When Can A Baby Hold Bottle: 6 Easy Tips To Help With It

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Parents often wonder, “When can a baby hold a bottle?” when transitioning from breastfeeding to assisted bottle feeding. Babies begin developing the coordination to hold their own bottle between 6 and 10 months of age, though this milestone varies. When a baby can hold a bottle independently, it may depend on factors like muscle strength, developmental skills, and opportunity for practice. From providing supervised practice, using correct positioning, and using appropriate bottles, there are many ways in which parents can encourage their babies to hold their bottles. Read on to know when babies start holding their own bottles, tips to help them, and the precautions to take while holding a bottle.

When Can A Baby Hold The Bottle

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), infants start grasping objects around 4 months and refine their grip over the next few months (1). A baby should be able to hold a bottle from the age of six months because it is the time when they develop motor skillsⁱA set of abilities that help move and control various body parts, especially hands, legs, and fingers. to move objects from hand to hand.

This includes the grasping reflex in babies, and the baby can hold the bottle using all fingers. In fact, your baby’s ability to hold the bottle by the sixth month is one of the indicators of healthy development (2).

Babies develop the primitive palmar gripⁱA reflex or involuntary movement of the palm that helps infants grasp things. from the end of the fifth month. Therefore, it is quite likely that they may grab the bottle and hold it, too (3).

However, it is not necessary that all the babies begin holding the bottle by the sixth month. Sometimes, they may not even show an inclination towards holding the bottle independently until 10 months or more.

This does not mean that they are lagging in development. As long as they meet other developmental milestonesⁱStages of a baby’s development in which they attain vital life skills as they grow. , this should not be a source of worry for you.

Also, do not be surprised if your baby begins to hold things as early as three months.

Make an effort to help them accomplish the task. But initially, it is best to bottle feed the baby by holding the bottle yourself. Keep the head of the baby up to prevent aspiration.

How To Make A Baby Hold The Bottle

The process needs to be gradual. Once you know when babies can hold their own bottles, You need to spend some time and not lose patience as your baby could learn the task after several attempts.

• Introduce your baby to the bottle during the feeding session by making them touch and feel the bottle to get a sense of its shape, size, and weight.
• Initially, make them hold an empty bottle by putting her hands around it.

• Once they show interest in gripping the bottle, fill the bottle in installments – quarter, half, and then full.
• When filling the bottle, you need to consider your baby’s ability to carry the weight of the bottle.

Do remember

The bottle has to be dry from the outside, and the milk should be at an appropriate temperature for the baby’s touch.

• Then, slowly move the bottle near their mouth. Touching the nipple to the side of the lips initiates the baby’s sucking reflex.
• If they hold the nipple to their mouth, due to the smell of the milk, and start suckling, then it is an instant success! Otherwise, you can guide the nipple into their mouth.
• Support the bottle at the other end. Once you are convinced about their ability to have a decent grip on the bottle, let go of your hold, while keeping a watchful eye.

Holding a bottle marks a significant milestone in a baby’s development. Vadim Gut, a father, narrates how he made handles for his baby’s bottle so that it would be easier for his baby to grip it. He says, “As our baby grew older and reached the age where he could hold the bottle on his own, we realized the need for bottle handles. This would allow him to grip the bottle himself and give our hands a much-needed break…The final design worked flawlessly. My child could grip it securely without the handles breaking, and it assisted him in holding the bottle with ease (i).”

Quick tip

Ensure that the nipple of the bottle is of the right size to prevent gagging.

6 Tips To Help Your Baby Hold The Bottle

Your baby can show an interest in holding the bottle from an early age if you encourage them to do so.

Follow these tips to teach your baby the correct way of bottle-holding and make them associate the bottle with their hunger.

1. Observe patterns in your baby’s motor skills

Do not force your baby to hold the bottle while feeding. Instead, go by their motor skill milestones. Babies usually learn to open and shut their hands firmly by the age of three months (4). This means that there is a good chance for your baby to clutch their toys firmly and move them.

Observe such playtime patterns, and if they show interest in holding objects, you may try to make them hold the bottle. Initially, make them hold small toys.

2. Teach the utility of the bottle

Make your baby understand the connection between their hunger and the feeding bottle. You can do this by giving them the bottle when they are hungry. Babies learn to recognize faces and objects at a distance as early as three months, which means they can easily associate objects with a purpose (5). Training their little mind to look up to the bottle as a source of food will automatically stimulate them to take it when they are hungry.

3. Cuddle your baby

Your baby can feel the warmth of your body when you are breastfeeding them. Make them experience the same even when they are bottle-feeding. This will not make them feel deprived of your proximity. Holding the baby in your arms will make it easier for them to adapt to the bottle. Give them the warmth of a parent while bottle-feeding.

4. Maintain peace and silence during the feeding session

Do not distract the baby with noises when they are feeding. If there are too many things happening around them during the bottle-feeding session, they may not feed to their content or may swallow more air than milk (6). Distraction during feeding can result in the baby either losing interest in feeding or aspirating milk, which can be dangerous.

Cuddle them in your arms while bottle-feeding. That way, you can keep a watch on them while the warmth of your body keeps them calm.

Point to consider

Babies develop attention span and social communication skills by looking into your face while feeding. With eye contact, they learn to observe the movement of your eyes and follow them, thus showing signs of joint attention (7).

5. Provide some support

Your baby’s tender arms could hurt while clutching the bottle for a long time. Therefore, put a cushion or a soft and safe object under their arms to support the bottle. You might also try holders that will keep the bottle in place. This will not only help your baby relax their arms but also keep the bottle in the right position while they are bottle-sucking. Keep your baby’s head in a raised position compared to their body.

6. It is okay if they do not hold the bottle some days

On certain days, the baby may not want to hold the bottle. Just like adults, babies can have mood swings, too. They may clench their fists and not open them. If that is the case, leave it be. Do not force them to feed from the bottle. They will reach out for it when they are hungry.

Most importantly, do not aim to teach the baby to hold the bottle in the first few days. Rushing the process could lead to an aversion or even cause physical harm. Take proper safety precautions to ensure the baby’s well-being.

Precautions To Take When The Baby Holds The Bottle

Following these safety measures will make sure that there is no danger, however minor it is, for your baby.

1. Place the baby in the right position

The best position for bottle-nursing is the breastfeeding position: lying on the back cuddled in your arms. If you intend to place the baby on a surface, keep them in a slightly arched position that mimics the natural breastfeeding posture.

Never let the baby hold the bottle vertically straight or tip it over into their mouth (8). This could cause choking or lead to infection if the contents flow into the ears. The eustachian tubeⁱA passage connecting the middle ear to the pharynx/back of the throat. of babies is smaller and straight and the milk may go into the middle ear leading to ear infection (9). Instead, let the baby use their hand strength to control the tilt of the bottle as needed.

2. Do not leave the baby unattended

Even if your little bundle of joy has become independent with bottle feeding, you cannot leave them alone when they are drinking from it. Stay close and monitor your baby while they are feeding. If you feel they are losing their balance with the bottle, gently correct their position.

3. Listen carefully to feeding sounds

Listen to the sounds your baby makes when feeding. If they make too much noise, they may be sucking in a lot of air. Excessive gas can lead to colicⁱPeriodic and predictable crying episodes in infants for an extended period with no definitive cause. pain (10). Check the teat of the bottle for any blockage and also the position of the bottle in their hand. Ensure that they have placed the nipple properly in their mouth.

4. Help remove the nipple from the mouth

Your baby could be a pro at holding the bottle, but they may still need help removing the nipple from their mouth, especially if they started holding the bottle at a younger age. Leaving the nipple in the mouth for too long can cause cavities. Therefore, gently remove the nipple after they have fed themselves adequately. If they show resistance or put it back in their mouth, they may not be full yet.

5. Never let the baby sleep with the bottle

The bottle is not a toy and should never be left unattended with the baby. They may overfeed themselves, and it can be a choking hazard. Be watchful of your baby’s feeding habits by being present whenever they feed. Babies tend to fall asleep while feeding. Do not let that happen.

When Should You Switch From A Bottle To A Sippy Cup?

The American Academy of Pediatrics advises introducing a cup to your child when they begin consuming solid foods, typically around six months (11). Incorporating a sippy cup with a small amount of water during meals is recommended. Although your baby may not consume much water initially, providing a sippy cup allows them to develop hand-to-mouth coordination and fosters a sense of independence during meals (12). Initially, demonstrate how to lift the cup and sip water slowly to prevent spillage due to its weight. Generally, between six and twelve months, most babies are ready to drink from a cup (5), but it’s essential to be responsive to your baby’s unique pace and introduce the cup when prepared (13).

If you notice a lack of interest in reaching for or holding objects by six months, weak or floppy muscle tone, difficulty coordinating hand movements, a persistent inability to grasp and hold a bottle by nine months, or struggles with other fine motor skills, it may be helpful to consult a pediatrician to rule out any underlying issues.

Infographic: How Can You Help Your Baby Hold A Bottle?

Some babies may begin holding their bottle when they begin feeding solids, which could be around six to eight months; however, not all babies may learn the skill at the same time. If you wish to help your baby hold a bottle, this infographic can guide you with some valuable tips.

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Illustration: MomJunction Design Team

Illustration: When Can A Baby Hold Bottle: 6 Easy Tips To Help With It

Image: Dall·E/MomJunction Design Team

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