Your Baby Won’t Take a Bottle? Here Is The Solution

There may be a lot of reasons why you, as a mother, decide to make the switch to a feeding bottle. It could be because your little one is finally old enough to be weaned. Or maybe you’re struggling with your supply of milk, so you had to choose baby formula over breast milk. Sometimes, a mother will have to make their child adapt to the bottle because they have to resume work. No matter what the cause, if you’ve decided to feed your baby with a feeding bottle, but they seem to reject it, it may leave you feeling worried and upset — I know I was!

After all, in the initial stages of your baby’s life, a feeding bottle is most likely the only prop you can use to get food into them. So, when your baby is being fussy about the bottle, you’re sure to freak out. Don’t worry, though! I’ve understood how to get around this, and I’m about to share a few things with you. Read on to find out what you can do:

Get Down To The Root Cause

Before you decide what you can do about your baby’s repulsion to the feeding bottle, it is essential to know why it is happening in the first place. Here are a few reasons why your baby isn’t doing well with the bottle:

1. Your Baby Was Weaned Recently: The chances are that you have just stopped giving your baby breast milk. When I first introduced the feeding bottle to my little one, I saw the bottle fly across the room the next minute! Babies who have been breastfed for a while might be stubborn about making the switch. They’re going to take time to get used to something that isn’t breast milk or your nipple.
2. Your Baby Isn’t Hungry: Oftentimes, mothers begin introducing the bottle alongside breast milk. This could mean that maybe, your little one wasn’t all that hungry in the first place. Babies can be fussy about their food intake, so it should come as no surprise when they refuse to feed when they’re full.
3. You Aren’t Holding Your Baby Right: The position in which you feed your baby can differ when you are breastfeeding, as opposed to when you feed your baby with a bottle. Maybe they aren’t as comfortable. Babies are pretty finicky, so the slightest change, even in posture, can put them off.
4. Your Baby Isn’t Okay With The Milk: You might want to check the temperature or the flavor and consistency of the milk. Try to prepare it differently until you know what your baby prefers.
5. Your Baby Is Probably Sick: Babies often experience a loss of appetite when they are sick. It could be that your baby is not feeling well because they are in distress. If the lack of appetite seems to be going on for too long, it is best to consult your doctor.

What You Can Do To Fix This

Now that you know what could be troubling your baby, here’s what you can do to fix it:

1. Take It Slow: If you’ve just made the transition, then you need to be patient. Don’t get frustrated and angry if your child isn’t accustomed to bottle feeding yet.
2. Change The Bottle: It could be that your little one is not okay with the type of bottle you got for them. Some bottle feeders are too hard, making it difficult for your child to drink from them.
3. Check The Milk: Experiment with how your baby will like to have their milk or baby formula. Some of them prefer it diluted in water, while others prefer it when it is slightly thicker. If you’ve expressed your milk, see if your baby likes it mildly warm or not.
4. Try Cold Milk When They Are Teething: Babies face a lot of discomfort when they are teething. It will bring them some relief if you could give them slightly cold milk. Also, one of the reasons why they aren’t drinking milk is probably because they are teething. Gently massage their gums and give them a teething toy to chew on. Make sure the milk isn’t too cold as this can harm your baby too.
5. Check Your Baby’s Posture: You could try supporting your baby better with a few pillows. They probably liked how they were held while they were being breastfed, so try to mimic this while you are bottle-feeding your baby.
6. Let Someone Else Do It: Sometimes, when transitioning from breastfeeding to bottle-feeding, it may help to ask someone else to feed your baby. They have probably associated you with breastmilk, so it becomes more challenging when you bottle-feed your baby as they expect to be breastfed instead.

Keeping the above tips in mind, it is also crucial for you to be patient. Your little one will soon be drinking from the bottle, and you won’t have to worry about it anymore. However, if nothing seems to work, drop by at the doctor’s and check to see if there is a problem. What are your thoughts on this? Let us know in the comments below!