“My baby won’t take a bottle,” are words that have come out of my own mouth, and boy was it stressful. Get 11 incredible tips to help your breastfed baby take a bottle. Plus, the best bottles for breastfed babies.
What to Do When Baby Won’t Take A Bottle!
I can still remember the stress, anxiety, and absolute overwhelm when I was a mother for the first time 7 years ago and I realized: my baby won’t take a bottle.
Before Sam’s arrival, I was both excited and nervous to breastfeed. I’m a pediatric occupational therapist and already knew a thing or two about feeding babies.
But, because I’m type A, I read everything I could from a mother’s perspective to make sure I did everything “right”. I felt like there were endless stories from everyone around me that breastfeeding just didn’t end up working out for them.
That was the last thing I wanted, so with my first child, I followed all the rules and was so relieved when it was obvious very early on that he was going to have no trouble nursing at all. What I didn’t expect was that my sweet little breastfeeding champ would refuse to take a bottle for 12 months, which was the entirety of our nursing relationship.
I’ll admit that, at some point, I stopped trying and lived with crazy work schedules and feeling completely helpless.
I’ve learned a lot since then, I had two more kids that DID take bottles and could switch between being bottle fed and nursing just fine, as long as I wasn’t around.
Combining all my mom experience between these three babies that nursed for a year, and all my pediatric occupational therapy tricks from helping other moms, I’ve got you covered with 11 tips that will serve as your guide for exactly how to get a breastfed baby to take a bottle.
Before we get to that though, you must understand why the heck your baby is refusing a bottle in the first place.
My Baby Won’t Take a Bottle… Why?
I’ll tell you first off that it’s probably not because they are having a hard time latching or because they can’t get the mechanics of the thing. Sucking from a bottle is actually easier than latching onto you. A breastfed baby that is refusing the bottle is doing so because they likely:
- Don’t like the feeling of the artificial nipple in their mouth, it’s just so foreign to them!
- Associate eating so strongly with you that they don’t understand or want the bottle substitute
- Have had a negative experience with taking the bottle (least likely)
And, of course, it could be a combination of all three. I’m big on getting to the “why” of the problem because it often gives you a lot of direction in the “how” to fix the problem, it’s the OT in me. So, let’s talk about a few warning signs for each of the reasons above, while you promise me that you won’t stress too much over figuring this out!
How to get to the bottom of the bottle refusal mystery:
Signs that your baby doesn’t like the feeling of the bottle are that they spit it out the second it touches their mouth or even gag, especially when they do this in the first few months. This can happen with older babies that have learned that you’re trying the bottle AGAIN. In this case, they will immediately communicate to you that they aren’t interested by spitting it out instantly. Babies that are bothered by the bottle texture usually refuse pacifiers too!
Signs that your baby has had a negative experience with taking a bottle are that they were taking the bottle well and then stopped suddenly. While a baby can refuse if a long period of time has lapsed since they were given a bottle, it’s unusual for it to happen overnight. I also want to make sure I clarify, what a negative experience is. Depending on the baby, it can be anything from the flow being too fast, gagging/throwing up while taking a bottle, or taking a bottle from someone that keeps taking it in and out of their mouth.
Signs that your baby just wants you, is basically when you’ve ruled out the other two reasons, and this is probably the MOST common culprit for bottle refusal. I’m quite sure it was with my first son. These babies will often seemingly accept the bottle for a little bit but just won’t latch, they only protest once it becomes obvious that you aren’t going to quit trying.
So, while you may not be able to be sure exactly why your baby won’t take a bottle, it is definitely worth putting some thought into because it will help you decide where to focus your efforts when you read the following list…
11 Tips for the Breastfed Baby Refusing a Bottle
1. Start early
I can bet that for most of you this ship has already sailed. Likely, if you’re here reading, it’s because you’re already in a pickle, but if you happen to be reading this article in advance, I must tell you that I personally think it’s tremendously helpful for parents to start offering a bottle within the second or even first week, if you want to be proactive.
However, I do want to mention that the Le Leche League recommends waiting longer before introducing.
But here’s the thing, and I learned this lesson the hard way, for some babies, the bottle is often so foreign and confusing to a baby that they won’t take to it. I’m fairly certain that is the main reason my oldest never took a bottle. I would suggest that if you do offer the bottle very early on, that you don’t try again until the next day, you do want to keep breastfeeding as the primary means for feeding. Keep a close eye on how much you’re using the bottle in these early days to not jeopardize breastfeeding!
2. Have someone else give the bottle (not you!)
Sounds simple, but it can make a HUGE difference. I was only able to give my second child a bottle a few times and my third would only take it from others, which was fine. Your baby can smell you and even though they are so tiny, they know that with you around, they can have what they prefer: YOU. This is a great opportunity for your partner or family members to bond feeding the baby. (That’s my husband feeding James in the picture at the top!)
One caveat here though is that while you’re trying to establish your baby taking the bottle, you may want to have someone with a little experience do the job, at least at first. My third son needed the motherly intuition and experience from my own mom to get started, even though my husband had fed our second child, he didn’t know how to troubleshoot a bit to get his new son going. After my mom broke him in on a few bottles and gave him some tips for what was working, my husband and son did great.
3. Quiet please
Going to a quiet, non distracting, and relaxing location can make a huge difference. Before someone attempts to give your baby a bottle, have them go to this location for a few minutes and let them be rocked or swayed for a few minutes so they are nice and relaxed. In a calm and gentle approach, the bottle can be offered. This was a key trick that worked like a charm for my third baby. By the time he arrived, our house was pretty loud and chaotic with two older brothers, it was something I had taken for granted because this loud house was our normal and I thought a little baby wouldn’t be bothered by it.
4. Find the magic, “just hungry enough” window
It may make sense to try and give your baby a bottle when they are starving. Common sense would lead us to believe that they are so desperate to eat at this point that surely they’ll just give in and accept the bottle. This often does NOT work. Taking the bottle is a new experience for your baby, one they need to concentrate on and allow to happen. When they are starving, they just haven’t got the time. A better time to try is when you can see they are hungry, but not starving.
You won’t want to try too early though either, because if they aren’t hungry enough, they won’t be motivated to take it. It may take some experimenting, but finding the “just right” window of being hungry enough, but not too hungry could lead to bottle success.
5. Get them in position
While some babies do really well when they are held the exact same way to take a bottle as when you breastfeed them (and I’d definitely try that first), you will want to try different positions if that doesn’t work. Think outside the box here, you never know what is going to work. My second son would sometimes like to take a bottle while facing outwards away from the bottle giver.
6. Leave the house
Yup, you may need to actually leave the house or at least go to another level of your home or lock yourself in a room for some time – that doesn’t sound so bad, right? I wouldn’t do this until you have had some bottle success. I tried this with my first son and just figured he and dad will figure it out. I came back from shopping 2 hours later to find them both exhausted and defeated. My husband had never given a baby a bottle before and I just left! Keep in mind that your baby hearing, seeing, and smelling you can sabotage anyone’s attempts to give them a bottle.
7. Try different bottles
Notice this is tip number 7! I think this is usually the first thing most moms try, and for good reason, but I would try the other suggestions first, before you spend a small fortune. However, there is something to be said for a bottle that your baby prefers. I’d recommend trying 1-2 bottles at a feeding time, and only purchasing 3-4 different types to use. You can find my favorite bottles for breastfed babies in the next section.
8. Experiment with flow
Sometimes you just need to change the nipple flow. Some babies need a really slow flow to accept a bottle and others may like something faster if you have a strong let down, as a slow flow nipple will just aggravate them. Just be careful of your babies age with a fast flow nipple because while they may prefer it, they may not be able to handle it. It takes a lot of coordination to swallow milk coming in quickly, and if they don’t get it just right, they could aspirate, which is when liquid gets into their lungs – not a good thing.
9. Use a pacifier
I know that pacifiers get a very bad rap, especially in the breastfeeding community, and there are some really valid points, but when your baby is 4 months and under, a pacifier may help them get used to having something different being in their mouth. I wouldn’t use it all the time, but if your baby seems bothered by the feeling of a bottle, a pacifier can help desensitize them when used a couple of times during the day.
10. Keep trying
Seems obvious, but it’s so easy to throw in the towel, like I did with Sam. Using the tips above consistently over time can make a HUGE difference in your baby eventually taking a bottle! If it’s important for your baby to take a bottle, then try once a day!
11. Worse case scenario – use a syringe, cup, or spoon
I will be totally honest and tell you that I have never used this technique, but I know, in some instances, it is necessary. I would only try this if all else fails and you are left with no other choice. Le Leche League has some great recommendations for alternative ways to get your baby fed here.
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Best Bottles for Breastfeeding
There are dozens of bottle options out there, which can get overwhelming fast. Any one of them *may* work, but some tend to get the job done a little better when your baby is refusing. The following list are bottles that have worked in my home and/or some of the families that I’ve worked with.
- Tommee Tipee (shown above) – These bottles designed for breastfeeding babies are my personal favorite and what I used with my second two sons, that actually took a bottle (I never tried this type with my oldest). They are affordable and have a stretchy nipple which replicates yours!
- Medela – I love these because you can go right from pumping to giving a bottle with little fuss if you have a Medela pump. We had some success with these in my home and I know many other families that have. These nipples have a much smaller base and some babies prefer that to the wider type bottles.
- Mimijumi – The Cadillac of breastfeeding bottles because they closely resemble the look and feel of a breast. I have personally never used these, but some of the families I’ve worked with have loved them.
- Dr. Brown’s Wide Neck – Dr. Brown’s bottles are popular, and for good reason. Their anti-gas system is built in and works great for a lot of colicky babies. I’ve known a lot of breastfeeding babies that accept these bottles and there’s a special line designed for breastfeeding babies.
- Comotomo Natural Feel – These weren’t even on my radar two years ago, but if they had been, I would have given them a try. This nipple and shape also mimics the breast, but they feature this really cool silicone bottom that’s incredibly functional. There’s a cool demo video on Amazon.
When the Time Comes to Stop Breastfeeding
I want to end this post with a resource for you about how to stop breastfeeding when you are ready. I’m not going to tell you when you should do that, but I will say I breastfed all my babies to 12-14 months old and it was a wonderful experience for me. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends 12 months of age, but for a variety of reasons, that isn’t always possible. When you and your baby are ready, you’ll want to head over to my Stopping Breastfeeding How-To post. If you’re nowhere ready for that, make sure you pin it for later!
Now that you have a few tricks up your sleeve to get your breastfed champ taking a bottle, too, make sure you stop back and let me know what worked. And if you have any other tips, PLEASE share them, so many people read the comments and you just never know who you will be helping!
Did you pin it?
This is the kind of post you’re probably going to want to reference again, pin it, so you know just where to find it!
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Alisha Grogan is a licensed occupational therapist and founder of Your Kid’s Table. She has over 14 years experience with expertise in sensory processing and feeding development in babies, toddlers, and children. Alisha also has 3 boys of her own at home. Learn more about her here.
Hi i started weaning my baby and she is 20 months old now but she doesn’t like to drink any kind of milk. Im worried because she did not drink milk for 3 days but shes eating solid foods.
Hey Irene,
It can take some time to adjust to the new milk, as it does taste different. I’d try mixing breastmilk with what you are trying to switch to, and slowly make the transition. You can read more about weaning HERE.
Best,
Desiree
Hi
My 10 m. O baby stopped eating solids. She opens her mouth but does not swallow for a long time. It lasts about 20 min. At last i will take out with my fingers.
She is breastfed baby. No formula. No bottle though i am trying for bottle.
Can u pls help me in this regard?
I have tried different colour texture and flavors of food.
She was a good eater. She is not teething now . Has got 2 upper n 2 lower incisors.
Its been 10 days. I am worried now
Hello,
Teething can have a tremendous impact on feeding skills, so I’d try to match up to see if this is when she stopped eating solids. I’d also be having her do play in the foods you can do this outside of mealtimes to get her used to the textures as this is the first step in eating. You can watch our free workshop for more ideas at this age to work on getting her accepting to table foods again if you do not think it is from teething. Save your seat HERE
Best,
Desiree
We are in the same fix with my grand daughter. My teenage daughter has a 4 months old now. She has been b/feeding and at times uses the pacifier. Just a few days to four months we have introduced the bottle and she has completely refused to use it. In December we tried and she happily fed but now that she is four months it seems her brains tells her otherwise. We have tried freshly expressed breast milk and formula milk too. We have Dr. browns nipple and Venti plus just an ordinary nipple. All seems not to work with her.
Kindly help; coz my daughter needs to briefly step up, may be just for some fresh air or visit the salon.
Hey Lydia,
I’d try the recommendations in the article. I’d also focus on having someone else try to bottle feed her, but making sure mom is not around (or she will know). Finding the right time to try this so that she is hungry but not over hungry can be key!
Best,
Desiree
My 4.5 month old will only take about 1 ounce of expressed breastmilk from the bottle. I’ve tried the tips above. It seems like he is having gas or getting air. If i work with him, i can get him to take 2 more ounces after calming down. My questions are
1. Can i calm him down with a minute of breastfeeding (it works) and then back to bottle or is that too confusing?
2. Is he refusing or just uncomfortable from air?
3. is one feeding from bottle enough a day or should i try a whole day since i’m going back to work in a month.
I’m going back to work soon, so i need help!
Hey Joanna,
So glad you are reaching out and figuring out what may work for your son! You are doing a great job with trying some different things and noticing his reaction. Back and forth can become too confusing for him, if he is just refusing and wanting the breast then he may think that is how it will always happen. I’d look at who will be feeding him when you go back to work or is there someone else to try to feed him and see if he is having the same reactions (with you not in the room). The bottle is a different suck that they need, so you do want to explore if he is getting air. Feeding one bottle is fine, I’d just work up to more, but if you still plan to breast feed after going back to work i’d make sure that you are still doing that as well, so that you still have that relationship.
Best,
Desiree
Hi
Currently my 3.5 months old is still not willing to take a bottle. She had taken it twice previously, but we took a long break. I have tried for 3 weeks now – different bottles, different level of nipples, sang to her, swayed, walked around with her, put her in a mobi wrap facing towards me and outward. My husband, sister, mother, mother in law, sister in laws have all tried too when I have been out of the home. When I put my finger in her mouth, she does not suck either. She does not use the pacifier at all. What other recommendations do you have?
Have you tried giving her the bottle with pumped milk during the night, just before she wakes up for her night feed? My baby is exactly the same, the only thing that worked was this. He’s also 3,5 months now. Good luck!
I have tried a bottle twice during a night feed from pumped milk earlier in the day. Got 2 sucks from the bottle, then she would wake up from this realizing it is a bottle.
How many tries did it take until you baby took the bottle?
Good Day Please help, i have just stop breasfeeding my 13 Months baby girl, at night she does not want bottle milk, bottle drink what can i do, and my breast are swollen and very painful im using Pyridoxine pills, its been 3 days ive stop her
Hi,
Thanks for reaching out! There are some really great tips in the article. I’d really try to have someone else feed her milk in a bottle during the night. If you are doing it she will be looking for the breast, but with someone else and you not in the room it can be really helpful!
Best,
Desiree
My baby is 3months old I have been trying to bottle feed him for like 2months now and he never wanted to take the bottle. If he is hungry and I’m not around he will drink 2ounces and then wait till I come back to breastfeed. He just started daycare and he only drank 2oz and didn’t want anything else til I picked him up from daycare. I have tried all bottles and everyone trying to feed him he doesn’t want it neither he wants the pacifier. I even tried putting a bit of honey on the nipple for him to try it and nothing. Any advice? I really want to keep breastfeeding and I don’t want him to lose any weight either.
Hey!
We totally understand how hard this transition can be! It can take awhile for them to be accepting of someone else feeding them. Also having the milk from the bottle is a different experience and utilized different muscles than the breast. If you have been trying the suggestions in the post without any success you can reach out for a feeding evaluation to provide specified tips for you. If you are in the US you can receive an Early Intervention evaluation. You can read more about your options HERE
Best,
Desiree
Hi Alisha, thanks for writing this article. My 2 months old daughter has been taking the bottle once a day (at night), given by her dad. Rest of the time, I nurse her, unless I or we need to step out. She’s been using the Avent Natural bottle so far, but we have a set of another brand which we would like to switch to. We tried the new bottle tonight, she refused it. Is there a way to get her to drink from the new bottle?
Thanks for reaching out! Kids can sometimes take to one bottle over the other as they all seem to have little differences. I’d have your husband try it again, but make sure everything else stays the same as far as location, timing and her environment.
Best,
Desiree
My 5.5 month old mainly bf baby girl was taking a bottle from me about once a day just fine. But, then she had a bad experience when my husband tried to feed her (milk too hot maybe?? Bad body position maybe??) and now she completely refuses. I was able to get her to take the bottle one time after about an hour of cajoling, but then I had to go to work for a 10- hr day and hubs had to bottle feed her and now she just sees the bottle and starts crying. Any additional tips on how to undo a bad experience??
Hey April,
So sorry you are going through this. I’d make sure you are changing up her environment. If there is a usual chair where she is feeding, I’d try somewhere else. You can also try a different bottle (different color, etc). So that she does not make the same connection.
Best,
Desiree
Hello my baby is 3 months I have been giving her the bottle but there was this one time I gave her the bottle and she was over feeded because I came back and breastfeeding her but now she is refusing to take the bottle and I need to go to work in 1 week
Thanks for reaching out. I’d recommend trying these tips in the article and really review the suggestion on finding the “just right” window for looking for the best time to be offering her a bottle when she is hungry but not too hungry. Also, having someone else feed her when you are not around can be a huge help!
Best,
Desiree
Hi Alisha,
You said your eldest wouldn’t take a bottle, and breastfed for 12 months. I’m curious to know what you did post the 12 months to wean him off of breastfeeding? Did you continue to give him breastmilk at that point? My goal is 12 months (at 7.5 now), but my baby relies so much on BFing at night etc., I’m just wondering what your transition looked like. Thanks so much in advance for sharing your experience!
Due to supply issues Ive combined bottle feeding and breastfeeding for 6 months without issue. Last week my baby girl was ill with fever, for one day i only breastfed as she was too ill for a bottle. After her fever went, she continued to take her bottle as normal for 2 day. Then after that she flat out refused, there was no warning and she had happily had a bottle the night before. Its been 5 days now and she is still on strike, ive tried different positions, walking, rooms, environments, teats, bottles and persons but she flings back and protests outraged!. Shes not teething either and is happily munching on foods. Im totally clueless! Been through bottle strike with my first daughter so have been through this before but always found something would work to break the strike. Fortunately my supply is okay but ideally would like to continue bottle and breastfeeding as im in a position of not being able to leave her with someone now. Do u have any ideas im at a loss! I tried holding out on the breast in hope shes hungry enough for a bottle but it doesnt work. Thanks ill be interested i hearing your opinion on this one ! X
Hey Rebecca,
We know how frustrating this can be! It seems like you are doing and trying some great things. I’d keep making sure to try to change the environment. This may be a good one for you if you are unable to get someone else to try to feed her. Remember that consistency will play a factor here, so just trying it once you may not see results, but keep at it.
Best,
Desiree
My baby is currently 7 months and from birth she has had extreme problems feeding. She couldn’t latch on the breast and I would have to pump and feed her with a bottle. After a couple weeks I was finally able to get her to latch onto my breast using a nipple shield but most of the milk would leak out and she wasn’t gaining enough weight. Finally around 3-4 months old I was able to get her to latch onto the breast and she gained weight rapidly. All has been great until 6 months old when she started getting teeth. She is 7 months old now with a mouth full of teeth! And she bites. I’m in so much pain, my poor nipples are cut and bruised but no matter what I do she will not take a bottle. She won’t even allow it to go into her mouth. I’m using freshly pumped milk but the moment the milk touches her lips she acts like it’s disgusting. She also will not take any food in any form. I’ve tried a bunch of different baby foods, cereals, everything. She won’t eat anything. All she wants is me and I don’t know how much longer I can physically take the pain. I just have no idea what to do.
Hey Emalee,
So sorry you are going through this, I know how hard breastfeeding can be! I’d really try to have someone else feed her the bottle (there are tips on this in the article). I’d make sure you are not around when this happens though, And making sure that you are hitting that just hungry window.
Best,
Desiree
Hey Mari,
Great question! Alisha has another post that covers stopping breastfeeding (when you’re ready). Both of these breastfeeding articles are what she utilized in her home with her kids! You can read all about it HERE
Best,
Desiree
Hi.I m going through hard situation.from the birth my elder son takes bottle as well as breadfeed but as he reach at his 1st birthday suddenly he refused to take bottle.now my daughter is going to 12 months she is not taking bottle anymore just want breast.what can I do
Hey Mona,
You are doing a great job! I know it can be hard. I’d try to work on transitioning to a sippy cup during the day in place of when they would have a bottle! It may take a little work, but you will get there!
Best,
Desiree
My daughter is almost 3 months and I’m back at work now 3 days a week. She will not take the bottle from my husband. She takes it from the lady who cares for her, my mom, and my mother in law. Everytime my husband tries to give a bottle she just screams. Are there any tips for him to be able to feed her? I know he gets so frustrated not being able to feed her.
Hey Holly,
We can understand how frustrating this must be for your husband. I would try to take a look at the setting that he is trying to feed her in, distractions, etc. A lot of times everyone has their own way/space so I’d try to replicate where others feed her and try to make it as calming as possible. Also, looking to try to get his anxiety away from attempting to feed her, as this may be showing through because he does not want her to scream. I hope these help, but please keep us posted!
Best,
Desiree
I’m a nursing mom of a 3 month old little girl also have a 2 year old daughter who was also breastfeed. Neither one them took to a pacifier. My older daughter took to a bottle but didn’t use I often. My 3 month old won’t take it at all. I’ve tried 2 different bottles and she just spits it out or plays with it in her mouth. She won’t even take it for my mother or mother in law. Now I don’t want her to take it all the time however when I’m not around she would need to take it so she can eat. Can you please give me some advice on what to do. I did read this article and will be doing most of the steps.
Hey Robin,
I know this can be hard. I’d really work through those steps provided for you in the article and see what may be working for you in your situation. Let us know how it goes afterwards!
Best,
Desiree
Hi all just thought I’d share. I have a 3 month old little boy and we struggle right off the get go to get him to nurse. All he wanted was the bottle at that time. We did get him nursing and he loves it now. Perhaps a bit to much. I have just returned to work 1-2 days a week and now all of a sudden he doesn’t want to take a bottle. He was taking them up until about a week ago although you could tell he didn’t love them. Yesterday he flat out refused to eat for Dad. Today we tried to trick him into taking a bottle. I started to nurse him and then slipped the bottle in and pulled the boob out once he got going. It seamed to work so far, hopefully it will continue to and he’ll get more used to the bottle.
Thanks so much for sharing your story with us!
Best,
Desiree
Hi I have a 3 month old daughter she took a formula bottle when she was a week old from her dad and after that she wouldn’t take a bottle at all. I didn’t give her a bottle again until she was 2 months she’s gagged ever time I did and vomits. I stop trying and restated a week ago. She chews on it and sucks it a little and gets fussy no matter how hungry she is. I even tried giving it to her when she’s not very hungry I switched bottles and I think the one I’m using now is good because she doesn’t gag from it
Please help I’m desperate
HI Fathi,
So happy you reached out, I know how hard this transition can be. I’d try the bottle that you are using that you said does not make her gag and work on having her Dad try to be feeding her that bottle without you in the room to see if she will show some more interest when you know she is hungry. Since it is you trying it may make it harder for her to want to try to work for the milk. Make sure to read through the other tips in the article!
Best,
Desiree
My little boy. 5 weeks old. He has previously taken 2 bottles from my husband. He has now decided he doesn’t want to take a bottle. I am trying him twice a day to get him to take a bottle. Is this too much or should I be trying him more? How long should it take for him to start taking it? I don’t want to just keep trying. I have spoken to my health visitor and they said to let them know if he won’t take it but didn’t say how long to try for. How often should I try to change to a different bottle? I do have a couple of options in but didn’t want to keep swapping them about.
I understand this can be a tough transition, but hang in there 🙂 You have said that you are trying to give him a bottle but, has your husband tried to provide him a bottle since he has taken the first two? Your son could be refusing from you, as he is used to nursing, but still continue to take a bottle from someone else!! I would stick with the same bottle as he originally was able to drink from and try having someone else feed him!!
Hi my son is going to turn 11 months next week. i’m trying to wean him off breastfeeding since I have a lot of pumped milked stored and I want to start using it. Also am sick of breastfeeding since I also have a 3 yr old to take care of. He’s always had a bottle a day since he was 1 month old but last month I was too busy and he exclusively breastfed. Long story short he wont take the bottle any more. Gets mad even if I bring it close to him. I have tried most of the above things except a different bottle. I did try sippy cups and open cups. he drinks water or juice from everything but would not touch the breastmilk. Pls Help I have big vacation coming up and i’m too stressed.
I’m so sorry, he probably has weaned himself from the bottle, that can happen at this age. I’d focus on those sippy cups and just keep offering it to him, while also using the steps from the post:)
hi
my LG is 20 weeks old. she is exclusively breastfeed. she refused to take the bottle or dummy since birth in the hospital already. I tried leaving the house, different bottles, pacifier, cuppy, etc. I tried it all to no avail. I started working a week ago and I noticed that she lost weight :(. Do you think she will ever take the bottle now?
She might! I know it’s so stressful, my oldest wouldn’t take a bottle either. I’d keep trying and using the steps from the post.
Hi,
My daughter is going to turn 3 months next week. I use to do a combination of breastfeeding and bottle feeding until she decided not to take the bottle anymore.
This happened when she was 7 weeks old.
I don’t know what to do in order to make her taking the bottle again 🙁
Hey Irsi,
We know how hard and frustrating this can be! I’d really be diving into this article to see if you can pinpoint what you think is going on with your baby. I’d also try having someone else feed her, in a quite room, where you are not present (making sure you are in that just hungry enough window). All of these tips are in detail in this article! I’d try these and see how it goes!
Best,
Desiree
How did it go? Hope well
Hi Alisha,
My daughter is 11 weeks and was taking a bottle; however it wasn’t consistent and the last she drank from it like a pro was when she was 4 weeks. I have tried the NUK bottle again with expressed breastmilk and she either spits the milk out or used her tongue like a barricade. I then tried the snookums bottle from my pump and after fussy I gave her some breast then tried the bottle and she took it until I stopped giving her, then she fussed again. There was times she was move the bottle to the sides and bite on it to drink the milk. She’s just not sucking it for long. I’m being advised to try formula, as that will make her drink from it though I’m not sold on formula just yet. Any advise please ?
I’ve never heard that formula could be more successful, but you could try if you’re comfortable with that. I’d try some of the steps from above like having someone else feed them a bottle when you’re not around for instance 🙂