Combination feeding can offer flexibility and freedom, but sometimes, introducing a bottle can lead to a bump in the road: your baby starts preferring the bottle and refuses the breast.
It’s a situation many breastfeeding parents face. Maybe feeds at the breast become shorter, fussier, or are refused altogether. Your baby might be happy with a bottle but frustrated at the breast, leaving you feeling unsure and concerned.
The good news is that bottle preference is often temporary and reversible. In this guide, we explore why it happens and how to gently support your baby back to the breast.
Why Do Babies Develop Bottle Preference?
Bottle preference can develop after just a few feeds, particularly if:
- Bottle flow is faster and easier than the breast
- The bottle was introduced before breastfeeding was well established
- Feeding position or technique is different
- Baby was fed when unsettled and found the bottle easier to manage
- The bottle was used for most feeds over breastfeeding
Babies are clever and if milk comes more easily from a bottle, they may become frustrated at the slower pace of breastfeeding.
Signs Your Baby Prefers the Bottle
- Fussing or pulling away at the breast
- Short or incomplete breastfeeds
- Happier taking bottles than nursing
- Crying when placed in a breastfeeding position
- Rooting and latching at a bottle, but not the breast
It can be worrying, especially if you want to continue with your breastfeeding journey, but with consistent, responsive support, you can reintroduce the breast gently and successfully.
What You Can Do: Step-by-Step
1. Make Bottle Feeding More Like Breastfeeding
Use paced bottle feeding to slow the flow and give your baby control - mimicking how they feed at the breast.
- Hold baby upright
- Keep bottle horizontal
- Let baby draw in the teat
- Pause every few sucks to mimic breast pauses
- Switch arms mid-feed to replicate breast changes
2. Switch to a Breast-Like Bottle
Choose a bottle that promotes a deep latch and natural sucking pattern. This reduces confusion and supports oral development.
3. Offer the Breast When Baby Is Calm
Try offering the breast:
- When baby is sleepy or just waking
- After skin-to-skin contact
- During a quiet, dimly lit moment
- While walking or rocking
Avoid trying when baby is very hungry or upset as this may reinforce the refusal.
4. Do Skin-to-Skin Every Day
Skin-to-skin contact releases oxytocin, helping both you and your baby relax and reconnect. It reminds baby of the safety and comfort of nursing.
- Try holding baby skin-to-skin during cuddles, even outside of feeding
- Bathing together
- Napping close in a calm environment
5. Reduce Bottle Feeds Gradually
If possible, reduce bottle feeds one at a time and replace them with relaxed breastfeeds.
- Express to protect supply while transitioning
- Offer the breast first, then top up with a bottle if needed
- Keep pumping sessions in line with skipped feeds
6. Use Breast Compressions During Feeds
Gently squeeze your breast while baby is latched to increase milk flow. This mimics the faster flow of the bottle and keeps baby engaged.
It can be particularly helpful if baby is used to the speed of bottle feeding.
7. Try the “Nursing Down” Approach
Feed baby at the breast during sleepy times, like before naps or at night, when they’re more likely to suckle without frustration. Many babies return to the breast more easily this way.
8. Be Patient and Kind to Yourself
Some babies return to breastfeeding quickly. Others take time, or may continue to prefer a mix of both. Every baby is different, and every feeding journey is valid.
You are responding to your baby’s needs and that’s what matters most.
When to Get Support
Don’t wait to reach out if:
- You’re feeling overwhelmed or unsure
- Baby is not gaining weight
- You want to protect your supply while navigating refusal
- You’d like to try exclusive breastfeeding again
Your midwife, health visitor, or a lactation consultant (IBCLC) can offer personalised support.
Midwife’s Top Tips
- Use paced feeding to slow bottle flow
- Offer the breast when baby is relaxed, not hungry or crying
- Keep doing skin-to-skin as it builds connection and comfort
- Don’t panic, most babies can relearn breastfeeding with time
It can feel disheartening when your baby refuses the breast but you're not doing anything wrong. You’re supporting your baby with love and responsiveness, and that’s what builds trust and success over time.
By adjusting bottle feeding techniques, offering the breast gently, and responding to your baby’s cues, you can often bring breastfeeding back into your routine or continue with a combination that works for both of you.
