Bottle Skills for the Bottle Refuser
in-person and online continuing ed

For Professionals

IBCLCs are uniquely qualified to support the bottle-refusing infant (and family). As infant feeding specialists, IBCLCs are experts in infant oral anatomy and oral function.

This program offers the IBCLC a road map for understanding bottle difficulties and supporting the bottle-refusing family.

Approved for 4 L-CERPs by IBLCE

  • Examine common causes of bottle refusal
  • Dispel myths about bottles and bottle-feeding
  • Review the timeline and typical progress for bottle difficulties
  • Discuss the structure and flow of a bottle consult
  • Examine various infant feeding assessment tools
  • Offer step-by-step tips to build bottle competency
  • Explore the role of oral teether toys in building bottle skills
  • Support feeding skills from sucking to swallowing milk in a bottle
  • Help families define bottle success
  • Review a care plan for the family to implement immediately
  • Present strategies the IBCLC can offer the employed parent
  • Explore bottle alternatives for older infants
  • Identify strategies for working with the older bottle-refusing baby
  • Includes extensive video clips
  • Examine case studies

Learning Objectives

"One of the most helpful courses I've ever taken."

"I love how the information is presented and then case studies show putting the information into practice in real life."

Angela P.

"This course is invaluable!"

"It's packed with opportunities for engagement with learners, "homework," and shared knowledge of meeting the baby where they are in their skill development. It permits a collaborative model for parents and babies to achieve new skills together."

Laene K.

"10/10 would recommend!"

"This course changed my practice and knowledge on how to handle bottle refusal. This course taught me how to assess the dyad's whole bodies, oral function, and gave me the tools to approach bottle skills in a gentle way."

Victoria T.W.

"This course blew my mind!"

Being in the lactation field for over 12 years and constantly expanding my knowledge, I did not believe there was still SO MUCH that I did not know about bottles and bottle feeding a breastfed child!"

Nadiya D.

Hi, I'm Susan Howard - IBCLC and "bottle whisperer."

I specialize in complex feeding situations at the breast, the bottle, and the table. Through this workshop, I help other IBCLCs learn the skills needed to support families through one of the most common and stressful feeding difficulties: Bottle refusal.

Meet the Instructor

"I've worked with parents and babies since 1995, and Susan Howard is a lactation rock star!"

"Her workshop made me look at babies and infant feeding in a new way that is useful to my work on a daily basis."

Cindi F.

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Upcoming Sessions

In-person workshops are in the works.

Fill out my contact form to be notified when they are announced.

Bottle Skills for Bottle Refusers: Virtual Workshop

Each session is held over two days.

November 6 + 13
December 6 + 9

$165 | 4 L-CERPS

Looking to expand your skills even further?

After taking Bottle Skills for Bottle Refusers, you may be interested in my Advanced Bottle Skills course!