I am looking for tips to help my 12mo old drop his bottle. He had never taken a passifier or sucked his thumb and really seeks the comfort of his bottle (he takes about 4 a day.) I want the bottle to go ASAP because I know the attachment will only grow stronger over the next several months. I've tried to start by getting rid of the two mid-day bottles and he is a miserable mess untill I give in. His response reminds me of my experience taking pacifiers away from my other kids at 3yrs, except that he's too young to reason with. A big part of the problem is that he spends as much as two hours a day in the car driving big siblings to school and activities and that time has become bottle time. I realize too late the crutch I created for both of us. He does take sippy cups and I've been giving him cups of water (and milk with meals) but its just not filling the void.
I am thinking of going cold turkey next week and welcome any tips on how to ease the transition for my little guy. I'd also love to hear any ideas to keep him happy riding in the car; I've always had good road trippers but never had one who had to spend this much time in the car on a day to day basis.
Thanks in advance for any advice!
There is no deadline for taking away bottles from babies. Who ever came up with this? Babies need the comfort they get from sucking. There will be a time soon when you can reduce the number of bottles he gets per day.
My daughter had a bottle at bedtime until she was three. Her teeth are perfect and straight (at age 10) and she was a happy baby.
There is no reason to force no bottles at 12 months, especially since he is so attached to them. I have known children close to 4 who still get a bottle, which I think is ridiculous but not uncommon. Keep the one of two bottles that he really depends on and then ease him into other things when he is less needy. I know you are trying to do the right thing, but there is a reason why your kids needed pacis at 3. I nursed my son until he was almost 3 as well. I don't think you need to rush this. Gradual is always best.
I say he's too young. Let him have the bottles for now.
He's still a baby.
Let him have the bottle.
You'll be able to drop it awhile later.
It won't be that difficult.
It's his comfort.
He does not suck his thumb or hae a paci so this is it.
I say let him have it.
Our daughter did great. The week before, I told her she was such a big girl!
We were going to target so she could pick out a big girl cup!
She picked one, I picked a different style for just in case.
Each day we talked about getting to drink from the cup! I even left them on the kitchen counter so she could see them.
The night before the big day, I threw away, every bit of the bottle stuff.
The next morning, I asked her, which cup do you want to use? She picked the cup, I gave it to her, we never looked back.
It was all matter of fact. I continued to ask her which cup. I asked her if she wanted milk or water, other times, milk or juice. On her birthday, everyone gave her a cup.. All different styles, so she was able to always have choices.
I'm with B...why rush it? I don't think you are doing either of you a favor. I didn't make my kids quit the bottle/nursing until they were older. It was a gradual thing.
The only thing I can think of is the older sibs keeping him entertained...fave toys to chew on (keep that oral fixation going :) ) My kids were horrible in the car and I had to sing to them on car trips.
Good luck on whatever you decide. I hope you can find a solution that works for you both!!
I just didn't worry like this about bottles. My grand kids got done when they got done. The longest one took a bottle until he was 2 or 2 1/2. He brought it to me one day and said Done. He was too.
His teeth are fine. He has weak enamel like me so he has had a couple of cavities but the doc said he would have had these anyway.
If you do take his bottle and he needs it, or needs to suck, his fingers will become an issues that is much harder to break.
So I say just let it go for a while and keep offering him the cups. He will eventually get tired of it and only want the cups.
dont put as much in an ounce less every few days. if it doesnt work dont freak out no one goes to college with a bottle. my cousin has a 6 year old who still uses a small bottle to soothe her in the evening. some kids just need it.
Go cold turkey, throw the bottles out, but replace with his own cup you put ice water in, sippy or straw cup. He'll more than likely drink less but still stay hydrated. The first 3 days will be the worst, just don't give in and by the end of the week he'll be done.
Our pediatrician advised cold turkey, naps and bedtime, she said it's more fair to the child, they're not being teased by getting it sometimes and not others. My guy gave up bottles AND his pacifier on the same day, I couldn't find it at bedtime the first night. 3 days later he was done and stopped asking, and he actually had a harder time giving up the pacifier than the bottle, he was 13 months. I made sure he had a lovey to snuggle with and he did better than I thought he would. Hang in there!
