When Do Babies Hold Their Own Bottle? Experts Answer

Giving baby a bottle can be a wonderful bonding experience in the first year of parenthood. But, with all you have to do, it’d surely be nice to get your hands back at some point. So when do babies start holding their own bottle? Ultimately, it’s up to baby to decide when they’re ready to self serve. “My two kids had pretty much started to hold their own bottles by 8 months old, but it really depended on their mood and how they were feeling that day,” says Meenakshi A., a mom of two in New York City.

Some good news? There are a few things you can do to help get your little one ready. After all, baby holding a bottle is an important milestone. It’s a sign that their brain and muscle development is right on track—and a tiny reminder for caregivers that taking care of baby does get easier.

So when do babies hold their own bottles, and how can you help them along? Read on for the answers.

Key Takeaways

• Babies usually start holding their own bottles between 6 to 10 months old, but this can vary from baby to baby. Some signs baby may be ready to hold their bottle include sitting up, reaching for their bottle and bringing items to their mouth.
• Letting baby hold their own bottle helps build their fine-motor skills, such as grip strength and coordination. To help baby practice bottle-holding, have them do tummy time, give them teething toys and be picky about what feeding gear you’re choosing.
• Even once baby starts to hold their own bottle, they should always be supervised while feeding. Also avoid bottle propping, as it could lead to overfeeding and choking.

When Do Babies Start Holding Their Own Bottle?

“Most babies will start holding their own bottles between 6 to 10 months, as their fine-motor skills develop,” says Sandeepa Rajadhyaksha, MD, a pediatrician in Frisco, Texas. But, as is the case with many things, every baby’s different, and the typical window for when babies start holding a bottle can be wide. Some learn to hold the bottle pretty early on, others take their time. Either way, it’s fine. Plus, be aware that this is the starting age range, meaning “they may not hold the bottle consistently or for the entire feeding,” says Denise Scott, MD, a pediatrician and pediatric endocrinologist.

It’s also important to note that once baby can hold their own bottle, they can usually hold a sippy cup as well, Scott adds. “Some cups are held similarly to a bottle, and others have handles that can make it easier.”

Signs Baby May Be Ready to Hold the Bottle

Eager to see baby holding a bottle, but not sure if they’re ready? If you watch carefully, your child will give you clues they’re ready to get more involved at mealtimes—and many of them have to do with hitting milestones and baby’s overall development. Here are some signs to look for:

Baby can sit up for 10 minutes

Holding a bottle is a fine-motor skill, and it requires baby to be able to sit up independently, says Melanie Potock, MA, CCC-SLP, a Denver-based pediatric feeding expert and co-author of Baby Self-Feeding. (Plus, it’s safest for baby to self-feed in an upright, seated position.)

Baby reaches for their bottle

If baby’s reaching for or putting their hands on the bottle as you feed them, it’s a sign they may be ready to hold it, Scott says. This shows interest and cognitive development, and that baby’s starting to associate the bottle with food. Similarly, Scott adds that if baby brings food that’s been handed to them to their mouth, it’s another sign that they may be ready for holding their bottle.

Baby sits and reaches for items

If baby reaches for objects and brings them to their mouth while sitting (i.e. gnawing on toys while they’re seated independently), they’re essentially multitasking, and they may be ready to hold their own bottle, Scott says.

Why It’s Important for Baby to Hold Their Own Bottle

Those sweet moments spent snuggling baby while feeding them are great for bonding. It’s okay to hold baby’s bottle to continue that connection every now and then, but it’s also important to let them try holding their own bottle once they’re ready. Developmentally, holding a bottle helps baby build fine-motor skills—which lay the foundation for future milestones, such as using utensils and writing, explains Kellie Allen, APRN, a nurse practitioner with Bluebird Kids Health in Florida.

“It also improves visual-motor coordination and strengthens core muscles, which can help with future skills such as sitting independently and crawling,” Allen notes. Plus, it helps them control their own feeding, which can encourage a positive relationship with food later on.

If baby’s exclusively breastfed, they’re practicing these skills in different ways. “They practice neck control to stabilize their head, jaw strength and tongue coordination to latch, suck and coordinate breathing and swallowing,” Allen notes. “These skills are equally complex and developmentally enriching.” You may notice, however, that baby may try to hold the breast or place their hand on it. Allen explains they do this instinctually to help milk flow and let down.

Tips to Encourage Baby to Hold Their Bottle

You’ve been watching carefully, and baby is starting to display signs they’re ready for bottle holding. So how can you help foster this behavior? The best thing to do is practice, Potock says. “Holding a bottle doesn’t happen overnight. It happens in stages.” Below, some ways to encourage baby holding a bottle:

Do lots of tummy time

Tummy time enhances core strength. “Babies need to develop trunk support in the first six months of life in order to hold objects relatively still in front of their mouths with both hands,” Potock says. “Add coordinated sucking, swallowing and breathing to the task of holding a bottle independently, and it’s not that easy!” Tummy time also helps baby work on their independent sitting skills, which is important since babies should be upright when feeding themselves from the bottle, Scott notes.

Use teething toys

Potock suggests bringing teething toys to baby’s mouth while they’re sitting to help them practice. “This helps baby use the same neck and facial muscles they’ll need to hold and drink from the bottle,” she explains.

Guide baby’s hands when you’re feeding

Start by positioning them in your arms as if you’re going to feed them, then guide their hands around the bottle. “Once they’ve mastered the skill of holding the bottle, watch to see if baby puts it to their mouth,” Rajadhyaksha adds. If they don’t, place your own hands over theirs.

Choose the right feeding gear

Using a cylindrically shaped nipple (as opposed to “breast-shaped” or “orthodontic”) can help with correct tongue positioning, Potock says. “You can also add a BPA-free silicone bottle band to help baby know where to grasp and to reduce slipping,” she adds.

Why It’s Important to Avoid Bottle Propping

If baby can’t yet hold their bottle, it can be tempting to prop the bottle up with cushions and have baby “sit” in the corner of the couch to feed. But, as much as you want your hands back, experts strongly caution against bottle propping. It can be incredibly dangerous, as baby could tip over and fall, Potock says, or even suffocate on whatever is being used to prop the bottle up, Scott adds. Plus, this can also contribute to overeating and even choking, since babies can’t regulate how much to take in when the milk is free-flowing, Rajadhyaksha warns. “There’s also a risk for ear infections and tooth decay if the child falls asleep with the bottle in their mouth or continues to suck on it.”

Even once baby can hold their own bottle, it’s important to keep an eye on them as they feed. As Potock explains, you’d never give a child who’s starting on solids a plate full of food and walk away—the same goes for a bottle of milk. “Infants should never be left unsupervised with food or drink due to choking and aspiration risks,” Scott warns. Besides, even after baby can start to hold their own bottle, feedings should still remain a time for bonding. “Children feel a sense of warmth and security when they’re held during feedings,” Rajadhyaksha adds. “Even when your infant can drink independently, you should hold and cuddle them.”

What’s Next After Baby Masters Bottle Holding

Once baby masters bottle holding, the next step is for them to start holding sippy cups, and eventually, using open cups and self-feeding with utensils, Allen notes. Further down the line, these fine-motor skills will also help them with skills like holding a pencil and learning to write.

What to Do If Baby Refuses to Hold the Bottle

Don’t worry too much if baby refuses to hold their bottle. “Some babies have no interest … A baby is sometimes perfectly content to let you do the work,” Scott says. Plus, it’s important to know that exclusively breastfed babies often go straight from feeding at the breast to a sippy cup. “You can also try simply handing baby the bottle to see what they do,” Scott adds. If baby isn’t displaying any of the required skills needed for holding their bottle by the time they’re one year old, she advises flagging it with your pediatrician to ensure baby’s development is on track.

Overall, it’s usually not a big deal if baby’s not holding their bottle. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) actually recommends introducing a sippy cup at 6 months of age, as this can ease the transition from bottle to cup.

To Sum It Up

Bottle-feeding baby is a great way to bond and build your connection—but once they’re ready, it’s important to let baby try holding their own bottle. This skill paves the way for other important developmental milestones. Keep in mind that you should always supervise baby and never prop up their bottle. Finally, remember, babies do things on their own time—so if your little one’s not there yet or showing little interest, don’t stress. Scott says it best: “The days of using a bottle are limited, so don’t sweat it.” In the meantime, soak up those sweet baby snuggles!

Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.