Why Babies Refuse Bottles
How to Get My Baby To Take a Bottle
If your baby refuses to take a bottle, you’re not alone. Bottle refusal is one of the most common—and most frustrating—early feeding challenges for parents. Whether you’re returning to work, sharing feeding duties, or simply want more flexibility, watching your baby reject the bottle can feel overwhelming.
The good news? Many families find ways to make the bottle-feeding transition feel more comfortable. One parent-loved tool is Bottimals—the bottle-lovey® designed to bring your scent to feeding time, adding familiarity and comfort to the experience.
What is Bottle Refusal?
Bottle refusal happens when a baby consistently rejects drinking from a bottle, even if they are hungry. This can happen with breastfed or formula-fed babies, and it can occur at any age, though it’s most common between 2–6 months.
Some babies refuse because they’re used to the comfort and familiarity of nursing. Others struggle with the difference in flow, temperature, or texture. Whatever the reason, bottle refusal can cause frustration, stress, and concern for both parents and babies.
Common Causes of Bottle Refusal
Understanding the “why” is the first step to finding the right solution. Common causes include:
- Preference for breastfeeding: Babies love the closeness, warmth, and scent of their mom.
- Flow issues: Too fast or too slow bottle nipples can frustrate a baby.
- Newness: If a bottle is introduced too late, babies may resist the unfamiliar feeding method.
- Scent differences: Babies recognize and are comforted by their parent’s scent. Without it, they may feel less inclined to feed.
- Timing: Trying a bottle when a baby is overtired or upset can make refusal more likely.
Tips to Help Your Baby Take a Bottle
Here are some tried-and-true ways to help overcome bottle refusal:
- Offer the bottle when your baby is calm, not starving.
- Experiment with different nipples to find one with a familiar flow.
- Try different positions—upright, cradled, or facing outward.
- Warm the bottle nipple so it feels closer to breastfeeding.
- Use movement—gently rocking or walking can help soothe a fussy baby.
- Have someone else try feeding—sometimes babies are more receptive when the breastfeeding parent isn’t nearby.
- Add comfort through scent—this is where Bottimals makes a difference as reported by real families.
Why Scent Comfort Works
Babies are born with a strong sense of smell and often respond positively to familiar scents from their caregivers. A parent’s scent can be reassuring, signaling warmth and comfort. Adding your scent to the bottle is one way families create a more familiar and comforting feeding experience.
Our bottle-lovey® features a removable scent pad that you wear close to your skin. When placed in the pocket of the soft animal cover, it brings your scent along with the bottle, helping make feeding moments feel cozy and familiar for your baby.
How Bottimals Brings Comfort to Bottle-Feeding
- Familiar scent = more comfort → Babies feel secure and more willing to feed.
- Easy to use → Wear, insert scent pad, slide onto bottle.
- Works with most bottles → Compatible with standard and wide-neck bottles.
- Adorable and practical → Doubles as a soft lovey for emotional connection
Many parents enjoy using Bottimals as part of their bottle-feeding routine and report that it can make feeding moments feel calmer and more comforting for both baby and caregiver.
Parent Success Stories
“Thanks to the bottle lovey our 7 month old is taking bottles with no issues when she had only ever finished one bottle in her life before it! ” – Laina R.
“My 7-month-old has been struggling with distractions while eating. Her bottimal keeps her focused on the task of eating! It makes the bottle interesting again and she's back to eating full meals.” – Rachel L.
Check out all of our latest success stories here 👉 Real Parents, Real Reviews
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why is my baby refusing the bottle?
Babies sometimes resist bottles due to nipple texture, flow rate, or unfamiliar scents. Many infants are comforted by their parent’s scent and may prefer breastfeeding at first. Adding a familiar scent—such as with a Bottimals bottle-lovey®—can help make bottle-feeding feel more familiar and comforting for your baby.
2. When should I start introducing a bottle?
Experts recommend starting bottle introduction around 4–6 weeks if you plan to supplement or transition. The earlier you introduce a bottle, the easier the adjustment can be, but every baby is unique.
3. How can I make bottle feeding more appealing?
- Use a slow-flow nipple to mimic breastfeeding.
- Warm the milk to body temperature.
- Introduce a familiar scent (like a mom-scented lovey from Bottimals).
- Hold your baby in a semi-upright, comfortable position.
4. What is a Bottimals bottle-lovey®, and how does it help?
A Bottimals bottle-lovey® is a soft, comforting plush toy that holds a removable pad you wear close to your skin. Babies can snuggle the lovey during feeding, bringing a familiar scent to the bottle and creating a cozy, comforting experience. Many parents report that incorporating the bottle-lovey® into their routine can help make the transition from breast to bottle feel more familiar and reassuring.
5. How long does it take for a baby to accept a bottle?
Some babies adjust to bottle-feeding quickly, while others may take a little longer. Consistency, patience, and comfort cues—such as using a Bottimals lovey®—can help make the transition feel more familiar and soothing for your baby.
6. Should I try different bottles or nipples?
Yes. Babies sometimes have preferences for certain textures or flow rates. Starting with slow-flow nipples and limiting frequent switches can help make feeding more consistent. The Bottimals bottle-lovey® is designed to work with most bottle brands, complementing your baby’s preferred nipple type and adding a familiar, comforting element to feeding time.
7. Can bottle refusal affect breastfeeding?
Not usually. Many babies continue breastfeeding while gradually becoming accustomed to a bottle. Gentle techniques and familiar scents—such as those introduced with a Bottimals bottle-lovey®—can help make bottle-feeding feel more familiar and comforting alongside breastfeeding.
8. Are there any common mistakes to avoid?
- Forcing the bottle, which can create stress.
- Switching nipples or bottles too frequently.
- Feeding when your baby is overly tired or hungry.
- Overlooking comfort cues—using a lovey or familiar scent, like a Bottimals bottle-lovey®, can help make feeding feel more familiar and soothing.
9. How often should I offer the bottle?
Experts recommend to start with one feeding per day, gradually increasing. Consistency without pressure is key.
10. Can older babies also refuse bottles?
Yes. Even infants 6–12 months may prefer breastfeeding and show hesitation with bottles. Gradual introduction using comfort cues—such as a familiar scent or a Bottimals bottle-lovey®—can help make bottle-feeding feel more familiar and comforting at any age.
11. How can I calm a fussy baby before bottle feeding?
- Gentle rocking or swaying.
- Skin-to-skin contact.
- Offering a familiar comfort item, such as a Bottimals bottle-lovey® or favorite blanket, to help create a soothing and familiar feeding environment.
12. Is there a best time of day to introduce a bottle?
Feed when your baby is calm but slightly hungry. Avoid times when they are overtired or overstimulated.
13. Can my baby learn to take a bottle if I’m away from home?
Yes. Introduce the bottle gradually, starting at home, and then allow other caregivers to offer it. Using a familiar-scent lovey—such as a Bottimals bottle-lovey®—can help create a more comforting and familiar feeding experience for your baby.
14. Is it normal for a baby to refuse the bottle multiple times before accepting?
Absolutely. Repeated, gentle attempts are often necessary. Avoid pressure—comfort and familiarity matter most.
15. How do I make nighttime bottle feeding easier?
Keep lights dim and minimize stimulation. Offering a familiar scent or comfort item—such as a Bottimals bottle-lovey®—can help create a soothing and familiar feeding experience during nighttime feedings.
We're Helping Families Navigate the Bottle Transition
If you’re navigating bottle-feeding challenges, you’re not alone. Bottimals offers a simple, comforting way to add familiarity and reassurance to feeding time. Many parents use the bottle-lovey® to help make the transition to bottles feel more soothing and familiar—for both baby and caregiver.