will lose.
Who Should Buy These Nipples?
Breastfeeding parents who want an occasional bottle without wrecking a newborn’s latch.
Anyone tired of milk splashing everywhere during night feeds.
Parents already using Avent bottles who want the best nipple for the first three months.
People who appreciate a product with a clear, focused job and no gimmicks.
Skip them if you have a hungrier, older baby who needs a steady flow. Look for Avent’s Natural Flow level 2, or try Dr. Brown’s wide-neck for a faster but still paced feed. Also skip them if you want a nipple that drips without any effort — this one makes your baby work for it.
FAQ
Are Philips Avent Natural Response nipples worth it?
Yes, for the price and purpose. The non-drip valve and extra slow flow are genuinely useful for a newborn who also breastfeeds. At about $3.33 per nipple, the cost is fair. The biggest risk is that your baby outgrows them sooner than you’d like.
How long do Philips Avent Natural Response nipples last?
Expect to use them for roughly two to three months of daily feeding. Heat, dishwasher cycles, and frequent sterilizing soften the silicone. Replace them when the tip becomes sticky, discolored, or develops tiny cracks. You’ll notice because suction changes and the baby seems to work harder.
Is the Philips Avent Natural Response nipple safe for newborns?
Yes, it’s one of the safer choices for a baby in the first weeks. It’s BPA-free and has an extra slow flow that reduces choking and gulping. The anti-colic valve is a bonus. Just be sure your baby is actively sucking, because this nipple won’t feed them on its own.
Does the Philips Avent Natural Response nipple fit other bottle brands?
No, it’s designed for Philips Avent bottles only. It fits the standard Avent Natural and Avent Classic bottles. It won’t thread onto Medela, Dr. Brown’s, or Tommee Tippee. If you’re switching systems, you’ll need the full bottles or an adapter ring.
Are the Philips Avent extra slow flow BPA-free nipples better for a breastfed baby?
Yes, they’re specifically shaped to feel more like breast tissue, and the suction-triggered flow means the baby has to latch actively. The wide base supports a deep latch, and the soft silicone gives under gentle pressure. That combination makes them one of the better choices for reducing nipple confusion.
How does the extra slow flow compare to other Avent nipples?
It’s the slowest flow Avent offers. The next step up is the Natural flow level 1, which is noticeably faster. If you’re using these for a newborn, start with extra slow. Once your baby feeds efficiently, move up before they start fussing and chewing the tip.
Final Verdict: Natural Response Nipple Review for Breastfeeding
Buy them if you’re a breastfeeding parent who wants a bottle nipple that doesn’t sabotage your baby’s latch. The Philips Avent Natural Response nipples deliver on their promise: a slow, responsive flow that works with your baby’s natural sucking rhythm. At $13.31 for a four-pack, they’re an easy try.
Keep one thing in mind: this is a newborn-oriented tool. As your baby grows, you’ll likely need a faster flow. But for those first months, these nipples do exactly what they claim, without drama or a valve you’ll lose in the dishwasher. That’s a fair result.
Philips Avent Natural Response Nipples vs the Competition in 2026
The market for newborn bottle nipples is crowded, but the Philips Avent Natural Response Extra Slow Flow sits near the top for good reason. At around $13.31 for a 4-pack, it’s mid-price — not cheap, not outrageous. The real selling point is the nipple’s unique valve system that only releases milk when your baby actually latches and sucks, rather than dripping freely. That matters for breastfed babies who need to control the pace. But not every parent needs that, and some rivals do certain things better. Here’s how the Natural Response stacks up against the most common alternatives you’ll see on shelves.
Product
Price Range
Key Strength
Key Weakness
Best For
Philips Avent Natural Response
Mid ($10–$15)
Milk-flow controlled by baby’s suck; mimics breastfeeding
Slow flow may frustrate some older babies; narrow neck can be a faff to clean
Breastfeeding moms needing a paced, nipple-shaped transition
Medela Calma Nipple
Premium ($18–$25 per single)
Truly unique vacuum-based flow; only works with baby’s feeding rhythm
Expensive per nipple; no standard thread for many bottles; fussy assembly
Parents who want the closest thing to an actual breast and don’t mind price
Dr. Brown’s Options+ Narrow
Budget ($7–$10 for 2-pack)
Low cost; wide compatibility; internal vent system reduces colic
Multiple parts to wash; silicone can feel stiff; flow varies with bottle temperature
Budget-conscious families dealing with gas or reflux
Flow too fast for many newborns; nipple collapses if baby bites hard
Babies who reject other nipples and need a wider, softer mouthfeel
Philips Avent Natural Response Nipples vs Medela Calma
The Medela Calma is the premium rival here, and it does something even the Avent Natural Response doesn’t quite match: the Calma uses a diaphragm that only opens when the baby creates enough vacuum, then closes again when they pause. It’s genuinely clever — no dripping even if you turn the bottle upside down. But it’s a pain to clean (three separate pieces, each fiddly) and a single nipple can cost nearly as much as the Avent 4-pack. For a baby who’s already comfortable breastfeeding, the Calma is the absolute top-tier choice. But for most parents, the Philips Avent Natural Response nipples vs Medela Calma comes down to convenience. The Avent is easier to clean, you get four for the price of one, and the flow control is still very good — just not quite as precise.
Philips Avent Natural Response vs Dr. Brown’s Options+ Narrow
Dr. Brown’s is the budget champion, and it’s great if your baby has colic or you’re on a tight budget. The Options+ Narrow nipples are cheap and widely available. But here’s the catch: they rely on a separate internal vent tube to reduce air intake, which means you’re scrubbing tiny parts after every feed. The Avent Natural Response does the same job — preventing air swallowing — with a little air hole in the rim of the nipple itself. No extra tube. That alone is a win for anyone who hates bottle-cleaning duty. Also, the Dr. Brown’s silicone feels stiffer, and some newborns struggle with the faster flow of the S size. The Avent extra slow flow is genuinely slow — it’s one of the best extra slow flow nipples for newborns, because milk only comes out when baby actively sucks, not when the bottle is tilted. If your newborn is a lazy sucker or you’re trying to avoid flow preference, the Avent edges ahead.
Philips Avent Natural Response vs NUK Nature Sense
NUK’s Nature Sense nipple is wide, soft, and shaped to mimic the breast. Some babies love that wide mouthfeel. But the flow out of the box is often too fast for a newborn — the small hole on the top of the nipple dumps milk at a steady pace regardless of the baby’s rhythm. That can lead to gulping and spills. The Avent Natural Response is slower and more responsive. On the flip side, if your baby refuses the Avent nipple because it’s too narrow or the silicone feels less “breast-like,” the NUK is the obvious alternative. It’s also cheaper. But for parents asking, “Are Philips Avent Natural Response nipples worth it?” — if your baby is breastfeeding well but needs an occasional bottle, the answer is usually yes, because the Natural Response gives your baby the same pacing control they’d get at the breast. The NUK doesn’t.
Bottom line: Choose the Philips Avent Natural Response if you’re a breastfeeding parent who wants a slow, baby-controlled flow without extra cleaning parts, and you’re okay spending a little more than Dr. Brown’s or NUK. Skip it if your baby already refuses narrow nipples — then go for the NUK Nature Sense. And if you have the budget and the patience for a single, meticulously engineered nipple that behaves almost exactly like a breast, pick the Medela Calma. For everyone else, the Avent Natural Response is the smart middle ground that does most things right.
Ready to decide on the Philips Avent Natural Response Nipples?
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