In a perfect world, we would have on-site workplace child care, long maternity leaves, and bottles for breastfed babies would be optional. We’re not there yet. And while most babies are willing to take bottles when they can’t be with their mamas a few aren’t. That’s really stressful for everyone.

So what can families do? Try to see it from baby’s point of view. Try to figure out why your baby doesn’t like bottles. It may be something as simple as flow that is too fast. Or it may be milk that tastes bad. Maybe baby likes the feel of skin or misses mama. Every baby has his or her own reason for refusing bottles so there will be a different solution for every family. LLLI has a great collection of responses to this situation — each family finding a way to make it work.

A printable list of tips: bottle-tips