Bottle refusal: How to get my baby to take a bottle?
Tired of hearing endless advice, buying loads of bottles, and still nothing changes!!
Your Breastfed Baby refuses to drink from a bottle – instead, they just chew on it, play with it, push it away, or even cry.
Sound familiar? That's so frustrating!
How will I manage to leave the house or go back to work?
We know what you're going through… And we want you to be able to give a bottle when ever you need to, without any stress or frustration. Here's how to get started:
In This Article
5 Tips to Overcome Bottle Refusal
Our BWB Tips – "Bottle Without Battle" Approach:
✅ Practice during calm moments — and watch for your baby’s cues to stop.
✅ A baby-led approach is the way to go — a no-struggle method leads to results. Never force the bottle.
✅ During times of hunger, try alternative feeding methods — don’t get stuck on the bottle
✅ Start small — practice with the bottle once a day using a small amount of milk and give your baby as much independence as possible.
✅ Don’t starve your baby by withholding breastfeeding & food — it can cause emotional distress and increase the risk of dehydration, and it’s simply not worth it.
10 Misconceptions regarding Bottle Refusal
We’d like to personally invite you to register and discover the 10 most common misconceptions about bottle refusal:
There are so many misconceptions regarding bottle refusal, bottle aversion, and babies who just won't take a bottle no matter what you do — let's tackle them one by one.
Come check out our first video "The 10 most common misconceptions regarding bottle refusal"
Just enter your email below to get access:
Who will benefit from BWB ?
- Parents whose baby refuses to take a bottle (stuuuuuuuuubborn little ones...)
- Parents who have tried one (or ten) bottles and still no luck..
- Parents who have spent hours searching online for answers — and still haven’t found a solution...
- Parents who are just sick and tired of everyone having an opinion but nothing works...
- Parents who are looking for a gentle, attentive, and loving approach that respects their baby
- Parents who want to give a bottle without having to give up breastfeeding
14 Days to Bottle Success
Whether your baby has previously accepted a bottle and suddenly started refusing it, or they've never taken a bottle before, there's always a solution. And this is exactly why we've created the "14 Days to a Bottle" course, a step by step program explaining exactly what you need start doing.
Our mission is to give you back the freedom to choose when to breastfeed and when to give a bottle. The goal is for your baby to really LOVE drinking from their bottle!
Our training is simple and easy to follow. Our videos are short and to the point, followed by Questions and Answers for even more details.
We have become experts in the field of bottle refusal so it's important for us you receive surprising, mind-opening knowledge that will really make a difference in your life.
Click to get more details about our courses here:
Why Won't My Baby Take a Bottle?
You might be hearing this a lot: "It's all because you're breastfeeding" and that is – not true! Your baby isn’t refusing the bottle because you’re breastfeeding. The real reason lies in how your baby experiences the bottle—and whether they trust it.
You don’t need to stop breastfeeding for your baby to accept a bottle. What you do need is to uncover what’s behind their resistance, gently resolve it, and guide them to trust the bottle. In our Mini Course, we break bottle refusal down into 4 key reasons, helping you take the first step toward understanding your baby’s resistance. In the Full Course, “14 Days to a Bottle,” you’ll go beyond the why—with a clear, step-by-step plan to gently and effectively overcome bottle refusal once and for all. All with confidence, clarity, and care.
It might come as a surprise, but drinking from a bottle isn’t as natural for your baby as it seems – especially after the 2-month mark. Until then, babies instinctively suck on anything near their mouths. But as they grow, their instinctive sucking reflex begins to weaken and naturally they become more selective—responding only to what they know, trust, and love.
So, if your little one suddenly refuses the bottle, it’s not random. Something must have happened—sometimes it’s so small and subtle, it goes unnoticed—but it was enough for your baby to lose trust in the bottle. Understanding why is the first step to finding a solution that works.
"My Baby Can Suck — So Why Refuse the Bottle?"
You're right—technically, your little one does know how. But feeding isn’t just a physical act—it’s deeply emotional. For your baby, sucking is intimate, and their mouth is one of the most sensitive parts of their body. That’s why bottle refusal often isn’t about ability—it’s about trust.
At this stage, our focus shifts from "how" to why. Before anything else, we help you uncover the root of the refusal—because once we understand that, we can begin to gently rebuild trust around the bottle.
How do we do that? By fine-tuning our 7 key elements that truly matter to your baby: touch, taste, temperature, nipple flow, timing, position, and baby-led attentive feeding. Every detail plays a role in making your baby feel safe, soothed, and connected. When trust is there, feeding becomes effortless.
From Bottle Battles to Joyful Sips - Yes, It's Possible
In our course, we see it time and time again: once babies begin to trust and connect with the bottle, everything changes. They start reaching for it eagerly, exploring it with curiosity. With a little more guided practice, they begin to suck—slowly at first—and soon, the amount they drink grows. Before long, some even light up with excitement when they see their bottle.
That’s why, to help your baby feed from a bottle, we focus on building a real bond between them and their bottle. Even if your baby cries at the mere sight of the bottle, we’ll guide you step by step to rebuild their trust — so feeding becomes a positive, loving experience once again.
Because when your baby feels connected, the rest flows naturally. 💛
You Can Have Both: Breastfeeding & Bottle Feeding
We believe—and know from experience—that you don’t have to give up breastfeeding to successfully give a bottle.
Or maybe you're worried that your baby will love the bottle too much and stop nursing? You’re not alone—that’s a common concern. That is why we believe in a gentle, baby led step-by-step approach. Our goal is that by the end of our program, you’ll have the freedom to offer breast or the bottle – whenever you choose. One doesn’t have to come at the expense of the other. It’s absolutely possible— And yes, we see it every day with the amazing moms in our course!
Did I make a mistake by not introducing a bottle from day one?
No. We believe that in the first 2 month, it's best to enjoy a calm, connected breastfeeding journey without stressing over the bottle. The ideal time to introduce a bottle is about two months before your return to work (or any other deadline you may have). At that point, you don’t even need to give a full feeding from the bottle even just a small amount – like a quarter of a feeding using expressed breast milk – is enough to start getting your baby comfortable with the bottle.
When Is the Best Time to Start Bottle Refusal Program
The best time is before the pressure kicks in. That’s why our signature program, “14 Days to a Bottle”, is designed to help you and your baby ease into the transition with confidence and calm. If you can, start now – and give yourself the gift of time. Of course, even if your deadline is close—you can still make it happen. Just be ready to give it your all, and we’ll guide you every step of the way.
Want to get a feel for what we’re all about?
✅ Read testimonials from real moms and dads on our Facebook page
✅ Watch our free video: “10 Misconceptions regarding Bottle Refusal” right below
You've got this – And we've got you.
Let the families we’ve helped share their stories—because their words say it best.
"The video's were wonderful. They provide lots of information and a sense of 'they understand me and what I'm going through'…" Sharon, mother of a 7-month-old baby
״The course was an incredible! I learned so much—not just the "bottle without battle" method, but also so much more information beyond that. It really supported me with pumping milk and introducing solid foods. The course is super professional and Keren’s videos are clear and easy to follow. Best of all, the method is gentle and enjoyable for the baby—everything is done with a smile and a sense of ease." Diana, mother of 3
"I really enjoyed the experience, especially BWB's approach. If there’s a problem, let’s try to solve it creatively, in a way that’s pleasant for everyone, creates a positive experience, respects the child, and avoids struggles that lead to frustration for both sides." Simona, mother of a 6-month-old baby
Just enter your email below to unlock our "10 most common misconceptions regarding bottle refusal" video:
Who are we? Meet the BWB team
Keren Farkash-Bostedt
Hello!
I’m the lead presenter of the BWB (Bottle Without Battle) program.
With a background in marketing and communications, I joined the BWB team to help grow BWB International and support breastfeeding moms around the world in introducing the bottle with less struggle and more awareness—tuning into the baby’s emotional needs while honoring our own.
For years, I’ve been producing spiritual festivals centered on awareness and inner connection. My journey took a heartfelt turn when I became a mother. That’s when my involvement with BWB began—born from the realization that my work in the spiritual world could naturally integrate with parenting support. I’ve experienced firsthand how deeply parenting is intertwined with my passion for conscious living.
I’m a proud mama to a sweet baby girl and currently expecting baby number two.
Keren Farkash-Sobel
Greetings!
I’m an Applied Behavior Analyst and the founder of BWB – "Bottle Without Battle," a program I created to help breastfeeding moms gain the freedom to choose when to breastfeed and when to offer a bottle—without having to give up either one. Using this gentle, respectful approach, I’ve supported hundreds of moms and brought together the incredible BWB team of skilled, compassionate professionals.
My education includes certifications in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), Doula studies, a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Physics, and a post-graduate degree in Biology.
I'm a proud mom of four sweet teenagers and the partner of my beloved Ariel.
