Bottle Aversion
Feeding & Swallowing Assessment
Bottle aversion is when a baby shows a strong preference against drinking from a bottle, often due to discomfort, sensory sensitivities, or negative past experiences. This can lead to difficulties with feeding and adequate nutrition. Our team of specialists helps identify the root cause of the aversion and uses gradual techniques to reintroduce bottle feeding, ensuring a more positive and comfortable experience for both the baby and the parents.
During the session, the speech therapist will do a physical examination of your child’s oral structures and sucking skills. The speech therapist will also observe your child feeding from the bottle or breast.
She will then provide suggestion to optimise the feeding, such as:
- Changes in feeding position or techniques
- Changes in milk consistency
- Changes to feeding schedule
- Changes in feeding equipment
- Exercises to promote a more efficient suck
We will also work closely with your paediatrician or gastroenterologist, to ensure that your baby’s hydration and nutritional needs are met.
We may recommend further evaluation of your swallowing difficulties using more objective measures, such as a Videofluroscopy Swallow Study (VFSS) should we suspect that there are signs of aspiration despite all interventions and if there is a history of lung infection.
