You’ve undoubtedly heard that it’s time to stop bottle feeding your kid when he or she is 6 to 9 months old. But, like many parents, you may be concerned about your child’s next stage of growth and development.
If your child pouts yells, or tears up when you offer them a “big kid cup,” take a deep breath. These kinds of protests are pretty typical! After all, little humans dislike letting go of old habits just as much as we do. And the comfort of sucking on a warm bottle can be difficult to give up.
This, like all other stages of development your child will go through, requires patience and time. However, there are numerous reasons to refuse your child’s request for a bottle.
Why might extended bottle feeding cause health issues?
Pediatricians and dentists emphasize the advantages of gradually reducing the number of bottle feedings by teaching your child to drink from a cup at mealtime. Ideally, this transition will begin around 6 months, when you offer your child a cup for the first time. You will then slowly reduce the number of bottle feedings, completing the transition between 12 and 18 months.
Letting children bottle-feed longer than this can cause them to:
Meals should be skipped. Children who drink from bottles during the day are less likely to be hungry at mealtime. This might suggest they’re getting fewer fiber and minerals from solid foods. Bottles could be the source of your child’s inability to eat.
You’ve reached an unhealthy weight. Bottles become high-calorie meal supplements and snacks for many children, contributing to toddler obesity. While many people think plump children are beautiful, experts warn that early obesity lays the stage for later weight (and health) problems.
Create cavities. When your child’s teeth are constantly bathed in milk, formula, juice, or other drinks, he or she develops early childhood caries, also known as “baby bottle tooth decay” or “baby tooth cavities.” Little ones who drink from bottles far into their second year may also have dental alignment issues and even speech difficulties because small mouths require muscular strengthening for clear speech.
Continue to resist. Toddlers cling to their bottles even more tenaciously as they grow older. Starting early is the healthiest option for both of you because this might lead to a significant power struggle between you and your child.
read more on baby’s teeth care
Tips for making the switch to drinking from a cup go more smoothly
When your kid begins eating solid meals, generally around 6 months, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) suggests giving them a cup. You can provide a cup and straw or a “sippy” (training) cup with a spouted top. Some youngsters may choose to drink from an open cup without a straw, which is also OK.
Sippy cups should only be used when children are learning. Drinking from an open cup is the healthiest option for children under two. (If your kid has a persistent illness, physical differences, or evidence of a minor motor skill delay, contact your physician to assist you in developing a timetable that is appropriate for your child’s ability.) Fill your child’s sippy cup solely with pure fluoride water, without juice or sugar.
Gradually back away from the bottle. When you start weaning your child, remind them that they can drink from a bottle at mealtimes. Eliminate bottle feedings at other times, especially naps and at night, gradually. Be prepared to provide additional snuggles, lullabies, or bedtime tales so your kid feels reassured while learning to self-soothe without the need for a bottle. Giving your kid plain water in bottles between meals, followed by plain water in sippy cups or cups, can aid with the transition.
Begin providing your child with a cup as early as 6 months. Bring one with you to the table with your child’s plate and urge them to taste it. Begin by pouring formula or breast milk into their cup, or whatever they’re already drinking. (This may seem more natural than beginning with water.) You may also fill their cup with plain water at mealtimes when they get the hang of it.
Celebrate their accomplishments. Take note of your child’s improvement and give them praise. Put on your party hats and sing a cheerful song if it feels good. Your child is eating and drinking like a big kid, which helps lay the groundwork for long-term health. Hooray!
If your child refuses, do some research. If they aren’t thirsty when you offer them a drink at dinner, that’s OK. Drink water while you dine together to set a good example. Don’t be afraid to give them additional attention if they appear to require it. “Wow, you drank something!” Excellent work! “I enjoy watching you drink from your big-kid cup.”
Include everyone in the act. Inform your child’s daycare providers, sitters, grandparents, siblings, and friends that he or she is learning a new skill. Other caregivers must follow the same schedule in order for your child to progress.
feeding baby with cup
Things to keep an eye out for along the route
Bottle weaning may be difficult, so it’s a good idea to be aware of some of the difficulties that parents and caregivers may encounter. Here are a few more pointers for you.
Provide cups mostly at meals. Children who carry their cups around like security blankets all day may drink much too much (and require more frequent diaper changes). If your child is thirsty, offer them a little glass of plain water, but then place the cup down and tell them that it will be there when it’s time to eat.
Allow your child to self-soothe without the need for a bottle. If you give in to your child’s protestations and offer a bottle at night, temporary sleep troubles might evolve into significant struggles. Create a healthy new pattern in which your child may snuggle with you, listen to a tale or gentle music, and go to sleep. A pacifier may also be useful.
Offer nutritious beverages. The healthiest drink for your child is plain water, and the fluoride in tap water helps prevent tooth decay. (If you’re curious about how fluoride works and if it’s safe for children, check out this article.)
Milk and juice include natural sugars that provide extra calories and raise the risk of cavities; therefore, serve minimal servings. Drinks with added sugar, especially carbonated beverages, are bad for your teeth.
When your kid is ready, place an open cup near the bathroom sink or water dispenser so they may feed themselves. Allow them to practice using the faucet or dispenser valve, and reward them for their efforts. (Yet another big-kid achievement!)
Selecting the Best Cup for Your Child
There are literally hundreds of options available, which might be perplexing. To prevent spillage, many sippy cups contain a valve under the spout. However, children must suck to obtain any liquid from them, which is similar to drinking from a baby bottle. not at all conducive to learning and development!
If you prefer a sippy cup to an open cup (with or without a straw), select one without a valve. It should have a cover that snaps or screws on and a basic spout. Choose one with two handles to make it easier for little hands to grasp. Some cups feature a weighted base that lifts them upright when they tilt, which is useful for reducing spillage. However, keep in mind that the sippy cup is an optional step toward using a “regular” cup. Many youngsters move from breast or bottle to a standard cup without the need for a sippy cup!
What about breastfed infants?
Because many moms pump for convenience, their children may consume breast milk from bottles as part of their daily routine. In this instance, nursing parents can utilize the same weaning methods as formula users.
Even if you have never used a bottle, you may still follow a weaning plan that includes many of the same procedures. Introduce a cup of breast milk at about 6 months of age and gradually reduce the number of nursing sessions each day from many to one and eventually none.
Remember that your child can drink breast milk from a cup for as long as you choose to give it to them. Breastfeeding sessions will eventually transition into cuddle sessions, in which you will provide your kid physical comfort and affection, just as you did while you were breastfeeding.
Remember
Remember to start giving your child a cup at about 6 months and gradually transition away from bottle or breastfeeding between 12 and 18 months. The sooner you begin, the less difficult the change will be.
Your child’s opposition does not imply that you are doing something incorrectly. Be patient and trust that your child will eventually begin to drink like a big kid.
Consult your physician if your child’s resistance becomes a full-fledged power struggle. Consult your physician if your kid has a persistent sickness, physical disability, or developmental delay that will make it difficult for them to transition away from bottle feeding.
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