Most babies start being able to hold their own bottle sometime between about 6 and 10 months, with many doing it around 7–9 months, but there is a very wide range of normal.

Quick Scoop

  • Many babies first show interest around 5–6 months (batting at or briefly grabbing the bottle).
  • A lot can hold and somewhat control the bottle between 6–9 months.
  • Some are earlier (around 4–5 months) and some much later (closer to 12 months) and are still within normal development.
  • If your baby isn’t interested by around 10 months but is otherwise developing well, it’s usually still fine—talk to your pediatrician if you’re worried.

Think of it as a gradual milestone, not a switch that flips overnight.

What “holding their own bottle” really looks like

Babies don’t usually go from “you do it all” to “I’ve got this” in one day; it tends to progress in stages:

  • Reaching for and swatting at the bottle around mid-infancy, often before they can actually hold it steadily.
  • Holding the bottle with both hands while you still guide it, usually in the second half of the first year.
  • Lifting and keeping it in their mouth for most of a feed, but dropping it or tipping it awkwardly when they get tired or distracted.
  • Eventually transitioning from bottles toward open or training cups, which many guidelines recommend beginning around 6 months and phasing out bottles by 12–18 months.

So “holding their own bottle” often means “can hold it for part or most of the feed, with some help,” rather than fully independent feeding.

Factors that affect when they start

Every baby has their own pace, but a few things can shift the timing:

  • Motor development: Core strength, arm strength, and hand–eye coordination need to be strong enough to lift, aim, and hold.
  • Practice with bottles: Babies who bottle-feed more frequently tend to get more chances to practice gripping and tipping a bottle.
  • Feeding style: Babies who are mostly breastfed or are combo-fed might take longer to hold a bottle simply because they’ve had fewer bottle opportunities.
  • Temperament and interest: Some babies are very into self-feeding and grab for the bottle earlier; others like the closeness of being held and fed and are in no rush.

None of these are “good” or “bad” traits; they just shape your baby’s timeline.

Safety tips when baby holds the bottle

Even when your baby can hold the bottle, they still need supervision during feeds:

  • Avoid “propping” the bottle (leaving it tipped in their mouth while they lie alone), which raises choking and ear infection risks.
  • Keep baby mostly upright or at a safe angle so milk doesn’t pool in the mouth or back of the throat.
  • Watch that they don’t keep sucking after they’re done or fall asleep with the bottle, to protect teeth and reduce choking risk.
  • Remember this is a short-term skill: many pediatric groups suggest moving toward cups and away from bottles by 12–18 months.

A useful rule of thumb: if you wouldn’t walk away from a newborn with a bottle, you shouldn’t walk away just because an older baby can hold it.

What parents say in forums

Recent forum and social media discussions show a huge variety of experiences, which can be reassuring to read:

  • Some parents report babies confidently holding their bottles around 5–6 months.
  • Others say their babies never really cared to do it and transitioned straight toward cups closer to 10–12 months.
  • Many threads emphasize not comparing too much with “early” babies and instead watching the overall pattern of milestones and happiness at feeds.

You’ll often see comments along the lines of: “They can , but I like holding them anyway,” reminding you that independence isn’t a race.

Simple ways to encourage (if you want to)

If your baby is interested and roughly in that 6–10 month window, you can gently help:

  1. Offer a lightweight bottle with easy-to-grip sides or handles so small hands can grasp it.
  1. Let them hold the bottle with both hands while you still control the angle, then gradually loosen your support.
  1. Practice outside of feeds by letting them handle empty bottles or similar-sized toys to build hand strength and coordination.
  1. Watch for frustration—if they get upset, go back to helping and try again later; feeding should stay a calm, comforting time.

If at any point you have concerns about overall motor development (not just the bottle skill), it’s always worth checking in with your pediatrician for personalized guidance.

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Wondering when do babies start holding their own bottle? Most do this between 6–10 months, with lots of normal variation. Learn timelines, safety tips, and real parent experiences here.

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