we have been trying to take the bottle away, but she is crying for it so much. if the answer is to take away the bottle to improve the ear infections, should i take it away all at once or go to 1 to 2 bottles per day for a week or so. thanks for answers.
2007-02-02 16:34:50 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
It's not technically the bottle specifically that causes ear infections, it's the child's position when drinking from the bottle. Make sure she is in a semi-upright position, not laying down. The ear tubes are curved differently in infants than in adults, and the different curvature allows liquid to pool in the bottom which causes ear infections. Keep her sitting partially upright, and NOT laying down, and then the bottle won't be at fault for an infection. If she gets a cold, however, that can lead to an ear infection. As for stopping the bottle, don't stop just b/c she's 12 months old. Stop when she shows signs that she's ready to give it up. Giving up the bottle is a major event in a child's life, ans 12 months is not some magic number that makes them ready to do it. It's not just about food/drink, it's a comforting security thing, and if you force the issue before they're ready, you set yourself up for a major battle a your child to feel like she's failing b/c you say she needs to and she knows she's not ready. Do start putting water in the bottle instead of milk, as especially at that age, milk wallowing on the teeth before bedtim can cause tooth decay. Start watering down the milk first. My son wasn't quite ready to give up the milk bottles at 12 months, he finally made the move to only water in the bottle (a gradual move, that is) at 18 months. I asked him about giving the bottle up every once in a while, and finally when he was 2, he didn't say no. He didn't quite say yes, but he was indifferent about it, letting me know he was ready. And when he didn't get a bottle with bedtime the next day, he didn't really care that much. That's how easy it should be to take away the bottle, and it can be, if you wait until she's ready.
2007-02-02 16:55:23 · answer #1 · answered by littleangelfire81 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The ear infections have little to do with bottles. Babies get them easier, some more than others. Be vigilant and treat them when they occur. Keep the bottle around for awhile but try to introduce a tippy cup at meal times with some favorite drink inside that she sees you pour into it.
2007-02-03 01:09:14 · answer #2 · answered by RB 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's not necessarily the bottle. My niece was off of the bottle and still had recurrent ear infections. If she likes the feelign of a nipple, there are sippy cups that have a soft, rubber top. You can get them at Walmart. A lot of my friends and I have used them to ween our little ones off of the bottle.
2007-02-03 00:40:11 · answer #3 · answered by TwinkaTee 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If your baby takes a bottle lying down, then it can cause ear infections. Gradually get it down to 1 bottle at night and give her milk in a cup. Then one night, just give her a cup before bedtime. It worked for me and hope it does for you.
2007-02-03 00:39:47 · answer #4 · answered by Tenn Gal 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Take from me I have 5 kids and my oldest and youngest had ear problems. They ended up with tubes. Do not lay her down with a bottle. Try using a sippee cup with the rubber nipple on it.
2007-02-07 00:11:46 · answer #5 · answered by alilkntrygal27 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ear infections don't have anything to do with bottles, its caused from colds, bodily fluids cant drain properly when a baby is all stuffed up.
2007-02-03 02:42:02 · answer #6 · answered by canadian_cutie_20_2002 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if you put her to bed with a bottle it will help but they find that milk products because the produce mucus, are a cause of ear infections
2007-02-03 00:38:35 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
it might, i know i was told that binkys do the same thing and there both sucking effects
2007-02-06 18:58:34 · answer #8 · answered by biglove1 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋