MAM Easy Start vs Comotomo Natural Feel Bottles
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MAM and Comotomo take very different approaches to the same problem: getting a bottle-resistant baby to accept a bottle. MAM engineered a flat, symmetrical nipple on a lightweight plastic body with a self-sterilizing base. Comotomo went a different direction entirely, building a squeezable silicone body that mimics the give and feel of a breast. Both bottles carry strong anti-colic features, but the experience of holding, cleaning, and feeding with each one is noticeably different.
The choice between these two often comes down to what matters more to you: the convenience features MAM packs in (especially that self-sterilizing base) or the breast-like feel Comotomo was designed around. Here is how they compare on specs and what parents report.
Head to Head
| Feature | MAM Easy Start Anti-Colic | Comotomo Natural Feel |
|---|---|---|
| Body material | Polypropylene (PP) plastic | Medical-grade silicone (squeezable) |
| Nipple design | SkinSoft flat/symmetrical silicone | Wide mound, breast-shaped silicone |
| Anti-colic system | Vented base | Dual anti-colic vents |
| Self-sterilizing | Yes (60 seconds in microwave) | No |
| Available sizes | 5oz and 9oz | 5oz and 8oz |
| Number of parts | 4 pieces | 4 pieces |
| Safety certifications | BPA-free | BPA, PVC, and phthalate-free |
| Price range | Mid-range | Mid-to-premium |
| Parent ratings (avg) | 4.5/5 across ~8,000 reviews | 4.5/5 across ~15,000 reviews |
Body Material: Hard Plastic vs Squeezable Silicone
This is the most immediately obvious difference between these two bottles, and it affects everything from how they feel in your hand to how easy they are to clean.
MAM uses polypropylene (PP) plastic, the same rigid, lightweight material most baby bottles are made from. It is durable, dishwasher safe, and does not retain odors or stains. The bottle is lightweight enough that older babies can hold it themselves without much difficulty. It feels like a standard baby bottle.
Comotomo uses medical-grade silicone for the entire bottle body. The body is soft and squeezable, which serves two purposes: it mimics the feel of a breast when a baby grips it during feeding, and the soft surface gives babies something tactile to hold onto. The silicone is heat-resistant, dishwasher safe, and hypoallergenic. The trade-off is that silicone attracts dust, lint, and pet hair in a way that hard plastic does not. If you have pets, you will notice this immediately.
What parents say: The soft, squeezable Comotomo silicone body is the standout feature in reviews (~15,000 reviews, 4.5/5 avg). Parents describe breastfed babies accepting Comotomo after rejecting multiple other bottle brands. Babies love gripping the soft body during feeding. The silicone body attracts dust, lint, and pet hair, which multiple parents describe as annoying. The bottle can be slippery when wet, and some parents report fumbling during feedings. MAM’s lightweight design makes it easy for babies to hold independently as they grow (~8,000 reviews, 4.5/5 avg).
Nipple Shape: Flat and Symmetrical vs Wide and Breast-Shaped
The nipple design is where these bottles diverge the most in terms of feeding experience.
The MAM SkinSoft nipple is flat and symmetrical, meaning it sits the same way in a baby’s mouth regardless of orientation. The flat shape is designed to fit comfortably against the palate. MAM describes the SkinSoft texture as mimicking the feel of skin. This nipple shape is polarizing: babies who take to it tend to take to it right away, and babies who prefer a more rounded or breast-shaped nipple may reject it entirely. There is not much middle ground based on parent feedback.
The Comotomo nipple is wide and mounded, designed to closely resemble the shape and feel of a breast. The wide base encourages a deep latch. This design was built specifically for breastfed babies who need to move between breast and bottle without developing a preference for one over the other. Parents who are combo feeding frequently cite this nipple shape as the reason their baby accepted Comotomo after rejecting other bottles.
Neither approach is universally accepted by all babies. Nipple preference is individual, and the only reliable way to find out is to try both.
What parents say: Parents praise the MAM SkinSoft nipple for being accepted by babies who rejected other bottle brands. The flat nipple shape is polarizing: some babies refuse it outright, and there is no way to predict this without trying. The Comotomo wide mound nipple gets frequent praise for mimicking the breast closely enough to avoid nipple confusion. Some Comotomo parents report that the slow-flow nipple delivers milk faster than expected, which can be an issue for younger newborns.
Anti-Colic Design: Vented Base vs Dual Vents
Both bottles include anti-colic features, but the engineering differs.
The MAM anti-colic system uses a vented base at the bottom of the bottle. Air enters through the base and stays separate from the milk, reducing the amount of air a baby swallows during feeding.
Comotomo uses dual anti-colic vents built into the nipple area. These vents allow air into the bottle without mixing with milk, preventing vacuum buildup that can cause nipple collapse and force babies to swallow air. The venting is less aggressive than some internal vent systems (like Dr. Brown’s), but parents report it handles mild to moderate gas effectively.
What parents say: Parents praise the MAM vented base for noticeably reducing gas and fussiness. Multiple MAM reviewers mention that the nipple can collapse during feeding, requiring a brief pause to release the vacuum.
Sterilization and Cleaning
MAM has a genuine convenience advantage here.
The MAM Easy Start bottle is self-sterilizing: you disassemble the bottle, add water to the base, and microwave it for 60 seconds. No separate sterilizer needed. For parents who sterilize bottles regularly (especially in the newborn stage), this saves both time and counter space. The bottle disassembles into 4 pieces for cleaning.
Comotomo is not self-sterilizing. You need a separate sterilizer or boiling water. However, Comotomo has a significant cleaning advantage: the wide-neck opening is large enough to fit a hand or sponge inside for easy scrubbing. There are minimal internal parts to navigate. Parents consistently highlight this as one of Comotomo’s strongest features, especially compared to bottles with narrow openings or internal vent systems that require specialized brushes.
Both bottles are dishwasher safe (top rack).
| Cleaning Factor | MAM Easy Start | Comotomo Natural Feel |
|---|---|---|
| Self-sterilizing | Yes (60 sec microwave) | No |
| Wide-neck opening | Standard | Yes (hand fits inside) |
| Number of parts | 4 pieces | 4 pieces |
| Dishwasher safe | Yes (top rack) | Yes (top rack) |
| Specialized brush needed | No | No |
What parents say: The MAM self-sterilizing base is the feature parents mention most frequently. Being able to sterilize in 60 seconds in the microwave without extra equipment is described as a major time saver, especially during the newborn stage. The measurement markings on MAM bottles tend to fade over time with repeated washing, which is a common frustration. The 4-piece design, while not as complicated as some bottles, still means more parts to keep track of than simpler 3-piece designs. Comotomo’s wide-neck opening that allows hand-washing without a brush is highlighted repeatedly. Measurement markings fade on Comotomo as well with repeated washing.
The Right Fit
MAM Easy Start Anti-Colic may be a better fit if you:
- Want self-sterilizing convenience without buying a separate sterilizer
- Prefer a lightweight plastic bottle that babies can hold on their own
- Have a baby who responds well to a flat, symmetrical nipple shape
- Want effective anti-colic venting through the base
- Prefer a mid-range price point
Comotomo Natural Feel may be a better fit if you:
- Are combo feeding and need a bottle that breastfed babies are more likely to accept
- Want a breast-shaped nipple designed to reduce nipple confusion
- Prioritize easy cleaning with a wide-neck opening you can reach inside
- Like the idea of a soft, squeezable body that babies can grip
- Do not mind paying a bit more per bottle and can live with the lint magnet factor
Specifications sourced from manufacturer websites (MAM, Comotomo) and authorized retailers as of March 2026. Review data aggregated from Amazon and retailer platforms as of March 2026. Check retailer sites for current pricing and availability. BabyNerd has not independently tested these products.
Looking at more bottle options? Our bottle buying guide covers what features actually matter for different feeding situations. For a broader view of what parents are choosing right now, see the most popular baby bottles in 2026. And if Comotomo is on your shortlist, check out our Comotomo parent review summary for a deeper look at what thousands of parents report.
Questions Parents Ask
Can breastfed babies switch between MAM and Comotomo bottles?
It depends on the baby. Comotomo’s wide mound nipple was specifically designed to mimic the breast, and parent reviews suggest breastfed babies accept it at higher rates than many other bottle brands. The MAM flat SkinSoft nipple uses a different approach. Some babies accept both, but many develop a preference for one shape over the other. If you are combo feeding, buying a single bottle of each before committing to a full set is a common strategy parents recommend.
How do you sterilize Comotomo bottles without a self-sterilizing feature?
Comotomo bottles can be sterilized by boiling in water for 3 to 5 minutes, using a microwave steam sterilizer bag or device, or using an electric steam sterilizer. The medical-grade silicone is heat-resistant and safe for all standard sterilization methods. The wide-neck opening makes it easy to fill and empty water during the process.
Why does the Comotomo bottle attract so much lint and dust?
Silicone has a natural static charge that attracts small particles like lint, dust, and pet hair. This is a property of the material itself, not a defect. Parents with pets report this as especially noticeable. A quick rinse under water before use removes any surface debris. Storing bottles in a closed cabinet or container between uses helps minimize buildup.
Do MAM bottles work with other brand nipples?
No. MAM bottles use a proprietary threading and nipple shape that is not compatible with other brands. The SkinSoft nipple and collar ring are designed to work only with MAM bottles. If your baby prefers a different nipple style, you would need to switch to that bottle system entirely.
Which bottle is more effective for colic: MAM or Comotomo?
Both bottles include anti-colic venting, but they use different systems. MAM vents through the base of the bottle, keeping air separated from milk. Comotomo uses dual vents near the nipple. Based on parent reviews, both are effective for mild to moderate gas. For severe colic or reflux, parents sometimes report that bottles with more aggressive internal vent systems (like Dr. Brown’s) may be more effective than either of these options. Neither MAM nor Comotomo requires the extra cleaning that internal vent bottles demand, which is the trade-off.
