Is It Serious If Your Baby Refuses Their Milk Bottle ?

Your baby no longer wants their milk bottle and makes it clear every day. Do they want something else? How can you ensure they get enough calcium? Tiffany Deroyer, a pediatric dietitian-nutritionist, helps us understand your baby’s needs and how to provide the right nutrition for healthy growth.

"My 12-month old refuses every bottle I offer. I only breastfed for two months before switching to formula, and now he won’t take it anymore. He has no health issues, no reflux, no illness he just won’t drink from the bottle, not even a little. He used to be a hungry baby, but now he won’t finish his bottle. I’m worried about his growth. Should I replace it with dairy products? Stop giving bottles entirely? Can he grow normally without a bottle and still stay on track with his growth curve? I've heard about infant cereals, but it’s such a debated topic, so I decided to increase the amount of dairy instead."

Laure, mom of Mathieu, 20 months

Try a Different Cup or Bottle

If your baby refuses their bottle, try changing the container. Have you tested a baby cup or a straw bottle? They might accept it simply because it's something new. At this stage, babies crave novelty and begin asserting their personality, tastes, and evolving needs. They communicate their preferences through refusals, crying, expressions, and emotions which can be challenging to decipher at first. Learning to understand each other takes time.

Rule Out an Intolerance or Allergy

If you suspect your child has developed a cow's milk protein allergy or lactose intolerance (especially if they experience stomach pain), consult a pediatrician to confirm the diagnosis and adjust their diet accordingly.

Can Dairy Replace the Bottle?

Breast milk or infant formula remains a staple in your baby's diet, but dairy products can help replace some bottles while diversifying their nutrition. Dairy provides calcium, but keep in mind that some options contain more protein than formula and lack the iron found in infant milk. Always choose plain dairy products (avoiding sweetened or flavored options) and preferably opt for full-fat varieties, such as:

• Yogurt
• Fromage blanc
• Petit Suisse
• Faisselle

To add variety, you can naturally flavor them with unsweetened applesauce or fruit purée for extra taste.

What About Cheese?

Cheese is also a great source of calcium. Plus, it helps maintain healthy teeth thanks to its calcium and phosphorus content. Until the age of five, it’s best to choose pasteurized cheeses to reduce the risk of listeriosis and salmonella. Some excellent options include:

• Emmental
• Gruyère
• Comté
• Beaufort
• Mozzarella
• Mascarpone

All pressed and cooked cheeses are rich in calcium and can be a valuable addition to your child's diet.

Calcium Equivalents

125 ml of whole milk can be replaced by:

• 1 plain yogurt (125g)
• 2 plain petit suisses ( Be mindful of variation, as petit suisses are high in protein, which should be limited in babies’ diets)
• 15 to 20g of cheese
• 100g of fromage blanc
• 100g of plain faisselle

Hydration, Hydration!

If your baby no longer drinks milk from a bottle, ensure they stay hydrated with water. Their water and calcium intake change when they stop bottle feeding.

How can you be sure your baby is getting all the necessary nutrients? If you have any doubts, consult your pediatrician or a pediatric dietitian. These experts can assess your baby’s diet and recommend nutritious alternatives to maintain a balanced intake.