How to Wean Your Baby off the Bottle
When you decide to wean your baby from a bottle to a cup, a variety of techniques can make the transition easier on you both.
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Instructions
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Offer your baby a cup instead of a bottle, and follow his cues. He may seem interested and may drink from it properly; if he has trouble or just refuses, try again in a few days.
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Make a family policy that your baby can't walk around with his drink or play with his bottle. This will make it clear that he needs to eat at regular meal and snack times, rather than always holding on to the bottle. Follow similar rules yourself so you don't send mixed messages.
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Substitute other things that will comfort your baby if he seems to be using his bottle as a pacifier. These should include extra attention and affection, as well as special games, toys and books.
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If your baby gets thirsty at night, keep a spillproof cup of water nearby and offer it to him in lieu of a bottle when he wakes. The nighttime bottle is often the most difficult to lose, but doing so is important. Using formula, milk or juice at night harms your baby's dental health, as the liquid will pool in the mouth, coat the teeth and lead to severe decay. Bottles also pose a choking hazard.
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Tips & Warnings
If your baby does not seem fond of cow's milk, don't despair. There are many other excellent sources of calcium and protein, such as tofu and yogurt.
Remember that your baby still needs good nutrition; a 1-year-old should drink about 4 cups of milk daily, depending on how much solid food he takes in.
Many babies become addicted to juice during weaning; try to make it an occasional treat rather than a regular part of your baby's diet.
Try using a cup that features your child's favorite book, TV or movie characters; this may help him get excited about using it.
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Comments
View all 24 Comments-
annahall
Jun 20, 2010
For one thing, my 11 month old baby, will be 1 year old in a few days...I'm very calm about transferring him to a sippy cup. He's been on a bottle since 9 months old. He only has a bottle with meal times, not usually before bed. He was breastfed until 10 months. My daughter who is almost 3 years old drank a bottle until 13 months old. I bought a couple of nube sippy cups, that look a little like a bottle, but are good transition cups. It only took a couple days of drinking no milk, before she started drinking milk in a sippy cup. My 11 month old sees my 33 month old daughter drinking sippy cups, he always wants hers...I"m pretty sure it will be easy to transition...things take time though. -
mzjns06
Dec 17, 2008
I also have a 11 month milk monster, who will be 12 months in a few weeks. She does not take a pacifier, and has to have a bottle or two in the middle of the night. If she sleeps longer than 30 mins in the middles of the day, my nights are restless. I now suffer from two stomach diseases from this lack of sleep. I am crying out for help!
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mzjns06
Dec 17, 2008
I also have a 11 month milk monster, who will be 12 months in a few weeks. She does not take a pacifier, and has to have a bottle or two in the middle of the night. If she sleeps longer than 30 mins in the middles of the day, my nights are restless. I now suffer from two stomach diseases from this lack of sleep. I am crying out for help!
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mer12
Nov 22, 2008
My son will be 12 months in a a couple of weeks. I really want to ween him off the bottle before he gets too old. I have no idea how to go about doing it. He goes down with one at nap time and at bed time and again if he wakes up in the middle of the night. Where do i start? Please help.
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mer12
Nov 22, 2008
My son will be 12 months in a a couple of weeks. I really want to ween him off the bottle before he gets too old. I have no idea how to go about doing it. He goes down with one at nap time and at bed time and again if he wakes up in the middle of the night. Where do i start? Please help.
