Why Is Your Baby Playing with the Bottle Nipple Instead of Eating? Causes and Solutions for Feeding Issues

Seeing a baby playing with bottle nipple instead of eating from it can cause frustration and concern to parents. If you are new parents, then the confusion irritates you too much. Here I am to share all about handling such issues from the best of my parenting and professional experience. Let’s dive deep to understand this baby’s behavior and find an effective solution to manage this situation, ensuring proper nourishment for your growing baby.

Baby Chewing on Bottle Nipple Instead of Eating – Normal or Concerning

The first step in solving any issue is knowing and evaluating the reason behind it. Babies tend to chew on bottle nipples instead of drinking for several reasons, including teething discomfort, sensory development, or just getting bored. Even though it may seem like a feeding issue, it usually is part of their developmental growth. Understanding the indications and appropriate action can solve this problem, smoothing the feeding process.

Reasons Why Your Baby Plays with a Bottle Nipple Instead of Eating

There are some quite common reasons why a baby playing with bottle nipple instead of eating:

1. Painful Teething

Painful teething causes discomfort in the baby’s gums. Babies then chew on a feeding bottle nipple to soothe the pain.

2. Getting Familiar with Textures

Babies are curious humans. While exploring new textures, they feel them with their mouths by chewing. Very often, the bouncy texture of the bottle nipple can attract the baby to chew on it.

3. Motor Skill Development

When babies’ oral motor skills develop, they tend to chew and bite more. During feeding time, they prefer to chew the bottle nipple.

4. Food Flowing Speed

Babies may feel bored or frustrated if the feeding bottle flow is too slow or fast. To express this feeling, babies sometimes start chewing on the nipple instead of drinking.

5. Distraction

If babies get distracted while feeding by surrounding people or anything else, they may play with the nipple instead of eating.

6. Food Experience

If the baby does not like the food in the bottle, it will stop eating and chew on the bottle nipple. Sometimes, choking from reflux while feeding can lead to a fear, which can cause the baby to stop eating the food and just chew on the bottle nipple.

How to Stop Your Baby Chewing on Bottle Nipple

To put a stop to the problem “baby is chewing on the bottle nipple instead of drinking”, try these tips:

• To provide comfort to sore gums, offer a cold teething ring.
• Maintain a moderate nipple flow.
• Feed in a calm and distraction-free environment.
• Use a Teether of different textures (for example, silicone or rubber)
• Feed only when the baby is truly hungry.

Signs to Take Expert Consultation on Baby Chewing on Nipple Instead of Eating

While baby chewing on the bottle nipple is usually harmless, there are specific scenarios when you should consult a pediatrician:

• The baby constantly refuses to drink and only chews on the nipple.
• The baby shows oral discomfort, such as redness, swelling, or excessive drooling.
• The baby appears fussy, irritable, or in pain during feeding.
• You notice indications of reflux or choking during feeding time.
• The baby is not gaining weight appropriately or shows signs of dehydration.

Conclusion: Understand Your Baby’s Behavior

A baby playing with bottle nipple instead of eating is not a worrying concern until specific symptoms do not show up. To manage this issue, it is undoubtedly important to understand the reasoning. Just take action according to the reason, and make your baby focus on eating and drinking the food. Keep monitoring closely and consult an expert if any concerning indication is observed. Explore our Q&A for helpful tips and essential guidance.