0mo–11mo8 minMealtimeFamily timeQuiet time
Shared Bottle Hold: Little Hands Help
A calm feeding-time routine where you support your child to gradually share control of the bottle with you—inviting hands to the bottle, pausing for grip and adjustment, and keeping safety and comfort first.
What you'll need
Essentials
- your child’s prepared bottle (as you normally use it)
- a burp cloth or small towel
- a pillow/cushion to support your feeding arm (optional if you already have a comfortable hold)
Nice to have
- a clean, baby-safe soft cloth or muslin (for hand-wiping and small breaks)
- a calm, dimmer space to reduce distraction
Movement level: false
What you'll do
The 4-step guide, with what to look for at each step, is for signed-in parents.
What this develops
- MilestoneHolds placed toy or rattleBody· 2mo–6mo· stretch· Steps 2, 3, 4
- MilestoneReaches accurately and graspsBody· 3mo–6mo· stretch· Step 2
- MilestoneReaches for nearby objectsBody· 4mo–11mo· core
- MilestoneSupported routine participationMind· 8mo–20mo· core· Steps 3, 4
- MilestoneSignals feeding readiness refusalBody· 4mo–6mo· stretch· Step 1
- MilestoneStatic supported stabilityBody· 2mo–6mo· stretch· Step 1
- MilestoneAnticipates feeding cueMind· 1mo–6mo· core· Step 1
- MilestoneHolds one object in each handBody· 4mo–10mo· stretch
- MilestoneLooks at own handsBody· 2mo–5mo· core· Step 4
What it practices
- Gradually develops ability to hold up own head.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Reaches out for, touches and begins to hold objects.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Watches and explores hands and feet, e.g. when lying on back lifts legs into vertical position and grasps feet.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Explores objects with mouth, often picking up an object and holding it to the mouth.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Encourage young babies in their efforts to gradually share control of the bottle with you.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)