What's so terrible about an 18 month old still drinking from a bottle?

Question

My son drinks a bottle maybe 4-5 times a day. My mom is the babysitter and it's hard to "teach an old dog new tricks". He's not only drinking plain milk. She adds baby cereal in the morning, and pureed vegetable or fruit in the afternoon. So I know he's getting more nutrition than just milk. Ok he also drinks from a sippy cup when we are out. And he does eat solid foods for lunch and dinner. (Not a big serving). I don't tell his pedeatrician any of this. I just told him he has a bottle in the morning and evening. When I go next month I kind of want to tell him he's off the bottle completely. But my question is, what is the real reason he should be off the bottle? Has anyone had real consequences? Please share!

Answer 1

you have answered ur own by (by not wanting to tell his pediatrician) n e way it only gets harder to take it away later plus you said that he dose not eat much that is be case he probably drinks to muck and dose not have the know how to chew his food if u take the bottle he may start eating better if u have trouble taking it put some thing u know he dose not like in the bottle and some thing he likes in his cup he will brake his self if u keep it up

Answer 2

well most people say the bottle at that age will cause teeth problems ..
but the real issues i see is you son is still being treated like a baby. he should use mostly a sippy cup and be eating finger foods at least.
my daughter is 20 months old and she still has a bottle at night but that is all she has her sippy cup or a sports bottle during day . she has been off baby food cents she was about 10 months old(she used fomula till a yr)
need to get him on a reg meals even if breakfast is just a hand full of cereal and some fruit

Answer 3

There are two reasons not to allow use of a bottle when children have teeth and the physical skill to drink. The first reason is tooth decay: 'baby bottle mouth', and the second reason follows from that one: expensive orthodontic repairs of malformation of the soft palate, buck teeth and tooth position problems caused by teeth lost too soon due to tooth decay.

If a child *must* be given a bottle after he has teeth, then the child's teeth should be brushed after each bottle is done. A child should never sleep with a bottle after he has teeth.

"Baby bottle tooth decay (or nursing bottle mouth) is a leading dental problem for children under 3 years of age. Baby bottle tooth decay occurs when a child's teeth are exposed to sugary liquids, such as formula, fruit juices, and other sweetened liquids for a continuous, extended period of time. The practice of putting a baby to bed with a bottle, which the baby can suck on for hours, is the major cause of this dental condition. The sugary liquid flows over the baby's upper front teeth and dissolves the enamel, causing decay that can lead to infection. The longer the practice continues, the greater the damage to the baby's teeth and mouth. Treatment is very expensive.

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry has developed the following guidelines for preventing baby bottle tooth decay:

Don't allow a child to fall asleep with a bottle containing milk, formula, fruit juices, or other sweet liquids. Never let a child walk with a bottle in her mouth.
Comfort a child who wants a bottle between regular feedings or during naps with a bottle filled with cool water.
Always make sure a child's pacifier is clean and never dip a pacifier in a sweet liquid.
Introduce children to a cup as they approach 1 year of age. Children should stop drinking from a bottle soon after their first birthday.
Notify the parent of any unusual red or swollen areas in a child's mouth or any dark spot on a child's tooth so that the parent can consult the child's dentist."

Answer 4

He's not a baby! He's a toddler. You should treat him like a toddler. He needs to have a sippy now, not a bottle. He needs to learn the motions of drinking from a cup so he'll be ready for a no lid cup at 2- 2 1/2. His cereal, fruits, and veggies need to be fed to him with a spoon, not in a bottle. Yet again, he needs to learn to push the foods back into his mouth with his tongue instead of sucking them out. And quit lying to your pediatrician. Its not helping you or your child. He's growing up. Treat him as such.

Answer 5

you at the instant are not a terrible mom! If that's the worst factor it relatively is going on, you're doing super. :) I additionally supply my 18 month previous daughter one bottle interior the morning. Then, I placed her back to sleep for some extra hours because of fact she is often grumpy once I wake her interior the morning. it relatively is the only bottle she gets, the the remainder of the day she beverages from her cups, the type with a straw. i do no longer think of it relatively is a huge deal in any respect. Your son might desire to no longer be tangled up from nevertheless eating bottles, you're a physically powerful mom!

Answer 6

My daughter had her bottle till she was 3 years old. I was the kind of parent who gave in every time she got upset. I can tell you now that it only gets harder and you do face some dental issues as your son ages. My daughter never had bottle tooth decay but she did have a terrible overbite that is finally fixed itself, but she is now 13. These dental issues can be much worse than this and you are looking at your son needing braces when he gets older. If you stop it now, it will be difficult, but if you wait it will be a nightmare.

Answer 7

i have seen toddlers with the bottle this late who have teeth issues.. its really time to let go of the bottle.. i dont want to be mean but come on.. your mom needs to respect your wishes.. start giving it to him in a sippy cup.. my daughter was off baby cereal at a year. there was too much food to introduce to her when she got her teeth. when he fusses for a bottle and shows you he wants one.. give him something else. i told my daughter she was a big girl now.. and the bottles are all gone.. made it a big deal with her.. let her throw them in the trash and clapped saying bye bye bottles.. they are for babies.. and she really understood that. fits aside.. it will be hard.. but let him be a part of getting rid of it so he understands it.. there are toddler cups that help with the transition too. good luck hun.. but GET RID OF THE BOTTLES.. IT IS TOOOO LONG TO LET HIM HAVE THEM..

Answer 8

It ruins their teeth......he'll need braces.....bad idea!!