Baby Doesn’t Finish the Bottle: Should You Worry?

• Is your baby being picky?
• Do you feel like they’re sulking at the very thought of having a proper meal?
• Is their appetite just not there?

Far from being a whim, your child almost certainly has excellent reasons for refusing the bottle you’re offering!

When your child hesitates to finish their bottle, it’s only natural to worry.

However, it’s important to understand that this attitude is generally not just simple sulking. Your baby has sound reasons for not drinking every drop of milk you offer.

 

CONTENTS:

• Why doesn’t baby finish their bottle?
• When to contact your pediatrician or regular doctor?
• What to do with the leftover milk in the bottle?
• Can you top off a bottle that’s already been started?
• How to reduce the risk of waste?
• Calculating the right quantity of milk so baby can finish their bottle
• Conclusion

Why doesn’t baby finish their bottle?

It’s not unusual for multiple factors to come into play when baby is reluctant with their bottle. Possible reasons include:

1. Their level of fullness: Your baby simply might not be hungry when you offer their meal. The last meal may still be too recent for their tiny stomachs to have enough room!
2. Their health and overall condition can impact their appetite. Any illness, even a simple cold, can reduce their desire to eat.
3. Your baby’s tastes change, and it’s possible they no longer like the milk you’re giving for various reasons. Have you noticed a recent change in milk composition? The taste could also be affected by the material of the bottle. Opt for an odorless bottle, preferably glass or silicone to avoid this.
4. The consistency of the bottle: Preparation can play a part. If the milk is too thick or contains cereal, your baby may have trouble drinking it. This is also the case if the bottle is too large or the quantities are not age-appropriate.
5. If you have recently stopped breastfeeding and are in the weaning period, taking the bottle may also be difficult because your baby is dealing with something entirely new. If you have started introducing solids, your baby may also be less likely to want milk.
6. If the milk is too hot or too cold, that could discourage your baby from wanting it.
7. The presence of gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) will cause discomfort with each feeding.
8. An unsuitable position or nipple are also risk factors. If the nipple flows too quickly or too slowly, feeding will be uncomfortable and frustrating for your baby. The same applies if the chosen position is uncomfortable or the bottle’s angle doesn’t allow milk to flow properly.

There are many possible reasons, so it’s essential to pay attention to your baby’s signals to determine the specific cause and address it.

When to contact your pediatrician or regular doctor?

The reasons that should prompt consultation are mainly those listed below:

• If refusing the bottle becomes a habit and there is a recurring pattern.
• If your baby seems to experience discomfort during or after meals to the point where they refuse to eat at all (crying, screaming, squirming, etc.).
• If your baby is losing weight.
• If skin problems appear on their body (patches, bumps, redness, or other issues).
• If your baby has episodes of vomiting or their bowel movements show concerning changes (unusual texture or color, changes in frequency, etc.).
• If your baby seems pale and tired after drinking milk or throughout the day.

In all these situations, medical consultation is essential! Your doctor or pediatrician is the only one able to identify possible underlying medical conditions, such as a cow’s milk protein intolerance (CMPI) or an undiagnosed GERD. They can adjust treatment as needed.

Note that the list of symptoms in this article is not exhaustive. If in doubt, contact your doctor or call 911.

What to do with the leftover milk in the bottle?

When your baby is unable to finish their bottle for any reason, you’re left with a dilemma: should you throw away the unused milk or can you store it for later use?

• In general, breast milk can be stored at room temperature for about four hours, in the refrigerator for three to four days, and in the freezer for several months. However, if you have thawed breast milk, you cannot refreeze it.

• As for formula milk, it is recommended to prepare it just before feeding and not to store it at room temperature for more than an hour.

Make sure any leftover milk is quickly refrigerated (or frozen if it's freshly expressed breast milk with a breast pump) after feeding to avoid bacterial growth. Place the formula bottle in the refrigerator within one hour, maximum.

Can you top off a bottle that’s already been started?

It’s recommended not to top off a bottle that has already been started, tempting as it might be.

Indeed, if your baby is unable to finish their bottle, you’ll end up with a mixture of different milks, increasing the risk of a preparation that is no longer safe to consume (because some of the milk could be too old).

How to reduce the risk of waste?

If your baby has seen a doctor and the problem isn’t health-related, you can:

• Make sure the nipple of the bottle is appropriate for their age and their needs.
• Make sure the milk isn’t too hot to prevent burns and avoid causing your child to reject feeding.
• Adjust the amount of milk according to their age.
• Change milk or bottles if needed to better suit their preferences.

Even with the best intentions, forcing a child to eat will not improve the situation. Never try to force the nipple into your baby’s mouth.

Calculating the right quantity of milk so baby can finish their bottle

In the first three months of life, it’s estimated that a baby should drink between 20 and 30 oz of milk per day. Of course, there are big eaters and little eaters…

Since it’s not possible to measure the amount of breast milk taken in when nursing at the breast, assume that when baby stops sucking, they simply are no longer hungry. 😉 Remember to offer both breasts at each feeding and make sure your baby is fully satisfied.

To know how many bottles and what quantities to plan for according to your child’s age, we invite you to check out our blog post dedicated to this very topic:

Conclusion

It’s normal for your baby to refuse to finish their bottle from time to time. This can be due to a variety of reasons, such as a temporary lack of appetite, and should not cause excess worry. Adults don’t always finish their plates either, but that doesn’t mean their lives are in danger.

However, it’s best to stay alert to your baby’s signals and consult a healthcare professional if additional symptoms occur (such as weight loss, digestive issues, paleness, etc.).