About Weaning Off Bottles

During the first 12 months of life, your baby will rely on milk, whether from formula or your breast. Because of her preference for sucking, she will grow accustomed to one of these two methods of gaining her daily milk allowance. However, weaning her from the bottle to a cup is essential. As the University of San Francisco-Benioff Children's Hospital website suggests, your child's dental health, as well as proper feeding skills, is contingent on your child successfully making this transition.

  1. Timing is Important

    • Knowing when your baby is ready to transition from bottle to cup makes all the difference. The clues that signal this readiness are outlined at the University of California San Francisco- Benioff Children's Hospital's website: Your baby is able to sit up by herself or eat with a spoon; she has shown an increased interest in solid foods; her meal-times are well-established. The American Academy of Pediatrics' website HealthyChildren.org recommends holding off on cow's milk until after baby's first birthday and when solids are being eaten, but your baby may be ready to practice holding a cup at 3 to 6 months of age.

    It is a Process

    • Instead of trying the cold-turkey approach to weaning, KidsHealth.org suggests that you do it in steps. Eliminate the bottle from one meal per week, replacing it with a cup during those times. First, you could stop providing the morning bottle and give her cows' milk in a cup instead. A week later, eliminate her lunch bottle and then her dinner one. If she asks you about the bottle, reassure her that one is coming later. Get rid of the night bottle last.

    Transitioning to Cow's Milk

    • How you introduce your baby to cows' milk, as opposed to breast milk or formula, is important. According to the USCF-Benioff Children's Hospital website, you will have better results if you do it gradually. At first mix cows' milk with formula, breast milk or water. Wait until age 1 as the child should only be drinking breast milk or formula before that point. And the AAP says not to introduce cow's milk before the baby is eating a balanced diet of solids. Offer only whole milk and no more than 1 quart per day, according to the AAP.

    Making Bottle Weaning Easier

    • Go about the weaning process gently. First, as the USCF-Benioff website suggests, avoid weaning your child during a stressful time, such as right after a move, a divorce or death in the family. The weaning will only add to the anxiety she already feels. When you do begin weaning her from the bottle, try to comfort your baby during this process. For example, your child her favorite soft blanket. Put on some quiet, soothing music. Spend extra time cuddling her, letting her know that you still love her. When it is time to feed, use a cup with a handle and a spouted lid.

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