my son is 3 in january and have been trying to weine him off his milk bottles?

Question

my son is 3 in january and i have tried weining him off his bottle and nothing i do seems to work any one got any ideas on what i can try

my son is 3 in january but he still isnt off the bottles im unable to throw every single bottle away due to the fact i have a 3 month old daughter that is on bottles if he sees them he will more than likley want one of those if his are gone

Answer 1

Start by giving him a cup at meal times and snacks
cut back slowly then get rid of the bottles entirely

Answer 2

Why are you in a rush to get him off the bottle. As you have a new baby it is well known that the older child reverts to baby ways to get attention. My son didn't give up his bottle untill he started school at 4 yrs, we talked him round by telling him all the other children would stop and as it was christmas time we left all the bottles and dummies under the tree for santa to take for the baby reindeer, we never had a problem. As long as you use orthodontic teats his teeth will be safe. Personally I think you have enough on your plate with a new baby and a 3 yr old - he'll do it in his own time with a little encouragement from mum and dad - force him and he'll dig in!! My son is nearly 10 now, he doesn't have a bottle or dummy but he still has a blanky comforter and he still wets the bed - now that is a problem!!! Good luck with your little man.

Answer 3

Tell him he is a big boy and only babies have bottles, big boys have cups. Let him chose his own special cup and just refuse to give him a bottle. He will obviously be upset and may tantrum but stay strong. Only offer him the cup and when he is thirsty he will drink from it. Don't give in and give him the bottle because then he will think that every time he can just cry and he will get what he wants. It will be hard but will be so worth it because a 3 year old should not be on the bottle. Good luck and remember you are helping him to become an independent and able young boy

Answer 4

I have a perfect solution. A friend of mine told me about a "bottle fairy". I prepared my son a week in advance and set a date that she was coming. I told him she needed the bottles for the new babies being born.and she would exchange every bottle for a toy. When that day came , I had him say good-bye to his bottles. We then put the basket outside the front door and I put him to bed. When he woke up he ran down stairs and we got the basket. He received a "cool" sippy cup, and some small toys he really wanted. Remember to throw the bottles out. You may have a few rough days but he knows the you do not have the bottles.(you will not look like the bad mom). I swear by this. Every time I've told someone to use this method , it has worked. Good luck

Answer 5

My daughter turned 2 last month and I wanted to stop her bottles and still give her milk. She uses sippy cups during the day and I used to give her a bottle at bedtime. But she can now drink from a normal mug so I sit her in her highchair and give her a mug of warm milk instead. She doesn't drink as much as she did with a bottle, but it doesn't bother her. I just make sure she gets enough calcium from other things as well.
Hope this helps.

Answer 6

Have you tried to explain to him that bottles are for babies and he is a big boy now and he does not need a bottle? Also try having him pick out some sippy cups he likes and have HIM throw away all HIS bottles. I think this will work because it is what I did with my kid's diapers before I started potty training and it worked wonderfully.

Answer 7

I had exactly the same problem with my two children. one is now 12 and the other 9 and you'll be relieve to hear both are off the bottle! my son stopped his the night before his 5th birthday, he was sick and because milk was the last thing he'd had it was curdled milk that came back up - didn't want milk from that moment on. can't remember what stopped my daughter but i think it was just something she decided to do at about 5+. I haven't a clue what to suggest other than let him carry on with his bottles (he's still very young) as i don't see it does much harm in it - other than the hassle for mum, more hassle i think if you try taking him off it. i think the teat of the bottle is a comfort thing more than the child actually wanting milk but i don't suppose you want to replace the bottle teat with a dummie. sorry i haven't the answer, i just wanted to let you know that it will stop ....eventually!

Answer 8

Three is a little old to be still on the bottle...that and thumb-sucking is a good way to have spaces in their teeth..I think the easiest way is to have them around other kids that do NOT drink bottles...when they identify what a "big boy" or "girl" is they want to be like them...does he have a relative or friend that is about the same age and you can make a big deal over the fact that the other child drinks out of a "big boy" cup...try not to say much to the child and the fact that they DON'T... better to "catch them being good" then to make them feel bad about themselves..laying down to nap or for the evening is the only time you should be giving a bottle the rest of the time use the sippy cup . and don't give it unless they specifically ask for it...just so you know my sisters kid will be 2 on Dec 26.....she still wants the bottle for naps and at night so you re not the only one going thru this....good luck..(ADDED).why do people give thumbs down for a perfectly respectable answer....must do it to make their answer look better I suppose

Answer 9

Cold Turkey! My son was 2 1/2 and I took the bottles and threw them in the trash with him watching. He cried of corse. The next day he barely ate or drank. The day after that he drank from a cup and ate real food. That was it. Maybe you will have a few days of crying- I didnt. But he will get over it. Its really best for him to learn how to drink from a cup. Three is a bit old for a bottle. I didnt know that until I worked in childcare and saw that they started sippy cup training at 8 months. And had most of the kids on a cup at a year- and the kids did well.

Answer 10

Sipper cups. They have a lid, so will not spill, and he can still suck on the lip. Go with this for a few months until hes ready for a cup without a lid. You can find these at K-Mart, Wal-Mart, the grocery store. If he remains stubborn, you're just going to have to give him his liquid in the sipper cup, and wait until he drinks from it, DO NOT give in to him, and his crying if he does cry. He's too little to run Mom, Mom runs him! LOL You should have started giving him sipper cups when he was 2, but thats okay, you have make up time, Hun. Good luck with your little man!

No, no, no. I am adament on this, break him of the bottle right away, cold turkey! Dont promise him a bottle only at night, this will cause the process to run slower. My son didnt make it easy for me to break him off a pacifier! I went through hell, at first! Untill I had to cut him off cold turkey, and it was a hard week, but it only took ONE week, and my agony was OVER!

Mom? Facts are facts! You are giving in to a 3 year old. He is telling YOU what to do, not you telling HIM. Who is the parent here? You or him? I don't care if he see's your daughter's bottle, it does not belong to him. He is growing, and needs to have a big boy's cup, not a baby cup. If you don't take charge now, then your son will be spoiled, and get his way even if it is wrong, because you let him. Be a Mom, please. You will not be hurting him if he cries about the bottle you are NOT going to give him. You will be showing him how to grow, and not be dependant. I didn't want to see or hear my son cry for any reason either, but babies don't know what to do, parents do. So, be strong. It's for your son's health and growth.

Answer 11

Wow....I am sure you know this, but you've waited much too long. Good for you for taking a stand about it.....Now, FOLLOW THROUGH. He can get comfort and nutrition through other means. Does he use a sippy cup too? Have him come with you to the store to pick out some fun ones. Tell him a story about a new baby in a far away place needing the bottle (or whatever you call it) and they need his help. You can "pretend" to mail them away, or really, you know his personality....what "trick" would work for him best? Maybe he wouldn't want to share them (he is two, you know!) Anyway, in 1 week, MAX, this will be a distant memory and you will be amazed how resiliant your child is. Bribes are okay too...but listen, it's VERY important you stick to this. For his good and your own. Start today, start now. Tell him the story and make it an exciting day, don't give in when he cries, just remind him they are gone and there's nothing you can do about it. Good luck!