Why Avent

35+ Years of know-how

If there’s one thing that babies have taught us over the years, it’s that little things matter – like the feel of the teat on their bottle which reminds them of their mother, or the comforting shape of their soother that puts their mind at ease.

In 1984, new parents Edward and Celia Atkin found it difficult to feed their baby from a bottle. The teats were too long, hard and thin and the narrow bottles were difficult to fill and easy to knock over. Edward used his years of design and manufacturing experience to completely reinvent both the teat and bottle – creating the AVENT bottle that millions of parents around the world know and trust!

Edward's first innovation was to design a bottle that not only had a wider neck so it was easier to fill, but was also easier to hold and use. However, the real breakthrough came with the design of the teat. His years of experience working for his father’s rubber company meant that Edward was able to produce the world’s first teat made of entirely odourless and tasteless silicone, making it easier and more pleasant for babies to feed through. The AVENT bottle and teat that Edward created have set the standard for newborn baby feeding since their launch in 1984 , with a design that is as close as possible to nature and a unique, clinically tested, venting system that is still used to reduce colic in newborn babies.

Paying attention to the tiniest detail is what continues to make Philips AVENT different. By continually listening to mums and healthcare professionals, we’ve been developing products that are inspired by nature to positively impact your baby’s wellbeing – and your peace of mind – since 1984.

Since Philips AVENT was founded over 35 years ago, we have extended our range of products and delivered a number of industry firsts:

• 1st feeding bottle with clinically proven colic reducing properties (The Philips AVENT Classic bottle)
• 1st electric steam steriliser
• 1st manual breast pump clinically proven to be as effective as electric breast pumps
• 1st non-surgical treatment for inverted nipples (Philips AVENT Niplette)

At Philips AVENT, we’re extremely proud of our British heritage – 80% of our products are manufactured in the UK, at our factory in Glemsford, Suffolk. Our products are recommended by healthcare professionals, praised by mothers and recognised internationally. We have sold over 100 million feeding bottles since 1984 and we continue to win a host of awards from parenting magazines around the world. It’s no surprise then that we’re the #1 recommended brand by mothers, across the globe.

How Avent Can Help

At AVENT, we believe that the smallest things make the biggest difference. Paying attention to the tiniest details – such as making the shape of our bottle teats more like mum to make feeding easier – makes all the difference for a healthy happy baby, and a happy healthy mum!

Our attention to detail has made us a leader in parenting and baby products, and the #1 recommended brand by moms around the world. Since 1984, we’ve been designing and manufacturing products that are inspired by nature and developed through extensive research, clinical trials and feedback from mums like you.

Here are some examples of how we put our philosophy in action.

The breast-shaped teat on our Natural bottles is perfect for mums who plan to breastfeed – the shape and feel is familiar to baby so it’s easy to combine breast and bottle feeding.

AVENT breast pumps have a unique design which allows mum to sit comfortably when pumping rather than having to lean over – allowing them an easier pumping process with greater output.

Our soothers come in different shapes, colours and sizes to suit every baby – from newborn soothers which are just the right size for your new baby’s small mouth, to soothers for older babies which glow in the dark so they can find them easily and get back to sleep.

What mums say about us

Philips Avent is not simply known for having high quality products with an emphasis on health and happiness – We are the world’s #1 recommended brand by mums around the world because listening to mums is what we do best. Here’s what they have to say about some of our unique products :

AVENT Comfort single electric breast pump

A fantastic breast pump - definitely recommended!

The control unit is easy to use and allows the user to find their preferred rhythm. It's backlit and has raised buttons so you can use it in dark rooms – ideal if expressing at night. It’s quite quiet compared to other electric breast pumps. It's very simple to connect the control unit to the pump.The pump itself is easy to assemble and disassemble, and easy to clean and sterilise. I kept mine plugged in next to the sofa so I could express easily in comfort when watching […] TV."

RachT82, Shepperton, Surrey

Extremely comfortable and effective

After trying other manual and electric pumps, I was extremely impressed with the Philips AVENT Comfort single electric breast pump. It is so gentle and doesn’t leave that sore feeling [you get with] other pumps. […] I [expressed] more milk […] in less time than I have ever [managed] with another pump. It has a really good seal so doesn’t leak [and] it’s so good that I’ve [used it] as a passenger in the car many times!"

kate21112, Wiltshire

An excellent product - comfortable, quick and gentle!

An easy to assemble and use breast pump. […] The silicone cushion is soft and gentle on the skin – in fact it can hardly be felt next to the skin, even when the pump is in action. I personally favour the fastest suction as this is still a comfortable experience for me whilst expressing a good quantity of milk. Extremely pleased!"

Ecully, Neath, Neath Port Talbot

AVENT Classic feeding bottles, 260ml, Slow Flow teat

Easy to use

Easy to use [and] prevents tummy ache. My baby always brings wind up easily on these bottles. The teat does not collapse and [the bottle] is easy to hold." LadyPeo, Middlesbruogh

Air goes into the bottle, not into baby
Great to use in transition from breast to bottle – my little one took to it like a duck to water :) …Ergonomic and lovely to hold / feel. Great design with easy-to-use measurement guide. Easy to clean. Would definitely recommend to any new mother!" Duskfire, Neath, Neath Port Talbot

Good bottles
These bottles [a]re easy to use and clean. My baby took to them straight away and, although she was still colicky, the symptoms did ease with the […] anti-colic bottles. Also, the size and shape mean they fit the bottle holders I ha[ve] where[as] other bottles don’t."

Hannah, East Sussex

AVENT 3-in-1 Electric Steam Steriliser

Brilliant and easy to use
I really love my AVENT steriliser. I had a nine year gap between […] children and can't believe how much easier it is this time around. Having to bottle feed was not what I planned but [became] necessary due to health issues in my pregnancy. I thought it was going to be difficult and time consuming – like I'd found it nine years ago – but this steriliser is so big and quick! In no time the bottles are done and I can move on to more enjoyable time with my little girl." EmmaF01, Merseyside

Simple to use and looks good
The Philips AVENT 3-in-1 Electric Steam Steriliser has been a brilliant purchase for us. We use it constantly. It's easy to use, whether you use just the large lower basket, the smaller upper basket, or both. Its shape means it doesn't take up much space in the kitchen and within 10 minutes it sterilises six bottles and all the dummies I can find."

Lyvsmum, Manchester

Buy AVENT 3-in-1 Electric Steam Steriliser

Meet our experts

At Philips Avent, we pride ourselves on our innovation, understanding of moms and baby’s needs, and attention to detail and quality. We do this with the help out our outsanding experts, specialists in their fields who ensure that every Philips Avent product keeps mom and baby healthy and happy

Vicki Scott is a qualified midwife, nursery and maternity nurse, nanny and breastfeeding consultant with 25 years’ experience. She’s also our baby feeding and wellbeing advisor. Here’s what she says about Philips AVENT:

I always recommend Philips AVENT products to mums because their innovative solutions make feeding and caring for their baby’s health and safety easier. They have a tried, tested and trusted solution for every mum – and every baby’s need."

To learn more about Vicki Scott’s recommendations and take in in depth look at her breastfeeding tips, click here.

Keith is a team leader at our AVENT factory in Glemsford with over 15 years’ experience. He really understands what helps mums and babies enjoy the best start, and he’s proud of the high-quality British products his team produces.

We always thought that one of the best things about the AVENT range is that everything fits each item, from the breast pump to the toddler cups with handles – even the new Natural range works with the Classic range."