Bottles Compatible with Medela Breast Pumps

ByAllison Banfield

When you get a new Medela breast pump—whether it’s the Medela Pump in Style with MaxFlow, the Freestyle Hands-Free, Swing Maxi, Sonata, or even the hospital-grade Symphony—it usually comes with bottles to get you started. But that doesn’t mean you have to stick with only Medela bottles.

In fact, there are several bottle brands that are compatible with Medela pumps!

The key is knowing which bottles work with Medela’s narrow-neck design—and when you might need an adapter to make your favorite bottle fit.

Hand holding a Medela breast milk bottle with yellow lid, compatible with Medela breast pumps.

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Why Not Just Use Medela Bottles with Your Medela Pump?

Many parents wonder why they should consider alternatives to Medela bottles if they’re already designed for Medela pumps. Here’s why:

  • Nipple Preference: Some babies prefer other bottle nipples (like Avent, Dr. Brown’s, or Comotomo), which may better mimic the breast or reduce colic.
  • Material Preference: Parents may prefer glass or stainless steel bottles over Medela’s plastic bottles.
  • Volume Flexibility: Some compatible bottles offer larger sizes (e.g., 8oz+) for older babies.
  • Convenience: If you’re already using a certain bottle brand for feeding, pumping directly into those bottles can save time and washing.

So, while Medela bottles work great, they may not always be the most practical or preferred choice for every family.

What Makes Bottles Compatible with Medela Pumps?

When figuring out if a bottle will work with your Medela pump, there are two key factors to consider:

1. Neck Size

Medela pumps use narrow-neck flanges, which means any bottle that is directly compatible must also have a narrow neck. Bottles that match this design can screw directly onto the pump without needing extra parts.

2. Threading Compatibility

The bottle’s threading must match Medela’s to ensure a secure, leak-free fit. Even if the neck is narrow, some bottles may have different threading that doesn’t align properly. In these cases, you’ll need an adapter to make the connection work safely and efficiently.

Bottles Compatible with Medela

Here’s a breakdown of bottles that work with Medela breast pumps—sorted by direct compatibility and those that require an adapter.

Direct Compatibility

These bottles can be screwed directly onto your Medela pump without an adapter:

Compatibility via an Adapter

These wide-neck bottles or differently threaded options need an adapter to work with Medela pumps:

To use wide-neck bottles like Philips Avent or Spectra with your Medela pump, you will need a wide-to-narrow neck adapter. My top pick for the best wide-to-narrow neck adapter to use with a Medela pump is the Maymom brand.

Maymom makes two adapters depending on what Medela pump you have:

  • If you’re using an older Medela pump—like the original Pump in Style, Freestyle, or Swing—use this Maymom adapter designed for older models.
  • If you have a newer Medela pump—such as the Sonata, Freestyle Flex, Pump in Style with MaxFlow, or Symphony—use this Maymom adapter made for newer models.

Before a full pumping session, screw your chosen bottle onto the flange with the adapter in place and do a quick tilt test to check for secure threading and no leakage. If it feels loose or leaks, double-check you have the right adapter for your Medela model.

Pumping into Breastmilk Storage Bags with Medela

Did you know you can also pump directly into breast milk storage bags?

With a Maymom adapter, you can connect your Medela pump directly to storage bags from brands like Lansinoh, Nuk, and Target Up & Up. This setup is especially helpful for reducing bottle washing and making freezer storage quick and easy.

Best Bottles to Use with Medela Pumps

To make your decision even easier, here are some of the best Medela-compatible bottles broken down by category. Whether you’re looking for a budget-friendly option, a colic-reducing design, or a non-plastic alternative, there’s something here to suit your needs.

Best Bottles for Colic Reduction

These bottles are designed to minimize gas, spit-up, and fussiness by reducing air intake:

Best Glass Bottles for Medela Pumps

If you prefer glass for its durability, non-toxic qualities, and ease of cleaning, these are top picks:

Best Budget-Friendly Bottles for Medela

If you’re pumping frequently and need multiple bottles without breaking the bank, consider these:

Final Thoughts on Bottles Compatible with Medela

Choosing the right bottles for your Medela pump can make a big difference in both convenience and comfort. Whether you stick with Medela’s own bottles or try compatible alternatives, the key is finding what works best for your baby’s needs and your pumping routine.

And if you’re planning to build a freezer stash, don’t forget—you can also pump directly into breast milk storage bags using an adapter. It’s a great way to save time and cut down on washing bottles.

Hand holding a Medela breast milk bottle with yellow lid, labeled with overlay text “Bottles Compatible with Medela Breast Pumps” and PumpingMilk.com branding.

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