Just when you thought you were starting to get the hang of this whole parenting thing, the other shoe drops. Your baby is suddenly refusing their bottle. Whether your baby is going breast to bottle or has been on the bottle all along, it can be extremely frustrating when your baby refuses the bottle.
What are the Reasons for a Baby Refusing the Bottle?
There can be several reasons that your baby won’t take a bottle all of a sudden. The best thing to do before you completely stress over it is to look at common issues that may be going on. Your baby refusing a bottle when bottle feeding could be an easy fix.
- Your baby isn’t hungry
- Your baby is feeling sick
- Your baby is in an uncomfortable position
- The temperature of the milk is too hot or too cold
- The flavor of the milk is different or off
- Your baby is going through a growth spurt and wants cuddles, not milk.
Baby Suddenly Refusing Bottle at 2 months.
Your baby’s bottle refusal could be due to a change in your baby’s reflex movements. Baby’s movements in their first weeks are usually done involuntarily. It happens by reflex, which means your baby isn’t even trying to make these movements happen. This includes their sucking reflex.
At around 2 months, the sucking reflex disappears. Your baby is now trying to coordinate sucking with breathing and swallowing. These are difficult movements to have to do voluntarily on your own suddenly.
If your 2 months baby stopped taking a bottle, it could be because they are getting used to no longer having a reflex that makes sucking and breathing, and swallowing happen involuntarily.
Breastfed Baby Suddenly Refusing Bottle
If your recently breastfed baby is suddenly refusing a bottle, it could be because they still want to be breastfed. Your baby is used to snuggling with you and smelling your skin as they nurse breast milk. A bottle is just not the same, and they are having a hard time adjusting. Be patient with your baby. Most importantly, stay consistent.
Formula Fed Baby Suddenly Refusing Bottle 2 Months
If your formula-fed baby suddenly refuses a bottle around 2 months, they may have recently had a negative experience during bottle feeding. The flow could have been too much, and they ended up choking or throwing up. Be patient with them and go slow. Be reassuring. Remind yourself that this too shall pass.
What to do when the baby doesn’t take a bottle?
So now that you may have a better understanding of why your baby could be refusing the bottle, here are some tips to help you through this phase.
- Wait until your baby is hungry
- Maintain a calm environment
- Avoid Distractions
- Don’t show anger
- Don’t be anxious during feeding
- Hold baby in a different position
- Identify any changes going on in the household
- Check to make sure the formula or breast milk tastes spoiled
- Take a break if you get too frustrated and have someone else try
- Take a moment to relieve gas
- Change the feeding schedule to a more on-demand schedule for a bit.
Tips for Breastfed Baby Refusing a Bottle
If your recently breastfed baby is having a hard time transitioning to a bottle or suddenly refusing a bottle, there are some things you can try.
1. Have Someone Else Feed the Baby
If possible, have your spouse or someone else give your baby the bottle. Your baby associates you with breastfeeding, so they may be expecting a breast and disappointed that it is a bottle.
2. Put a Drop of Breastmilk on Your Baby’s Lips
If you are pumping and giving breast milk in a bottle, try putting a drop of breast milk on their lips. Once they taste the breastmilk, they may feel more comfortable taking the bottle, knowing they are still getting breastmilk.
3. Slow Down the Transition
If you still have the ability to breastfeed, slow down the transition. They might have been weaned off too fast. Try breastfeeding a little first and then switch to a bottle or vice versa; always try the bottle first and then give them a breast after a couple of ounces. Be consistent and steady, slowly reducing the time you breastfeed.
4. Use a Different Nipple Flow
Try a different flow for the nipple during bottle feeding. While breastfeeding, they have to work for the milk a little bit. The bottle may be flowing too fast for them and cause baby to choke. Try a nipple that closely mimics breastfeeding so the milk flow is slower. It can also be coming out too slow; they may have become more efficient at eating and are ready for a faster milk flow.
5. Use A Different Bottle
Try a different bottle. Your baby may not like the feel of the bottle. Get a bottle that closes simulates breastfeeding and the look of a breast for an easy transition.
Bottle-feeding Remedies to Help Your Baby Accept a Bottle
Having a baby suddenly refuse to take their bottle can be a stressful experience for any parent. A formula-fed baby suddenly refusing bottle 3 months may be due to a milestone your baby is experiencing during this time. This sudden bottle refusal usually is accompanied by an increase in fussiness and crying. If your baby that was previously bottle feeding is suddenly refusing the bottle, you can try a few things to help the situation easily.
1. Experiment with a Different Formula
Your baby may not like the taste of the formula anymore. Or, first, you can try changing the temperature a bit if they were previously drinking the formula fine. They may want their bottle a little warmer or possibly colder, especially if they happen to be teething. Try using room temperature milk.
2. Change the Bottle
Experiment with different-shaped bottles. Your baby may no longer like the feel or texture of the bottle.
3. Use a Different Flow Nipple
Try a different nipple on the bottle. The milk flow may have become too slow for them, and they are ready for a faster flow nipple. Or, the flow may be coming out too fast, and they can’t swallow it fast enough. Experiment with different flows.
When to See a Doctor if your Baby Suddenly Refuses a Bottle?
A few things to look out for indicating it is more than your baby just refusing the bottle. If you notice any of the following paired with your baby refusing their bottle, contact your doctor:
- Your baby is having difficulty gaining weight
- You notice weight loss or lack of growth
- You notice emotional or behavioral issues
- Your baby has a fever
- Your baby is vomiting
- They are constantly crying, and you are unable to console them
- Your baby has diarrhea
- They are having difficulty breathing
- You notice they may have tongue-tie or lip tie
- They are grabbing at their ears, and you suspect an ear infection.
How to Bottle Feed a Baby
Here are some tips and rules to consider before introducing a bottle to your baby.
- Status of the bottle- make sure equipment is clean and working properly-check nipples for wear and replace them when needed.
- Follow Directions- prepare the formula according to the directions on the formula container.
- Breastmilk Preparation- follow safe storage and preparation for breastmilk.
–Breastmilk can be stored at room temperature for up to 4 hours after pumping. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Once heated, breastmilk cannot be stored again. It can be stored in the freezer if you are not going to use it within 4 days. Typically you want to store it in the freezer or a breast milk cooler bag shortly after pumping.
–You can thaw breastmilk overnight in the refrigerator. Once it is thawed, it cannot be refrozen. If you want to heat the breastmilk, never use a microwave; it can damage the milk and create hot spots that burn your baby’s mouth. If you need to heat it, you can gently heat it by running it under warm water or placing it in a mug of warm water.
- Incline feeding- feeding baby on an incline can reduce gas; laying baby completely flat allows air to build up and can lead to uncomfortable gas. An incline of 45 degrees is best for bottle feeding.
- Switch Sides- If you are switching from breastfeeding, mimic switching sides like when you breastfeed when you first introduce a bottle.
- Baby Cues- Learn your baby’s cues that tell you when they are done eating. If the baby pulls away or turns their head, they may be done or need to take a break.
- Only feed when interested- If you give your baby a break from eating and you try again, and they don’t seem interested, they are done.
- Burp Baby- During a break or when you switch sides, you can burp your baby. Try to burp the baby every 2-3 oz, so they don’t accumulate any air.
- Start Early- If possible, start introducing a bottle as early as you can. Around 1 month, introduce a bottle, even if it is just for an ounce or 2. This gets them used to a bottle, and it may become easier once you need them to use a bottle more.
FAQs About a Baby Refusing Bottles
1. When do babies start refusing bottles?
The most common age that a baby refuses a bottle is around 2 months. This is due to swallowing and breathing no longer being a reflex and now becoming a voluntary movement.
At around 2 months and maybe even 3 months, a baby is now learning to swallow, breathe, and suck simultaneously. This new skill may cause a 2 or 3-month-old to refuse a bottle.
2. How do you stop a baby from refusing a bottle?
One way to possibly avoid bottle refusal is to introduce a bottle as soon as possible. Get your baby used to a bottle by around 1 month, even if it is just for 1 meal or a couple of ozs. The more often they use a bottle interchangeably, the less chance they will refuse it when the time comes that they will use a bottle all of the time.
3. Can teething cause the baby to reject the bottle?
If your baby refuses a bottle and cries, it could be caused by pain. If a 10 months baby suddenly refuses a bottle it could be a different reason than a 2-month-old. Teething could be the cause of this sudden bottle refusal. When a new tooth is coming in, their gums are sensitive, and they feel some pressure. The sucking motion can intensify the pressure and cause them more pain.
If you suspect your baby is teething, try cold milk. If your baby prefers a certain milk temperature they could be refusing the bottle due to it being too hot or cold. Cold milk can help soothe their gums and help with the teething pain, making it easier for them to suck on the bottle.
4. Will the baby refuse the bottle if tired?
Your baby may be refusing the bottle if they happen to be overtired or over-hungry. If a baby is overtired, it can be challenging to get them to eat. Try calming your baby before giving them the bottle. This can be the reason for a 6 months baby not finishing a bottle.
5. Is Bottle refusal a phase?
Most of the time, bottle refusal is a phase. Especially if your Baby is suddenly refusing a bottle around 3 months or 2 months, this is when they are learning how to suck, breathe, and swallow on their own. It was a reflex, involuntary movement that babies are born with, and now it is switching to a voluntary movement meaning your baby is now controlling what they do.
If your baby is refusing a bottle, give them some time and be patient with them. Keep trying and staying consistent, but don’t force it. They will eventually get back into taking a bottle like normal.
Best Bottles for Babies
The following are some great options for bottles. These help babies that were previously breastfed transition to a bottle, and they are great for bottle-fed babies since they are comfortable for the baby to hold as well.
Conclusion
There can be several reasons why your baby is suddenly refusing a bottle. If your baby was starting to use a bottle and was previously breastfed, you may want to try to slow the transition if possible. They may be having a hard time adjusting. You could also try a different bottle and nipple, one that resembles breastfeeding.
If your baby was previously using a bottle just fine and then suddenly baby is refusing the bottle, you could also try a different bottle or nipple. They may have become more efficient at eating and need a faster flow nipple.
The temperature of the milk or formula may also need to be adjusted. If your baby is experiencing any pain from teething, they may prefer colder milk, for example.
The phase of your baby refusing the bottle will soon pass. Be patient with your baby, and try to be consistent with trying to give them a bottle. With some small changes, your baby will soon feel comfortable drinking a bottle again.
