https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 28 Apr 2026 19:07:10 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/older-infant-refusing-bottle-at-daycare#post-2919048 Wed, 16 Sep 2020 14:53:36 +0000 TapDancer 2919048@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lemonjack This is my situation exactly. My 10.5-month old went back to daycare in August and refused bottles and cups. He didn't drink a single drop the entire day, and instead started to reverse cycle at night (ugh). I wasn't worried about dehydration (especially since he had plenty of wet diapers still), but I was not excited about the late night feedings. In the end, there was nothing to do really except wait it out. I sent a straw cup filled with a tiny bit of milk and a take-n-toss hard-spout sippy cup so he could still practice with both types of cups throughout the day. I know the hard-spout cups are not ideal, but right now he's at least able to get a few sips from that fairly easily (just has to tip it up and it flows out). It took several weeks (4?) but he's finally getting the hang of it and accepting the cups. He takes a few sips from both each day and I'll eventually try to focus him on just the straw cup (since that's better for speech development).. I'm also limiting feeding at night as much as possible, so the reverse cycling comes to an end. It just takes time but they will figure it out :) Tough for mama in the meantime though!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/older-infant-refusing-bottle-at-daycare#post-2918986 Sun, 13 Sep 2020 09:22:19 +0000 LemonJack 2918986@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@julie31: Thank you! This is good to hear. I’ve bought multiple sippy cups the last few days and am working on him taking milk from one of those. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/older-infant-refusing-bottle-at-daycare#post-2918983 Sat, 12 Sep 2020 20:35:29 +0000 julie31 2918983@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was in the same situation with my youngest. He started daycare fairly late (at 8-9 months). He was refusing the bottle too, taking the bare minimum (1-2 oz during a full day). I was nursing him at the daycare center at drop off and pick up. He was too hungry to make it through the car ride back home. I was still pumping 15-20 oz a day and I ended dumping so much milk.</p> <p>I tried countless bottles and straw sippies. He never did take a bottle, but grew into straw cups cups quickly and started eating more solids. So I'm afraid I essentially had to wait it out. He's now nearly 4yo, happy and healthy. This feels like ancient history! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/older-infant-refusing-bottle-at-daycare#post-2918963 Fri, 11 Sep 2020 20:27:39 +0000 LemonJack 2918963@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@pachamama: @cake2017: I keep thinking he’ll come around, but so far he hasn’t. The first week be at least ate a few ounces, but now he refuses any milk and doesn’t eat much food either. I feel terrible knowing it’s so hard on him.</p> <p>@jennlin821: I’d be willing to try the blanket for sure. Anything to make him feel more comfortable. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/older-infant-refusing-bottle-at-daycare#post-2918935 Fri, 11 Sep 2020 13:05:43 +0000 jennlin821 2918935@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Can you wear a baby blanket or lovey next to your skin while you are sleeping, then give it to the daycare provider to use while feeding? The smell of you might help, as you think its comfort that he's looking for. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/older-infant-refusing-bottle-at-daycare#post-2918913 Thu, 10 Sep 2020 18:34:46 +0000 pachamama 2918913@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I bet he will come around. Especially bc he is older and it's probably more tied to emotions and comfort than physical rejection like you sometimes see in the younger kids. Make sure hey offer a bottle when he's hungry, not after a snack or anything. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/older-infant-refusing-bottle-at-daycare#post-2918889 Wed, 09 Sep 2020 20:30:12 +0000 cake2017 2918889@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This is hard. I don’t have much to say but just to keep trying. I think he will come around with more time? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/older-infant-refusing-bottle-at-daycare#post-2918880 Wed, 09 Sep 2020 16:39:34 +0000 LemonJack 2918880@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My youngest is nearly 10 months and just started at daycare a few weeks ago. He will NOT take a bottle and refuses to drink any milk all day. He’s there about 8.5 hours. My other two started at daycare at three months, so although both of them rejected the bottle a bit at first, it was nothing like this. He’s reverse cycling and drinking much more at home and at night, so I’m not worried about him getting enough milk, but I know he’s hungry at daycare. He’s not eating much real food there either, which I think is making his provider a little nervous. I’ve assured her he eats plenty at home, and I think honestly most of it is that he’s just not totally comfortable yet. Still, I’d like to help him (and her) as much as possible, so I’m starting him with straw sippy cups this week to help, but wondered if anyone else had any suggestions. I’m guessing this might just be something we need to wait out, but I feel bad for the little guy.</p> <p>I should edit to add that he was taking bottles this summer, which is why I wonder if this is more a comfort thing than anything else. </p>