Avent vs Tommee Tippee Teats: Picking the Right Flow
By Smudge & Dribble | Published: 2026-11-01
Category: Buying Guides
Compare Avent Natural Medium Flow and Tommee Tippee Easivent Variflow teats, with clear rules for flow, age, and when to replace worn teats.
Quick answer
Choose Tommee Tippee Easivent Variflow teats if you want your baby's sucking strength to set the pace from birth, or Avent Natural Medium Flow teats if your baby is 3 months or older and feeds better with a steady medium flow and a breast-like latch.
What actually differs between these two teats
The Tommee Tippee Easivent Variflow teat uses a cross-cut opening that widens as your baby sucks harder, so the flow changes with their effort rather than staying fixed. That suits parents who do not want to keep swapping teat sizes as appetite grows, but it also means a very eager feeder can draw milk quickly.
The Avent Natural Medium Flow teat is a fixed medium-flow option for babies from 3 months, with a petal-shaped design intended to mimic the breast and an anti-colic system. It gives a predictable pace, which helps when you are combination feeding or want a consistent feed routine.
Age labels are a starting point, not a rule
The 0M+ and 3M+ labels on these packs reflect the manufacturer's suggested starting points, not a guarantee that your baby will be ready on that date. A baby's flow needs depend on sucking strength, feeding position, and whether they are breastfed, bottle-fed, or both.
Watch the feed rather than the calendar: if milk drips steadily from the teat when you tip the bottle, the flow is probably too fast; if your baby works hard, falls asleep, or seems frustrated, it may be too slow. These signs matter more than the age printed on the pack.
Bulk packs only save money if the teat suits your baby
Both options come in multi-packs, which lowers the cost per teat and keeps spares on hand for sterilising cycles. The trade-off is commitment: a large pack of the wrong flow wastes money and leaves you buying again.
If you are unsure, start with one small pack and test it over several feeds before committing to a bulk box. Once you know the flow works, a replacement baby teats bulk purchase makes sense because teats wear out faster than bottles.
Decision rules for choosing and replacing teats
- Newborn or mixed feeding from day one: Start with the Tommee Tippee Easivent Variflow teat because it is rated from 0 months and adjusts to your baby's sucking strength. If feeds are consistently frantic or milk pools in the mouth, pause and try a slower teat before continuing. Keep one unopened pack as a spare so you can change flow without a late-night shop.
- Baby is 3 months or older and feeds steadily: Choose the Avent Natural Medium Flow teat when your baby finishes feeds comfortably and you want a consistent pace, especially if you combine breast and bottle. Do not move up just because the age matches; move up only if the current flow is clearly too slow. If your baby was fine on a slower teat last week, check for a worn or damaged teat before changing flow.
- When to change bottle teats: Replace teats at the first sign of stretching, cloudiness, tears, or a faster-than-usual flow. Keep a written date on the pack so you are not guessing. Stretched silicone lets more milk through even when the size has not changed. Rotate teats evenly so one does not wear out ahead of the rest.
- Buying replacement teats in bulk: Only buy a bulk pack once your baby has taken several full feeds on that exact teat without dribbling, coughing, or frustration. A larger pack of the wrong flow costs more than a small trial pack. Check that the teat fits your existing bottle brand before opening the pack.
Product facts at a glance
- Tommee Tippee Easivent Teat Variflow 0M+ (4×2): Easivent Variflow teats let the baby control flow through sucking strength, suitable from 0 months, with 8 teats per pack. One pack covers the newborn stage and beyond without buying separate flow sizes, provided your baby tolerates the variable pace.
Tommee Tippee Easivent Teat Variflow 0M+ (4×2) - Avent *Natural* Medium Flow Teats 3M+ (3×2): Avent Natural Medium Flow teats are 3M+ with a petal design for natural latch and an anti-colic system, supplied as 6 teats. A fixed medium flow suits babies who feed steadily and parents who want a predictable, breast-like bottle feed.
Avent *Natural* Medium Flow Teats 3M+ (3×2)
Who each teat suits
Best for
- Parents starting bottle feeding from birth who want flow that adapts to their baby's sucking strength
- Caregivers who prefer one teat type instead of buying several flow sizes
Not for
- Babies under 3 months who need a fixed medium flow, since the Avent option is rated 3M+
- Parents who want a predictable, non-variable flow at every feed
