08/07/2025
💡 It’s okay if your baby doesn’t finish the whole bottle. Really.
We love to see a baby stop eating when they’re full. That’s self-regulation and it’s one of the best feeding skills a baby can learn.
🥛 But here’s the catch: parents often feel pressure to have their baby “finish the whole bottle,” especially when they’ve worked hard to pump that milk or prep that formula. I see it all the time. You glance at that last half ounce and think, Come on, baby, just a little more…
Here’s your permission slip: it’s okay to stop.
🧠 At the breast babies are built for intuitive eating. When they’re nursing directly, they’re in control — they pause, take breaks, switch sides, or decide they’re done even if there’s still milk available. No one is there nudging them to take “just a few more sips.”
🍼 On the bottle we have to recreate that same responsive vibe. It’s not about ounces, it’s about communication.
Want to help your baby build healthy, intuitive feeding habits? Try this:
•For newborns, pace the feed. Use the slowest flow ni**le the baby will take or the one that matches how your milk is flowing and give little breaks for burping. Let them lead.
•Watch their cues. Slowing down, pushing the bottle away, turning their head are their ways of saying, I’m good, thanks.
•Trust the stop. Even if there’s still milk left. Even if it’s the “usual” amount. Hunger varies!
✨ Responsive bottle feeding = honoring your baby’s fullness cues the same way we honor their hunger cues. When we do this consistently, we’re supporting their long-term relationship with food and their ability to listen to their body.
And yes babies are allowed to leave leftovers.
If you’re concerned about your baby’s weight gain or milk intake, work with an IBCLC to figure out why and learn strategies to help with appropriate intake
