Harper ยท 4 months old ยท 2 months ago
Refusing the bottle suddenly
Harper has been taking bottles fine for weeks, but suddenly she screams whenever we try. She's 3 months and I need to go back to work soon. Has anyone dealt with a bottle strike? What worked?
Bottle strikes are frustrating but common around 3 months. Here are some strategies: try different bottle brands/nipple shapes (some babies become particular), have someone other than mom offer the bottle while mom is out of the house, try different feeding positions (some babies prefer upright or even facing outward), offer the bottle when baby is drowsy but not fully asleep or starving, try different milk temperatures, and pace the feeding to mimic breastfeeding. Most babies will eventually take a bottle when hungry enough, especially once mom returns to work. It may take patience and experimentation!
Always consult your pediatrician for medical advice.