Holding the Bottle - Killeen,TX

They ususally start holding their own bottle around 6 or 7 months old. With my son, I would hold the bottle where he could see it but I wouldn't put it in his mouth, I would wait until he grabbed for it and then helped him guide it to his mouth and held his hands on the bottle while he drank, after a few times of doing this he was pretty good at grabbing it and holding it on his own. I think using the small bottles helps a lot too because they are easier for babies to hold and to tip up.

I agree with the mom who said you still need to hold your baby during feedings.

my daughter started holding her bottle at 2 months. i did, from birth, was wrap her hand around the bottle as i fed her. put your hand over hers. she eventually made it a habbit and by 2 months was on her own. sounds young to me but it happened. so as i fed her all i had to do was hold her and she basically fed herself. i then had to teach her to hold the end up so she did not sick air but that was easily learned.

good luck!

Hello. I have two girls 4 and 2 yrs. the oldest started at 4 mon. and the baby was about 6 mon. During feeding time i would place the bottle infront of them where they could see it and would put their hands around the top and hold it from the bottom. most the of the time they would hold it for a little bit then with each feeding I would have them hold it longer and longer until they began to do it on their own.

T., that just really depends on the type of parent you are. Some mommies baby their babies longer and they don't have to hold it on their own. Others want them to be more independent faster. Some babies are naturally more independent also. I can say that with my babies, my son could hold his 4 oz bottle by 4 1/2 months, but not real well. My daughter was completely bottle independent when she was 5 months old.

Just help them to hold it and they catch on - those clever creatures!

Even when your child can hold their own bottle you still need to sit with them and hold them while they drink it. Laying your baby down with a bottle or proping it can cause ear infections, the milk can run down the face and into the ear. You need to hold your baby while she feeds its also a bonding moment. Also be sure not to put baby down in bed with a bottle it can also cause tooth decay, besure to wipe out your childs mouth with a cloth to prevent liquids from sitting on the gums and causeing tooth decay.

She is able to hold her bottle now, put her in her carrier and then place her hands on the bottle. It will be easier for her to understand if you are not holding her during these "learning" feedings. Because if you are holding her, she knows you will be there to hold the bottle, but if she's solo she knows she will have to fend for herself and get the bottle in her mouth. Hope this helps, good luck!

T., actually, my daughter never held her own bottle. I found it was easier to wean her to a sippy cup that way; the sippy was "hers" while the bottle was "mine." It was a little bothersome at times, but it made sure she sat down quietly for meals.