NUK Bottles & Soothers NZ

NUK Bottles & Soothers NZ — Which One Is Right for Your Baby?

NUK has been one of the world's most trusted baby brands for over 60 years — and unlike most baby bottle brands, NUK's reputation rests on something genuinely distinctive: a deep commitment to your baby's oral and jaw development. Every NUK bottle teat and soother is developed in collaboration with pediatric dentists and orthodontists, with the goal of supporting healthy oral development from the very first feed — not just delivering milk comfortably.

This makes NUK a different kind of buying decision. You're not just choosing a bottle — you're choosing a brand philosophy. This guide explains what that means in practice, and helps you choose the right NUK products for your baby's age, feeding style, and needs.

Browse the full NUK range at Babies.co.nz →

Why Do Parents Choose NUK?

NUK's core differentiator is its orthodontic teat and soother design — and it's worth understanding what this actually means before choosing a bottle.

A standard bottle teat is round and symmetrical — it doesn't distinguish between top and bottom. NUK's teat is shaped differently: flatter on the bottom, rounded on top, with a slightly asymmetric form that closely mirrors the shape of a mother's nipple during active breastfeeding. This shape encourages your baby to latch in a specific orientation — the same way they would at the breast — and supports the natural movement of the tongue, jaw, and palate during feeding.

Why does this matter? Because the way a baby feeds in the first months of life has a direct influence on the development of their jaw, bite, and palate. A teat that encourages healthy oral muscle movement supports better jaw alignment and reduces the risk of dental issues down the track. This is the research-backed principle behind every NUK product — and it's why the brand is so widely recommended by paediatric dentists and speech therapists.

NUK also has the advantage of an integrated product ecosystem — bottles, teats, soothers, teethers, cups, sterilisers, and feeding accessories are all designed to work together through every stage of your baby's development.

Understanding the NUK Bottle Range

First Choice+ — The Breastfeeding-Compatible Bottle

The NUK First Choice+ is the brand's most popular bottle range and the one most commonly recommended for babies who are breastfed or combination fed. The First Choice+ features NUK's signature orthodontic teat in its most breast-compatible form — soft, flexible, and shaped to encourage the same tongue and jaw movement your baby uses at the breast.

A standout feature unique to the NUK First Choice+ is the temperature indicator built into the bottle. A small heart-shaped symbol on the bottle changes colour when the milk inside is too hot — a simple but genuinely useful safety feature, particularly for tired parents preparing bottles at night. When the heart disappears, the milk is at a safe feeding temperature.

The First Choice+ teat is available in both silicone and latex:

  • Silicone teats — odourless, clear, and more durable. Easier to keep clean and preferred by most parents
  • Latex teats — made from natural rubber, slightly softer and more flexible than silicone. Some babies find latex teats easier to latch onto, particularly those who are very used to the breast. Latex teats have a shorter lifespan and need replacing more frequently

Both teat materials use the same NUK orthodontic shape and are available in multiple flow rates to suit your baby's age and feeding pace.

Perfect Match — The Premium Glass Range

The NUK Perfect Match is NUK's premium bottle range, available in glass and plastic, and designed specifically to minimise nipple confusion for breastfed babies. The Perfect Match teat features an ultra-soft, flexible design that adapts to your baby's individual sucking movement — making it the most breast-like of NUK's bottle options.

At Babies.co.nz we stock:

Who should choose Perfect Match:

  • Parents who want a glass bottle from birth
  • Breastfed babies where nipple confusion is a concern
  • Parents looking for a complete starter kit in one purchase
  • Anyone buying a baby shower gift — the Winnie the Pooh set in particular is a beautiful and practical gift

Glass vs Plastic — Which Should You Choose?

Both the Perfect Match glass and plastic bottles use the same NUK orthodontic teat technology — the choice is purely about the bottle body.

NUK Glass Bottles

  • Made from high-quality borosilicate glass — heat resistant, odour-free, and scratch-resistant
  • Easier to sterilise thoroughly — nothing leeches into the glass at high temperatures
  • Ideal for home use, particularly in the newborn period when sterilising is most frequent
  • Heavier than plastic and will break if dropped

NUK Plastic Bottles

  • Lightweight, shatterproof, and BPA-free
  • Better for travel, on-the-go feeds, and once your baby starts holding their own bottle
  • More affordable — easier to build a full set

Many parents use glass at home and plastic on the go — a practical combination that gives you the benefits of both. Both options are available at Babies.co.nz.

NUK Teat Flow Guide

Choosing the right teat flow is just as important as choosing the right bottle. NUK teats are available in multiple sizes to suit every stage of feeding.

Size Flow Age Guide Best For
S (Small) Slow 0–6 months Newborns, breastfed babies
M (Medium) Medium 6–18 months Growing babies, efficient feeders
L (Large) Fast 18+ months Older babies and toddlers

Shop the NUK First Choice Plus Latex Teat at Babies.co.nz →

Signs your baby needs a faster flow:

  • Takes longer than 30 minutes to finish a feed
  • Falls asleep before finishing
  • Shows frustration or pulls off the teat

Signs the flow is too fast:

  • Gulping, spluttering, or milk spilling from the mouth
  • Increased wind or spit-up after feeds
  • Pulling away from the bottle repeatedly

NUK Soothers & Dummies — A Complete Guide

Unlike most bottle brands, NUK's soother range is just as important as their bottles — and in NZ, "nuk dummies" is searched almost as frequently as "nuk bottles." This is because NUK soothers are genuinely different from standard dummies, and parents who understand the orthodontic philosophy tend to trust the brand across both categories.

What Makes NUK Soothers Different?

NUK soothers use the same orthodontic design philosophy as their bottle teats. The soother shield is shaped to sit comfortably against your baby's face, and the teat itself is asymmetric — flatter on the bottom, rounded on top — designed to rest naturally on the tongue and encourage healthy oral muscle development during sucking.

This matters because prolonged dummy use with an incorrectly shaped soother can contribute to dental misalignment and jaw development issues over time. NUK's orthodontic shape is specifically designed to minimise this risk — which is why NUK soothers are widely recommended by paediatric dentists as the safer choice if your baby uses a soother.

The NUK Soother Range at Babies.co.nz

NUK Star Silicone Soother — 0–2 months
The smallest NUK soother, designed specifically for newborns. The ultra-small shield is sized to fit a newborn's tiny face, and the silicone teat is soft and gentle for delicate gums. Available in white — a classic, clean option for the earliest weeks.

NUK Star Silicone Soother — 0–6 months
The most popular NUK soother size — suitable from birth through to six months. Available in pink, with NUK's signature star-shaped shield design that allows maximum airflow to your baby's skin to reduce soother-related skin irritation.

NUK Signature Night Soother
The Signature Night Soother features a glow-in-the-dark shield — so you can find it in the dark during night settles without turning on the light and waking your baby further. Available from 0–6 months and 6–18 months. A practical and popular choice for parents navigating night wakings.

NUK Latex Soother
For babies who prefer the softer feel of natural rubber over silicone. The latex teat is slightly warmer and more flexible, which some babies find more soothing. Available from 0–6 months.

NUK Disney Winnie the Pooh Soothers
The Space and Star Winnie the Pooh soothers bring the same orthodontic design in a beautiful licensed design — one of the most popular baby shower gift options in the NUK range.

Silicone vs Latex Soothers — Which Should You Choose?

Silicone Latex
Material Synthetic silicone Natural rubber
Feel Firmer, consistent shape Softer, warmer, more flexible
Durability Longer lasting Needs replacing more often
Odour Odourless Slight natural rubber smell
Best for Most babies, easy to keep clean Babies who prefer softer feel
Allergy note No latex risk

Not suitable for latex allergies

 

Is NUK Good for Breastfed Babies?

Yes — and the orthodontic teat design is the reason. Because the NUK teat shape encourages the same tongue and jaw movement your baby uses at the breast, breastfed babies tend to transition to NUK bottles with less confusion than many other brands. The First Choice+ in particular was designed with combination feeding in mind — the teat flex and orthodontic shape closely mirror the physical experience of breastfeeding.

For breastfed babies, always start with a Size S (slow flow) teat regardless of age, and introduce the bottle around three to four weeks once breastfeeding is well established. The Perfect Match Perfect Start Glass Set is the ideal combination for a breastfed baby starting their first bottle.

Browse our full breastfeeding range at Babies.co.nz for breast pumps, nipple shields, breast pads, and storage bags.

Are NUK Bottles Good for Colic?

Yes — NUK's First Choice+ anti-colic system uses a vented teat design that reduces air ingestion during feeds, helping to minimise wind, gas, and post-feed discomfort. For most babies this is sufficient. For babies with more significant colic or reflux, a dedicated anti-colic bottle like the Tommee Tippee Advanced Anti-Colic or Dr Brown's Options+ may provide more targeted relief.

NUK Beyond Bottles — The Full Range at Babies.co.nz

NUK's range extends well beyond bottles and soothers. At Babies.co.nz we also stock:

NUK as a Baby Shower Gift

NUK is one of the most popular baby shower gift brands — and the Disney Winnie the Pooh range makes gift-giving particularly easy. The Perfect Match Disney Winnie the Pooh Set and the Winnie the Pooh Soothers combine the brand's trusted orthodontic quality with a design that every parent will recognise and love. They're beautifully presented, genuinely useful from day one, and the kind of gift that stands out at any baby shower.

Shop NUK at Babies.co.nz

Babies.co.nz is a proudly New Zealand-owned baby specialist, helping Kiwi families find the right products since 1998. We stock the full NUK range — bottles, teats, soothers, breast pumps, warmers, cups, and accessories — with Price Match available and 5% back in Rewards on every purchase.

Shop NUK →
Shop All Bottle Feeding →
Shop All Feeding →
Read our Dr Brown's Buying Guide →
Read our Philips AVENT Buying Guide →
Read our Tommee Tippee Buying Guide →

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Your Tommee Tippee Bottle Questions Answered

Choosing the right bottle for your baby takes more thought than most people expect. Below we've answered the questions Kiwi parents ask us most often about Tommee Tippee. If you need more help, our team at Babies.co.nz is always happy to assist — call us on 09 274 3099 or visit our Auckland showroom in East Tamaki.

Learn more

Both use the same wide, breast-shaped teat design — the difference is in how they handle air reduction. Closer to Nature has a built-in anti-colic valve in the teat that reduces air ingestion during feeds. Advanced Anti-Colic goes further, with a heat-sensing tube at the bottom of the bottle that actively vents air out of the milk before it reaches your baby. For most babies, Closer to Nature is plenty. For babies with more significant colic, wind, or reflux, Advanced Anti-Colic is the better choice.

Yes — the Closer to Nature range is one of the most recommended bottles for combination feeding. The wide, breast-shaped teat encourages the same broad latch breastfed babies use at the breast, reducing the risk of nipple confusion. Always start with a slow flow teat for a breastfed baby regardless of age, and introduce the bottle around three to four weeks once breastfeeding is well established.

For many parents, yes. The Natural Start glass bottle is made from premium borosilicate glass — odour-free, heat resistant, and very easy to sterilise. It's particularly practical in the newborn period when you're sterilising frequently and mostly feeding at home. The main trade-offs are weight and the risk of breakage. Many parents use glass at home and plastic when out and about.

Start with slow flow for all newborns — whether breastfed or formula fed. Move up to variable flow when your baby shows signs of frustration, takes too long to finish feeds, or falls asleep before finishing. Fast flow suits confident, efficient feeders from around six months. Always let your baby's cues guide the decision rather than age alone.

Yes — both ranges include anti-colic features. Closer to Nature has a built-in anti-colic valve that reduces air ingestion. Advanced Anti-Colic takes this further with an active venting system that removes air bubbles from the milk during the feed. For babies with significant colic, the Advanced Anti-Colic bottle is the stronger solution. For a more powerful anti-colic system, Dr Brown's bottles use a fully internal vent system that is clinically proven to reduce colic.

The Perfect Prep Machine makes a fresh, perfectly mixed, body-temperature formula bottle in under two minutes — safely. It delivers a shot of hot water (over 70°C) to kill bacteria in the formula powder, then tops the bottle up to the correct volume with filtered water at room temperature. The result is a safe, correctly mixed bottle at the ideal feeding temperature, every time. The Day and Night version adds a quiet pump and soft night light for night feeds. It requires replacement filters every three months — available at Babies.co.nz.

As a guide: 2–3 bottles for occasional bottle feeding of a breastfed baby; 4–6 for combination feeding; 6–8 for exclusive formula feeding. The Closer to Nature 260ml 3-pack is the most practical starting point as it gives you enough bottles for a full day without constant washing.

Yes — all Closer to Nature, Advanced Anti-Colic, and Natural Start glass bottles and teats are dishwasher safe on the top rack. Replace teats every two to three months or sooner if you notice any thinning, stickiness, or discolouration.

Shop the full Tommee Tippee range online at Babies.co.nz with nationwide delivery, or visit our Auckland showroom in East Tamaki. We stock bottles, teats, the Perfect Prep Machine, sterilisers, breast pumps, and the full Tommee Tippee range. Price Match available and 5% back in Rewards on every purchase.

Both are excellent, widely trusted brands. Tommee Tippee's Closer to Nature teat is slightly softer and more flexible, which some babies find easier to latch onto. Philips AVENT's Natural Response teat uses a unique J-shape that releases milk only when your baby actively drinks — a more precise mimicry of breastfeeding. AVENT also offers more granular teat flow options (six levels vs Tommee Tippee's three). If you're combination feeding and want the most breast-like bottle experience, AVENT Natural Response is worth comparing. If you want a trusted, simple bottle with strong anti-colic performance, Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature is hard to beat. Read our full Philips AVENT buying guide →

The key difference is anti-colic power. Dr Brown's internal vent system is clinically proven to reduce colic and is the stronger solution for babies with significant wind or reflux. Tommee Tippee's anti-colic valve (Closer to Nature) and heat-sensing tube (Advanced Anti-Colic) are effective for most babies but less comprehensive than Dr Brown's approach. On the other hand, Tommee Tippee is simpler to clean — fewer parts, no internal vent tube to wash — and the breast-shaped teat is widely regarded as one of the best for combination feeding. Read our full Dr Brown's buying guide →

Most paediatric guidance recommends transitioning from a bottle to a cup around 12 months. Tommee Tippee makes this easy with their integrated cup and sippy range. The transition from bottle to sippy cup is smoother when you stay within the same brand — the familiar Tommee Tippee feel and quality helps babies accept the change more readily.