Does a baby "have to" hold her bottle?

Question

My baby's 9 months old and she has a good grip! She grabs toys, she puts them in and out of boxes, she pulls herself up with the furniture, etc... BUT... she doesn's seem interested in holding her bottle, which is OK by me, but my mother in law is like: "How come she doesn't hold her bottle? She SHOULD be able to do that..."
Is she right? Is it really so important for my baby to hold her bottle?

Answer 1

I'm sure she is physically capable of holding her bottle. She's just used to you doing it. There's nothing wrong with that, it is a sure way to have plenty of bonding time. I always held all of my babies when I fed them a bottle. Why not? Enjoy her!!!!

Answer 2

It may be a good idea for your daughter to start holding her bottle or if he doesn't want to try to get him used to it little by little hold it for a while then let him hold it until he completely holds it himself. My son started holding his bottle at the age of 5 months. But keep in mind all babies have different milestones. It may be easier for your baby to hold the bottle especially at night time you don't have to sit up with the baby half asleep feeding the baby. You can just give the baby the bottle and let them hold it and drink it and take it away when their done. It sure beats sitting up with the baby. You can lay down until the baby finishes the bottle.

Answer 3

I'm sure she could hold her bottle if she wished to. It's obviously not an issue with you. At nine months, it won't be that long before she's moved to a cup anyway. And, if you always hold her and give her her bottle, it will be easier to take her off the night bottle when it's time.

Relax, it's no big deal.

Answer 4

You're full of questions today :) My daughter is the same age, so if you want you can just email me, if you have anymore questions to save yourself some points. Anyways, I don't think it's a necessary skill, because my daughter's doctor never asked if she was holding the bottle herselfor not and usually they ask about all the important milestones, but I think it helps if they can hold it themselves. Sometimes, try dropping the bottle when you're feeding her and see what she does. No offense, but she could just be lazy, because she knows Mom/Dad is gonna do it for her.

Answer 5

Mine is 10 months and she WON'T hold her bottle......she can, but she refuses. Which is fine with me. We cuddle up and she sits in my lap and I hold it for her. She holds her own sippy cups all the time. She just prefers not to hold her bottle. I don't mind. She only gets 2 per day at this age (one morning and one at night). I love the special cuddle time while she has her bottles. Heck, it is probably my fault she will not hold it, as I never encouraged it. Oh well. She holds her sippy cup with no problems, so I know she is doing okay.

Answer 6

Don't worry about what your Mother-in-Law says, your baby enjoys you holding her bottle. when she wants to do it she will show you. She sounds like she is developing just fine, Hold her bottle for her she wont stay a baby for long.

Answer 7

My son didn't hold his bottle either and we found out that he had muscle weakness in his shoulders. He is in therapy now to correct the situation. This may not be the case in your case but it is worth looking in to.

Answer 8

Your baby knows that she can count on you to feed her, and she likes it that way, and since you don't mind, hold the bottle she doesn't have to.

Answer 9

Babies do things in their own time. Just keep working w/ her. She'll get the hang of it soon enough.

Answer 10

I would think that she should be able to do it, but personally I'd prefer mine didn't because then its easier to get rid of because the child is less attached to it.