Baby doesn't finish his bottle... Should I be worried?

• Is baby being picky? 
• Do you get the impression that he's sulking at the very idea of making a good meal? 
• No appetite? 

Far from having a whim, your child certainly has excellent reasons for refusing the bottle you hand him! 

When your child is reluctant to finish his bottle, it's natural to worry. 

However, it's important to understand that this attitude isn't usually just a case of sulking. Your baby has well-founded reasons for not swallowing every drop of milk you offer.

 

CONTENTS :

• Why doesn't baby drink all his bottle?
• When should you see your paediatrician or GP?
• What should I do with the milk left in the bottle?
• Can I top up an opened bottle of milk?
• What can you do to limit the risk of waste?
• Calculate the amount of milk needed to allow baby to finish his bottle
• To conclude

Why doesn't baby drink all his bottle? 

It's not uncommon for several factors to come into play when baby is reluctant to take his bottle. Possible reasons include :

1. Satiety level Your baby may simply not be hungry when you offer him his meal. The previous meal may still be too fresh to allow him enough room in his tiny stomach!
2. Its health and general condition can influence his appetite. An ongoing illness, even a simple cold, can reduce his desire to eat.
3. Your baby's tastes evolve, and he may no longer appreciate the milk you give him for various reasons. Have you noticed a recent change in the composition of the milk? It's also possible that the taste is linked to the material used in the bottle. Choose an odorless bottle, preferably made of glass or silicone to avoid this.
4. The consistency of the bottle The consistency of the bottle: preparation can play a role. If the milk is too thick or contains cereals, your baby may have difficulty drinking it. The same applies to overly generous bottles and quantities not adapted to the baby's age.
5. If you've recently stopped breastfeeding and are in the weaning periodIf you've recently stopped breastfeeding and are weaning, it may also be difficult for your baby to take the bottle, as he's dealing with something completely new. If you've started introducing solid foods, your baby may also be less inclined to drink milk.
6. If the milk is too hot or too coldthis may discourage your baby from consuming it.
7. The presence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) will cause discomfort at every feed.
8. An unsuitable position or teat are also risk factors. If the nipple delivers milk too quickly or too slowly, feeding will be unpleasant and frustrating for your baby. The same is true if the position chosen is uncomfortable, or if the bottle's angle does not allow the milk to be delivered correctly.

The list of reasons is long, so it's crucial to remain attentive to your baby's signals to determine the specific cause and remedy it.

When should you see your paediatrician or GP?

The main reasons for consulting are listed below: 

• If bottle refusal becomes a habit, if there's a notion of notion of recurrence.
• If your baby seems to be experiencing discomfort during or after feeding, to the point of not feeding at all (crying, screaming, wriggling, etc.).
• If your baby is losing weight.
• If you have dermatological problems (patches, pimples, redness, etc.).
• If your baby experiences vomiting or his stools show worrying variations (unusual texture and color, changes in frequency, etc.).
• If your baby looks pale and tired after drinking milk or during the day.

In all these situations, a medical consultation is a must! Your GP or paediatrician is the only person who can identify any underlying medical conditions, such as cow's milk protein intolerance (or GERD or undiagnosed GERD. He or she will be able to adapt treatment accordingly.

Please note that the list of symptoms in this article is not exhaustive. If in doubt, contact your doctor or call 15.

What should I do with the milk left in the bottle?

When your baby fails to finish his bottle for whatever reason, you're left with a dilemma: should you throw away the uneaten milk or save it for later? 

• In general, breast milk can be stored at room temperature for around four hours, in the refrigerator for three to four days, and in the freezer for several months. However, if you have thawed breast milk, you will not be able to refreeze it.

• With regard to powdered milkwe recommend preparing it just before feeding time, and keeping it at room temperature for no more than an hour.

Ensure that any remaining milk is quickly refrigerated (or frozen if freshly expressed with a breast pump) after feeding to avoid bacterial multiplication. Place the bottle of milk powder in the fridge within one hour, maximum.

Can I top up an opened bottle of milk?

We recommend not to top up an already-begun bottleno matter how tempting.

If your baby is unable to finish his bottle, you'll end up with a clever mix of different milks, and the risk of a formula that's unsuitable for consumption (due to the presence of milk that's too old). 

What can you do to limit the risk of waste?

If your baby has seen a doctor and the problem does not stem from a medical condition, you can : 

• Make sure that the teat bottle is age-appropriate and needs.
• Make sure that the milk is not too not too hot to avoid burning and blocking your child's mealtimes.
• Adjust amount of milk according to age.
• Changing milk or bottle if necessary to adapt to his tastes.

However well-intentioned, the situation of a child who is not eating will not improve if he is forced to drink. Never force a pacifier into the child's mouth.

Calculate the amount of milk needed to allow baby to finish his bottle

For the first three months of life, a baby should drink between 600 and 900 ml of milk a day. Of course, there are big and small milk eaters...

Since it is not possible to quantify the amount of breast milk ingested when breastfeeding, assume that if baby stops suckling, it's because he's simply no longer hungry 😉 Think about offer him both breasts at every feed and make sure he's full.

To find out the number of bottles and quantities to plan for your child's age, we invite you to read this article on our blog dedicated to the subject: 

To conclude

It's normal for your baby to sometimes refuse to finish his bottle. This can be due to a variety of reasons, such as a temporary lack of appetite, which shouldn't worry you more than necessary. Adults don't always finish their meal either, but that doesn't mean their lives are in danger. 

However, it's best to remain alert to these signals and consult a health professional if adjacent symptoms occur (loss of time, digestive problems, paleness, etc.).