Around the end of the first year, parents should begin weaning their babies off bottles and getting them used to drinking from cups. The longer parents wait, the more difficult it will be to break the bottle habit.
Prolonged bottle usage may lead to cavities, a lisp in speech, or cause a child to consume more milk than necessary.
Switching from bottle to cup can be difficult, but these strategies can help parents and children adjust.
How to start the weaning process
Most physicians advocate starting a cup around the age of six months. Much of what you offer in a cup will end up on the floor or on your baby at first. However, most babies have the coordination and hand abilities required to hold a cup and drink from it by the age of 12 months.
- When beginning the change, make sure there are no upcoming stressful events. A move, the birth of a sibling, or a large family trip may be too much for your child. They may become uneasy and cling to familiar items or habits.
- Make the changeover a memorable occasion by taking your toddler with you to the shop so they may choose their own cups. Allow them to select whatever cup they wish to use at each feeding.
- If you’re still nursing, you can continue to feed your infant breast milk in a cup.
- Instead of eliminating bottles at once, try gradually removing them from the feeding schedule. For example, if your baby generally has three daily bottles, start with discontinuing the morning bottle. Continue to provide the afternoon and evening bottles for about a week before dropping the afternoon bottle.
Good to know: The night-time bottle should be the last bottle eliminated as it usually forms part of the night-time routine and gives the most comfort to babies.
Other things to remember:
- Spill-proof cups with spouts developed specifically for babies can assist in the transition from the bottle.
- Dentists prefer sippy cups with a firm spout or a straw over those with soft spouts.
- Try mixing the milk in the bottle with water as you wean your baby from the bottle. Fill half of it with water and half with milk for the first several days. Then gradually add additional water until the full bottle is filled with water. By then, your child will likely have lost interest and be asking for the tastier milk in a cup.
- Give praise and positive reinforcement when your child uses their cup instead of the bottle. You may also decorate the sippy cup with stickers to make it more appealing.
Good to know: Consult your child’s doctor if you have any questions or concerns about quitting the bottle.
