DIY Glass Baby Bottles and Sippy Cups | Mason Bottle Review
Reduce the clutter and go minimal with your baby feeding supplies. Use mason jars to make your own DIY glass baby bottles, sippy cups, breastmilk storage, and more with safe, non-toxic, and natural materials. Find out our favorite versatile products for the baby years, toddler years, and beyond!
I would like to note that although I am an affiliate with Mason Bottle, this is not a sponsored post. I did not receive any free products and all opinions are my own. We have personally been using Mason Bottle products for years and simply wanted to share why we love and trust their products so much with you!
Looking for yet another way to use those beloved mason jars? If you are like us then you probably own mason jars… or a surplus of them. We use those versatile jars around our farmhouse for anything from food storage to drinking glasses and baby bottles to sippy cups to water bottles!
As new parents with a newborn who was struggling to nurse efficiently, we desperately needed bottles! After running to the store, all we could manage to get our hands on were plastic bottles.
I knew I did not want plastic due to the health concerns, especially when warming the bottles, but this was our immediate and temporary solution. Later, we found the perfect glass baby bottle, made the switch, and have never looked back!
I stumbled upon Mason Bottle while looking for a non-toxic, healthy glass baby bottle. As you can imagine, I was very excited when I found a company that was founded on how to use mason jars for baby bottles, among other various items such as sippy straw cups, breast milk storage, snack containers, and even offer stainless steel and silicone bottle options.
In my opinion, these are hands down the best and most cost effective glass baby bottles around! The durable glass mason jar, wide breast-like silicone nipples, cost effective DIY options, versatility in products, and zero plastic touching the contents makes this all-in-one feeding system a winner.
This post contains affiliate links used to help support The Bluebonnet Farmhouse. For more information, please see my disclosures here.
What is the Problem with Plastic Baby Bottles and Sippy Cups?
The American Academy of Pediatrics is pushing for reform as growing awareness and more research is coming to light on the negative effects on children’s health due to the use of harmful chemicals being placed in food and the items that come into direct contact with food.
The AAP recommends avoiding placing plastic in the microwave, or even the dishwasher, as the heat could cause chemicals from the plastic to leach into the food and drink. In general, they recommend using glass or stainless steel instead of plastic. [1]
You may be thinking “Oh well, I am not heating it up *that* much.” Think about the temperature the inside of your vehicle can reach during summertime. Your baby wouldn’t be drinking milk from a bottle that has been sitting in a hot car, but your toddler could most definitely be drinking water from a sippy cup that has been sitting in that same hot car.
Bisphenol-a, or BPA, can mimic estrogen in the body and “potentially change the timing of puberty, decrease fertility, increase body fat, and affect the nervous and immune systems.” [2]
Phalates can cause hormone problems (male genital development), suppress immune systems, and increase childhood obesity. [2,3]
Even though BPA is now banned in baby bottles and sippy cups, there are various other plastic chemicals that can be used in its place in order to make it BPA free, such as BPS or BPF. [3] These chemicals could be lesser-known alternatives with unknown side effects and may be just as bad, if not, potentially ever more harmful.
You can see here how Mason Bottle complies with these AAP recommendations.
Do glass baby bottles break easily?
I can’t speak for the fragility of other glass baby bottles, but considering mason jars are designed for canning, they are made of thick glass built for durability and the ability to withstand high temperatures. Of course, these are temperatures you would never even come close to reaching with the use of a baby bottle for breastmilk or formula, but speaks to the durability of the glass and will keep your water safe for consumption in the heat of the car during summer.
I can attest to the fact that these DIY mason jar baby bottles can withstand the less than gentle ways of little hands. We have used these for two boys already and they most certainly have dropped them.
Not many have broken over the years, most of which have only broken after being dropped numerous times – not a one and done scenario, but we have never fretted because it costs less than a dollar to replace the jar as compared to having to purchase an entire new glass baby bottle for at least 10 times that.
As a side note, it teaches your children at a very younger age to handle things with care as they see the result of carelessness after only breaking one jar.
If you want something indestructible, Mason Bottle does offer a stainless steel option.
Glass Baby Bottle Tips:
- I personally prefer to use Ball mason jars as I have found them to be the most durable, most cost effective, and made in the USA. Both Ball and Mason Bottle glass jars are made of embossed glass rather than painted glass that could contain lead.
- Wash the mason jars on the bottom rack to free up that coveted top-rack dishwasher space.
- Use the sippy straw top for smoothies!
- I highly recommend the silicone sleeve for added protection against the accidental drop. You can also use these incredibly helpful straps to prevent a bottle from launching out of a stroller, high chair, car seat, etc.
- Need an indestructible option? Swap out the glass jar for a stainless steel baby bottle.
- Find out how to get these glass baby bottles for under $5 each here.
- Make this feeding system even more affordable with my discount code below. You can find it here!
Why We Chose Mason Bottle (and Why You Should Too)
I could go on for quite a while talking about why I adore Mason Bottle products so much. But, in my attempt to paraphrase, here are some various reasons why…
Price
The price can be rather expensive with most glass baby bottles especially considering how many you may need, they are only good for use as a baby bottle, and of course have the potential to break.
If a glass baby bottle breaks, you have to replace the entire bottle, some costing as much as $10 or more per bottle to replace. However, with a Mason Bottle system, all you have to replace is the mason jar itself which is about $1.
At only a dollar a piece, ball mason jars provide both a more durable and affordable glass baby bottle making it the ideal option for those wanting a safer and healthier option without the hefty price tag of other glass baby bottles.
Safe Choice
Mason Bottle is all about the use of non-toxic, healthy materials. Their products are made of glass, silicone, stainless steel, and very minimal bpa-free plastic.
Although they do use some plastic, it is only used in areas where there is no contact with the contents of the jar. Liquid and food only come in contact with glass, stainless steel, or silicone – the healthy materials! This means Mason Bottle is naturally BPA, BPS, and phalate free!
Glass is safe, easy to clean, and does not absorb colors or odors. Find out just how easy they are to clean here.
Designed to Support Breastfeeding
Many baby bottles are designed with tiny, narrow nipples. How does this make any sense when it in no way resembles the overall shape or size of a breast? The natural breast-like shape of Mason Bottle nipples are wide, made of flexible silicone, and provide an easy latch for baby.
Our son did not experience any nipple confusion or difficulty latching with these bottles due to the nipples closely resembling the shape of a breast. He was never fussy with these nipples and took to them immediately! These nipples made switching between breastfeeding and bottle feeding super easy!
How to Use Mason Jars for DIY Baby Bottles
Pair the nipples with a mason jar, ring, and lid to make a DIY glass baby bottle.
I like to use two sizes for baby bottles: the 4 oz mason jar for newborns and the 8 oz jar for when they begin to drink larger amounts – both of which are regular mouth.
it is important to start with the slowest flow. Slow flow nipples are best for breastfed babies as it makes them have to work at it like breastfeeding and not “get lazy” at the nipple with a fast flow.
Regardless of if baby is breastfed or not, the slowest flow baby with tolerate without getting frustrated is best as it encourages slower eating and helps give time for their tummy to feel full and not overeat. This article does a wonderful job when trying to determine nipple flow size.
How to Use Mason Jars for DIY Sippy Cups
I wasted money on other sippy cups and even ones specifically designed to help babies who are struggling with the transition from a bottle, but our son was just not having it and stuck to his bottle for probably longer than he should have I must admit. Thankfully Mason Bottle released their silicone sippy straw tops not too long after and I wasted no time in snatching them up. Our son immediately transition without any hesitation!
Using the same parts as the baby bottle, simply swap out the nipple for the sippy straw top to make a DIY toddler sippy cup.
Once your child is ready to move beyond a sippy cup, pop the silicone straw in the bottom of the sippy top for a kids straw top bottle.
The wide spout and straw of these tops perfectly for thick smoothies too!
If you are looking for a drink lid option for older kids and adults, we love pairing the wide mouth 16 oz and 24 oz size jars with these drinking tops to make DIY glass water bottles for every member of our family! No more plastic water bottles!
How to Use Mason Jars for Breastmilk Storage
Have you ever spilled breastmilk while trying to pour it from a storage bag into a bottle? Unfortunately, we have experienced this and as a new mom, whom was struggling with breastfeeding, wasting any amount of breastmilk was disheartening.
However with Mason Bottle you can pump, store, heat, and feed all in the same mason jar without wasting a drop of liquid gold! No fear of potential tears over spilled milk anymore! You can read more about how to pump directly into a mason jar here.
Mason Bottle has improved the design of their storage lids and include a silicone gasket. The removable silicone gasket makes for a leak-proof seal, easy cleaning, and helps to prevent freezer burn. These lids still offer the ability to write on them with a dry erase marker and are completely dishwasher safe!
How to Use Mason Jars for Baby Food and Kids Snacks
Mason jars with airtight lids work great for food storage and are the perfect size for kids snacks and little hands! We love using them to carry fresh fruit and veggies, freeze dried fruit, trail mix, and so much more.
You can also use them for baby meal prep! Simply freeze your homemade baby food in silicone trays, pop one frozen cube into a jar with this lid, and let it thaw in the fridge. You will have homemade baby food ready for on the go! And if needed to be heated, it will already be in a glass jar.
All of that to say….
In our experience, Mason Bottle has made for such easy transitions from breast to bottle and bottle to sippy cup.
Aside from their insanely versatile accessories, they are just too stinkin’ cute!! I mean really, what is cuter than a little tyke drinking from a mason jar?
You have no idea how many friends, family, and others have loved our mason jar baby bottles and wanted to know where I found them.
We love supporting family-owned businesses and Mason Bottle is one of them! You can browse their website here to see all they have to offer.
A Special Note:
As an affiliate partner with Mason Bottle, I am able to offer a discount code for 15% off of your purchase. Simply use the code BLUEBONNET at checkout.
The best part: this discount is for use on any order, not just your first order!
How to Get a Glass Baby Bottle for Under $5
Reduce the clutter of feeding supplies and baby bottle components with the Mason Bottle DIY kit. This kit allows you to convert your own regular mouth mason jars and metal rings into a baby bottle for the most cost effective solution for a health focused glass baby bottle.
If you are looking for the cheapest option and to save even more, you can simply pair Mason Bottle silicone nipples with 4 oz or 8 oz mason jars and use the metal rings that come with the mason jars for a $5 glass baby bottle. Optional accessories would then include the cap for metal rings and the silicone sleeve.
Mason Bottle does offer a rust-free plastic ring option as an alternative to the standard mason jar rings – I would love to see a stainless steel version of these rings one day!
Use my discount code above for even bigger savings!
FAQ:
Sources:
[3] https://wellnessmama.com/natural-home/bpa-free-bottles-sippy-cups/
Do you know if you can swap out other nipples with this bottle system? If my baby prefers a different shape from a different brand.
I have not personally tried nipples from other brands with the mason jars, but I have heard of pairing Comotomo bottle nipples and I believe Nuby sippy tops with them. I cannot guarantee they will work, but may be worth a try! With that being said, the Mason Bottle lids might not be compatible with other bottle nipples depending on their height.