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Feeding Aversion in Babies: A Parent’s Guide to Fixing Bottle Aversion and Nursing Strikes

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Feeding Aversion in Babies: A Parent’s Guide to Fixing Bottle Aversion and Nursing Strikes

Does my baby have a feeding aversion?

Written by the team at The Baby Element Clinic, Wilmslow. Last updated: 2 February 2025.

Is your baby suddenly refusing the bottle or breast? You’re not alone. A feeding aversion, also known as a bottle aversion or nursing strike, is a common and deeply stressful experience for parents. This guide will help you understand the signs of a feeding aversion, uncover the reasons why your baby is refusing to eat, and provide actionable steps towards making feeding time peaceful and positive again.

What Are the Signs of a Feeding Aversion?

A feeding aversion can feel like it appeared overnight, turning a calm routine into a battle. Your baby might not be rejecting you, but rather communicating an issue with the feeding process itself. Look for these common signs of bottle aversion or a nursing strike:

  • Immediate Refusal: Crying, arching their back, or becoming tense as soon as you get into a feeding position.
  • Partial Feeding: Taking a small amount of milk (perhaps just an ounce or two) before pulling away and refusing to continue.
  • Turning Away: Actively turning their head away from the bottle or breast when it’s offered.
  • Clamping Mouth Shut: Refusing to open their mouth, or pushing the bottle or nipple away with their hands or tongue.
  • Better Feeding When Drowsy: Your baby may feed much better when sleepy or in a light state of sleep, as their guard is down and the negative associations are less present.
  • Increased Feeding Anxiety (in both parent and baby): You may feel a sense of dread before a feed, and your baby picks up on this anxiety, creating a cycle of stress.
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Feeding Aversion in Babies: A Parent’s Guide to Fixing Bottle Aversion and Nursing Strikes

What Causes Feeding Aversion in Babies?

Understanding the “why” behind the refusal is the first step toward finding a solution. It’s rarely one single thing, but often stems from a baby associating feeding with something negative or uncomfortable.

There are two common pathways this develops:

  1. The Sudden Onset: This often happens to a baby who has been feeding well for months. A new, negative event—like the sharp pain from teething, a distressing bout of reflux, pressure to feed when not hungry, or a respiratory illness that makes breathing difficult—can create a powerful negative association with the act of feeding.
  2. The Slow Burn (The “Muddling Through” Baby): In the early weeks, a newborn’s powerful, primitive suck reflex can mask underlying problems like a tongue-tie, oral dysfunction, body tension from birth, or an inefficient latch. They feed because the reflex is strong, not necessarily because it’s comfortable. As this reflex integrates around 2-4 months, the baby’s brain develops, and they gain cognitive awareness. They are no longer on autopilot and can finally say, “This has always been hard, and I don’t want to do it anymore.” This is when the feeding refusal surfaces.
Feeding Aversion in Babies: A Parent’s Guide to Fixing Bottle Aversion and Nursing Strikes

How to Fix a Feeding Aversion: It's Not Your Fault

When to Seek Support & How We Can Help You

The most crucial thing to consider is that feeding issues with breast refusal or bottle aversion is a fixable problem, and it is not a reflection of your parenting.

You have not failed. The key to resolving a feeding aversion is to remove all pressure and rebuild trust. Your goal is to help your baby learn that feeding can be a comfortable, safe, and enjoyable experience again.

While specific strategies depend on the root cause of the aversion or refusal to feed, the foundation of recovery is creating a low-pressure, responsive feeding environment alongside addressing the root cause or causes. 

Viewing the issues of feeding aversion as a communication breakdown, not a behavioural issue, is essential.

When to Seek Support & How We Can Help You

Trying to solve a feeding aversion on your own can be incredibly isolating. The conflicting advice online can leave you feeling more confused and overwhelmed. This is where professional support makes all the difference.

As an IBCLC (International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant)
and Infant Feeding Specialist, my role is to work with you to identify the specific root cause of your baby’s aversion. Together, we can create a gentle,
customised plan to rebuild your baby’s trust in feeding and restore your own confidence.

If you recognise your story in this article and are ready for a clear path forward, book a Quick Chat to see how we can get feeding back on track together.

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