Baby feeding himself bottle
When Do Babies Hold Their Own Bottle? Average Age and More
When we think of the most important baby milestones, we often think of the big ones that everyone asks about — crawling, sleeping through the night (hallelujah), walking, clapping, saying a first word.
But sometimes it’s the little things.
Case in point: The first time your baby holds their own bottle (or any other object — like a teether — that you used to need to hold for them), you realize how much you’ve missed having that extra hand to get things done.
It can be a game changer, really. But it’s also not a milestone every baby will reach along the way to other milestones (like holding a cup as a toddler), and that’s OK, too.
Some babies can hold their own bottle around 6 months of age. That’s not to say it won’t happen sooner or later — there’s a wide range of normal.
The average may be closer to 8 or 9 months, when babies have the strength and fine motor skills to hold objects (even one in each hand!) and guide them where they want them to go (like to their mouths).
So a range of 6 to 10 months is totally normal.
Babies who have only recently transitioned to the bottle may not yet have an interest in holding it, even if their strength and coordination would technically allow it.
Likewise, babies with more interest in food — which is also perfectly normal, by the way — may grab for the bottle earlier. Where there’s a will there’s a way, as the saying goes.
But keep in mind that this milestone also isn’t necessary — or even always beneficial.
By about age 1, you’ll want to be weaning your baby off the bottle. So you might not want your little one to get too attached to the idea that the bottle is theirs, only to have you trying to take it away a couple months later.
Bottom line: You’ll still want to be in control of bottle-feeding, even after they can hold it.
If your baby’s not there yet, don’t worry — there’s likely nothing wrong with their coordination. Every baby is different. But if you observe these signs, get ready to clap your free hands with glee, because independent bottle-holding (or drinking from a cup, which you might want to start encouraging instead) is on its way.
- your little one can sit on their own
- while sitting, your little one can stay balanced while playing with a toy in hand
- your baby reaches for objects and picks them up while sitting
- your baby reaches for (age-appropriate) food you hand them and brings it to their mouth
- your little one puts a hand or both hands on the bottle or cup when you feed them
As most parents know, baby does what baby wants when and where baby wants to.
But if you’re looking to gently encourage your little one to give mama a hand (literally), you can try:
- demonstrating the hand-to-mouth motion by taking baby-safe items (like teethers) and bringing them from floor level to baby’s mouth
- purchasing easy-grasp bottles or sippy cups with handles (baby will need to use two hands to hold the bottle, at least initially)
- putting their hands on the bottle and placing yours on top — and then guiding the bottle to their mouth
- spending lots of time building baby’s strength, such as through tummy time
Your baby should be sitting on their own before feeding themselves, as it’s something that should be done in a more upright position.
Tummy time will also help them gain the core strength for this skill, and you can also encourage them to get there by sitting them up in your lap.
But also, carefully consider whether you want baby holding their own bottle, for reasons we’ve already stated.
Focusing more on letting your baby feed themselves and teaching them how to hold and drink from their cup (sippy or regular) in the high chair, while continuing to be the one to give the bottle, is another way to encourage independence and teach them skills.
It’s no doubt a glorious moment when your baby can feed themselves. But they’re still not old enough and wise enough to always make the best choices, so you shouldn’t leave them to their own devices.
Three precautions to keep in mind:
Remember that the bottle is for feeding, not for comfort or falling asleep. Giving your baby a milk bottle (or even milk in a sippy cup) to hold and then going on to do other things may not be a healthy practice.
Avoid leaving your little one in their crib with a bottle. While they may be more than happy to drink themselves to sleep, traveling off to dreamland with a bottle in the mouth isn’t a good idea. Milk can collect in around their teeth and encourage tooth decay in the long term and choking in the short term.
Instead, feed your baby shortly before putting them to bed (or let them do it with your watchful eye on them) and then gently wipe their gums and teeth free of milk. If the struggle to get them to fall asleep without a nipple in their mouth is real, pop in a pacifier.
If your baby can’t yet hold their own bottle, resist the temptation to use anything to prop the bottle in their mouth. We know how valuable it is to have two hands, but it’s never a good idea to do this and leave baby unsupervised. In addition to choking, it puts them at greater risk for overeating.
Leaving your baby in their crib with a bottle and propping a bottle may also increase the risk of ear infections, especially if your baby’s lying down.
When your baby holds their own bottle, they demonstrate important skills — including “crossing the midline,” or reaching from one side of the body to the other with a hand or foot.
But some babies — particularly breastfed babies — never do this via bottle-holding, and that’s OK. There are other ways to develop and practice this skill.
A breastfed baby, for example, might jump straight from breastfeeding to drinking from a cup on their own, which uses the same skill, around the age of 1.
This doesn’t mean they didn’t have this skill earlier. Other tasks involve crossing the midline, like using the dominant hand to pick up an item on the nondominant side of the body or bringing a toy up to the mouth.
Raise both hands in the air like you just don’t care — your little one’s becoming an independent eater! Of course, you likely still want to feed your baby most of time — for the bonding, the cuddles, and the safety.
And independent eating is a skill in and of itself that is much more important than holding a bottle specifically — especially since the bottle’s days are numbered if your child is nearing a year old.
But if your baby demonstrates this skill — sometime between 6 and 10 months of age — feel free to hand them their bottle every once in a while.
And if your baby isn’t showing signs of the crossing-the-midline skill by 1 year, talk to your pediatrician. They’ll be able to answer your questions and address your concerns.
When Do Babies Hold Their Own Bottle? Average Age and More
When we think of the most important baby milestones, we often think of the big ones that everyone asks about — crawling, sleeping through the night (hallelujah), walking, clapping, saying a first word.
But sometimes it’s the little things.
Case in point: The first time your baby holds their own bottle (or any other object — like a teether — that you used to need to hold for them), you realize how much you’ve missed having that extra hand to get things done.
It can be a game changer, really. But it’s also not a milestone every baby will reach along the way to other milestones (like holding a cup as a toddler), and that’s OK, too.
Some babies can hold their own bottle around 6 months of age. That’s not to say it won’t happen sooner or later — there’s a wide range of normal.
The average may be closer to 8 or 9 months, when babies have the strength and fine motor skills to hold objects (even one in each hand!) and guide them where they want them to go (like to their mouths).
So a range of 6 to 10 months is totally normal.
Babies who have only recently transitioned to the bottle may not yet have an interest in holding it, even if their strength and coordination would technically allow it.
Likewise, babies with more interest in food — which is also perfectly normal, by the way — may grab for the bottle earlier. Where there’s a will there’s a way, as the saying goes.
But keep in mind that this milestone also isn’t necessary — or even always beneficial.
By about age 1, you’ll want to be weaning your baby off the bottle. So you might not want your little one to get too attached to the idea that the bottle is theirs, only to have you trying to take it away a couple months later.
Bottom line: You’ll still want to be in control of bottle-feeding, even after they can hold it.
If your baby’s not there yet, don’t worry — there’s likely nothing wrong with their coordination. Every baby is different. But if you observe these signs, get ready to clap your free hands with glee, because independent bottle-holding (or drinking from a cup, which you might want to start encouraging instead) is on its way.
- your little one can sit on their own
- while sitting, your little one can stay balanced while playing with a toy in hand
- your baby reaches for objects and picks them up while sitting
- your baby reaches for (age-appropriate) food you hand them and brings it to their mouth
- your little one puts a hand or both hands on the bottle or cup when you feed them
As most parents know, baby does what baby wants when and where baby wants to.
But if you’re looking to gently encourage your little one to give mama a hand (literally), you can try:
- demonstrating the hand-to-mouth motion by taking baby-safe items (like teethers) and bringing them from floor level to baby’s mouth
- purchasing easy-grasp bottles or sippy cups with handles (baby will need to use two hands to hold the bottle, at least initially)
- putting their hands on the bottle and placing yours on top — and then guiding the bottle to their mouth
- spending lots of time building baby’s strength, such as through tummy time
Your baby should be sitting on their own before feeding themselves, as it’s something that should be done in a more upright position.
Tummy time will also help them gain the core strength for this skill, and you can also encourage them to get there by sitting them up in your lap.
But also, carefully consider whether you want baby holding their own bottle, for reasons we’ve already stated.
Focusing more on letting your baby feed themselves and teaching them how to hold and drink from their cup (sippy or regular) in the high chair, while continuing to be the one to give the bottle, is another way to encourage independence and teach them skills.
It’s no doubt a glorious moment when your baby can feed themselves. But they’re still not old enough and wise enough to always make the best choices, so you shouldn’t leave them to their own devices.
Three precautions to keep in mind:
Remember that the bottle is for feeding, not for comfort or falling asleep. Giving your baby a milk bottle (or even milk in a sippy cup) to hold and then going on to do other things may not be a healthy practice.
Avoid leaving your little one in their crib with a bottle. While they may be more than happy to drink themselves to sleep, traveling off to dreamland with a bottle in the mouth isn’t a good idea. Milk can collect in around their teeth and encourage tooth decay in the long term and choking in the short term.
Instead, feed your baby shortly before putting them to bed (or let them do it with your watchful eye on them) and then gently wipe their gums and teeth free of milk. If the struggle to get them to fall asleep without a nipple in their mouth is real, pop in a pacifier.
If your baby can’t yet hold their own bottle, resist the temptation to use anything to prop the bottle in their mouth. We know how valuable it is to have two hands, but it’s never a good idea to do this and leave baby unsupervised. In addition to choking, it puts them at greater risk for overeating.
Leaving your baby in their crib with a bottle and propping a bottle may also increase the risk of ear infections, especially if your baby’s lying down.
When your baby holds their own bottle, they demonstrate important skills — including “crossing the midline,” or reaching from one side of the body to the other with a hand or foot.
But some babies — particularly breastfed babies — never do this via bottle-holding, and that’s OK. There are other ways to develop and practice this skill.
A breastfed baby, for example, might jump straight from breastfeeding to drinking from a cup on their own, which uses the same skill, around the age of 1.
This doesn’t mean they didn’t have this skill earlier. Other tasks involve crossing the midline, like using the dominant hand to pick up an item on the nondominant side of the body or bringing a toy up to the mouth.
Raise both hands in the air like you just don’t care — your little one’s becoming an independent eater! Of course, you likely still want to feed your baby most of time — for the bonding, the cuddles, and the safety.
And independent eating is a skill in and of itself that is much more important than holding a bottle specifically — especially since the bottle’s days are numbered if your child is nearing a year old.
But if your baby demonstrates this skill — sometime between 6 and 10 months of age — feel free to hand them their bottle every once in a while.
And if your baby isn’t showing signs of the crossing-the-midline skill by 1 year, talk to your pediatrician. They’ll be able to answer your questions and address your concerns.
Baby won't take a bottle | Philips Avent
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any problems. If your breastfed baby refuses a bottle, don't worry. This is a common occurrence in many babies who are used to breastfeeding. Obviously, this can create certain difficulties for moms, especially if you need to return to work in the near future.
3 Philips Avent products to help you bottle feed:
So why is your baby refusing to bottle and crying? There are many ways to quickly and easily teach a breastfed baby to a bottle.
Here are important tips on what to do when your baby refuses a bottle.
Is the baby refusing the bottle? Take a step back
If your baby cries while bottle feeding, the first thing to do is to start over and rethink your feeding approach and technique. Try the following steps when bottle feeding your baby: [1]
- Lift and tilt your baby's head forward. Before inserting the pacifier into the baby's mouth, make sure that the baby's head is raised and tilted over his body to avoid choking: so that the baby does not choke and have the opportunity to burp during bottle feeding.
- Insert the pacifier. Bring the pacifier to the baby's lips and gently guide it into the baby's mouth. In no case do not try to press the nipple on the baby's lips and try to push it into his mouth. After touching the pacifier to the baby's lips, wait for the baby to open his mouth and take the pacifier.
- Hold the bottle at an angle. Tilt the bottle at an angle so that the nipple is only half full.
So the child can eat at his own pace. - Let the baby burp during and after feeding. It can be useful for a child to burp not only after feeding, but also approximately in the middle of the process. This will help reduce gas or tummy discomfort that your baby may experience from swallowing too much air.
- Stop in time, do not overfeed the baby. If the baby begins to turn his head away from the bottle or closes his mouth, then he is full and you need to stop feeding.
- Perhaps the flow of milk from the nipple to the baby is weak or, on the contrary, too fast, so he is naughty and refuses the bottle. Try changing the nipple to a nipple with a different flow.
Other tips if your baby refuses the bottle
If you've followed the steps above and your baby still refuses the bottle, don't worry. There are other ways to help bottle feed your baby. Here are some simple tricks you can add to your bottle feeding process. [2]
1.
Remind your child about mom.
Sometimes a child can be fed by someone other than his mother - dad, grandmother or, for example, a nanny. If your baby fusses while bottle feeding, try wrapping the bottle in something that smells like mommy, like a piece of clothing or some fabric. This will make it easier to feed the baby when the mother is not around.
2. Try to maintain skin contact while bottle feeding.
Some babies need contact with their mother, so try bottle feeding while leaning against you. However, some babies are better at bottle feeding when they are in the exact opposite position than when they are breastfed. For example, there is a position with bent legs. Lay the child on your bent knees, facing you, pointing the child's legs towards your stomach. During feeding, the baby will be able to look at you and contact you in this way. If your baby refuses a bottle, experiment to see which works best.
3.
Move while feeding.
Sometimes all it takes to get your baby to take the bottle is a little wiggle or walk. The next time your baby starts crying while bottle feeding, try moving around a little rhythmically to calm him down.
4. Try changing the milk temperature.
If the baby still does not want to take the bottle, check if the milk in the bottle is too hot or too cold. Before feeding, put some warm breast milk on the inside of your wrist to check the temperature. Milk should be warm, but if it seemed hot to you, just place the bottle for a short while under a stream of cold water.
Choosing the right bottle for your baby If you plan to combine bottle feeding with breastfeeding, it is advisable to choose bottles with a nipple that will have a wide base as the bottle will grip closer to the breast. Also pay attention to the fact that the nipple is firm and flexible, the child must make an effort to drink from the bottle, as well as from the breast.
Give preference to nipples with an anti-colic valve that vents air out of the bottle. Natural bottle allows you to combine breast and bottle feeding. 83.3% of babies switch from a Natural bottle to breastfeeding and back.*
If you choose a bottle for artificial feeding, traditional bottles are fine, but it is desirable that the nipple is made of a hypoallergenic material, such as silicone, has an anti-colic valve and did not stick together when bottle fed. In case your baby spit up often, then use special bottles with anti-colic and anti-reflux valve, which reduces the risk of spitting up and colic.
Bottle with unique AirFree valve reduces the risk of colic, gas and spitting up. With this bottle, you can feed your baby in an upright or semi-upright position to reduce spitting up. Due to the fact that the nipple is filled with milk and not air during feeding, the baby does not swallow air, which means that feeding will be more comfortable.
Both bottles are indispensable if you want to breastfeed, bottle feed or just bottle feed your baby.
“My baby refuses to breastfeed but bottle feeds – help!”
Sometimes a baby gets used to bottle feeding and refuses to breastfeed. Therefore, it is important to use bottles that are suitable for combining breastfeeding with bottle feeding. If, nevertheless, you are faced with the fact that the child refuses to take the breast, try using silicone nipple covers to make the transition from the bottle to the breast and back more imperceptible.
Remember that if you want to combine breastfeeding and bottle feeding, it is worth waiting at least a month before offering a bottle, so that you are lactating and have time to get used to each other and develop a breastfeeding regimen.
Breastfeed and bottle feed your baby with pleasure
Remember that it takes a while for your baby to get used to bottle feeding. This is completely normal. If you have to go to work, be sure to set aside enough time to bottle train your baby beforehand.
Remember that every child is different, so what works for one may not work for another. With a little time and patience, you will find out what works best for your baby when he refuses a bottle.
You will identify your child's unique needs. However, if your baby still refuses the bottle after all the steps above, check with your pediatrician.
Articles and tips from Philips Avent
References:
*O.L. Lukoyanova, T.E. Borovik, I.A. Belyaeva, G.V. Yatsyk; NTsZD RAMS; 1st Moscow State Medical University THEM. Sechenova, "The use of modern technological methods to maintain successful breastfeeding", RF, 10/02/2012 3 llli.org - The Baby Who Doesn't Nurse
llli.org - Introducing a Bottle to a Breastfed Baby
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Bottle feeding
When breastfeeding is not possible, or there is not enough breast milk and supplementary feeding is required, the use of infant milk formulas allows you to establish good nutrition for the baby.
The mixtures contain all the necessary nutrients, vitamins and trace elements. As a rule, they are well tolerated and digested, especially if the feeding process is properly established.
If you plan to bottle feed or supplement your baby with formula, our article will help you navigate the basic rules and intricacies of artificial feeding.
How to choose a teat (nozzle) for a bottle
Teats differ in composition (silicone, latex), shape and flow rate. While the shape of the nipple and the material are often chosen according to the preferences and needs of a particular baby, the flow rate is strictly determined by the age category.
Babies are fed from birth using the slowest flow nipple (these are usually labeled from 0 and one drop). Next, the teat flow rate in most bottle manufacturers increases at 3 months, 6 months, 12 months.
In order not to be mistaken, pay attention to the labeling and the age group for which the nipple to the bottle of the selected manufacturer is intended.
Whether such a nipple is right for you, you will also probably be able to understand during feeding.
- The baby should be able to comfortably grasp the nipple and drink formula confidently (without too much effort).
- He should not choke/choke frequently.
- The mixture should flow well.
If the mixture does not flow until you shake the bottle, the hole may be clogged with powder. - If the mixture flows too much, check if the nipple is not torn.
How to treat the bottle
For newborn babies in the first months of life, it is recommended to sterilize the bottles before each feeding. Sterilization is the immersion of all feeding accessories (bottles, nipples, other parts) in boiling water for about 5 minutes to destroy pathogenic microflora.
You can choose any convenient method of sterilization: using a special device (sterilizer), in a microwave oven, dishwasher, ordinary boiling. Read more about how to properly sterilize bottles in our other article.
It is important to ensure that the baby bottle you use is made of safe plastic that can be heated. Some types of plastic release harmful chemicals when heated. As a rule, information about the possibility of sterilization and heating is indicated on the packaging. If there is no such information, it is not worth the risk.
Use special baby bottles from well-known manufacturers. For example, a Dino Reno feeding bottle with nipple can be sterilized completely by any of the listed methods.
How to prepare formula and feed your baby
- Wash your hands with soap and water and dry with a dry towel.
- Remove the bottle and nipple from the sterilizer using the special holder (tweezers), assemble the bottle with the nipple, being careful not to touch the part that will go into the baby's mouth with your hands.
- Take boiled or special baby water heated to body temperature, dilute the mixture in the proportion indicated on the package.
- Use the special measuring spoon for preparation (it is included in each box with the mixture).
- Dilute the mixture strictly in the proportion indicated by the manufacturer. A thicker or thinner formula can harm your baby and cause stomach problems.
- Shake the bottle thoroughly to mix the contents evenly. Make sure that there are no lumps and clots left in the liquid and on the walls of the bottle.
- Check the temperature of the prepared mixture by dropping a little liquid on your wrist, it should not burn.
- Hold the bottle at the right angle. So that the tip of the nipple is always filled with milk and not with air.
- After feeding, hold the baby upright, let him burp the excess air.
- Feed your baby only fresh formula. According to the recommendations of the European Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (ESPGHAN) of 2004, the reconstituted dry formula can be stored in a sealed bottle at a cool temperature for no more than 4 hours.
- If the mixture has cooled down, it can be warmed up with a special heater or in a water bath.
- If you are going on a long trip or outing, do not prepare the formula ahead of time. Better just pour the required amount of water into the bottle, and pour the right amount of the mixture into a separate container. Mix before feeding.
You will also find recommendations on the amount of formula to eat at a time, taking into account the age of the child, on the package.
