Help - Fort Lauderdale, FL

Well, it is a little late, since it would have been a bit easier when she was younger (I have two boys, now 12 and 9 and broke them from the bottle at 1) She is just testing you and trying to tell you who is boss. It is the beginning of many struggles. Are you still putting her to bed with the bottle? I hope not, because that makes it more difficult, but, take it one step at a time-- It may be more a comfort thing for her----so, do it slowly, but, you cannot let her win this one. You need to learn to not give into her tantrums,--when it is mealtime, just give her a sippy cup and eventually she will get thirsty enough to give in. When my boys were younger and would battle with me about not eating/drinking, my Mother would always say---a child will not choose to starve himself or choose to go thirsty--just remember that she will break down and realize that if she is not drinking from the sippy cup, she is not drinking. If you are still giving her the bottle at bed, switch to a sippy cup and maybe a snack before bedtime and let that be her new routine/comfort before bed as well. Good Luck!!!!

Hi C.,
I had a similar problem with my 3 yr old. She did not want a cup. I tried everything. My husband was convinced that I was spoiling her by allowing her to use a bottle. I told him that when she was ready she would do it herself. I was right. At about 24 months, she started, on her own, using a cup. Hope this helps.
N.

hi! just put here to bed with the bottle, and hide them while she is sleeping. the next morning, only give her the cup, and NEVER go back. she will drink. believe it or not, my husband did this one noght, i was mad, but i worked. we never looked back!! that's the key, follow through.

First and foremost, stop listening to what everyone says. You are not a bad mom just because your daughter still has a bottle!

Our pediatrician recommended that as soon as we took her off formula, she should come off the bottle as well. We just took it away. Threw them all out and that was that. It was pretty easy for us, but that doesn't mean it's easy for everyone. It is going to be hard, but especially if you are giving her juice or milk in the bottle, she can get severe tooth decay from the prolonged contact the sugar is having with her teeth. So, my advice is to just take it away cold turkey and deal with whatever she throws at you attitude and crying wise and remember "this too shall pass." She can only demand for so long. Distract her with other things, and offer her the cup. She will eventually realize that "hey, if I want a drink, I better take it out of the cup!"

Good luck! I'd also speak to your pediatrician about it- they are really great sources for advice!

just a thought but theres sippy cups with straws inside them maybe she might get a kick out of a big girl cup and tell her its a big girl cup that she can still suck on and she's so lucky to finally be able to get one .(only try that if she know's how to drink out of a straw or it might frustrate her) maybe practice blowing bubbles in milk or something with a straw first. If she cant use straw's yet, take her to the store and tell her she can pick out her favorite one in the whole entire store because she's such a big girl. Make it a big deal and a fun experience and for the first couple days or nights at dinner even drink out of one yourself. I know it sound's silly but my girlfriend did that for about a week and her son didn't want bottle's anymore because he wanted to be like mommy and daddy But dont feel bad do what u think is best for your daughter..she'll eventually get it
=) good luck
J.

First of all don't listen to what everyone tells you especially if it makes you feel awful. You're her mother and only you have to live with her. I don't understand some moms need to boss around other moms and make them feel inferior. It's not a competition as to whose baby drinks first, poops in the toilet first etc!! Introduce the sippy cup to her as some of the suggestions say to and it'll come. She's not going to college drinking a bottle so don't sweat it. She's not hurting anyone by drinking out of the bottle. Every child has their own pace. Good Luck to you.

Everyone is correct. The child should be off the bottle or at least making some attempt in my opinion. But I would consult your pediatrician if you haven't already. My son is 18 months old and he was off the bottle at 13 or 14 months.

Just a little advice on how I did it. I started by substituting one sippy cup for one bottle a day. You just have to keep trying it each day. And eventually she should start to except it. Then I did 2 sippy's and then 3. Although my son took a while to understand to tip the sippy up to get to it when it got low in the cup. I did go through several sippy's before he took to one. The one he uses is Gerber and you can get it at Target. It's a 2 pack for under $5 and the cups change colors when cold liquid is added. They are solid colors (blue, green, orange and pink I believe). I found other sippy's to leak. Best of luck to you!

You are not the world's worst mom! My son was no different - what we did is we just started introducing different style cups/bottles until we found the one he liked... and guess what - his bed time milk is still in his favorite bottle! It is a comfort thing, something they outgrow when they are ready. You do what is right for YOU and YOUR daughter - what works for others, may not be the right thing for you guys... in the end, if you are happy, she is happy - who cares what other people say? You have to live with her 24/7, not them.

Honestly, tell everyone to mind their own business. You know what is best for your child and 18 months is not that old. Now if she is 2-3 then there may be something there. I used to just put sippy cups with juice around for my son and eventually he would find them and drink them when he is thirsty and it just grows from there. I can't stand to hear women say they feel horrible about an issue because others are telling them they are wrong. Not every child grows in the same manner, so if she is thriving in every other way, who cares if she carries a bottle around to get what she wants to drink. Sorry just don't like it when others tell people they are wrong when they have no basis. My son is 2 1/2 and still uses a pacifier at night, I KNOW I am not a bad mother and I also know he shouldn't have it, but to bad, it helps him sleep! Hope this helps!

Hang in there I know it is so hard.... I went through the please mama, please mama I want my bottle with my daughter and it broke my heart! It will pass and she won't remember it. Weather you break her now or later she'll have the same reaction. You're a great mom for recognizing the milestones your child has to go through and giving her the opportunities to grow.
L.

How about saying "goodbye" to teh bottle and then go to the store or really dress up a Brand NEW sippy cup. The special cup, that only a princess uses. SHe will feel so special and she was part of saying goodbye to the old one.

Hi C.,

You are not the world's worst mom, trust me. Some kids just don't take to the sippy cup very easily. My son is 2 days from being 22 months and still takes the bottle. He will take the sippy cup with water only. Just keep offering her the sippy cup don't force it. Most people will say that she should be off the bottle but only she can tell you when she is ready. Be patient. As the mom of 3 boys I can tell you that is what you need, do not listen to the negativity it will only hurt you.

Good Luck

S.
SAHM of 3 boys, 12, 4 and 22 months

Hi C.. I have a 20 month old daughter and a 6 year old daughter and I am a SAHM too. I tried to take away the bottle from the little one starting at 18 months too and it didn't work either! I know a lot of moms will disagree with me but I think as long as they are off by two then it is okay. Just because it is the "norm" for the child to be off the bottle at 18 months doesn't mean your daughter is ready! My oldest came off the bottle at two and she has never had any cavities or problems with her teeth. Sometimes kids are just not ready and I personally don't find any harm in it. My little one does use sippy cups during the day and she has 3 bottles (morning, noon nap time, and night). I use these sippy cups that are half the size of regular ones b/c my daughter's hands are so small to hold the big ones. They hold about 4 ounces and you can get them at Target or Walmart. I started giving her favorite juice in it when she was 9 months and she took to it in about a month. Can she use a straw? They have sippie cups with straws and my little one likes those too. Good luck and you are not the worst mom! Kids don't come with manuals, if she is happy and developing normally, you're doing great :o) My first daughter came out great and yours will too!

I totally agree with the other two responses. Don't worry about what people say and just go with the flow. It took me forever to get rid of my oldest daughter's bottle (when she was 3 years old!) and now I'm having trouble with my 2 year old twins and I'm wondering how I'm going to take the bottle away from the two of them at the same time. If she is still holding on to her bottle let her for a little bit longer. No one but you can decide how and when to do it. By the way, I was six when my mom got rid of my bottle and I have two cousins who where 11 and 12 (years old!) when they finally were forced to give up the bottle! That means we are doing really good! :)

hello, i went thru the same thing with my kids. i have twin girls that are 2 1/2 as well as a 3 1/2 year old boy. they did not want the cup either. it took about 3 days each and i was able to convince them otherwise. let your little one see you pour the drink from the bottle into the cup then take the bottles and toss them in the trash. keep giving her the cup but dont forget to try to put the spout in her mouth so she can have an idea how to drink from it. you can even show her by doing it yourself. dont give up even if she throws it back at you. eventually she will take the cup when she realizes that the cup is all she is going to get. it will take a few days but she will get thirtsy and accept it. just be patient and she will come around. even when my kids see a bottle now when we are at someones home, they go for their cups. good luck.

B. 32 sahm 10, 3, 2, 2.

I cut the holes in the bottle's nipples larger; increasing the liquid flow and my kids all switched over with ease! sippy cups had a slower flow so they liked it better....

How many 18 year olds do you know who drink out of a bottle? Nobody knows your baby like you do. She'll give it up when she's ready. Melanie, who is 2 1/2, gave up her pacifier way after everybody said she should - but I allowed her to do it herself. You know what? It was about as painless as it could be. One day we "forgot" it at daycare and never "found" it. She asked for it twice. After that, she never mentioned it again :-) The most important thing I've learned being a mom is that everybody has their own way, I jusy had to find mine :-)

Hi C.! Oh you are not the worlds worst mother, sorry - that award goes to me! :) My daughter was 18 months when I took her off the bottle. She always had one at night - and then I found out I was pregnant again (don't get pregnant just to do this thought. :) and told her that the new baby would need the bottles. I took them out of the cupboard where I usually kept them (I kept one out... just in case) and through away the rest of the nipples... For two days she went looking for the bottle at night time - now she would use a sippy during the day - and for two nights, she would wine a bit - but the third night - never even mentioned it again... You have to persevere - one thing my pediatrician told me - is just put water in her bottle and milk in her sippy cup - she will realize that the milk tastes better (unless she is like my son who prefers water!) and that is how I broke her of the bottle... However... 19 months later - I'm still trying w/ my baby - but that is going okay now too - down to one at night, with one ounce of juice and seven ounces of water... The bottle has been more than half full in the mornings!!

Good luck, I know it's not easy!!!

I have an 18 month old son who is also still on is bottle. We tried when he was 12 months to ween him from his bottle and he hated it, so we gave him the bottle back. It does not bother me at all that he still uses the bottle becuase it makes him happy. I do not see the harm in it. I do not have a date in mind yet of when i plan to try to ween him again. My sister's kids had their bottles until they were 2, then they understood hen she told them they were for babies and "mailed" them to their baby cousin. They did not freak out becuase they were old enough to where they felt like they helped make a decesion.
I also have people in my life who disapprove but I do not worry about what they say. He is my baby and I am ok with him still using the bottle and that is all that matters.
Do not beat yourself up, do it when you feel like the both of you are really ready for it and know that you are not alone in this.
I hope that helps,
C.

No, don't hold out. You are the adult, she's a child and she should be off bottles by now. Offer several types of sippy cups (each child takes to a different kind) and get rid of the bottles. Go cold turkey. I guarantee after about 2 days she will be drinking out of a sippy cup. She will get thirsty and take to it right away. Let her see you get rid of the bottles, show her what you are doing and explain it. And don't give in. Or she will continue this process.

C.,

My son is also 18 months old now. He has been drinking juice and water from a sippy cup since he was 10 months old. But he still refuses to drink milk from anything but a bottle. He's been eating solid food since he was 1, so I only give him 2 (small) milk bottles a day now. One before nap and one before bed. It's not a problem and we both enjoy the cuddle time. I don't feel like he's behind and it's not really anyone else's business, so I don't worry about it. He'll get over it in his own time.

If you want your daughter to try the sippy cup, maybe you could make it novel for her. Put ice in the cup and shake it up so she'll see it as fun. Let her pick out her own cups and make a big deal about it. They understand a lot at this age and they love games. If I pretend to drink from my son's cup, he instantly wants it, even if he had no interest in it before. Keep offering it to her and let her take her time. She'll get it when she's ready.

Good luck!

-T.

ps- My son is in love with his toothbrush. If you're concerned about tooth decay, try a training toothbrush with training toothpaste. We brush our teeth together as part of his bedtime routine.

just throw them away. she will eventually take to the sippy cup. it is okay if she is demanding or crying for it. You are mom and if the answer is no then it is no. She won't hate you for it. She is definitely old enough to be on a sippy cup.
Pam

Don't feel bad, every child is different. And some kids are harder to wean from bottles than others. A couple of my children converted over easily and yet 2 fought tooth and nail untill they were only using them as cuddle before bed and nap ( not in bed, which was hard not to do too). And one child who went from nursing to cups. Give the cup a break for a few days, then try a cool looking one to her with a juice treat. If she bates, you slowly dilute the special treat and start using regular jiuces or milk kind of thing. It took several tries and weeks, mabey months. Just don't feel bad, your not a bad mom and she is only 18 months, the age I usually just started weaning from bottle. No one book or peice of advice fits all children.

I responded to something very similar here:
http://www.mamasource.com/request/412459367565099009

I hope this helps :-)

~L.

The Nuby brand of sippy cup has a soft silicone insert much like a bottle and makes a good transition between bottle and the hard top sippys. Nuby has a shorter handled version and a taller, contour-shaped version. We tried both. DD likes both, but especially likes morning and night milk out of the tall one. She will now drink out of almost ANY TYPE of sippy. DD is 16.5 months... my next issue is using cups, no lids and getting rid of "binkie".
HTH,
T.
Mom to Katie, 16.5 months

I had this same problem with my oldest child partly because I had my 2nd child right before she turned 2. Finally I broke down and started only giving the bottle before bedtime and nap time with only water in it and during the day I stayed firm with her only getting her sippy cup. And when she realized that in the bottle was going to be water ONLY and in the sippy was her juice, milk etc she went for the cup!! It was a long process but she was a very sick baby and my first!!! '
Good Luck K.

It's funny, I can't see the responses before I respond, or haven't figured it out yet how to do so and I see you have a lot of advice here but here are my two cents...

First of all, the sooner you do this, the easier it will be--don;t think by putting it off she will just stop at 2 or 3.

Gradually phase it out. Give her a sippy (no bottle) with meals and encourage her to use it--Also put watered down juice (1 part juice 3 parts water) and milk in the sippy and ONLY water in the bottle.
When she does try the sippy give her great amounts of praise and clapping, let her know how proud you are that she's using her sippy!
Also try some different styles and sizes of sippys--my son would not use the ones with the handles (would only bang them around) and other kids really like the ones with the soft spout which is more like a nipple. So experiment and see what she does best with.
She's 18 months old too-so she should have a good understanding at what you are saying (even if she is not vocal) so explain that she will need to start trying to use her sippy at meals (and really you are the parent here, so don't take no for an answer) If she throws a fit and gets her way with this, then you are reinforcing that behavior and she will continue to do the same thing to get what she wants. But I think if you start with meals and only put water in the bottles, then you can gradually just take away the bottles. In fact, once she learns that only water comes in bottles and milk and juice come n sippys she'll wants that sippy over the bottle before you know it!

Hi C.,

My baby is 2 years and 1 month 25 months and I know it's not easy to take away the bottle so there is not really an specific time, doctors sais 2 years but you can be flexible, what you can do is star to give her the bottle before go to bed, and then rinse her mouth,and this is one of the reasons why doctors wants to stop bottles, but don't make your life crazy about it, I'm sure half of the people telling you that don't have kids, because it's very easy to talk when they don't know what's going on, Good luck.

Ah, also youu can tell her stories about one big girls who said one day (I'm a big girl and I don't use a bottle that's for little girls, and things like that, and little by little she will realize what step 2 will be next.

Best wishes,
Y.

Hello C.:

My son will be 2 next month and he still drinks from a bottle. I have tried almost ever kind of sippy cup and even the drink boxes and not really a whole lot of luck. The doctor didn't really care that he still is on the bottle so I don't. I do try different cups from time to time. It never hurts to keep trying. Last night at Babies R Us I bought some new cup with a straw in it, that will be the next thing I try tonight. Don't stress or worry. It is not a big deal. I am placing my son in a pre-school in June so maybe when he sees other kids drinking out of sippy cups, juice boxes or just a cup he will want to too. It just takes time. Relax and go with the flow.

Good Luck, T.