Currently using a sippy cup (quite well) for drinking water. Has 4 bottles a day. 8 ounces for breakfast, 6 ounces for lunch, 6 ounches for dinner and the 4 ounces for bedtime bottle. Would still like to keep bedtime bottle for comfort.
2006-12-27 17:56:44 · 12 answers · asked by startbutton 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
First of all, how old is the baby? Are they on formula or now on milk? If they are over a year old and eating a variety of solid foods, then eliminating bottles should not be a problem nutrition/health wise. Be sure to consult your pediatrician to be certain your child is receiving all the proper nutrients he/she needs.
Now for the switching part- since you said they are already using a sippy cup quite well for water, then they should take to drinking milk (or formula if Dr. says to keep on formula) quite easily. The easiest way to do it is to take one bottle a week a way and replace it with the cup. So pick which one you think will be easiest at first- for me it would be the one they seem the least dependent on for comfort- probably lunch. I worked in an infant room at a daycare in college and saw many, many kids be weened of of the bottle simply by replacing their lunch bottle with a sippy cup at the table. By the end of the second week, they would ask for the cup. Gradually, they will forget about the bottle and soon enough they won't even want it at bedtime.
2006-12-27 18:08:11 · answer #1 · answered by Jen 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just a couple of notes first:
How many ounces of milk/formula he needs depends on his age and depends on how much other food he takes in; so it isn't possible to guess about whether he's getting enough right now as it is.
It is generally believed that a bedtime bottle isn't the best thing (again, though, depending on his age) because sugars can sit on his gums all night and cause decay of new teeth.
Also, you do have to consider that until a certain age babies may get something from using the bottle that they don't get from using a cup.
Having said all that....
I think the most common thing people do is let the baby have a small amount of milk or juice in the cup, hold it for him, and later let him hold it himself. Once he gets to drink well and be able to hold the cup well mothers then add more liquid to the cup. Since you said he uses the cup well now for water that wouldn't be an issue.
I think you probably already know how to make the switch. What you need to check with your pediatrician is at what age is it most likely ok to take the bottle away (or even most of the bottles away).
2006-12-27 18:09:01 · answer #2 · answered by WhiteLilac1 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have a 5 year old nephew and 2 year old niece and the best way for them was to gradually switch to sippy cups with nipple type tops that they have at walmart for 2.83 a piece. Then go to a reg cup. The transition makes it a lot easier and it keeps spills to a minimal. Also during the day make sure that no matter what happens do not give him or her the bottle but make sure the cup is ready to go. If he can not get the bottle he will eventually get thirsty enough to use the cup.
2006-12-27 19:14:49 · answer #3 · answered by Mary C 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
placed the coolest stuff (chocolate milk, juice, etc) into the sippy cup, and in basic terms supply them water interior the bottle. it is going to take a on an identical time as, and you will must wait and spot. yet I inform you, it works! My sister did it with the two one in each and every of her sons (now 10 and 14, and eating out of cups like the large boys they are :) ). Our daughter took the sippy cup with little subject, yet we nevertheless do the bottle for her very final water bottle of the night in the past mattress. yet it is the only time she gets a bottle now, and she or he's 14 months. good success!!
2016-11-24 19:23:16 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get one of those Nuby Sippy cups from walmart. the spout is soft like a bottle makes the transititon alot easier. And you wouldnt necessarily need the bottle at night due to the spout being so similiar. But if you wanted to keep one bottle then I guess thats your choice but we just totally did away with the bottle and then did the same with the sippy cup.
2006-12-27 22:18:50 · answer #5 · answered by brentheather13004 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the child is old enough , let him or her pick out a cup from the store this will be his or her cup it makes them feel like there making the choice to drop the bottle , it worked for all 3 of my kids , all you can do is try.
2006-12-27 18:12:53 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
my nephew loved drinking from a real cup, but he would only drink out of this crazy hot pink kool aid guy plastic cup. He loved it.
Maybe try to find a cup that is attractive and colorful for them to drink out of or let them pick out a cup. ownership is a powerful motivator.
good luck!
2006-12-27 18:08:45 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
try leaving the cup there when he is thristy and when he cant stand the thirst any more he'll use the cup. Try doing this until he perfurs the cup in stead of the bottle. it worked for my god-daugther and son.
2006-12-27 18:06:26 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just do it! It is harder for them if you aren't confident with your decision to switch and not give in to a little extra crying (if any). You can't go half-way, though! You can do it gradually but you must be strong and give it up completely. You can do it! :)
2006-12-27 18:51:37 · answer #9 · answered by Sonia 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Praise him about being a big boy and associate using cups with being the big boy.
2006-12-27 18:01:28 · answer #10 · answered by lm 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋