Tips for Bottle Refusal

Schedule an appointment with an IBCLC to see what’s going on.

In the meantime, you can also try:

  • Offer freshly pumped milk, if available. This is the closest to nursing. 

  • Give a little taste of milk from your finger or dip the tip of the nipple in warm milk 

  • Stimulate rooting reflex by letting baby grasp your finger OR let baby suck on your  finger first 

  • Warm the bottle nipple (like the breast) 

  • Hold bottle in steady place in baby’s mouth or near her mouth if she not accepting it into her mouth 

  • Offer in a low stress environment 

  • Movement; hold baby and gently rock or knee bends 

  • Distraction; try in a different environment, looking out the window or a moving ceiling fan 

  • Ensure comfortable position for baby; knees and hips flexed (sitting position) 

  • If baby refuses, stop offering, soothe and then try again. You can try 2 or 3 more times. 

Written by Kathleen Stern (bio here). For more infant feeding and parent support, reach out to Kathleen at www.strongnestconsulting.com

Last updated December 15, 2025

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