Bottle Refusal Consultations

Your breastfed baby won’t take a bottle. Let’s fix that.

Whether you’re heading back to work, need a break, or just want some flexibility — I can help you and your baby get there, without the stress.

View Available Times + Book Your Consultation

The difference was remarkable. It’s now been 1.5 months, and my son is happily taking his bottles while continuing to breastfeed.” — Tripti, June 2026

You’ve tried everything. It’s not working.

You’ve bought three different teats. You’ve had your partner try. You’ve left the room, you’ve stayed, you’ve tried when baby is hungry and when they’re not. And still the bottle is refused.

Bottle refusal is one of the most stressful things breastfeeding parents face. It can leave you feeling trapped, anxious, and unsure of what to do next, especially when you have a return to work looming.

The good news? It’s almost always solvable. You just need the right support.

This isn’t a problem for Google — it’s a baby problem.

Every baby is different, and what works for one may not work for yours. Generic advice like “try a faster teat” or “warm the teat first” rarely gets to the root of why your baby is refusing.

In a 1:1 consultation, I’ll look at:

What’s causing the refusal (flow rate, position, timing, suck pattern)
Your baby’s specific feeding patterns and history
What you’ve already tried and why it may not have worked
A practical, tailored plan you can start straight away

Here’s how it works

A bottle refusal consultation with me is a focused, 60-minute session — online or in person at my clinic in Dublin 14.

Before we meet, I’ll ask you to fill in a short intake form so I can prepare and make the most of our time together.

During the consultation, we’ll talk through your baby’s history, watch how they respond to the bottle (if we’re meeting in person or over video), and build a clear plan together. I’ll follow up with written notes and next steps so you have something to refer back to.

Online via Google Meet | Clinic In person, Dublin 14 | Home visits (South Dublin, additional fee)

Cost — €160

Book Your Consultation

About Nicola

30 years of experience with babies and their families

I’m Nicola O’Byrne, IBCLC lactation consultant, former neonatal and paediatric nurse, and mother of 5. I’ve supported hundreds of families through bottle refusal and I know how exhausting and emotionally draining it can be.

My approach is practical, honest, and always led by what’s right for you and your baby — not by any one-size-fits-all method.

Read more about me

    
 
 
        
   Sarah McDonagh 
 2 August 2026
 
 
   Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We had a consultation recently with Nicola to help with some breastfeeding issues we’d been experiencing and just to get some reassurance that our baby was doing well with the feeding. Nicola called out to our house and gave us so much reassurance and was very much open to supporting our feeding journey in a way that works for our family. Thank you so much for your help and support Nicola. 10/10 would recommend to anyone looking for a lactation consultant and feeding support.
  
  Posted on Google  
 
 
 
       
   Meabh O'Sullivan 
 26 July 2026
 
 
   Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We went to Nicola for general advice after having some issues with weight gain. The consult was brilliant - so in depth, technical and pragmatic. We will be going back if we have any future concerns without hesitation. Thank you Nicola!
  
  Posted on Google  
 
 
 
       
   Anna Gardiner 
 18 June 2026
 
 
   Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Nicola helped me work through low milk supply and be able to still breastfeed using a combination of solutions like a feeding tube and combination feeding. It changed my life because I was able to successfully breastfeed and it also changed my baby’s life as she also experienced breastfeeding and got as much of my milk as she could! Thank you Nicola for everything
  
  Posted on Google  
 
 
 
       
   Naomi Algeo 
 10 June 2026
 
 
   Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We came to Nicola for support with bottle refusal for our youngest daughter (4 months). My husband and I had tried for about two months - different bottles, teats, positions, times of day, hunger levels, you name it, and I was getting anxious as my return to work was upcoming and I wasn't able to leave for more than 2-3 hours. Zero regrets with booking - Nicola had her taking a bottle by the end of the session! Was so useful to have chat support afterwards also for any other related queries! If you have health insurance it's worth checking if your maternity benefits cover a portion of the session also.
  
  Posted on Google  
 
 
 
       
   TRIPTI JAIN 
 8 June 2026
 
 
   Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I reached out to Nicola after trying everything to overcome my 4-month-old's bottle refusal. The issue started when he was around 3.5 months old, even though he had been taking two bottle feeds a day since birth. I received all kinds of advice—stop breastfeeding, have another parent offer the bottle, keep trying different bottles—but nothing seemed to work. Thankfully, I found Nicola, who specializes in helping families with bottle refusal and explains the science behind it. She helped me understand how some babies can struggle with bottle feeding as their newborn sucking reflex fades and feeding patterns change. After carefully assessing our situation, she identified the root cause and provided a tailored solution. The difference was remarkable. It's now been 1.5 months, and my son is happily taking his bottles while continuing to breastfeed directly as well. I'm so grateful for Nicola's expertise, support, and practical guidance.
  
  Posted on Google  
 
 
 
       
   Clodagh Harney 
 3 June 2026
 
 
   Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Nicola saved our breastfeeding journey twice. Firstly, in the very beginning, we were having trouble with latching and were almost two weeks into the dreaded triple feeding and ready to pack it all in. Nicola helped with positioning, tips on improving latch, and using nipple shields. Literally from that session, I was able to stop pumping around the clock and worrying about feeds, and just bond with my baby. Then a couple of weeks ago at around 4 months, baby weaned herself off nipple shields and I developed awful pain every time she latched. On top of that, baby wouldn't take a bottle, so I felt so lost on what to do. Again, Nicola was a wealth of knowledge, re-educating on positioning and giving advice to promote healing. Two weeks on, we are feeding pain free again. She also gave us strategies for the bottle issue which is a work in progress, with improvements every day. Nicola is compassionate, professional, and incredibly knowledgeable. I would highly recommend her support.
  
  Posted on Google  
 
 
 
       
   eleanor mc laughlin 
 2 June 2026
 
 
   Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Excellent experience with Nicola, very supportive and listened exactly to my problems and has meant that I can continue with breastfeeding!
  
  Posted on Google  
 
 
 
       
   Ciara Lawler 
 2 June 2026
 
 
   Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I had two 1:1 lactation consultations with Nicola, and I cannot recommend her highly enough. She was incredibly supportive, knowledgeable, and encouraging throughout our appointments. After experiencing a bad case of mastitis, I was struggling with breastfeeding and felt overwhelmed, but Nicola helped me get my breastfeeding journey back on track with expert advice and compassionate support. Her professionalism, understanding, and practical guidance made a huge difference to both my confidence and breastfeeding experience. I would highly recommend Nicola to anyone looking for expert help and advice on their breastfeeding journey.
  
  Posted on Google  
 
 
 
       
   Mairead O'Brien 
 20 April 2026
 
 
   Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I did the breastfeeding course at 36 weeks and it really prepared me for my breastfeeding journey with my first baby. She covers everything from latching to what feeding cushions are worth buying! There is also great additional material provided after the class which I found useful in the early days. The class was made interactive by Nicola and it was nice to hear other mothers concerns /challenges..
  
  Posted on Google  
 
 
 
       
   Ciara Yeates 
 20 April 2026
 
 
   Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Nicola supported me through my first breastfeeding experience with low supply. Nicola is incredibly knowledgeable and experienced. But more importantly, she understands the complexity of new motherhood and all that comes with it. She  is warm and kind and always knew what to say and how to support me to make the right decisions. If you book a consultation with Nicola, you and your baby will be in expert hands.
  
  Posted on Google  
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
  Google rating score: 5.0 of 5, 
based on 67 reviews 
     Verified by Trustindex  Trustindex verified badge is the Universal Symbol of Trust. Only the greatest companies can get the verified badge who has a review score above 4.5, based on customer reviews over the past 12 months. Read more