Holding bottles

Can you teach babies to hold their bottles or is it just something they do once they start reaching/grasping everything else? My boys will reach and sometimes grab their bottles but they are no where near holding them, they don't even really hold onto toys (other than fabric) for very long. What age does this happen? It would make going out so much easier

 

My girls didn't hold them for the longest time. When EI was here for an evaluation, they said to place their hands on the bottle, and bring their elbows close to their body. They said that would help them get the right position to hold them. It did seem to help us, but my girls were probably 7.5-8 months or so at the time.

 

My two started to try an hold the bottle right around 4.5-5 months. They're still not very good at it. I bought a couple of the spill proof sippy cups, and once they're done with their bottles, I let them play with the sippy cups (with just a little water in the bottom). They can hold the cups and drink for a minute or so. Their biggest problem is they'll pull out the cup or bottle, and not be able to get it back in. Maybe if they were really hungry or something, they wouldn't want to pull it out. Anyway, we work on it every day, and they're getting better.

The other thing to look into (And they get mixed reviews around here) is the Podee hands free bottle, if you need something to use out and about.

 

I haven't gotten mine yet, but the bebe bottle sling claims to help babies learn to hold the bottle.

 

Mine were able to hold sippy cups first too. I had the ones with handles. I think there are some bottles that have handles you can add. They may pick up on that first. Sadly, mine didn't hold their bottles/cups until 8/9 months.

 

I put together a 4 oz. bottle for them to play with. They have been trying since 4.5 months, they havent mastered it yet but doing better.

 

Mine just started getting it down. About a month ago, they outgrew their infant car seats so we've kept them in the house. I use them for feedings now [fold up some blankets for butt pads to refrain from discomfort from the buckles]. I'd put them in the car seats and lean them back against the coffee table so it's tipped back a little [and the coffee table makes sure it doesn't fall completely back]. I'd put a folded up wash cloth under the bottle to prop it up.

If it seemed like they needed my help, I'd hold the bottle for them, but for the most part I encouraged them to do it on their own. Then about a week ago, Alyssa started to hold it and tip it back on her own! and a few days ago, Rose got it down. Slowly I keep setting the carseat more and more upward as time goes on. hopefully soon I can get rid of those things, lol In the end I think they will do it when they're ready. Just keep showing them how to do it and hope for the best ^_^

 

I did not do anything special to teach them, it was something they started to gradually do until they got the hang of it between 4-5 months.

 

I tried multiple types of cups with both of them. E likes cups with handles, so we are working on getting rid of his bottle now. K is off the bottle and using a sippy cup. She refused to hold her bottle, but instantly grabbed onto a nuby cup with no handles. Out with the bottle for her.

 

Mine started trying pretty early, but it was 9 months before I could (would?) just hand them a bottle and let them lay on their pillows and drink.

 

Mine didnt do it until they were 9 months old. I tried everything. They were not interested at all.