Whether your baby is a newborn or going through a temporary phase, if they’re struggling to finish a full feeding it can be frustrating and worrying. Many parents ask: “How do I get my baby to eat more?” or “Why won’t my baby finish their bottle?”

We know that full feedings® are a key ingredient in establishing and maintaining consistent nighttime sleep. So if your baby is in the sleepy newborn stage or is suddenly distracted during feeds, these tips will help you encourage full, satisfying feedings that support their growth, development, and sleep.

7 Tips to Get Your Baby to Eat More When They Refuse a Full Feeding

1. Actively encourage them to eat fully (without forcing)

Feeding is not passive. This doesn’t mean force-feeding a baby — we never do that — but you do want to actively encourage a full feeding. Stop to burp often, take short breaks if needed, and bring your baby’s focus back to eating.

2. Warm the bottle

Babies prefer milk that’s comfortably warm — breastmilk is naturally warm. If your baby is struggling to eat more, make sure the milk is warmed to a temperature they enjoy.

3. Use an age-appropriate nipple size

If the nipple flow is too slow, your baby may give up before finishing. We recommend increasing nipple size about 1 month earlier than the manufacturer suggests, even for babies who are also breastfeeding.

4. Take short breaks to re-engage

Older babies are easily distracted during feedings. Stop briefly to sing, make eye contact, or change scenery, then resume feeding so they stay engaged.

5. Keep feeds under 30 minutes

Feeding for too long can burn more calories than your baby is taking in. Long feeds also risk over tiredness, which can disrupt both naps and nighttime sleep.

6. Feed in a quiet environment

For distracted baby feeding, head to a calm, low-light room so they can focus on eating.

7. Burp well (and often)

Trapped gas can make your baby feel full before they are. Burp several times during the feeding, especially for newborns — feed for 5 minutes, burp for up to 5 minutes, and repeat until the feeding is done.

Bonus Tip: Use the EAT–PLAY–EAT–SLEEP Cycle

For some babies, especially those who are nursing, this cycle helps increase daytime intake by splitting a full feeding into two smaller, focused sessions. For some babies, especially those who are nursing, this cycle helps increase daytime intake by splitting a full feeding into two smaller, focused sessions. Offering EAT–PLAY–EAT–SLEEP in some cycles can be especially helpful for nursing parents working to increase daytime intake. Click here for more tips on troubleshooting full feedings®.

If you’re a member and your baby is still struggling with full feedings®, email infant@fullfeedings.com for personalized support.

Not a member yet? Check out our gentle NO CRY IT OUT Infant & Toddler Sleep Programs. They’ll teach you the 3-step method to get your little one sleeping through the night while maintaining healthy feedings. We also offer Breastfeeding Basics and Bottle Feeding Basics courses to help you establish and maintain full feedings® from the start.