Getting 5 Month Old to Take a Bottle

Both of my children refused a bottle very early on. It was very frustrating and made getting away difficult, almost impossible. I think I tried a million tricks and a million bottles and nipples. No success. Only very, very rarely. They would both scream until I got back, even if it was over an hour, than take a bottle. I did however, around 4 months of age have success with sippy cups. I think my pedi suggested it. I bought the gerber kind and took the stoppers out. It was messy and slow in the beginning, but it worked. I had to be careful not to hold it too high and cause choking. It only took a short while before they mastered the sippy cup and I was able to put the stopper back in and save some mess.

One trick I have found is to take and cuddle her up close to you, give her the bottle and then rub your finger down the side of her cheek. Once you do that she should start drinking her bottle and then either let her hold your finger or rub her cheek every once in awhile.

Could she need a bigger size nipple - with faster flow? Could the bottle have become too slow for her? Also, try having someone else give her the bottle when you are NOT there... if you haven't tried this already. If she knows you are there, she will want you. Good luck!

That's rough! I would try the sippy at this point since she is older and since she won't even drink from others with a bottle.