8 month old now refusing bottle

Hi, have been having trouble with my 8 and a half month old lately and his bottles. Up until about 2 weeks ago he has been happily drinking 3 200ml bottles a day along with 3 solid meals a day. Now he refuses all bottles. I tried him on a bottle of cows milk, which he loved and drank, but I dont think it agreed with him as he had runny poo and was really unsettled at night. So we have stopped the cows milk and his poo has gone back to normal, but I just feel its too early to be giving up the bottle. Any advice or similar experiences???? Thanks in advance.

Generally speaking cows milk isn't recommended for little ones under 12 months as thier systems can't break down the lactose and proteins in it very well before then. Having said that I used to give yoghurt to my little one an milk from about 11 months.

Maybe your little one isn't liking his bottles anymore for some reason. I would stick to the formula still, but have you tried warming it up/cooling it down to see if that makes a difference? You could also try a different brand/teat style of bottle too. His teeth (if he has any/or any a growing now)may have changed his mouth and he might not like the feel of it anymore. Maybe your little one wants to use a cup now instead of a bottle, have you tried giving him his formula in a sippy cup?

However, maybe your LO is just getting enough from his meals as doesn't feel he needs the bottles anymore, is he still a healthy weight and giving you lots of full nappies? If he is I would probably let him tell you what he wants and needs at this stage.

Good Luck.

I wouldn’t worry Solid food is becoming more important than milk at 8 months and as long as he has lots of solid food including snacks and lots of dairy food I’m sure he will be fine, I would still offer formula maybe in a cup not a bottle I would stay with formula for at least another month before trying cow’s milk again. You may think it is too early but if he doesn’t want them he doesn’t want them and that’s fine smile They have a mind of their own lol they soon let you know what they do and don’t want smile

thanks for your replies. Yes Iam going to stick to the formula for now. The cows milk didnt agree with him as much as he loved the taste! He does have cows milk mixed with his vegies and is eating cheese and yoghurt well. I am going to try a faster teat with his bottle next, he just doesnt have much of an interest in sucking anymore, so if that doesnt work we will try a sippy cup. thanks again. smile

I am having the same problem with my 8 month old baby, he hasn't been a good eater to start with but lately he refuses his bottles but if i squeeze the bottle he then will drink, i am not sure what is going on with him but he seems happy when i offer the bottle, the problem is that he does not want to suck!!! not sure what to do and I am going crazy over this...any advise??? how did you deal with this??? is your baby drinking his bottle now or what did you do??? PLEASE HELP!!!!

I am having the same problem with my 8 month old baby, he hasn't been a good eater to start with but lately he refuses his bottles but if i squeeze the bottle he then will drink, i am not sure what is going on with him but he seems happy when i offer the bottle, the problem is that he does not want to suck!!! not sure what to do and I am going crazy over this...any advise??? how did you deal with this??? is your baby drinking his bottle now or what did you do??? PLEASE HELP!!!!

Just went thru the same thing with ds as his teeth came thru. Whenever his gums are sore he won't suck properly. Try smaller bottles more often and see if he will take a straw or cup (may take a while for him to use one tho). Ds started drinking normaly after a week or so.

At 11 mths he's now doing it again. Think his top teeth are finally coming sad

Could also try putting a teething gel like bonjela on gums before a feed. Might work.

If you use a cup or straw use one with a removable non-spill feature at first. Take it out so that the milk flows freely and easily until bub gets used to it, then add it back it.