When my baby refused a bottle, I went into problem-solving mode.
Different bottle?
Try it.
Different nipple?
Try it.
Different position?
Sure.
Different person offering it?
Absolutely.
If you’re dealing with bottle refusal, you may recognize the feeling.
You just want your baby to take the bottle.
So you start experimenting.
Here are seven things I tried—and what I learned along the way.
1. Different bottles
This was probably the most obvious place to start.
There are so many bottles on the market that it can feel overwhelming.
I quickly learned that what works for one baby may not work for another.
If your baby refuses one bottle, that doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll refuse every bottle.
2. Different nipple flows
The nipple can make a big difference in how a bottle feels.
I experimented with different options to see what my baby preferred.
If you’re unsure which flow is appropriate for your baby, your pediatrician or feeding therapist can help.
3. Having someone else offer it
This one was interesting.
Sometimes Mom being the person holding the bottle can make the situation harder.
Your baby knows you’re there.
And if breastfeeding is an option, why choose the bottle?
Having another trusted caregiver try can be worth experimenting with.
4. Changing positions
The position that works for breastfeeding doesn’t necessarily have to be the position you use for bottle feeding.
We experimented with different ways of holding and positioning the baby.
Sometimes a small change can make a new experience feel different.
5. Trying at different times
I learned pretty quickly that there was a difference between:
“My baby isn’t interested in this right now.”
and
“My baby is absolutely starving and furious that I’m offering this.”
Bottle practice went much better when my baby was calm.
So instead of waiting until the last possible minute, I tried offering it when he was relaxed.
6. Making the experience feel more familiar
This was the idea that eventually changed everything for me.
Breastfeeding comes with a lot of familiar sensory experiences.
Mom’s voice.
Mom’s touch.
Mom’s scent.
The routine.
The closeness.
That got me wondering:
What if the bottle could have one of those familiar elements too?
That question became the inspiration for the bottle-lovey®.
The bottle-lovey® includes a removable scent heart that Mom can wear against her skin before placing it inside the lovey.
The lovey attaches around the bottle, keeping that familiar scent close.
It’s not meant to guarantee that a baby will take a bottle.
It’s simply one more thing parents can try.
7. Taking the pressure off
This may have been the hardest one.
When you desperately need your baby to take a bottle, it’s easy for every feeding attempt to feel like a test.
Did they take it?
How much?
Why not?
Should I try again?
Sometimes stepping back and giving your baby time can help make the experience less stressful for everyone.
What worked?
The honest answer?
It wasn’t one magical trick.
It was a combination of patience, experimentation, and paying attention to what my baby seemed to respond to.
And that experience eventually led me to create something I wished I had when I was struggling with bottle refusal.
Bottimals was born from a mom trying to solve her own problem.
If you’re in that same place right now, I hope you know you’re not alone.
Try something.
Observe.
Adjust.
Try again.
And give yourself some grace along the way.
You’ve got this, Mom.
Disclaimer
The information on this blog is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Bottimals is not a medical provider. Every baby is different, so please consult your pediatrician or another qualified healthcare professional with questions or concerns about your baby’s health, feeding, nutrition, or development.
Bottimals products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or medical condition.