What should I do if my baby doesn’t take the bottle?
If you\’re a new parent, you may be worried if your baby doesn\’t take a bottle. There are many reasons why your baby won\’t take a bottle, but it\’s important to note that your baby still needs enough nutrients to support its healthy growth. Below we’ll detail why babies refuse bottles and how to fix them.
Reason 1: Wrong nipple shape
If your baby doesn\’t like the bottle, one possible reason is that the nipple isn\’t shaped right for your baby. Some babies prefer sucking rather than chewing, and some bottles have nipples that are too hard or too large, making them uncomfortable. The solution is to try as many different bottle and nipple types as possible to find the one that is most comfortable for your baby.
In addition, some babies may take in too much air, or the nipple may flow too fast, which may also cause discomfort to the baby. At this time, you can try to use specialized bottles and nipples, such as ventilated nipples and flow control nipples, to solve the problem.
Reason 2: The baby may need time to adapt
Babies need time to adapt to anything new, including bottles. If your baby doesn\’t like the bottle at first, it\’s best not to give up yet and give your baby more time to accept it. Let your baby play with the bottle and place it next to her so she can try to pick it up on her own.
In addition, parents can use some tips to help the baby adapt to the bottle, such as giving the baby a pacifier or listening to soft music during feeding, so that the baby will be more likely to accept the bottle.
Reason 3: The baby may want more intimate care
Some babies prefer to nurse against their mother or father\’s skin rather than from a bottle. This is because babies need more close attention and physical contact. To solve this problem, parents can hold the baby next to them or hold them in their arms while feeding so that the baby feels comfortable and safe.
Reason 4: The baby may need to adjust the feeding time
Some babies refuse bottles because they don\’t feel hungry. This may be because your baby\’s eating schedule hasn\’t been completely settled yet, for example they may need more frequent feedings or may have longer breaks between meals. The solution is that parents need to make some observations and feed the baby every 2-3 hours. They can also try to increase the rest time between meals to see if the baby will like to drink the bottle more after adjustment.
Summary
The above are the reasons and solutions for babies not taking bottles. When faced with this situation, parents first need to be patient and try different approaches.
It is best to adhere to a certain routine when feeding your baby and pay attention to your baby\’s reaction. If your baby continues to be uncomfortable or cannot accept a bottle, it is recommended to seek guidance and help from a doctor or other professional childcare personnel as soon as possible.
