When should I stop using bottles for babies?

Being a Pediatric Sleep Consultant means that one of the top questions I get asked from parents is when should I stop using bottles for babies? This monumental moment is exciting yet it can pose certain challenges. By understanding the reasons for making this transition, it can help make the change smooth while also ensuring your child receives the appropriate nutrients for their growth and development.

At what age do you take the bottle away?

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), babies 12 months of age onwards should be transitioned off the baby bottle. This is a physical milestone for babies to learn using a cup, but it simultaneously helps prevent health risks that precipitate from prolonged baby bottle usage.

Why is it important to wean the baby bottle?

1. Oral health risk increases with prolonged baby bottle usage. Tooth decay is caused by sugary drinks, but a lot of parents forget that milk breaks down into sugars. According to a study in the Journal of Pediatrics, there is an increased risk of cavities when babies use baby bottles beyond 12 months of age. The liquid which bools around the teeth create an optimal environment for bacteria to grow and cause damage.

2. Development of oral structures can be compromised if the baby bottle is not weaned. This includes the development of a child’s oral muscles and palate. The sucking action used when feeding from a baby bottle is different when drinking from a cup. According to the American Dental Association, long-term usage of baby bottles can are associated with misaligned dentition and and incorrect jaw development.

   

   
   

3. Fostering independence and fine motor skills. Moving out of the baby bottle stage means you're supporting your baby to become more independent and what better way to that than to teach your child a very grown up skill - drinking from a cup! The move from baby to to open cup takes fine motor skills as well as hand-eye coordination. The oral muscles used when drinking from a cup further helps toddlers in speech development.

4. Satisfying baby's nutritional needs from solid food. Excessive bottle feeding can lead to reduced consumption of iron-rich foods which can lead to anemia. In the Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, a published study showed that toddlers who drink an excess of 24 ounces of milk per day pose a greater risk of developing anemia. By nature, when toddlers tranisiton to cups, milk volume reduces and helps encourage a well-balanced diet.

   

   
   

5. Improving baby's sleep when they are no longer reliant on the baby bottle to fall asleep. When babies become dependent on baby bottles to fall asleep (sleep prop), it inhibits the devleopment of independent sleep skills. By removing the baby bottle as a sleep prop, it can foster healthy sleep habits which ultimately lead to better sleep. ​

How to drop the baby bottle

1. Start Slow: During mealtime, gadually introduce the open cup/sippy cup/straw cup sippy cup with water or milk during meals. It's ok for your child to handle/play with the cups while getting used to drinking from it.

2. Gradually Decrease Bottle Use: Reduce the number of bottles offered during the day before trying to reduce night time bottles. Instead, offer cups for your child to drink out of during mealtime.

3. Encouragement: Lots of positive reinforcement can make the transition smoother and less daunting for your child. They will get excited when they see you excited too.

   
   

   

   
   

4. Be Consistent: Staying the course by continually offering the open cup, sippy cup or straw cup will help your child get through this transition quicker. When you decide to remove the bedtime bottle as well, stick with it and offere distractions and comfort in other ways such as an extra bedtime story or a cuddle.

5. Role Play: Children love to be little copycats of their parents. Drink from a cup alongside your child or think about clinking your cups together while saying "cheers" to make it fun!

   
   

References

• American Academy of Pediatrics. (2017). Preventive Oral Health Intervention for Pediatricians.

• Journal of Pediatrics. (2011). Prolonged Bottle Feeding and Dental Caries Risk.

• American Dental Association. (2019). Impact of Prolonged Bottle Use on Oral Development.

• Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition. (2015). Milk Consumption and Iron Deficiency Anemia in Toddlers.