ARTICLE SUMMARY:
- Why does baby refuse their milk bottle?
- What can I do to help baby start taking their milk bottle again quickly?
- Is it possible to make up for the lack of bottle feeding with dairy products?
- Key takeaways from this article
Is your baby fussy and refusing to drink their milk bottle? This is a stressful situation that many parents experience.
Milk is an essential food for your child's health and growth. It is therefore important to find solutions to address this issue. If you are facing such a situation, the first thing to do is to understand the reasons for this refusal to take a bottle. 🍼
➔ Is the milk too hot?
➔ What about the milk's texture?
➔ Is the bottle nipple suitable for your infant?
The accessories must be adapted so your baby can drink their milk comfortably. Discover in this final blog post 7 reasons that may explain why your little one refuses their bottle! 🤱
Why does baby refuse their milk bottle?
It can happen that a baby refuses to take their milk bottle while they drank without issue previously. If this happens, don't panic! You just need to understand the reasons for this refusal.
● Teething,
● colic, reflux,
● intolerance to cow's milk proteins,
● unsuitable nipple…
These are some of the possible reasons explaining this refusal.
If the bottle itself is the root of the problem, you can easily find bottles made for breastfeeding or anti-colic bottles. Visit our store to quickly find the right one for your needs! 😉
1 # Baby is sick
If your little one is sick, they may indeed refuse their bottle. In this case, it's important to see a pediatrician to help relieve them. Do not self-medicate! Always follow the indicated dosages on medication packaging (which, aside from acetaminophen available at pharmacies, must be prescribed by a doctor).
2 # Teething
A lack of appetite may also occur when your baby is teething. In addition, the contact of the nipple on their gums may be painful. Fortunately, teething only lasts a few days, and the first teeth are often the most painful.
3 # Baby has digestive issues
If, in addition to refusing their bottle, your baby seems to be suffering, crying a lot, or spitting up, they might be experiencing gastroesophageal reflux (GER). Consider a anti-spit-up bottle or an anti-colic bottle to reduce the symptoms. We say it often… But in cases of reflux and infant colic, consulting a pediatrician is, of course, essential.
4 # Baby is bored of milk or the bottle
Your baby might be expressing their wish to switch to another feeding method, different from powdered milk or breast milk, by refusing their bottle. This phenomenon may appear around 4 to 6 months of age. You can now start introducing solid foods, and you can offer your baby a cup or a training cup! 🥣
5 # Transitioning from breast to bottle is difficult for baby
The transition from breast to formula with a bottle is a frequent reason why babies reject the bottle. This is because the bottle—especially the nipple—doesn't have the same smell, feel, or shape as the breast. For the most natural feeding with less risk of colic, a breastfeeding-friendly bottle with a slow-flow nipple is best to minimize breast/nipple confusion.
6 # The nipple is not suitable!
It's also possible that your baby is refusing their milk bottle because of the nipple! It may have a flow that is too fast or, on the contrary, a flow that's too slow. This could also be from the shape of the nipple: anatomical, physiologic, cherry tip... Every baby has their own preferences, and sometimes you have to try a few before finding the one that works for your baby.
7 # The environment is not conducive to feeding
The conditions and the place where you feed your baby are factors to take into account. Fuss, noise, screens... These can all be sources of distraction. If you make yourself comfortable and choose a quiet room to feed your baby, you may find the situation improves!
What can I do to help baby start taking their milk bottle again quickly?
The answer is simple:
1. Find the exact cause of the problem,
2. Put the right solutions in place.
First of all, use the process of elimination! Which of the seven reasons mentioned above best match your situation?
To figure it out:
● Observe your baby's behavior,
● Ask your partner or people close to your baby,
● Think about events you and your child have experienced recently (moving, cold, recent vaccination, a new tooth, change of formula, etc.).
For example, if you believe the issue comes from the formula you're using, it makes sense to change your formula.
For your information, formula must be adapted to the age and needs of your baby.
- If your child has GER or an intolerance to cow's milk proteins (CMP), a specialty formula may be prescribed.
- If, on the other hand, you suspect the bottle itself is solely to blame for ongoing refusals, don't wait to find one that's more likely to suit your child. 😉
To help you in your search, here are some basic criteria to keep in mind:
● A soft-textured, easy-to-hold bottle: A bottle with a soft texture, such as silicone, is ideal to offer your baby a good grip and greater ease of use when drinking milk.
This neo-material, non-allergenic and unbreakable, is perfectly suitable for food contact. Free of any substances harmful to your baby, it does not release any microplastics into baby's milk.
● A bottle that limits air intake: New parents, feeling lost over colic, can trust bottles with a special valve that reduces air swallowing.
A built-in ventilation system in the nipple will ensure proper air flow and prevent your baby from feeling bloated.
● A fun, sensory-stimulating bottle: What could be better than a bottle that's also enjoyable to use and fun? A soft or squeezable bottle, for example...Depending on the material, you'll find bottles that resemble the nurturing breast—a detail that works perfectly for a breastfed or weaning baby!
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If nothing obvious stands out, restart your investigation from the top, ruling out causes one by one. 📝
As long as your child's growth curve is on track, there's no need to worry. But don't delay in figuring out what causes baby to refuse every bottle feed. 👶
Is it possible to make up for the lack of bottle feeding with dairy products?
You can introduce plain, unsweetened yogurt if your baby has started eating solids and after you have your doctor's approval. Dairy is important for providing calcium in small children's diets.
Ideally, choose products from organic farming. Don't forget to offer water to keep your baby hydrated, either in a bottle or a sippy cup. However, milk still remains the main food for babies up to 12 months old.
Key takeaways from this article
➔ Babies sometimes refuse to drink their milk bottles. Visiting a pediatrician remains the best solution to understand the reasons behind this stubbornness.
➔ As a parent, you can also act by using a process of elimination and ruling out possible causes of bottle refusal one by one. Generally speaking, the problem comes from a bottle not suited to the child's situation (colic, reflux, mixed feeding, etc.).
➔ Silicone bottles, which are softer, more flexible, and lighter, are usually more pleasant for babies than plastic or glass bottles, which are heavier, more rigid, and therefore less comforting. Opting for a medical-grade silicone bottle, chosen with the utmost care, also ensures your baby's good health. 💝
