When choosing a baby bottle, most parents focus on the teat — but the bottle material itself matters just as much.
Baby bottles are heated, washed and sterilised again and again. Over time, the wrong material can degrade, cloud, weaken or become less stable when exposed to repeated heat. That’s why understanding the differences between bottle materials is essential for long-term feeding safety.
Here’s a clear, honest comparison of the most common baby bottle materials — and which one performs best with daily use.
| Feature | PPSU (Best Choice) | Glass | PP | PA (Nylon) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Safety when heated | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆ | ★★☆☆ |
| Max heat resistance | Up to 180°C | Very high | Moderate | Lower |
| Chemical stability | Excellent | Excellent | Can degrade | Can degrade |
| Breakage risk | None | High | None | None |
| Durability over time | Outstanding | Good | Fair | Fair |
| Weight | Lightweight | Heavy | Lightweight | Lightweight |
| Clarity | Clear (golden tint) | Crystal clear | Can cloud | Can cloud |
| Steriliser-friendly (daily use) | Yes – designed for it | Yes | Short-term | Not ideal |
PPSU: The Safest Choice for Everyday Feeding
PPSU (polyphenylsulfone) is a medical-grade material commonly used in hospitals, and for good reason.
High-quality PPSU bottles can withstand temperatures of up to 180°C without warping or releasing harmful substances. They are BPA-free, non-toxic and chemically stable, even with frequent sterilising.
PPSU offers the clarity of glass without the risk of breakage. It’s lightweight, highly impact-resistant and designed to last through months (or years) of daily feeding. Unlike printed markings that fade, embossed measurements remain accurate over time.
Why parents choose PPSU
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Excellent heat resistance for daily sterilisation
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No chemical leaching when heated
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Durable, lightweight and shatterproof
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Long-lasting clarity and strength
For families sterilising bottles daily, PPSU provides the best balance of safety, durability and peace of mind. Shop Minbie's range of PPSU bottles here.
Glass: Very Safe, With Practical Trade-Offs
Glass bottles are naturally non-toxic and chemically inert, making them a very safe option from a material standpoint. They also handle high heat well and are easy to clean thoroughly.
However, glass is heavy and breakable, which introduces real-world risks — especially during night feeds, when bottles are dropped, or when babies begin to self-feed. For many families, the stress of potential breakage outweighs the benefits.
Best suited for: parents prioritising purity who are comfortable managing the risk of breakage.
PP (Polypropylene): Suitable for Short-Term Use
Polypropylene (PP) is a BPA-free plastic commonly used in entry-level baby bottles. While lightweight and affordable, it does not perform as well over time.
With frequent sterilisation, PP bottles can cloud, warp or wear, and their chemical stability is lower than PPSU or glass. This makes them better suited to short-term or occasional use, rather than long-term daily feeding.
PA / Nylon: Less Stable for Long-Term Feeding
PA (also known as Nylon or PA12) is used in some baby bottles due to its flexibility and light weight. However, it is less stable under repeated high heat and is not commonly recommended for extended feeding periods that involve daily sterilising.
The Minbie Takeaway
If you’re washing and sterilising bottles every day — as most parents do — material choice matters.
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PPSU offers the safest, strongest and most practical option for everyday feeding
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Glass is very safe, but comes with a genuine breakage risk
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PP and PA plastics are better suited to short-term or limited use
Choosing the right bottle material helps protect your baby, simplify your routine, and give you confidence at every feed.