Hi T.,
Good for you for weaning from the bottle. However drinking from a sippy cup can cause some of the same symptoms of bottle use (nursing bottle syndrome). When a child drinks from a sippy cup (exspecially a spill proof) the milk sugars (lactose) will stick to her teeth and can lead to decay. The reason that the nighttime cup/bottle is so dangerous is most people do not swallow continuously at night (thats why some people drool) Because we don't swallow the lactose sits on the teeth and can cause decay.
Some things to try....
1. offer her a cup with a straw. This helps the milk bypass the front teeth, so's not to cause as much damage.
2. Offer her the milk 1/2 hour before bedtime and Brush your childs teeth or atleast require a drink of water after the milk.
3. If your child gets 8 oz. of mik before bed, try reducing the amount each 2-3 days until 1 oz. and then offer water only.
4. Or try mixing half water , half milk until she is no longer interested.
5. I know nighttimes can be a challenge, but I see so many children at wic that have no front teeth left. Not only is this condition painful and sets the child up to fear the dentist but the adult teeth can rot before they even come in. So, don't look at it as "its only her baby teeth" she will get new ones.
Good luck! Night time can be a challenge, we are usually all over tired and sometimes just do the easiest thing to get them in bed. I understand that feeling quite well. Just remember if you switch from one bad habit to another then you will eventually have to break the new habit sometime soon.
My children never got a choice..... Its milk or water at mealtimes and water only for bed. This will quench thier thirst and not effect the teeth. I also would recommend no more than 16-20 oz. of milk daily, so, she doesn't over compensate with the calories and become overweight or a picky eater. As if all 2 years old aren't picky anyway.
Also remember, it takes 14 days of consistant behaivor to change a habit. You may want to make up a sticker chart and explain to her that each night she drinks her milk and brushes her teeth after ward, she gets a sticker. When you have pplaced 14 stickers in a row, then we can ....(you fill in the blank) go to the park, have a party, go to the library, get a special toy ect.
H. B.