Leaving the Bottle?

I know this is slightly off-topic, but...

I know a few toddlers who have never drunk milk once the bottle was taken away. That said, these kids are also healthy and happy because they get their dairy nutrients from yogurt, cheese, yogurt smoothies, etc. My niece won't drink milk anymore, so her parents buy pre-made yogurt smoothies, dilute them half-and-half with milk, and then she drinks them up. Here (I have 3 little ones), I make shakes in the blender with milk, yogurt, frozen fruit, and a little honey.

Also, kids her age usually like to drink with a straw, maybe try that as well.

Personally, I see nothing wrong with the bottle at bedtime as a comfort, but maybe naptime can be made into more of a "big girl" time with a smoothie and a straw before going to her bed.

Good luck to you and your little girl!

I tried taking the bottle away cold turkey and my son fought it for a whole week. He would wake up every 3 hours at night and cry and kick and scream. I was almost ready to just give in and give him his bottle because I was so tired, but then I found a sippy cup that he actually liked. He thinks it's a bottle so we both are happy now. During that week that he didn't have his bottle, he didn't drink any milk(he was mad and wouldn't drink any!), but I just made sure he ate cheese and yogurt.So I would just suggest that you try lots of different sippy cups until she finds one she likes. Oh, and my son only has one kidney too! Good Luck!!

I think it depends on how developmentally behind she is. . .If she can drink out of a sippy cup then it sounds like the bottle is for comfort--and b/c maybe it is easier.

I would try transitioning her to a real cup at the table for mealtime. Little bit of milk that can then be refilled as necessary. Usually kids like this transition as it makes them feel like grown ups. Maybe transition bottle to water for nap and bed and then just give her the nipple to suck on if that is what is giving her comfort. Do not rely on milk calories for all of her growth delays--find other high calorie healthy foods like whole milk yogurt, nut butters (if she is not allergic), cheese, etc.

If the bottle helps get her nutrition and also helps give you rest, then I don't see a problem with it due to the circumstances. If it is making it so that she won't eat real food, then you have to try and break her of it. Nobody else lives your life and you need to do what is best for your family. As long as it is not a meal replacement and she is delayed developmenally, then I would not bother at this stage. If she were 1.5 you would not consider giving it up and developmentally she might still need that sucking comfort. Watch her teeth though and brush them so the milk does not cause any decay.
Good luck!!