If your baby won’t take a bottle, you’re not alone—and you’re definitely not doing anything wrong.
I recently sat down with Dr. Brandie Keates, a pregnancy and postpartum chiropractor, to talk about one of the most frustrating challenges new parents face: bottle refusal. In this episode, we have an honest conversation about what it’s like to have a baby who won’t take a bottle, and how I turned this frustrating early parenthood challenge into the bottle-lovey.
Watch the full episode here:
Bottle Refusal: Why Your Baby Won’t Take a Bottle (and What to Do) | Julianne Gardner – YouTube
You can also find the episode on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and other major platforms.
What Is Bottle Refusal?
Bottle refusal is when a baby who is breastfed (or even combination-fed) refuses to take a bottle from a caregiver.
During the podcast, Dr. Brandie and I discussed how disruptive it can be for families. In fact, many parents try everything before they may find a solution.
From my own experience as a mom, I know how stressful it can feel. When my son refused a bottle, I tried every recommendation out there—different bottles, different people feeding him, different timing—and nothing worked.
That experience is actually what led me to create Bottimals.
Why Some Babies Refuse the Bottle
One of the biggest takeaways from our conversation is this:
Bottle refusal is often biological, not behavioral.
Babies are wired to respond to their mother’s presence—especially her scent.
Research shows that a mother’s scent can stimulate feeding reflexes and help regulate infant behavior. That means when mom isn’t present, feeding can feel unfamiliar for babies.
A Different Approach: Supporting the Connection
Instead of forcing the transition, Dr. Brandie and I discussed the importance of making the bottle feel more familiar.
That’s exactly what led to the creation of the bottle-lovey.
The bottle-lovey was designed to:
- Incorporate mom’s scent into feeding
- Provide a soft, comforting sensory experience
- Help babies feel more secure during bottle feeds
The idea came from a simple moment—wrapping a worn shirt around a bottle—which ultimately worked when nothing else did.
When Bottle Refusal Becomes a Bigger Challenge
Bottle refusal isn’t just inconvenient—it can impact:
- Returning to work
- Sharing feeding responsibilities
- Caregiver confidence
- Overall family stress
As discussed in the episode, some families even feel like they have no choice but to adjust their entire routine around feeding.
That’s why it’s so important to approach this phase with support, patience, and the right tools.
Final Thoughts
If there’s one thing I hope you take away from this conversation, it’s this:
You’re not failing—your baby is responding exactly how they’re wired to.
Bottle refusal can feel overwhelming, but with the right understanding and support, it can get easier.
And sometimes, the solution isn’t about trying harder—it’s about trying something different.