BIBS bottle nipples come in two different materials – both address the common concerns of bottle feeding but also have their own unique qualities that might appeal to different families.

Natural Rubber Latex 

Sourced from the sap of the Hevea rubber tree, BIBS natural rubber latex nipples are soft and flexible, closely resembling the skin-like feel and flexibility of a mother’s nipple. With exceptional elasticity and tear resistance, natural rubber latex easily withstands strong suction and pressure from babies, especially those with powerful sucking preferences. While highly durable, like any material of natural origins latex pacifiers undergo natural wear, influenced by factors such as UV light, pressure, and high temperatures. For that reason, we recommend replacing latex nipples every 1-2 months or at the first signs of weakness or change. If the nipple has increased in size, that is a sign it’s ready for a new one! 

 

Medical-Grade Silicone 

BIBS silicone nipples are made from high-quality, medical-grade silicone. They’re a durable and hypoallergenic option, and are transparent, odorless, and neutral in taste. Though slightly firmer than latex, silicone still offers excellent flexibility and an ultra-soft feel similar to a mother’s nipple. For additional benefits, our nipple comes with a specially designed texture that aids proper oral placement and helps reduce accidental unlatching, as well as supportive ribbing that reinforces it against breakage and pressure. Industrially manufactured, silicone is highly resistant to breakdown, but nipples should still be replaced every 2-3 months or at first sign of damage or weakness for optimal hygiene and safety. 

Breast-Like Familiarity  

While our latex and silicone bottle nipples differ in some areas, an important similarity they both share is their breast-like familiarity. Regardless of material, all BIBS bottle nipples are designed to mimic the natural shape, soft texture, comfortable fit, and flexible movement of a mother’s nipple during breastfeeding. This familiarity helps ease the transition between breastfeeding and bottle feeding. You can also find BIBS pacifiers designed with the same rounded, breast-like shape and made from the same materials as our bottle nipples. This consistency between breast, bottle, and pacifier may help prevent nipple confusion. 

 

Anti-Colic Design  

It won’t be a surprise to hear that all newborns cry sometimes. But if your baby cries for more than three hours a day, three days a week over one week or longer, then they may have colic. It’s very common and affects one in five babies. One way to deal with colic is to help your baby swallow less air while feeding. That’s why all BIBS nipples are designed with an anti-colic valve that reduces air intake and bubbles during feeds. This means smoother milk flows with less chance of gas, reflux, and colic.  

Sterilization 

The methods for sterilizing natural rubber latex and silicone bottle nipples differ slightly, as each material tolerates different temperatures. Silicone can be sterilized using a microwave, scalding, or steam sterilizer,while natural rubber latex, with its lower heat resistance, should be sterilized using the scaldingmethod. Regardless of the material, all nipples should be sterilized via boiling before their first use. Read our detailed bottle nipple sterilization guide here. 

 

So, which nipple to choose?  

Neither latex nor silicone is inherently better than the other – it’s simply down to your baby’s preferences and your family’s needs. Maybe your baby already has a pacifier that they like. In that case, it’s a good idea to try keeping the material consistent with the bottle nipple you choose. Maybe you want the higher heat resilience for microwave sterilization and hypoallergenic qualities of silicone, or maybe your baby prefers the softer, highly familiar feel of natural rubber latex? Either way, it’s easy to test out both nipple types to see which one your baby likes best.