If your baby is refusing the bottle, I want you to know two things:

1. This is more common than you think.

2. There’s help available.

Bottle refusal is very frustrating for parents.  You may be feeling anxious as you are preparing to be away from your baby, for work, an upcoming trip or some other reason. You are wondering…. how will my baby eat if I cannot get them to take a bottle? I recently took a course on bottle refusal taught by another IBCLC, Rachel O’Brien, and it gave me more tools to help families just like yours.

Let’s talk about why bottle refusal happens and what you can do.

What Is Bottle Refusal?
Bottle refusal is when a baby who has been primarily breastfeeding resists taking a bottle.

Why Does Bottle Refusal Happen?
There are multiple reasons that a baby might refuse a bottle, but these are some possibilities:

• Their body does not feel as supported when eating

• They are lacking some oral function skills that are needed to successfully drink from a bottle

• They are unsure of how to drink from a bottle since it is different than how they are used to feeding

• The type of bottle used is not comfortable for them based on their oral function skills and oral anatomy

• There may be stress around feeding time that the baby can sense

What I Learned 

From Rachel O’Brien’s course, one key takeaway stuck with me: Bottle refusal does not occur because your baby is being stubborn. Your baby just needs the skills to be able to take the bottle successfully.

Instead of forcing it, we work with your baby to develop the necessary skills.

• We honor your baby’s cues and don’t want to stress you or your baby

• Exploring bottles and feeding positions that work for your baby

In my consults, we come up with a plan tailored to your baby, your feeding goals, and your life—every family is not the same.

You Don’t Have to Do This Alone

Whether you’re preparing to return to work, or want to be flexible in how you feed your baby—I’m here to help you navigate bottle refusal without panic.

We’ll work together to help you understand what is happening and make sure you feel confident.

📍I offer in-home consults in the South Atlanta area and virtual visits for families everywhere.
👉 Are you ready for support? http://www.blossomlactationsupport.com

You’re not a failing…. Your baby is not just being stubborn. We can figure this out. I would be honored to help you navigate this and help you feel confident.