How to Get Your Breastfed Baby to Take a Bottle (Bottle Refusal Solutions from an IBCLC)
You’ve tried every bottle, nipple, and internet tip out there—and your baby still refuses a bottle. You’re exhausted, dreading your return to work, and wondering what you’re missing. Take a breath—this struggle is temporary, and there’s a path forward.
This blog post is for you if:
Your breastfed baby was taking a bottle as a newborn, but now that they are a little bit older they are refusing to take it.
You never tried a bottle when your baby was a newborn, but now that you have tried it they are refusing it.
You have already tried all the things the internet says to try when a baby refuses a bottle, and you have bought every bottle on the market, and your baby is STILL refusing a bottle.
As an IBCLC, some of the most stressed-out families I see in my office are there because their breastfed baby won’t take a bottle. Many times, these families have a deadline looming when their baby MUST be able to take a bottle, such as the end of maternity leave. By the time they make it to my office they have tried all the things and usually have quite the collection of bottles they have tried to no avail.
If you're here, your baby is likely refusing a bottle, and I want you to know—you are not alone and it’s not your fault. I see babies who were taking a bottle just fine and then won’t take it anymore after a week of parents not offering. It happens!
Why Does Your Breastfed Baby Refuse the Bottle?
Bottle feeding is a skill, and you can teach your baby that skill.
The first thing I want you to know is that bottle feeding is a skill, and despite what bottle companies want you to think, there is no bottle that is “just like” a breast. A breast is soft, malleable tissue and a bottle nipple is firm, rigid silicone or rubber. You can read more about choosing a bottle in this blog post.
Most healthy full-term babies are born with a strong sucking reflex (premature babies and some babies with birth trauma or other medical issues might have a harder time). That means if anything touches the roof of their mouth—a breast, a pacifier, a bottle nipple, your finger—that suck reflex is triggered, and they suck on that object. If your baby is having a hard time sucking at birth, I recommend you work with an IBCLC right away to figure out why your baby is struggling.
Many reflexes your infant is born with will at some point integrate. This means that your baby will no longer respond involuntarily in the same way and instead gains more voluntary, controlled movements. This process is part of normal development and helps pave the way for higher-level skills and purposeful actions. Sucking becomes intentional.
So basically, your breastfed baby most likely just can’t figure out how to suck on that bottle nipple. The most common age I see infants in my office for bottle refusal is 3–5 months. This is when that suck reflex isn’t firing as strong and they don’t know what the heck to do with this silicone thing in their mouth. I promise they aren’t trying to make you go crazy on purpose.
General Suggestions for Breastfed Baby Bottle Refusal
(You may have already tried these.)
Rest the nipple to your baby’s chin and lips and wait for that nice wide mouth before you gently help it in, instead of popping it straight in when their mouth is barely open.
Warm the milk to about body temperature and, if they’re not impressed, try it just a little warmer or cooler to see if that makes a difference.
Note about using frozen milk: If you are using frozen milk instead of freshly pumped, you might want to give that milk a sniff. If it smells off it could be because of normal fat breakdown that occurs during storage. Although it is perfectly safe for your baby, some babies do not like the taste and will refuse it.
Try distracting your baby with their favorite toy or, if they love that ceiling fan, turn it on so they can be mesmerized while you offer the bottle.
Play around with positions: more upright on your lap, facing out, side‑lying, or walking/rocking while offering the bottle to see what feels best for your baby.
Resist the urge to keep buying new bottles. Pick one or two that support a deep latch and stick with them while you work on the skill.
If these general tips aren't working and your baby is just chewing/pushing the nipple around with their tongue (instead of sucking), try this next step-by-step approach...
Step-by-Step: Teach Your Breastfed Baby to Take a Bottle
1. This is probably the most important step: don’t freak out. Our babies are co-regulators. That means if you are feeling stressed and anxious your baby will pick up on this and feel stressed and anxious. Take a few deep breaths. Make sure you are in a calm state before trying bottle feeds with your baby.
2. Start with just the bottle nipple and collar. Rest the nipple on your baby’s chin to get them to open their mouth before putting the nipple in their mouth (see picture below). When they open their mouth, this is them saying it is okay and they are ready. You can then insert the nipple into their mouth. What happens when you do this? Does your baby suck or does their tongue thrust and push the nipple around with no sucking?
3. If your baby cannot figure out how to suck on the bottle nipple, we do not want to introduce milk yet. They won’t be ready for the milk coming at them, which is overwhelming and can also cause coughing and choking. Keep practicing a few times a day with just the nipple. If they can’t seem to figure out the sucking piece, it’s time to get some one-on-one help.
4. Once they can suck on the bottle nipple without milk it’s time to introduce some milk. Pick a time of day to try the bottle when your baby is at their best. Don’t expect a full feed at this point. BABY STEPS! Start with maybe an ounce of milk in the bottle. I love to talk softly to the baby, hum, or sing while doing this. It can help calm not only your baby but you.
6. If they take a few sucks and swallows and then they stop—amazing. That’s a win. Once they start crying, getting mad and frustrated it is time to stop. We never want to keep pushing a nipple into their mouth when they are giving us signs that they are done as doing this, over time, could lead to complete aversion.
8. Keep trying every day. And once they are sucking on the bottle and are taking some milk, then keep doing it once daily. Remember, it is a skill and we want them to keep that skill fresh.
When Bottle Refusal Needs an IBCLC
If bottle refusal persists beyond a week of daily practice, or if you notice feeding difficulties beyond bottle acceptance—such as trouble sucking, coughing, or choking during feeds—consult with an IBCLC. They can offer a personalized assessment, oral function screening, and a tailored plan based on your baby’s unique situation.
Bottle refusal is both common and solvable, though every baby’s path to bottle acceptance may differ. Stay patient, prioritize gentle practice, and remember you’re not alone. If you need extra support, reach out for a consultation so you and your baby can succeed together.
This is not personal medical advice, nor is it a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment. If you are concerned about your baby’s feedings then getting one-on-one support from an IBCLC is recommended. We offer individualized care virtually worldwide and in person consults for bottle refusal in the Atlanta area.
