Weaning off the bottle...

[SadiesMom]

I posted this in the nutrition section too, but thought that maybe some other parents might have gone through this as well.

We just went to our 12 month well-baby visit and the pediatrician advised weaning Sadie off the bottle. I haven't pushed the sippy cup because quite honestly, I don't know how I would replace those calories. As it is, she is more mobile and only gained 1 pound in the last three months, dropping from the 75th percentile to the 55th. She's a great eater and eats anything we put in front of her, but it just doesn't seem to be enough. What I've done so far is take out the lunch and dinner bottle (keeping the breakfast and just before bed bottle) and replace them with juice in the sippy. She's doing well with the sippy cup, but doesn't drink nearly what she did with her bottles. Any suggestions? Any advice would be most appreciated.

 

[SadiesMom]

I posted this in the nutrition section too, but thought that maybe some other parents might have gone through this as well.

We just went to our 12 month well-baby visit and the pediatrician advised weaning Sadie off the bottle. I haven't pushed the sippy cup because quite honestly, I don't know how I would replace those calories. As it is, she is more mobile and only gained 1 pound in the last three months, dropping from the 75th percentile to the 55th. She's a great eater and eats anything we put in front of her, but it just doesn't seem to be enough. What I've done so far is take out the lunch and dinner bottle (keeping the breakfast and just before bed bottle) and replace them with juice in the sippy. She's doing well with the sippy cup, but doesn't drink nearly what she did with her bottles. Any suggestions? Any advice would be most appreciated.

 

[SadiesMom]

I posted this in the nutrition section too, but thought that maybe some other parents might have gone through this as well.

We just went to our 12 month well-baby visit and the pediatrician advised weaning Sadie off the bottle. I haven't pushed the sippy cup because quite honestly, I don't know how I would replace those calories. As it is, she is more mobile and only gained 1 pound in the last three months, dropping from the 75th percentile to the 55th. She's a great eater and eats anything we put in front of her, but it just doesn't seem to be enough. What I've done so far is take out the lunch and dinner bottle (keeping the breakfast and just before bed bottle) and replace them with juice in the sippy. She's doing well with the sippy cup, but doesn't drink nearly what she did with her bottles. Any suggestions? Any advice would be most appreciated.

 

[SadiesMom]

I posted this in the nutrition section too, but thought that maybe some other parents might have gone through this as well.

We just went to our 12 month well-baby visit and the pediatrician advised weaning Sadie off the bottle. I haven't pushed the sippy cup because quite honestly, I don't know how I would replace those calories. As it is, she is more mobile and only gained 1 pound in the last three months, dropping from the 75th percentile to the 55th. She's a great eater and eats anything we put in front of her, but it just doesn't seem to be enough. What I've done so far is take out the lunch and dinner bottle (keeping the breakfast and just before bed bottle) and replace them with juice in the sippy. She's doing well with the sippy cup, but doesn't drink nearly what she did with her bottles. Any suggestions? Any advice would be most appreciated.

 

[SadiesMom]

I posted this in the nutrition section too, but thought that maybe some other parents might have gone through this as well.
<br />
<br />We just went to our 12 month well-baby visit and the pediatrician advised weaning Sadie off the bottle. I haven't pushed the sippy cup because quite honestly, I don't know how I would replace those calories. As it is, she is more mobile and only gained 1 pound in the last three months, dropping from the 75th percentile to the 55th. She's a great eater and eats anything we put in front of her, but it just doesn't seem to be enough. What I've done so far is take out the lunch and dinner bottle (keeping the breakfast and just before bed bottle) and replace them with juice in the sippy. She's doing well with the sippy cup, but doesn't drink nearly what she did with her bottles. Any suggestions? Any advice would be most appreciated.

 

[Mommafirst]

First of all, Sadie is toooooo adorable. Her big eyes and gorgeous smile make me smile too.

I think your gut instinct makes a lot of sense, do what gets her the most calories and worry about weaning when the time comes. I assure you, she will not want the bottle when she goes off to preschool. I am not big on MAKING my kids meet certain predisposed schedules. When they are ready, they make the transition.

That being said, I did switch my kids to a transition cup -- sort of a cross between a bottle and a sippy cup. Here's the ones we used <a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3876139&CAWELAID=450068977
">http://www.toysrus.com/product...39&CAWELAID=450068977
</a>They encouraged my kids to drink the same quantity they did from the bottle, but with a soft sippy cup (not nipple) top. Its a great way to get them used to cups, without giving up the bottle. It worked terrifically for my pickiest two kiddos.

 

[Mommafirst]

First of all, Sadie is toooooo adorable. Her big eyes and gorgeous smile make me smile too.

I think your gut instinct makes a lot of sense, do what gets her the most calories and worry about weaning when the time comes. I assure you, she will not want the bottle when she goes off to preschool. I am not big on MAKING my kids meet certain predisposed schedules. When they are ready, they make the transition.

That being said, I did switch my kids to a transition cup -- sort of a cross between a bottle and a sippy cup. Here's the ones we used <a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3876139&CAWELAID=450068977
">http://www.toysrus.com/product...39&CAWELAID=450068977
</a>They encouraged my kids to drink the same quantity they did from the bottle, but with a soft sippy cup (not nipple) top. Its a great way to get them used to cups, without giving up the bottle. It worked terrifically for my pickiest two kiddos.

 

[Mommafirst]

First of all, Sadie is toooooo adorable. Her big eyes and gorgeous smile make me smile too.

I think your gut instinct makes a lot of sense, do what gets her the most calories and worry about weaning when the time comes. I assure you, she will not want the bottle when she goes off to preschool. I am not big on MAKING my kids meet certain predisposed schedules. When they are ready, they make the transition.

That being said, I did switch my kids to a transition cup -- sort of a cross between a bottle and a sippy cup. Here's the ones we used <a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3876139&CAWELAID=450068977
">http://www.toysrus.com/product...39&CAWELAID=450068977
</a>They encouraged my kids to drink the same quantity they did from the bottle, but with a soft sippy cup (not nipple) top. Its a great way to get them used to cups, without giving up the bottle. It worked terrifically for my pickiest two kiddos.

 

[Mommafirst]

First of all, Sadie is toooooo adorable. Her big eyes and gorgeous smile make me smile too.

I think your gut instinct makes a lot of sense, do what gets her the most calories and worry about weaning when the time comes. I assure you, she will not want the bottle when she goes off to preschool. I am not big on MAKING my kids meet certain predisposed schedules. When they are ready, they make the transition.

That being said, I did switch my kids to a transition cup -- sort of a cross between a bottle and a sippy cup. Here's the ones we used <a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3876139&CAWELAID=450068977
">http://www.toysrus.com/product...39&CAWELAID=450068977
</a>They encouraged my kids to drink the same quantity they did from the bottle, but with a soft sippy cup (not nipple) top. Its a great way to get them used to cups, without giving up the bottle. It worked terrifically for my pickiest two kiddos.

 

[Mommafirst]

First of all, Sadie is toooooo adorable. Her big eyes and gorgeous smile make me smile too.
<br />
<br />I think your gut instinct makes a lot of sense, do what gets her the most calories and worry about weaning when the time comes. I assure you, she will not want the bottle when she goes off to preschool. I am not big on MAKING my kids meet certain predisposed schedules. When they are ready, they make the transition.
<br />
<br />That being said, I did switch my kids to a transition cup -- sort of a cross between a bottle and a sippy cup. Here's the ones we used <a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3876139&CAWELAID=450068977
">http://www.toysrus.com/product...39&CAWELAID=450068977
</a><br />They encouraged my kids to drink the same quantity they did from the bottle, but with a soft sippy cup (not nipple) top. Its a great way to get them used to cups, without giving up the bottle. It worked terrifically for my pickiest two kiddos.
<br />
<br />

 

[Ratatosk]

I'll admit that I let DS keep his bottle for early morning breakfast feedings for a very long time. And I never mentioned it at appointments. I also kept him on formula until he was 18 months old due to concerns with losing out on a majority of his calories.

He hated the standard sippy cups, but did do quite well with straw cups. However, the munchkin straw cups with the valves are near impossible to clean milk products out of. So I bought cups with lids and regular plastic straws. I STILL use them for the most part. I use the munchkin sippy cups with tighter lids and the straws for white grape juice and water to avoid spillage, just don't use them with milk or carnation instant breakfast.

So go with your gut. If she needs to be on the bottle a little bit longer until she gets used to a sippy cup or whatever works, so be it. I'm assuming you don't put her to bed with a bottle, so bottle rot (tooth decay) shouldn't be an issue.

 

[Ratatosk]

I'll admit that I let DS keep his bottle for early morning breakfast feedings for a very long time. And I never mentioned it at appointments. I also kept him on formula until he was 18 months old due to concerns with losing out on a majority of his calories.

He hated the standard sippy cups, but did do quite well with straw cups. However, the munchkin straw cups with the valves are near impossible to clean milk products out of. So I bought cups with lids and regular plastic straws. I STILL use them for the most part. I use the munchkin sippy cups with tighter lids and the straws for white grape juice and water to avoid spillage, just don't use them with milk or carnation instant breakfast.

So go with your gut. If she needs to be on the bottle a little bit longer until she gets used to a sippy cup or whatever works, so be it. I'm assuming you don't put her to bed with a bottle, so bottle rot (tooth decay) shouldn't be an issue.

 

[Ratatosk]

I'll admit that I let DS keep his bottle for early morning breakfast feedings for a very long time. And I never mentioned it at appointments. I also kept him on formula until he was 18 months old due to concerns with losing out on a majority of his calories.

He hated the standard sippy cups, but did do quite well with straw cups. However, the munchkin straw cups with the valves are near impossible to clean milk products out of. So I bought cups with lids and regular plastic straws. I STILL use them for the most part. I use the munchkin sippy cups with tighter lids and the straws for white grape juice and water to avoid spillage, just don't use them with milk or carnation instant breakfast.

So go with your gut. If she needs to be on the bottle a little bit longer until she gets used to a sippy cup or whatever works, so be it. I'm assuming you don't put her to bed with a bottle, so bottle rot (tooth decay) shouldn't be an issue.

 

[Ratatosk]

I'll admit that I let DS keep his bottle for early morning breakfast feedings for a very long time. And I never mentioned it at appointments. I also kept him on formula until he was 18 months old due to concerns with losing out on a majority of his calories.

He hated the standard sippy cups, but did do quite well with straw cups. However, the munchkin straw cups with the valves are near impossible to clean milk products out of. So I bought cups with lids and regular plastic straws. I STILL use them for the most part. I use the munchkin sippy cups with tighter lids and the straws for white grape juice and water to avoid spillage, just don't use them with milk or carnation instant breakfast.

So go with your gut. If she needs to be on the bottle a little bit longer until she gets used to a sippy cup or whatever works, so be it. I'm assuming you don't put her to bed with a bottle, so bottle rot (tooth decay) shouldn't be an issue.

 

[Ratatosk]

I'll admit that I let DS keep his bottle for early morning breakfast feedings for a very long time. And I never mentioned it at appointments. I also kept him on formula until he was 18 months old due to concerns with losing out on a majority of his calories.
<br />
<br />He hated the standard sippy cups, but did do quite well with straw cups. However, the munchkin straw cups with the valves are near impossible to clean milk products out of. So I bought cups with lids and regular plastic straws. I STILL use them for the most part. I use the munchkin sippy cups with tighter lids and the straws for white grape juice and water to avoid spillage, just don't use them with milk or carnation instant breakfast.
<br />
<br />So go with your gut. If she needs to be on the bottle a little bit longer until she gets used to a sippy cup or whatever works, so be it. I'm assuming you don't put her to bed with a bottle, so bottle rot (tooth decay) shouldn't be an issue.

 

[hmw]

IMO, in starting the switch from bottle to cup, I would give her in the cup whatever she's been having in the bottle. She's not getting the nutritional value or the calories from juice. Once she's used to the cup, then you can start replacing the calories/nutrition she's been getting from the formula/whatever with more food.

I also wouldn't worry about rushing it. Twelve months is what the pediatricians all push, and it is a good time to introduce the cup, but I wouldn't worry if it takes a while yet to get her off the bottle. As long as she isn't falling asleep at night with a milk bottle I would take as relaxed an approach as you feel she needs. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

Emily needed a sippy cup foreverrrrr (delays) ...we had to experiment a lot to find cups we could keep clean, too. Some of the cups with silicone valves were easier to keep clean than others, and we soaked them all (valves and lids) in a bleach/water mixture on occasion (then washed WELL until smell was gone) to sanitize. I know many people here don't like bleach but a little can go a long way in thoroughly sanitizing things that are difficult to keep clean. Silicone valves (just like baby bottle nipples) can also go through a bottle sterilizer or be boiled.

 

[hmw]

IMO, in starting the switch from bottle to cup, I would give her in the cup whatever she's been having in the bottle. She's not getting the nutritional value or the calories from juice. Once she's used to the cup, then you can start replacing the calories/nutrition she's been getting from the formula/whatever with more food.

I also wouldn't worry about rushing it. Twelve months is what the pediatricians all push, and it is a good time to introduce the cup, but I wouldn't worry if it takes a while yet to get her off the bottle. As long as she isn't falling asleep at night with a milk bottle I would take as relaxed an approach as you feel she needs. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

Emily needed a sippy cup foreverrrrr (delays) ...we had to experiment a lot to find cups we could keep clean, too. Some of the cups with silicone valves were easier to keep clean than others, and we soaked them all (valves and lids) in a bleach/water mixture on occasion (then washed WELL until smell was gone) to sanitize. I know many people here don't like bleach but a little can go a long way in thoroughly sanitizing things that are difficult to keep clean. Silicone valves (just like baby bottle nipples) can also go through a bottle sterilizer or be boiled.

 

[hmw]

IMO, in starting the switch from bottle to cup, I would give her in the cup whatever she's been having in the bottle. She's not getting the nutritional value or the calories from juice. Once she's used to the cup, then you can start replacing the calories/nutrition she's been getting from the formula/whatever with more food.

I also wouldn't worry about rushing it. Twelve months is what the pediatricians all push, and it is a good time to introduce the cup, but I wouldn't worry if it takes a while yet to get her off the bottle. As long as she isn't falling asleep at night with a milk bottle I would take as relaxed an approach as you feel she needs. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

Emily needed a sippy cup foreverrrrr (delays) ...we had to experiment a lot to find cups we could keep clean, too. Some of the cups with silicone valves were easier to keep clean than others, and we soaked them all (valves and lids) in a bleach/water mixture on occasion (then washed WELL until smell was gone) to sanitize. I know many people here don't like bleach but a little can go a long way in thoroughly sanitizing things that are difficult to keep clean. Silicone valves (just like baby bottle nipples) can also go through a bottle sterilizer or be boiled.

 

[hmw]

IMO, in starting the switch from bottle to cup, I would give her in the cup whatever she's been having in the bottle. She's not getting the nutritional value or the calories from juice. Once she's used to the cup, then you can start replacing the calories/nutrition she's been getting from the formula/whatever with more food.

I also wouldn't worry about rushing it. Twelve months is what the pediatricians all push, and it is a good time to introduce the cup, but I wouldn't worry if it takes a while yet to get her off the bottle. As long as she isn't falling asleep at night with a milk bottle I would take as relaxed an approach as you feel she needs. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

Emily needed a sippy cup foreverrrrr (delays) ...we had to experiment a lot to find cups we could keep clean, too. Some of the cups with silicone valves were easier to keep clean than others, and we soaked them all (valves and lids) in a bleach/water mixture on occasion (then washed WELL until smell was gone) to sanitize. I know many people here don't like bleach but a little can go a long way in thoroughly sanitizing things that are difficult to keep clean. Silicone valves (just like baby bottle nipples) can also go through a bottle sterilizer or be boiled.

 

[hmw]

IMO, in starting the switch from bottle to cup, I would give her in the cup whatever she's been having in the bottle. She's not getting the nutritional value or the calories from juice. Once she's used to the cup, then you can start replacing the calories/nutrition she's been getting from the formula/whatever with more food.
<br />
<br />I also wouldn't worry about rushing it. Twelve months is what the pediatricians all push, and it is a good time to introduce the cup, but I wouldn't worry if it takes a while yet to get her off the bottle. As long as she isn't falling asleep at night with a milk bottle I would take as relaxed an approach as you feel she needs. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
<br />
<br />Emily needed a sippy cup foreverrrrr (delays) ...we had to experiment a lot to find cups we could keep clean, too. Some of the cups with silicone valves were easier to keep clean than others, and we soaked them all (valves and lids) in a bleach/water mixture on occasion (then washed WELL until smell was gone) to sanitize. I know many people here don't like bleach but a little can go a long way in thoroughly sanitizing things that are difficult to keep clean. Silicone valves (just like baby bottle nipples) can also go through a bottle sterilizer or be boiled.