https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 09 May 2026 12:27:15 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lo-wont-take-a-bottle/page/2#post-2694176 Wed, 08 Feb 2017 19:25:10 +0000 Pumpkin Pie 2694176@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yay! Good to hear @jill_a55. I'm working on bottles for my 7 week old. She'll take a couple sips but will get really pissed after and then reject the bottle all together. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lo-wont-take-a-bottle/page/2#post-2694166 Wed, 08 Feb 2017 18:55:24 +0000 Kitkat 2694166@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@jill_a55: bumping this. We're going through the same situation. DS is 4 months, refusing bottles, and I go back to work next Wednesday and he starts daycare. He used to take them without a problem, but we stopped giving them for awhile and now he usually refuses. When he does take one, he does it like a pro, so I don't think there's a problem with excess lipase or anything like that. How long did it take for your LO to take them at daycare without a problem? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lo-wont-take-a-bottle/page/2#post-2616466 Tue, 06 Sep 2016 09:43:05 +0000 Mama Bird 2616466@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>That's great, glad to see your update! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lo-wont-take-a-bottle/page/2#post-2616353 Tue, 06 Sep 2016 05:20:43 +0000 mrswin 2616353@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@jill_a55: Silly baby, stress mamma out! I'm so glad he started taking the bottle, it was the same for me too, my DD just one day decided that she was going to finally start drinking a bottle :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lo-wont-take-a-bottle/page/2#post-2616341 Tue, 06 Sep 2016 00:21:25 +0000 jill_a55 2616341@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Just wanted to chime back in with an update. My LO finally starting taking a bottle! We had tried to use a nuk soft spout cup for a while because it was all anyone could get him to kind of suck on and then randomly one day my mom gave him a Dr. Browns bottle and he took it! At first he had to be really distracted, but now he will take them with little to no distraction and even let's me give him them. I am so relieved, and it took so much stress away! </p> <p>I cant thank you all enough for your tips and encouragement! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lo-wont-take-a-bottle/page/2#post-2608761 Mon, 22 Aug 2016 22:25:19 +0000 jill_a55 2608761@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@AnnabelleG: we've upped the flow on the bottles and have tried warming it, even stopping in the middle of feeding to get it warmer as well </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lo-wont-take-a-bottle#post-2608760 Mon, 22 Aug 2016 22:24:05 +0000 jill_a55 2608760@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: my mom got the best results so far this afternoon. She got him to latch onto a dr. Browns bottle and drink 2.5 ounces and then he ate cereal with another 1.5 ounces of milk in it. We'll have to try the scent thing... Maybe I'll leave something tomorrow for her to try. Thanks! </p> <p>@mrswin: I am going to try it. I still swear it's not that, but wouldn't hurt to try. My thing is, he's refusing the same if I pump and have some one give it to him immediately, and doesn't that taste form over time, like at least a few hours? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lo-wont-take-a-bottle#post-2608641 Mon, 22 Aug 2016 18:07:48 +0000 AnnabelleG 2608641@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I didn't read every comment so I apologize if I'm repeating... My 3m old wouldn't take a bottle either. We started heating up the milk warmer (obv not scalding but warmer than Luke warm) and used a larger flow nipple. He started taking it then. It's also possible he just gave in... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lo-wont-take-a-bottle#post-2608598 Mon, 22 Aug 2016 16:20:43 +0000 mrswin 2608598@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@jill_a55: I'm sorry things haven't improved yet. Have you tried scalding the pumped milk before feeding it? I was adamant that it wasn't soapy but my husband insisted it smelled and tasted weird. As soon as we scalded the milk things got sooo much better. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lo-wont-take-a-bottle#post-2608597 Mon, 22 Aug 2016 16:20:22 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2608597@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Has it gotten any better? Is it possible your LO strongly prefers your scent when feeding? If you transferred your scent onto a burp cloth or blanket and someone else fed him would he eat? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lo-wont-take-a-bottle#post-2608595 Mon, 22 Aug 2016 16:15:40 +0000 jill_a55 2608595@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LuLu Mom: I spoke with my ped. and the conversation was more geared towards dehydration and what to look for. My LO is a big boy so I don't think weight loss concerns them too much. They also said that I shouldn't stop nursing, so that plus what I read here for the most part has kind of made that decision </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lo-wont-take-a-bottle#post-2608584 Mon, 22 Aug 2016 15:52:42 +0000 LuLu Mom 2608584@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@jill_a55: Have you spoken with your doctor/gone in for weight check to make sure LO is not losing weight? The pediatrician might be able to give tips too and help guide you on what is best </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lo-wont-take-a-bottle#post-2608543 Mon, 22 Aug 2016 14:56:42 +0000 jill_a55 2608543@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So week one is in the books, still awful. 😢 He's doing a little better with a soft spout trainer cup than an actual bottle, buts it's quite the process. We continued trying over the weekend to keep him on schedule as well. I'm not going to stop nursing, which is a relief for my emotional wellbeing. He's taking rice cereal, very liquidy, pretty well so I fee okay with the amount of milk he's getting between the two. </p> <p>My babysitter just texted me and said we need to sit down and have a talk though, so I'm sure that is going to be something about his eating as well. 😕 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lo-wont-take-a-bottle#post-2606248 Thu, 18 Aug 2016 13:08:12 +0000 LuLu Mom 2606248@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@jill_a55: It sucked but the weight loss was happening, and I just couldn't let my feelings outweigh what was best for her. We did syringe feed (at daycare) for the first couple weeks, but even that she fought and would only get max of 4 oz. through the day. I hope your baby comes around. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lo-wont-take-a-bottle#post-2605902 Thu, 18 Aug 2016 08:44:37 +0000 My Only Sunshine 2605902@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@jill_a55: We just went through bottle refusal before I went back to work with our 3 month old! It was so frustrating.</p> <p>We tried seriously every bottle they sell at Target, Walmart, and a few from Amazon. The winners for us were the Mam bottles. We had to start feeding him in the Boppy, not holding him. And the milk had to be body temp or warmer. And we held the bottle horizontal and got him to just check it out for a while without milk pouring down at him, which seemed to help. The first feedings took FOREVER and if he got too frustrated I'd just nurse him and try again the next time.</p> <p>I didn't switch to pumping, but what I did do for a few days once he was sort of taking a bottle was "bottle boot camp." At the start of at least 3 feedings a day I'd get him to take half an ounce by bottle, then I'd nurse him. I figured half an ounce here and there for a couple days wasn't going to tank my supply, but it really helped him with bottles.</p> <p>He's been in daycare for 2 weeks and takes bottles no problem now. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lo-wont-take-a-bottle#post-2605901 Thu, 18 Aug 2016 08:42:58 +0000 mrswin 2605901@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@jill_a55: check Kellymom for how to scald milk, you don't want it to actually boil, you bring it up to around 190 degrees.<br /> <a href="http://kellymom.com/bf/pumpingmoms/milkstorage/lipase-expressedmilk/" rel="nofollow">http://kellymom.com/bf/pumpingmoms/milkstorage/lipase-expressedmilk/</a></p> <p>I honestly wouldn't stop nursing. Just keep doing what you do when you are home. He will adapt to the bottle. Like I said it took my LO almost 2 weeks to be drinking full feeds. </p> <p>Another thing my SO reminded me about was that he had to heat the bottle up so the milk was VERY warm, bordering on hot! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lo-wont-take-a-bottle#post-2605810 Thu, 18 Aug 2016 05:05:44 +0000 Cherrybee 2605810@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Y'know...... my DD2 has been exclusively formula fed from 2 weeks old and we are going through the same thing (4.5 months old). She fights and fights when I try to feed her. The only way I can get a bottle of milk down her is to swaddle her, lie her in her bed, and feed her on her back. :bummed: She will also take milk in between spoons of baby rice, sitting in her bouncy chair - I got 7oz down her last night using that method. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lo-wont-take-a-bottle#post-2605800 Thu, 18 Aug 2016 00:23:19 +0000 jill_a55 2605800@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@kiddosc: I may try that tomorrow night if tomorrow doesn't go well, my LO isn't the most patient one, so feedings are usually pretty quick and I don't know that we'd be able to do the transitions. Anything's worth a shot though! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lo-wont-take-a-bottle#post-2605799 Thu, 18 Aug 2016 00:18:46 +0000 jill_a55 2605799@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LuLu Mom: the idea of this breaks my heart 😢 I know weaning happens for all different reasons, but I really wanted it to be on my terms! I know it's an option to try, but I think we'll hold off at least another day or two to try the formula route </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lo-wont-take-a-bottle#post-2605798 Thu, 18 Aug 2016 00:14:30 +0000 jill_a55 2605798@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Jess1483: thank you for all the tips and thoughts! He does prefer it pretty warm, so we've had to stop and warm it back up mid feed a few times. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lo-wont-take-a-bottle#post-2605797 Thu, 18 Aug 2016 00:12:08 +0000 jill_a55 2605797@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrswin: this may be a dumb question, but how do you scald milk? Just boil it? I tasted it and I didn't get any metallic or soapy taste, but could be worth a shot. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lo-wont-take-a-bottle#post-2605796 Thu, 18 Aug 2016 00:08:10 +0000 jill_a55 2605796@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks everyone for your responses! I tasted the milk and I don't think it tastes like anything is off about it, so I don't believe that is the problem- although not totally ruling it out. I have been reading through and talking with my mom and sitter to figure out what to try next. Both think I need to stop nursing and just pump while he gets the hang of it, which just breaks my heart. Today at the sitter's house he took a total of 6 ounces, but she had to like drip it into his mouth. We tried more once I got home, as well as using a little apple juice to try to get him to take to the bottle-that worked for a few minutes but when we tried the milk again it did not. We gave him rice cereal for the first time, mixed with milk and he loved it, so I know he at least got about 2 more ounces in. I am really hoping that he doesn't flip his feeding schedule around like some of you have mentioned, I'm so exhausted as is! hopefully once we get through this week things will get better.</p> <p>I will make sure to respond to you all over the next couple days as we try stuff, thanks again for all your great tips and links. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lo-wont-take-a-bottle#post-2605697 Wed, 17 Aug 2016 20:06:19 +0000 Foodnerd81 2605697@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Pickle: we have some munchkin ones that really are better for older babies, too hard to suck out of. I think they all leak, especially milk, after a while. Maybe I'll try that one. Everything else she has is a hand me down from big sister. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lo-wont-take-a-bottle#post-2605690 Wed, 17 Aug 2016 19:58:45 +0000 Pollywog 2605690@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So my stubborn LO flat out refused a bottle from 3 weeks to 3 months then would take 4-5 ounces during a 6-8 hour day for months 4&amp;5. Then at 6 months he began drinking 10-14 ounces during his day. I ended up nursing all night. As my pediatrician said "he proved he could sleep through the night and could go 8-10 hours without food. He just is fasting during the day". My LO continues to be in the 90th percentile in weight, so it didn't harm him. Just nurse like crazy when you're together </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lo-wont-take-a-bottle#post-2605677 Wed, 17 Aug 2016 19:22:24 +0000 Mrs. Pickle 2605677@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Foodnerd81: The Zoli. After 4 months of constant use its starting to leak though. :( We bought a munchkin one on a whim at the grocery store and DD has a harder time drinking out of it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lo-wont-take-a-bottle#post-2605670 Wed, 17 Aug 2016 19:11:04 +0000 Foodnerd81 2605670@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Pickle: what cup do you use? We have had some luck with my 8 month old drinking breastmilk from her straw cup but I'm just not thrilled with the cup itself. I'd be willing to try a different one since i have given up on bottles. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lo-wont-take-a-bottle#post-2605637 Wed, 17 Aug 2016 17:41:28 +0000 Mrs. Pickle 2605637@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was never able to get DD to take a bottle. I started her on a straw cup as soon as she turned 6 months. She'll drink breastmilk out of that with no problem. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lo-wont-take-a-bottle#post-2605619 Wed, 17 Aug 2016 17:13:48 +0000 autumnlove 2605619@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The first week was a rough adjustment for LO 2 but she started taking bottles there after that. Hang in there! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lo-wont-take-a-bottle#post-2605578 Wed, 17 Aug 2016 16:14:04 +0000 kiddosc 2605578@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For A we had to pick a bottle type and then just commit to working with that bottle. Once that was settled, we warmed the milk until it was almost too warm. Then I would nurse her and DH would sit next to me with the bottle. Once she was settled in, I'd pop my breast out and he'd pop the bottle in. She'd usually get a few sips in before she got pissed. Then I'd just pop her back on the breast. Rinse/Repeat. She actually took a bottle from me better than anyone else, go figure. It really only took 3 sessions like that before she took the bottle alone with only minor protest. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/lo-wont-take-a-bottle#post-2605577 Wed, 17 Aug 2016 16:11:25 +0000 mauxie 2605577@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've had this issue with all 3 of my LOs when it was time for me to return to work. I was not so good with practicing bottles the 4 months I was home bc for me, it was just easier to nurse. I had to bottle train them the 1-2 weeks before childcare started. </p> <p>With DD and DS1, I tried a variety of bottles and the usual stuff like having DH/someone else try, warm bottles, very warm bottles, feeding while in motion, feeding facing out, etc. Took a few days and some tears but they eventually got it down (Tommee Tippee and Lansinoh mOmma bottles).</p> <p>With DS2, I didn't try out different bottle brands. I just stuck with the Lansinoh bottle and didn't offer to nurse for a couple days during the day time. He was stubborn but what worked for me initially was to babywear him in my ergo and let him be a little distracted. So he was facing me, upright, and I would walk around and feed him without making eye contact lol. He tends to like pretty warm bottles with faster flow since I have a strong let-down. </p>