How to Get Your Baby To Take a Bottle

I want to start this article by saying something comforting. Most babies will accept a bottle when they need to. Most babies don’t show a very strong preference for a type of bottle or nipple. And most babies will continue to breastfeed and drink from a bottle interchangeably without any problem. But sometimes there are problems, and it’s really important to recognize it for what it is when it happens, and get the help you need to be able to achieve your feeding goals.

When Babies Refuse the Bottle

What sometimes happens is that a baby gets very strong and comfortable with breastfeeding, but then does not want to take milk from a bottle. It’s hard to know exactly why this happens, but it’s likely just that the baby is already comfortable with one way of feeding, and doesn’t want to change. It might just feel wrong to them!

It would be so fun to be able to ask a baby what they are thinking, but we can only make guesses. When this happens, it can be very frustrating for parents. You might really need your baby to drink from a bottle. If the breastfeeding parent needs to take a trip or go back to work, it can be a huge source of stress.

How to Prevent It

There are no guaranteed ways to prevent bottle rejection from happening, but you can do some things to reduce the chances.

1. Introduce a bottle at the right time. A good window is when your baby is 3-4 weeks old. That’s usually enough time for your milk supply to be pretty stable and for your baby to be very comfortable with breastfeeding but not TOO comfortable.
2. Do practice feeds. Let your baby practice drinking from a bottle regularly so they don’t forget. It doesn’t need to be an entire feed. It can be a small amount in a bottle. You might try offering a small amount before you breastfeed, and then let them fill up from the breast after. It can also be an entire feed. Just remember that you’ll probably want to pump if that’s replacing a whole breastfeeding session so you can keep up your milk supply. Continue to do these practice feeds daily or every other day so they don’t forget.
3. Let someone else introduce the bottle. Sometimes, babies will refuse the bottle from the breastfeeding parent, because they know the breast is there and it’s familiar. If someone else offers the baby a bottle, they might be more likely to take it. The breastfeeding parent might even need to leave the building! If a baby knows you’re around, they might be less likely to take the bottle.
4. Feed a happy baby. You want the baby to be a little hungry, but not too hungry. A happy baby will usually be in a better mood to try something new.
5. Use breast milk if you can. If the baby has been getting breastmilk, and you suddenly introduce a foreign object (the bottle) AND a foreign substance (formula), it might be too much. The breast milk has a familiar taste and smell so the baby might be more eager to drink it.

What to Do If Your Baby Still Refuses the Bottle?

First, try to relax. There may not be a quick fix, but there are some good strategies that should help.

• Try a different bottle. Some babies will show a strong preference for a certain bottle nipple. Lactation consultants often recommend a nipple shaped most like a human breast, like the one shown below when your goal is to transition easily between bottle and breast.

How to Choose the Best Baby Bottle | Breastfeeding Success

• Try practicing with your finger or just a bottle nipple first. It can be disheartening to put pumped milk into a bottle to have your baby refuse it and then have to throw out the milk. Using just the nipple or a finger to let your baby practice sucking on something else can give you a little more confidence that they’ll take the bottle when you do offer it. You can also put a little breast milk on it as a next step.
• Try different positions. It might be better to mimic the favorite breastfeeding position so the baby understands it’s time to eat, but it might be the opposite! Some babies might drink from a bottle better if they are not in a breastfeeding position where they could be expecting a breast.
• Try a different person. If your goal is to breastfeed whenever you’re with your baby, and then let the baby take a bottle when you’re not there, it’s OK that you don’t give your baby a bottle. It is often true that other people are more likely to get your baby to take a bottle.
• Try a different location. Sometimes babies do well taking a bottle in their usual breastfeeding spot. But some babies prefer a change of scenery. Go into a different room, or even go outside!
• Try changing the temperature of the milk. Some babies prefer warm milk out of a bottle, but some like it cold or room temperature.
• Try putting some breast milk on the bottle nipple to start. Making the bottle taste and smell like the breast might help.
• Try using a different feeding device. If your baby doesn’t want to take a bottle, sometimes a sippy cup or other type of small open mouthed cup, like a medicine cup or shot glass, will work.
• See a lactation consultant. If nothing seems to be working, it’s a great idea to get more advice from a lactation consultant. They will listen to your situation, assess your needs, and then help you develop a plan. They often have creative options for you to try. They can also help you learn about the best ways to bottle feed your baby.

If you take some preventative measures, it’s much less likely that your baby will refuse to take a bottle. But remember that even if they do, there are so many options for solving the problem. Try to stay relaxed and give yourself reminders that your baby will eat and that you are a great parent. Also remember that professional caregivers usually have their own tricks! They have probably experienced this before, and have ways of encouraging babies to take a bottle. If it’s your partner or a family member or friend helping, they will usually figure something out too.

And even if the worst happens, and your baby refuses a bottle for a few hours while you’re gone, they will usually make up those calories when they see you again later. Let your baby breastfeed as often and for as long as they need when you’re together. As long as your baby is still gaining weight and making plenty of wet diapers, you can know they are getting enough to eat.

References:

Introducing a Bottle | Breastfeeding Basics | BreastmilkCounts.com

Bottle Refusal – IABLE