βAt my daughterβs 18-month well-check appointment her pediatrician told me she should be drinking milk out of sippy cups, not bottles, and suggested a cold turkey method (throw out all bottles and only offer milk in cups.) I was warned she could go on a milk strike for about 48 hours. My daughter went 4.5 days without drinking any milk or water. This bothered me a lot and also got my child super constipated so I weakened and let her have a bottle. She sucked this bottle down within seconds and I could see my sweet daughter coming back. On her milk strike she was very out of sorts. I went back to giving her a bottle in the morning, afternoon, and before bed. I have started to water down her bottles to ward off constipation. She demands a bottle in order to fall asleep and also wakes up really early in the morning to ask for a bottle. My daughter is VERY stubborn and stands in her crib yelling for a βbabaβ without giving up. My husband and I cave because we just want her to sleep! Do you think I should stop bottles? How? I worry she will always be obsessed with bottles! She is really into drinking milk but when I offer her milk in other cups, she acts disgusted.β
To understand the dynamics of weaning letβs look at all the pertinent facts: 1) The bottle (or breast) provides nutrition in a form the baby can easily ingest and digest. 2) The bottle also provides comfort that all of us need sometimes. 3) Going to sleep with a bottle can damage the teeth. 4) Too much milk interferes with the transition to solids. 5) Every child is different and has his or her own trajectory and degree of neediness.
Parent goals? 1) Children need to get enough milk for nutritional needs, but not too much lest they gain excess weight or refuse solids. 2) The child should transition to solids at an appropriate time. 3) The child should meet developmental milestones like giving up bottles and using a cup and spoon at an appropriate time.
My opinion? At her age your child should have at least 16 ounces of milk per day but no more than 24 as the larger amount may delay transition to solids.
Your child has indicated she needs βbottle comfortβ for a while longer. Let her have it but dilute milk with water so she gets only 16 ounces per 24 hours. This helps constipation in two ways: she gets extra water and she will eat more food that has the fiber milk lacks.
Although many toddlers ask for a night bottle, I would initiate a new ritual. Rock her and sing to her while giving her a small amount of milk by bottle. When she is drowsy put her in the crib, give her a cuddly stuffed animal, pat her and say good night. If she protests too much give her water only in the bottle or (gasp!) a pacifier so her sucking comfort needs are met. The βcold turkeyβ method did not work for her β or her parents.
Encourage her to try new solids and give her the bottle after meals when she is full, like we have a cup of coffee. Wait a few weeks and start to offer her milk in a cup after meals.
If she screams for βbabaβ in the morning give her a dilute bottle while you make her breakfast. Later you can try giving her a toy or book to distract her.
How do I suggest parents wean their toddler from a bottle? Tell your child that the Bottle Fairy is coming soon to get all the bottles. Point out, βYou donβt need a bottle any more because you are so big. The Bottle Fairy will give your bottles to smaller babies who really need them.β
Make a ceremony of packing up all the bottles and nipples. When the magic night occurs, leave the bottles inside the front door and see to it that by the next morning the Bottle Fairy has done her work. Do lots of, βWhat a big girl you are! You donβt need a baby bottle anymore!β Always praise every little developmental accomplishment of childhood.
Your little girl is developing into a child who needs to get more nutrition from solids than milk. Development is hard. Work with her, not against her in the transition to fulfill the above goals. Many toddlers this age use cups but still want a bottle.
I guarantee she will give up the bottle long before college!
