My daughter is now 2 years and a few months. She only drinks milk at night (but has lots of dairy-rich foods during the day). I have tried in the past to get rid of her bottle at night and she is perfectly fine drinking her milk from a sippy. My mother, however, is not. Everytime she's over she says "can't she please have a bottle" or "I just love giving her the bottle." I've given in for awhile (my husband doens't seem to care if she gives them up either) but I really feel she's now too old to have them. Today I told my mom "I'm throwing out the bottles this weekend" and her response was "You can't, she's just a baby." SO, after that long winded explaination...is she too old for bottles and how do I get a meddling grandma off my back???
Today is ByeBye Bottle day. I told my mom that last nite was her last bottle and let her give it to her. I aslo mentioned that she can still snuggle her at nite as she drinks her sippy cup. We'll see how it goes!
Hi, in my opinon 2 is to old for a bottle. She is not a baby she is a toddler. I would throw away all bottles! If Grandma wants to help with her, she has to help by giving her a sippy cup. If there are no bottles in the house, then there would be no other option. Good luck!
Throw out the bottles!!!! and keep throwing them out every time granny brings 'em. tell her that your daughter's speech development and teeth will suffer if you dont. Good luck
Hi A.,
You're gonna have to stand your ground with grandma. Understandably she wants to keep her granddaughter a 'baby' but in the long run it isn't good for a few reasons.
Your daughter's teeth won't develop like it should; she'll end up with a 'bottle mouth' and once she goes to school children can be cruel and make fun of her. Another reason not to give her the bottle anymore is because she'll stay attached to it. I have actually seen 4 yr. olds drink out of a bottle and it's not helping the situation. My own brother, who's 23 now, still drank out of the bottle @ 4!
You need to tell your mother that there are reasons for you to not want to continue giving the bottle and why. You also need to let her know that this is your child and that you and your husband make the decisions concerning your child.
Its a personal issue but since your asking I think she is to old for a bottle. I always look at every issue but asking myself is this something that is helping my child or is it something that could be damaging in the long run. There is a slight possibility your daughter could become attached to the bottle again and trying to take something from a three year old or a four year old is harder on them and us as parents. It is hard to let go of your baby so to speak, but I think it is usually parents and others that have a hard time, not the child, children love to be "big kids"
My son is 2 1/2 and hasn't taken a bottle in over a year. On the other hand, my friend's daughter will be 3 at the end of the month, and she still takes one every day. It has not delayed her speach AT ALL. This child was CLEARLY speaking in full sentences at 14 months. When my son turned 14 months and would give me 2 word senteces, I thought he was behind because I was so used to how well she spoke.
That said, if you don't want the bottle anymore, get rid of them. I know it's hard to stand up for yourself against a parent. After all, we used to get told we were "sassing" and got in trouble for it. You need to tank her for her input, then remind her that you're a mom now too. If you're Christian, you can remind her that you are trying to teach her to "Honor her Mother and Father" and that her contradicting your authority is teaching her that she only has to obey WHEN Mom's present. BTW, if she tries to tell you to "honor her" by letting the baby keep the bottle- Gen 2:24 "For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and they shall be one flesh." Remind her that you are under your HUSBANDS authority and guidance now. That you will always respect her, but you now need to be able to help lead your own family.
A women's mother has a way of making you feel guilty for being a great Mom. I'm not sure why they seem to be this way, they just do. I think in someways some feel like their time is running out, and every time YOUR baby crosses a new mile stone, they get a little closer to their grave. Maybe you can find a silly song or special book that is JUST for your Mom to share with her. Something that can last as long as your Mom does. She may just be viewing the bottle as her special "Grandma Time", so finding a new version may give her something else to cling too.
I hope it goes well with your Mom! ~J.
I actually believe that this is a cultural thing that american kids need to be "off the bottle" at one (or whatever age). Kids in Europe will be seen in public with a bottle until they are 4 years old and its no big deal. Whatever works for you is fine, but if you don't want to use them anymore, get rid of them, or someone else may give her one!
A.,
I am in a similar predicament with my mom. You have to remember that YOU are the mommma. YOU make the decisions that you feel are best for your kids. Gramma is trying with all her might to hold on to the baby that is growing up too fast. Can't blame her, but in my opinion, yeah, 2 is too old for bottles. Unless gramma wants to pay for your daughter's future dental work and handle those traumatic appts, I would do as you said and get rid of them. Gramma will learn to deal.
I was going to say the same thing as Andrea. Take G'ma to your child's 2 year pediatrician (or 2 1/2 if she already did the two year) and have him/her explain why no more bottle.... but it sounds like you already took care of it.
Well, it's a 'power-struggle' between you and them. Is there a reason your daughter only drinks milk at night??? At this age, from 1-2 years old, it's recommended that they drink whole milk... because the fat in the milk is an essential nutrient which aids in their brain development, it's not just for the calcium. You can look it up on the internet too, and at www.babycenter.com. Sure at this age, most parents 'ween' their toddler from a 'baby-bottle' to transition to a sippy cup. Like yourself. It's common. Can you get your Pediatrician to 'assist' and then tell your family that it's 'doctor's orders?' Some still view toddlers as babies. However, in our country, we tend to ween children off of 'baby-bottles' faster. Keep in mind,that in other countries and customs, kids drink from the bottle longer, and it's not such a pressure situation to get them off. In our country, 'weening' off of the bottle quickly seems to take priority. Or, it's a matter of 'how it looks' to others. It's a matter of preference, maybe. You're a nurse... so you know best. The family should respect this aspect.By this age, your daughter should be able to feed herself her own bottle/cup. And if she's perfectly fine drinking from a sippy cup, then there is no problem. The problem is your family... lingering onto the sentimental notion that she still 'needs' the bottle, and your Mother's 'need' to still treat her as such. You are the Mother....and you have your way of caring for your daughter. Each Mom has her own style... maybe in your Mother's generation it was different. But, stick to what you think is best. Ultimately, some Grandmas like to 'meddle.' I know from experience. In my situation, I tell my Mother "I'm her parent... you're not. You need to respect that. You need to provide CONTINUITY for how we raise our child... NOT contradict it or you will provide a negative example for her and undo everything WE are trying to teach her." That is a Grandparents role. Sure, my Mother got IRKED when I told her that... but I stood my ground and would 'politely' tell her that again and again when she tried to "over-run" my parenting. Now, in time, she has gotten with the program so to speak. It also helped that my Husband would repeat the same 'mantra' to her. You and Hubby have to approach this and her as a team... a united front. Or, she may 'meddle' with other things in your daughter's life and your parenting. Good luck.
If she won't listen to you then set up an appointment with your daughter's dentist. The dentist can explain to her why she should be off the bottle. I don't think grandma wants her having cavities or poorly developed teeth and jaw. She might not think it is "cute" when she hears the potential health problems.
I would toss the bottles - end of problem. Grandma has no say in this if it's your baby, and your home. I think 2 is plenty old enough to stop using bottles. My daughter is 16 months and I give her a bottle at night, as she has been a real challenge to break from the breast. We are almost there. I intend to toss the bottles around her 2nd bday, or sooner. She loves the sippy cups and has been drinking from them in the day time since she was old enough to hold one. Good luck.
Let your mom know she did a good job raising you, but now it is your turn to raise your daughter the way you choose.
Hi A.:
This beautiful child is your daughter and things will get done the way you are most comfortable with. At 2, she is ready for a sippy. She is not a baby anymore, even though she is still a toddler. I was told by my pediatrician that a bottle can intervene with the teething.
You must be firm as far as grandma is concerned. You need your husband's support on this also. Is grandma your M-in-law? she needs to be put on limitations. It's your daughter and while you are appreciative of what grandma says/advices, the ultimate decision is yours to make.
Be strong. MIL can be a pain.
Take care,
L. C.
www.lauracriado.com
