Is it safe to use a self-feeding bottle prop or hands-free feeding pillow?

Why bottle props are dangerous

A propped or hands-free bottle removes a baby's ability to pace their own feed. Babies rely on being able to pause, turn away or push the bottle out when they've had enough — a fixed prop overrides that, and because the flow isn't supervised, milk can enter the airway and lungs rather than the stomach (aspiration), or a baby can choke silently without an adult noticing in time.

What Which? found

Of the products investigated in July 2026, at least 140 self-feeding devices were listed across Amazon, eBay, Alibaba, OnBuy and TikTok Shop — 21 were pillow-style holders that strap around a baby's neck, and 33 used a long straw reaching into the cot. OPSS's position, in place since 2022, is unambiguous: these products don't comply with UK safety law and should be removed from sale.

What to do instead

• Hold your baby for every bottle feed, propped semi-upright in your arms
• If you need both hands free briefly, put the bottle down and the baby down safely — never combine the two
• Read more on what else Which? and OPSS flagged as dangerous
• Our best bottles & teethers guide covers safe, established-brand feeding kit