In Depth Baby Product Reviews Led by a Pediatrician

Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature Review

A lightweight and economical bottle that is easy to use and has a breast-like nipple
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tommee tippee closer to nature baby bottle review
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Price:  $8 List
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Manufacturer:   Tomme Tippee
By Juliet Spurrier, MD, Abriah Wofford  ⋅  Jan 22, 2023
48
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#14 of 16
  • Leakage - 30% 4.0
  • Nipple - 25% 7.0
  • Ease of Cleaning - 20% 4.0
  • Eco-Health - 15% 2.0
  • Ease of Use - 10% 7.0

The Skinny

The Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature is a long-time, plastic favorite baby bottle. It has a simple 3-piece design that is easy for parents to assemble and clean. We especially like the wide nipple mound that allows the baby to get a better latch, and the wide neck makes transferring liquids and mixing formulas a breeze. While we aren't so keen on using plastic in baby bottles, it does make the Closer to Nature bottle more durable and less expensive, making it a good option for your baby's feedings while traveling or at daycare. Overall, the ease of use and functionality make this a bottle we recommend as a part-time friend for babies on the go.
REASONS TO BUY
Lightweight
Durable
Breast-like nipple
REASONS TO AVOID
Plastic
Volume markings fade quickly
Editor's Note: We updated the Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature gear review on January 11, 2023. The baby bottle review had new additions, and we ensured that the Closer to Nature review still reflects the product's results.

Compare to Similar Products

 
Awards  Editors' Choice Award Top Pick Award Best Value Award  
Price $7.50 List
$5.41 each at Amazon
Check Price at Amazon$10.00 List
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$18.00 List
$6.65 each at Amazon
$6.50 List
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Overall Score Sort Icon
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79
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Star Rating
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Pros Lightweight, durable, breast-like nippleGlass material, clear volume markings, easy to useStable base, easy to clean, innovative anti-colic systemGlass, affordable, easy to useLightweight, inexpensive, breast-like nipple
Cons Plastic, volume markings fade quicklySingle vent in the nipple, no protective sleeveThin silicone, hard-to-read volume markings, stiff nippleHard-to-read volume markings, not as strong as borosilicate glass, narrow mouth, no sleevePlastic, slow-flow nipple too fast for some babies
Bottom Line A lightweight and economical bottle that is easy to use and has a breast-like nippleA traditional glass bottle that performs wellA healthy alternative to plastic drop-in liners that's better for baby and the environmentA basic glass bottle that won't break the bankAn inexpensive bottle that may be great for travel or daycare
Rating Categories Tommee Tippee Close... NUK Simply Natural... Boon Nursh Evenflo Vented + Glass Lansinoh
Leakage (30%)
4.0
9.0
8.0
7.0
6.0
Nipple (25%)
7.0
7.0
7.0
5.0
7.0
Ease of Cleaning (20%)
4.0
7.0
7.0
5.0
6.0
Eco-Health (15%)
2.0
8.0
7.0
7.0
2.0
Ease of Use (10%)
7.0
8.0
7.0
6.0
6.0
Specs Tommee Tippee Close... NUK Simply Natural... Boon Nursh Evenflo Vented + Glass Lansinoh
Material Plastic Borosilicate Glass (BPA-free) Silicone, Plastic Tempered Glass Polypropylene plastic (free of BPA, BPS)
Available Sizes 5, 9 oz 4, 8 oz 4, 8 oz 4, 8 oz 5, 8 oz
Weight 1.6 oz 5.8 oz 3.2 oz 4.9 oz 1.7 oz
Bottle Mouth Wide Wide Wide Narrow Medium
Nipple Pinch Test Very Firm Soft Very Firm Medium Medium
Anti-Colic Feature Vented nipple Vented nipple Collapsible silicone pouch Vented nipple Air ventilation system
Cleaning Method Top rack dishwasher safe Top rack dishwasher safe Dishwasher safe Top rack dishwasher safe Top rack dishwasher safe, handwashing recommended

Our Analysis and Test Results

Tommee Tippee is a manufacturer of baby products that began in the UK and has been in business for over 50 years. They produce some well-known products used by parents around the world. The Closer to Nature is one of the few plastic bottles to make it into our review, and we appreciate its usability and breast-like nipple.

Performance Comparison


tommee tippee closer to nature baby bottle review - with only three parts, the closer to nature bottle is intuitive and...
With only three parts, the Closer to Nature bottle is intuitive and easy to assemble.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Likes


We appreciate that this baby bottle has three parts and a wide neck opening, making it easier to clean and assemble. The dark volume markings are located directly on the side of the bottle and are very easy to read, no matter the lighting conditions. The lighter weight of this plastic bottle will be appreciated when packing up a diaper bag, and its durability makes it a perfect choice for daycare or to use during long trips.

tommee tippee closer to nature baby bottle review - the squat contoured shape lets you get a good grip on the bottle...
The squat contoured shape lets you get a good grip on the bottle without much trouble.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

The unique, short, and squat shape of the Closer to Nature gives it distinct advantages. The wide neck makes it easier to pour liquids or mix formula, and it provides the base for a large nipple mound, which is more breast-like and potentially more comfortable for the baby to latch on. The nipple has a single vent that allows air in, giving the baby fewer bubbles and less colic. We also think that the contoured shape is more natural for babies to wrap their hands around once they can hold their bottle.

The nipple on the Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature has a single...
The nipple on the Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature has a single anti-colic vent.
The wide nipple is marked with a number around the edge to indicate...
The wide nipple is marked with a number around the edge to indicate the flow level.

Dislikes


The biggest downfall of this bottle is the material. We prefer to avoid plastic, especially when it comes to feeding. It can retain strange odors and colors and potentially leech harmful chemicals into a baby's food, particularly when used for storage purposes. The shape of the Tommee Tippee is contoured in a way that helps baby and parents to use it more easily, but it also makes cleaning more difficult, especially in the 5 oz version. It is so squat that the upper rim is a bit difficult to get to, and it may take a bit of maneuvering when feeding to get the last few drops of milk over the lip of the bottle.

tommee tippee closer to nature baby bottle review - the volume markings are easy to read but may wear off with use.
The volume markings are easy to read but may wear off with use.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Users have found that the volume markings wear off quickly from normal wear and tear, which leads us to believe that it isn't meant to last through multiple children, but as it is PP plastic, you should probably be replacing these bottles every six months anyway.

tommee tippee closer to nature baby bottle review - our little tester was able to get a good latch on the wide nipple.
Our little tester was able to get a good latch on the wide nipple.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Alternative Materials
Tommee Tippee has glass and silicone bottle options, and all Closer to Nature bottles have interchangeable nipples and rings. This convenient feature allows you to have a mix of materials available to use in different situations without having to match bottles with less recognizable parts. We love this idea for parents who want to stick mainly to glass or silicone at home but want something more durable and less expensive to send to daycare with their baby.

Should You Buy the Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature?


While the plastic composition brought this contender down a few notches in the baby bottle review, we think plastic options have their place. The bottle's simplicity makes it a convenient and wise choice for certain situations, like traveling or sending along to daycare.

What Other Baby Bottles Should You Consider?


The Comotomo offers an all-around better performance. It's a silicone bottle, a material we prefer over plastic. It's durable, easy to use, and simple to clean, making it a compelling candidate. Otherwise, if you're looking for an inexpensive option that's healthier than plastic, consider the Evenflo Vented + Glass.

Manufacturer Video



Juliet Spurrier, MD, Abriah Wofford
 

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