When a mother has to go out or starts working, a bottle is a great help in giving her baby milk on time. But what if your baby suddenly says that he can't drink milk from a bottle? Then it's normal to feel very scared and worried. Many mothers think, "Oh, my milk is not enough?", "Is something wrong with the baby?" But don't worry, most of the time there is a simple reason for this. If we look into it a little and work with a little patience, we can solve this problem.
What are the reasons why a baby might not like the bottle?
There can be many reasons why a baby might refuse a bottle. Let's break these reasons down into two categories. Sometimes the problem is with the bottle or the milk. Other times, the problem is with the baby.
Let's check the bottle and the milk first.
Before blaming the baby, let's check if the bottle and milk we are giving are correct. Check the following things.
| What to check | Description and what to do |
|---|---|
| Milk temperature | Check the temperature of the milk. Some babies like to drink milk a little warm. Others prefer lukewarm milk. Test the temperature by putting a few drops of milk on your wrist. It should be at the right temperature for your baby. |
| The hole in the soup (Teat) | The hole in the bottle spout can sometimes get clogged with milk powder. Try turning the bottle upside down. If the milk drips out continuously, it's okay. Otherwise, clean the spout thoroughly. |
| Teat Size | Breast pumps come in different sizes and flow rates. If your baby seems to be choking when he sucks in the milk, or is getting frustrated because the milk is coming in too slowly, try a different size breast pump. |
| Expiration date of powdered milk | If you are giving formula, check to see if it has expired. Also, check the expiration date on a can of formula and do not use it after that date. |
Now let's look at the reasons from the baby's side.
If there is no problem with the bottle or the milk, the cause may be on the baby's side.
- Is your baby sick? For example, if your baby has a cold, an ear infection , or a throat infection, he may feel pain when sucking. That's why he may not want to drink milk. Some babies are also a little reluctant to drink milk when teething. If you have any doubts, be sure to see a doctor and get advice.
- Distracted? Does your baby look around while you're breastfeeding? Does he look at the TV or at a noise? Sometimes even the smallest thing can distract your baby. So, try to breastfeed in a quiet, calm place as much as possible.
- Is your baby full? Have you recently started giving your baby solid foods? If so, he may be full from what he has eaten. So there may not be enough room for him to drink from the bottle.
- Tired of the bottle? Some babies lose interest in drinking from a bottle when they start eating solid foods and get used to the taste. That's also very normal.
The most important thing is to never try to force your baby to drink from a bottle. Doing so can make your baby more afraid of the bottle and dislike it. Be patient and try again after a while.
A few tips to get your baby used to the bottle again
Okay, now you have a little idea of what the cause might be. Now let's see what can be done about it.
- Try to keep them away from their mother: Some babies will not take a bottle from anyone else unless their mother is with them. They know that they will get breast milk if they are with their mother. In such cases, try giving the bottle to their father or grandmother/grandfather while their mother is in a separate room .
- Try different positions: Babies may not like the same position they are in when feeding from a bottle as they do when breastfeeding. Try feeding your baby by sitting on your lap, holding him slightly upright so he can look around.
- Walk around a bit: Some babies prefer to be breastfed while walking slowly around the room, holding their baby, and gently rocking them, rather than nursing from one place.
- Let your baby hold the bottle: Instead of putting the bottle tip directly into your baby's mouth, place it near their lower lip. This will allow them to start sucking on the tip of the bottle, just like they would when they were breastfeeding. This will give them a familiar feeling.
- Wrap the bottle in a cloth: Try wrapping the bottle in a small piece of cloth that smells like mom, or a burping cloth. The baby will feel safe when they smell mom.
- Taste your breast milk: It's very rare for breast milk to taste different. Sometimes, the milk can have a "soapy taste." This is caused by changes in the mother's diet. This can happen especially when she starts taking things like fish oil supplements . But this doesn't affect the quality of the milk, nor does it make it unsafe. It just changes the taste a little.
- Try another method: If your baby won't drink from a bottle, try giving him some milk from a sippy cup , spoon, or regular cup. Hold your baby upright on your lap, slowly bring the milk closer to his mouth, and let him drink at his own pace.
Finally, keep in mind...
Don't worry if your baby refuses the bottle. Most babies will get used to drinking from a bottle again after a while. Patience is the key here.
If you have a routine where you feed your baby at the same time every day, it's good to change it up a bit sometimes. If he doesn't like it when you feed him, hold him for a while, play with him, or take him for a short walk in the stroller. Then try again.
No matter what, mother and baby will work together to find the best way to satisfy their hunger and keep them happy. Because your baby loves you very much. He knows that you are there to help him and to make sure that everything is okay.
Take-Home Message
- Never force your baby to drink from a bottle. Be patient and try again.
- First, check the teat of the bottle, the temperature of the milk, and the expiration date if it is formula.
- If you suspect your baby has an illness such as a cold, sore throat, or ear infection, see your doctor immediately.
- Try different techniques, such as changing the feeding position, walking, and wrapping the bottle in a cloth.
- If the bottle is rejected, you can try feeding from a sippy cup or spoon.
- If you are still concerned about this, it is normal. Talk to your doctor about this and get the right advice.
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