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Practical bottle feeding tips. Developmental milestones record—6 months. Nemours Foundation. Join now to personalize. Photo credit: Katie Rain for BabyCenter. Sources BabyCenter's editorial team is committed to providing the most helpful and trustworthy pregnancy and parenting information in the world.
One thing to keep in mind is there is a big different between bottle propping and your baby holding their own bottle to feed. It is dangerous because it is not a natural position for babies and can cause choking. They need to have arm strength and enough fine motor control to lift the bottle to their mouths.
You can help them learn this skills by gently placing their hands on the bottle during feeding times. At first this may only be a few seconds but as they get stronger they will be able to hold the bottle during a full feeding session. In order to promote good sleep habits, establish a bedtime routine. Reading simple books like these work great and singing and perfect activities to include into your routine.
Make sure to give your baby time to calm down and fall asleep. Always follow safe sleep practices if you need more information on safe sleep guidelines click here. Still struggling with sleep? For more information on creating good sleep habits click here! Motor Development Months. Communication Development Months. Physical Development Months. Intellectual Development Months. Yes, but only if your baby has the coordination and strength to do so.
Never prop your baby to feed themselves as this is dangerous and can lead to choking. Allow them lots of playtime on the floor where they can move freely. The average may be closer to 8 or 9 months, when babies have the strength and fine motor skills to hold objects even one in each hand!
Babies who have only recently transitioned to the bottle may not yet have an interest in holding it, even if their strength and coordination would technically allow it. Likewise, babies with more interest in food — which is also perfectly normal, by the way — may grab for the bottle earlier.
So you might not want your little one to get too attached to the idea that the bottle is theirs, only to have you trying to take it away a couple months later. Every baby is different. But if you observe these signs, get ready to clap your free hands with glee, because independent bottle-holding or drinking from a cup, which you might want to start encouraging instead is on its way.
Tummy time will also help them gain the core strength for this skill, and you can also encourage them to get there by sitting them up in your lap.
Focusing more on letting your baby feed themselves and teaching them how to hold and drink from their cup sippy or regular in the high chair, while continuing to be the one to give the bottle, is another way to encourage independence and teach them skills.
Remember that the bottle is for feeding, not for comfort or falling asleep. Giving your baby a milk bottle or even milk in a sippy cup to hold and then going on to do other things may not be a healthy practice.
Avoid leaving your little one in their crib with a bottle. Milk can collect in around their teeth and encourage tooth decay in the long term and choking in the short term. Instead, feed your baby shortly before putting them to bed or let them do it with your watchful eye on them and then gently wipe their gums and teeth free of milk. If the struggle to get them to fall asleep without a nipple in their mouth is real, pop in a pacifier. In addition to choking, it puts them at greater risk for overeating.
If she makes too much noise then perhaps she is sucking in a lot of air. Excessive gas can lead to colic pain. Check the nipple of the bottle for any blockage, and also the position of the bottle in her hand.
Ensure that she has placed the nipple properly in her mouth. Your baby could be a pro in holding the bottle but she may still need help in removing the nipple from her mouth, especially if she started holding the bottle at a younger age. Therefore, gently remove the nipple from her mouth after she feeds herself adequately. If she shows resistance or puts it back in the mouth then she is not full yet.
The bottle is not a toy and should never be left unattended with the baby. She may overfeed herself and it can be a choking hazard. Babies tend to go to sleep while feeding. Do not let that happen. Holding a bottle is not a difficult task for your baby. She can learn it in no time, especially if she loves to drink the content in the bottle.
Have patience and help your baby with the job. And there is no harm if your little one learns the art later than the other babies. When did your little one begin holding the bottle? Share your experiences with us by leaving a comment below. The following two tabs change content below.
Reviewer Author. Mubina Agboatwalla is a well-known pediatrician, practicing paediatrics since the last 20 years in Karachi Pakistan. She is the head of the department of Pediatrics in Karachi Liaquat Hospital, as well as her private practice in three specialist clinics in Pediatrics. She is also a Public Health Specialist specializing in preventive health including nutrition, breastfeeding and infectious diseases especially Rohit Garoo is a zoologist-botanist turned writer with over 8 years of experience in content writing, content marketing, and copywriting.
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