How Can I Get My Toddler to Give Up the Bottle?
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Other than potty training, very few of the steps involved in rearing a child can be as challenging as getting toddlers to give up their bottles. While some moms are able to achieve this milestone with little effort, others find it quite a struggle, and doctors are not always in agreement about the proper time for the weaning to be done.
The Right Timing for Giving Up the Bottle
Most mothers find that if they attempt to wean their child away from the bottle at the earliest time recommended by their doctor, the process is a bit easier because the attachment to the bottle is not as strong. However, modern moms also realize that drinking from a bottle is not solely about nourishment for babies; infants receive emotional comfort through this activity. Not wishing to do psychological harm to their babies, these moms often wait as long as two or three years to discard the bottle completely. Most authorities feel that as long as the bottle has not become a child’s constant compassion or nighttime pacifier and the child’s teeth and gums are cleaned completely after use, bottle use at this age is not harmful. However, prolonged bottle use may extend the process of weaning a bit and make it more difficult for the child. Parents who delay weaning should also make certain that their children are receiving additional nutrients from a variety of other food sources.
Special Methods That Might Prove Helpful
Whenever a mom and pediatrician decide it is the right time to remove the bottle, the following ideas may be useful:
1. Gradually lengthen the time between bottles, and present the toddler with the normal amount of milk given in a sippy cup.
2. Allow toddlers to make the choice about which sippy cup to use and have a variety available that are bright and colorful with pictures that a child would love.
3. Put water in the bottle, and milk or juice in the sippy cup, if the toddler has a preference for these liquids.
4. Replace bedtime rituals which involve the bottle with new ones, such as telling stories, looking at pictures, or singing together with the child.
Additional Strategies that Might Help
Moms should never begin the task of taking away the bottle when the child is sick or under stresses of other kinds, such as teething or being transitioned to daycare. Another great idea is to incorporate as much yogurt, cheese, and other milk products into the diet during the transitional period until the child has increased his intake of milk from a cup. Buying a new special soft toy to offer at night to replace the expected bottle may also relieve some anxiety. Because children have individual preferences and personalities, getting them to give up the bottle may require some creativity. For most moms, some of these hints will speed up the process. Those who have a more troublesome experience should just remember that they rarely see teenagers on the street with baby bottles in their mouths. That should provide proof that they, too, can win this battle in time.
