Bottle Refusal in Breastfed Infants: Don't Force This Process

The study entitled How to Approach Feeding Difficulties in Young Children determined that 25 percent of parents reported feeding-related problems and difficulties with their children at some point in their development. Thus, if your baby has been breastfeeding, attempting to introduce a bottle can entail some massive challenges. Likewise, challenges to the formula or breast milk you're providing them or the bottle you're currently using can also eventually lead to difficulties even for experienced bottle-fed babies.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) suggests delaying the introduction of foods aside from breast milk until the baby is around 6 months old, recommending exclusive breastfeeding before that time. However, the such scenario might not always be realistic as you will soon find yourself introducing the bottle early or any time during the first year.

Moreover, the formula is not the only reason why parents shift to bottles as many breastfeeding parents want to integrate bottle-feeding of breast milk for flexibility. La Leche League, a breastfeeding advocacy organization, recommends waiting until the breastfeeding baby is 3-4 weeks old before actually introducing a bottle.

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Why do some babies refuse bottles?

Unfortunately, babies can't communicate clearly, thus, parents and caregivers are left wondering, guessing, and confused why their newborn refuses bottle-feeding. The baby's feeding aversion will persist most especially while it's reinforced. An unresolved-bottle-feeding aversion actually increases the risk of the baby developing an aversion to consuming solids for the same reasons. Further, feeding issues and difficulties can continue for weeks, months, and even years.

Usually, the main reason why your baby refuses bottle-feeding is they want to continue breastfeeding and find the bottle uncomfortable or they're not hungry enough to want to feed. They might also feel unwell enough to feed so they immediately refuse bottles; Babies are indeed sensitive so if they refuse bottles, it can be because of the flavor, temperature, or texture of the milk. Babies are actually used to the flavor and texture of the milk that directly came from their mom's breasts.

Some babies refuse bottles simply because they don't want them. Truthfully, this sounds hard and even difficult when applied as babies, themselves, may not be able to express what their dislikes/like are regarding bottled milk. Although there are various reasons why your baby refuses bottles, it still depends on the situation as there are times when you can figure out the issue and fix it, per Healthline.

How to overcome baby bottle refusal?

In overcoming, bottle refusal among babies, parents should not force the process to quickly happen as you also have to give the baby enough time to adjust. It is worth remembering to have a calm but consistent approach to bottle-feeding as sometimes, own frustrations with bottle-feeding can have an enormous impact on the infant which can make it even harder for them to adapt and change.

Have a slow, consistent, and gradual transition from breastfeeding to bottle-feeding to also make your baby somehow slowly adapt; Try waiting for your baby to be sufficiently hungry before actually feeding them through bottles; You can also try changing both the size and shape so the baby would assume it's still the nipple's mom that the milk comes from.

If your baby is teething, change the temperature of the milk as teething babies prefer cold milk as it massages their gums and helps them with the pain of new teeth poking through.

Lacted suggests trying to move around while feeding the baby as this would make babies assume that they are still being breastfed. Also, gently bouncing or swaying may help some babies take the bottle.

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