If someone had told me before having my baby that I might struggle to get him to take a bottle, I probably would have thought, “Okay…so I’ll just try a different bottle.”
I quickly learned it wasn’t always that simple.
My baby was comfortable breastfeeding. He knew what to expect. He knew the routine.
Then we introduced a bottle.
And he wasn’t interested.
At all.
If you’re currently dealing with bottle refusal, I want you to know something I wish someone had told me:
You’re not alone.
Why won’t my breastfed baby take a bottle?
There can be a lot of reasons a baby doesn’t want a bottle.
Maybe the nipple feels different.
Maybe the milk tastes or feels different.
Maybe your baby doesn’t like the position.
Maybe they simply prefer breastfeeding.
Or maybe the whole experience feels unfamiliar.
Think about it from your baby’s perspective.
Breastfeeding isn’t just about getting milk.
It’s a familiar person, familiar smell, familiar position, familiar sounds and a familiar routine.
A bottle changes some—or all—of those things.
So what can you try?
There isn’t one magic trick that works for every baby.
But there are several things parents can experiment with.
Have someone else offer the bottle
Some babies have a harder time taking a bottle from Mom because they know Mom is associated with breastfeeding.
Try having your partner or another trusted caregiver offer it instead.
Try when your baby is calm
Waiting until your baby is extremely hungry may not be the easiest time to introduce something new.
Try when your baby is calm and content.
Experiment with bottles and nipples
Unfortunately, babies don’t always read the parenting blogs telling them which bottle they’re supposed to like.
You may have to try a few options.
Change positions
Your baby may prefer a different position for bottle feeding than the one you normally use for breastfeeding.
Make it feel familiar
This was the idea that really stuck with me.
When I started researching bottle refusal, I became fascinated by how important familiar sensory experiences can be for babies.
And that got me thinking:
What if Mom’s familiar scent could stay close during bottle feeding?
That question eventually became Bottimals.
Why I created the bottle-lovey®
I didn’t start Bottimals because I was trying to invent a baby product.
I started because I was trying to solve a problem in my own home.
The bottle-lovey® was created to bring a familiar element into an otherwise unfamiliar feeding experience.
The removable scent heart can be worn close to Mom’s skin and then placed inside the lovey. The bottle-lovey® attaches around the bottle, keeping that familiar scent close during feeding.
It’s not a magic solution.
And every baby is different.
It’s simply one more tool parents can try when they’re navigating bottle refusal.
What I wish I’d known
Looking back, I wish I had known that bottle refusal could be such an emotional experience.
Because it isn’t just about a bottle.
For many moms, it’s about being able to leave the baby with a caregiver.
It’s about going back to work.
It’s about letting dad participate in feeding.
It’s about having a little more flexibility.
And sometimes it’s about simply wanting to know that your baby will be okay when you’re not there.
If you’re in the middle of bottle refusal right now, take a breath.
Try different approaches.
Give your baby time.
And remember that you don’t have to figure it all out at once.
I created Bottimals because I was once the mom trying to figure it out too.
Sometimes the best products start with the problems we wish someone had solved for us.
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.