How to Stop Bottle Feeding in Toddlers

Bottle-fed babies have spent their entire lives using bottles and deriving comfort from them as well as nutrition. Often, a little one will fall asleep while taking a bottle, and become accustomed to this routine that can persist well into toddlerhood. Stop the bottle feeding earlier rather than later, because the older a child gets, the more resistant she may become to its removal. Bottle feeding should cease at around 12 to 14 months of age, but this can be easier said than done. A few tactics will help you during this tender transitional period from baby to big kid.

Things You'll Need

  • Sippy cups

Instructions

    • 1

      Start weaning from the bottle early, if possible. You can introduce a sippy cup at around 9 months. Your baby will likely be unsure of its purpose at first. You can add a little water or formula to the sippy cup and demonstrate how it works. A toddler may show more interest, especially if he's noticed you with your cups.

    • 2

      After your baby's first birthday, start transitioning the liquid in the bottle to water instead of formula, juice or milk, especially if your child takes a bottle to bed. Bedtime bottles are a major cause of dental caries, or cavities. Your toddler may be less interested in the bottle if there is only water inside, and if she takes the bottle to bed, there is no risk of tooth damage. At this time, use only whole milk or juice in her sippy cups.

    • 3

      Try new drinks in your toddler's sippy cup, such as smoothies. A simple smoothie recipe calls for 1 cup of water, 1 tbsp. ground flax seed, 2 cups of spinach, 1 cut-up apple and 1 cup of frozen berries. Blend until smooth. Adjust the amount of water if it's too thick. The spinach will be undetectable and it's a very healthy way to get fruits and vegetables into your little one.

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