ARTICLE SUMMARY :
- Why does baby reject his bottle of milk?
- What can be done to get baby back on his bottle of milk as quickly as possible?
- Is it possible to compensate for the lack of bottle-feeding with dairy products?
- What you need to know from this article
Is your baby sulking and refusing to drink his bottle of milk? This is a stressful situation that many parents face.
Milk is an essential food for your child's health and growth. It is therefore important to find solutions to this problem. If you are faced with such a situation, the first thing to do is understand the causes of this bottle refusal. 🍼
➔ Is the milk too hot?
➔ What about the texture of the milk?
➔ Does the bottle nipple suit your infant?
accessories must indeed be adapted so that your baby can drink his milk comfortably. Discover in this final installment of our blog 7 reasons that may explain why the apple of your eye refuses to take his bottle! 🤱
Why does baby reject his bottle of milk?
Occasionally, a baby may refuse to take a bottle of milk, even though he or she was drinking without any problem beforehand. In this case, don't panic! All you need to do is understand the reasons for the refusal.
● teething,
● colic, reflux
● intolerance to cow's milk proteins,
● unsuitable teat...
These are just some of the reasons for refusal.
If the bottle is the cause of the problem, you can easily find special breastfeeding or anti-colic bottles. Visit our store to quickly find what you're looking for 😉
1 # Baby is sick
If your toddler is ill, he may refuse to take his bottle. In this case, it's important to consult a paediatrician to help relieve the pain. Don't self-medicate! Always follow the dosage instructions on the packaging of all medicines (apart from paracetamol, which is available in pharmacies, all medicines must be prescribed by a doctor).
2 # He's teething
A lack of appetite can also occur when your baby suffers from teething. In addition, the contact of the pacifier on these gums can be painful. Fortunately, teething only lasts a few days, and the first teeth are often the most painful.
3 # Baby has digestive problems
If, in addition to refusing to take his bottle, your baby is in pain, cries a lot or regurgitates, he may be suffering from gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Opt for a anti-regurgitation bottle or an anti-colic bottle to reduce symptoms. We say it all the time... But in the case of reflux and colic in infants, it is of course essential to seek the advice of a paediatrician.
4 # Baby tires of milk or bottle
Babies may express their wish to switch to another feeding method, different from powdered milk or breast milk, by refusing to take their bottle. This phenomenon may occur around 4 to 6 months. Dietary diversification can now begin, and you can offer your baby to drink from a cup or beaker! 🥣
5 # The transition from breast to bottle is difficult for baby
Switching from breast to formula milk with a bottle is a recurrent cause of bottle refusal by a baby. This is because the bottle, especially the teat, does not have the same smell, texture or shape as the breast. For a natural, colic-free feed, a special breastfeeding bottle with a slow-flow teat to limit the risk of breast/teat confusion remains the most suitable.
6 # The pacifier doesn't fit!
It is also possible that the baby is refusing to take his bottle of milk because of the teat! The teat may have a flow that is too rapid a flow or, on the contrary too slow . It can also be due to the shape of the teat: anatomical, physiological, cherry-tipped... Every baby has his or her own preferences, and it may take several tries to find the right shape for your baby.
7 # The environment is not conducive to meals
The conditions and the place where you give meals are criteria to be taken into account. Hustle and bustle, noise, screens... these are all sources of distraction. So, if you sit down in a quiet, comfortable room to feed your baby, chances are the situation will improve!
What can be done to get baby back on his bottle of milk as quickly as possible?
The answer is simple:
1. Find the exact cause of the problem,
2. Implement appropriate solutions.
First and foremost, do by elimination ! Which of the 7 reasons listed above for your child's bottle refusal best applies to you?
To find out:
● observe your baby's behavior,
● ask your partner or close friends for their opinion,
● think about the events you and your child have been through recently (moving house, cold, recent vaccination, new tooth, change of milk, etc.).
For example, if you think the problem is the artificial milk you're giving your baby, then it makes sense to change formula.
For your information, milk should be adapted to your baby's age and needs.
- If your baby suffers from GERD or has an intolerance to VMP (cow's milk protein), then a special milk may be prescribed.
- If, on the other hand, you suspect the bottle to be the sole cause of those perpetual refusals, don't wait to find one that's more likely to convince your child. 😉
To help you in your search, here are some basic criteria to observe:
● A bottle with a soft texture and easy to hold : A bottle with a soft texture, in silicone for example, is ideal to offer baby a good hold and greater ease of use when drinking his milk.
This neomaterial, non-allergenic and unbreakable, is perfectly suited to food contact. Free from any harmful substances likely to harm babies' health, it does not release any microplastics into baby's milk.
● A bottle that limits air passage: New parents, baffled by colic phenomena, can put their trust in bottles with a special valve to reduce air ingestion.
A ventilation system integrated into the nipple will ensure good air circulation and prevent your baby from being bloated.
● A playful bottle to awaken the senses: What could be more interesting than a bottle with which you can also have fun while having fun?
A soft bottle or one that's soft to the touch, for example...Depending on the material, you'll find bottles that come close to the nurturing breast, a detail that's perfectly suited to a breastfed or weaning baby!
Les biberons Élhée accompagneront votre bébé de la naissance jusqu'à 24 mois et plus, pour lui permettre une parfaite autonomie, sans risque de casse.
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If there are no obvious results, start again from the beginning, eliminating the causes from your list one by one. 📝
As long as your child's growth curve is satisfactory, there's no need to worry. But don't delay to find out what's refuting baby with every bottle feed. 👶
Is it possible to compensate for the lack of bottle-feeding with dairy products?
You can introduce a small unsweetened fromage frais if your baby has started to diversify his diet, and after obtaining your doctor's approval. Dairy products are essential for calcium intake in the diet of toddlers.
Ideally, you should choose organic products. Don't forget to offer water to keep your baby hydrated, either in a bottle or a sippy cup. However, milk remains the main food for babies up to 12 months.
What you need to know from this article
➔ Babies sometimes refuse to drink their bottle of milk. Consulting a pediatrician is the best way to understand the causes of this obstinacy.
➔ As a parent, you can also take action by eliminating the possible causes of rejection one by one. Generally speaking, the problem stems from a bottle that is not adapted to the child's situation (colic, reflux, mixed feeding, etc.).)
➔ Silicone feeding bottles, which are softer, more flexible and lighter, give babies more pleasure than plastic or glass bottles, which are too heavy, too rigid and therefore less reassuring. Opting for a medical-grade silicone feeding bottle, selected with the highest standards, also ensures your baby's good health. 💝