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Could This Be
Bottle Aversion?

A baby experiencing bottle aversion/refusal may show one or more of the following behaviours:

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  • Goes longer between feeds or skips them entirely without appearing upset.

  • Shows signs of hunger but still turns away from feeding.

  • Becomes unsettled or tearful when a bib is put on, when placed in a feeding position, or when the bottle is brought nearby.

  • Keeps their mouth firmly closed or turns their head away from the breast or bottle.

  • Takes a small amount and then pulls back, arches away, or becomes tense or distressed (arching is often a way of creating distance rather than a sign of reflux).

  • Feeds more easily when drowsy or asleep.

  • Takes less milk or food than expected for their age.

  • Declines milk but accepts solid foods.

  • Shows slower weight gain or growth than anticipated, and may be described as having “poor weight gain”, ‘‘failure to thrive’’.

A simple self‑check

 

Bottle aversion can feel confusing and personal, but it’s very common.

This page helps you understand whether what you’re seeing fits the picture of bottle aversion, or whether something else might be going on underneath.

This is not a diagnosis — just a way to make sense of the signs.

 

1. Signs that fit with bottle aversion:

Your baby may be developing a bottle aversion if a few of these feel familiar, or if one of them happens often.

  • Stress or resistance when the bottle appears

  • Fussing, crying, arching, or pulling away during feeds

  • Drinking only when distracted, drowsy, or asleep

  • Taking small amounts then refusing more

  • Skipping feeds

  • Feeding used to be easier but now feels tense or pressured​

More subtle signs:

  • Mild resistance at the start of feeds (head turns, gently pushing the bottle away, appears overly distracted)

  • Allowing the teat in the mouth but no nutritive sucking

  • Playing and chewing on the teat

  • Long gaps between feeds despite hunger

  • Increased need for distraction to be able to feed

  • Latching and unlatching frequently

  • Feeding more calmly when drowsy

If a few of these feel familiar, keep reading

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2. Before assuming aversion: rule out medical contributors

These issues need addressing by professionals first, as they can cause or worsen feeding resistance:

  • Reflux that isn’t well managed

  • Tongue‑tie functionally affecting feeding -latch, seal, flow control, suck, fatigue during feeds and tension

  • Anatomical abnormalities/structural issues (e.g. laryngomalacia, dysphagia)

  • Possible CMPA that hasn’t been trialed with the right formula

  • Pain during or after feeds

  • Medical conditions affecting feeding - heart, respiratory, neurological gastrointestinal conditions etc.

  • Weight loss or poor weight gain for reasons other than feeding resistance

Aversion work comes after health, comfort and safety are addressed.

 

3. When it’s not bottle aversion

Aversion is unlikely if:

  • Your baby drinks happily and consistently

  • They take good volumes without hesitation

  • They only struggle when overtired or overstimulated

  • Babies transitioning from breast to bottle (preference based refusal). They’ve never taken a bottle and are exclusively breastfed (a slightly different issue) but still something I can support with.

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4. What bottle aversion often looks like day‑to‑day

Parents commonly describe:

  • “They stiffen or cry as soon as I get them into feeding position.” 

  • “They turn their head away when they see the bottle.”

  • “They’ll drink half‑asleep but not when awake.”

  • “They take a few sips then push it away and get upset.”

  • “They only drink with distraction.” 

  • “They go long stretches because they’re avoiding feeds.”

These are classic aversion patterns.

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5. What commonly leads to bottle aversion

Aversion usually develops because feeding has felt uncomfortable, pressured, or stressful.

Common contributors include:

  • Feeding discomfort (reflux, CMPA, tongue‑tie, fast flow, pain)

  • Pressure to feed (even gentle, well‑meant pressure)

  • Feeding schedules

  • Coughing/choking at the bottle

  • Body or oral tension and structural issues

  • Early difficult feeding experiences

  • Feeling rushed or coaxed

  • Parent anxiety (totally understandable)

Babies are sensitive, if feeding has felt stressful, they start to associate the bottle with that stress.

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Putting it together :

Bottle aversion is possible if you’re seeing:

  • Resistance or distress around the bottle

  • Feeds that feel stressful

  • Better drinking when drowsy or distracted

  • No untreated medical issues

  • A baby who used to feed well but now avoids it ​

This is not your fault.

It’s a pattern and patterns can be changed with the right support.

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