Weaning from Bottle at Age 2 - Avon,MA

I just one day decided that I didnt want to wash bottles anymore. Take them away...throw them away. Yes, there will be lots of crying but in the end-it will be better. She is too old to be drinking from a bottle. She WILL drink milk from a cup but it will take a lil bit. Trust me. They can only resist for soo long until they give in. You must have the will power to do this and you can do it! Dont fret on her liquids intake while weaning from bottle b/c she WILL eventually give in. Good luck.

Take it away and do not give her the option. We broke my son of bottles at 9 1/2 months because I knew the push was to get rid of the bottle at the 1st birthday so we got rid of it before the birthday.

Have you tried mixing a little chocolate or strawberry syrup in with the milk?

Also, its not completely necessary to drink milk as L. as she gets dairy and the vitamins through other sources - yogurt, cheese, etc.

My kid's pediatrician says that as long as they get other sources of calcium (cheese, yogurt, etc.) it's fine. Just take the bottle and let her got without milk until she'll drink it out of a cup. Try putting the milk in a cup without a lid and letting her use a straw. My kids love to blow bubbles in the milk(they say they're making a milk shake) then they drink it. Good luck, hope this helps

Hey M.,

I can totally relate! We just got my almost 2 yr. old off of his bottles - FINALLY! They were his favorite thing ever, and he always had one right before bed. They were the only way he would wind down and fall asleep. So... you can imagine my hesitation to take them away. I am 6 months along and a crying toddler at 2 am is not this preggo mommy's idea of a good night's rest before I'm up with a newborn all summer!

I'll pass on something my grandmother said to me. And it didn't sit well with me at first - so give it a day or two to sink in.... but its why I went for it.
She said, "Well babydoll, he'll stop taking a bottle when you stop giving it to him."

My initial reaction was (in my head, I'd never talk to her like this!) ..."Well YOU aren't the one that will have to fight him to go to bed, and then wake up with him at 3 am when he's screaming and asking for one!!"

But after a few days I realized she was right, and just like that - I'd decided to take the bottles away.

And that night we had books instead of a "ba-ba" and with a minimal amount of temper tantrumming, he was passed out in 15 minutes. Each night got shorter and shorter - and NOW... I can read him his books, give him goodnight kisses and a hug... and tell him to lay down. I pat his back for a few minutes and he's out.

I say all that to say - sometimes you just have to bite the bullet and go for it. She'll be alright. She'll be really upset - and yes, you will have to sit through some pretty nasty little fits... but after a few days, she'll move on.

You can do it!!

Our kids didn't have an option. On their first birthday, the bottle went away, and sippy cups were the only option. Since you're in a different situation, I'd still advise you the same way - don't give her the option. From your message, it sounds like she's running the roost and calling the shots.

As adults, we certainly don't need milk. But, a child's needs are much different. Milk isn't just as a source of calcium or vitamin D - it's really the fat initially that's critical for brain development.

I'd ask your pediatrician. If she's getting the milk from a cup during the day, the evening bottle is just a bad habit to break (like our daughter's reliance on a pacifier).

We keep some small bottles of water in the refrigerator in the garage that the kids think are the coolest things ever - they beg for them when we're outside playing (they're ages 2 and 3.5). You can get them anywhere, but the best deals are at Costco/Sams Club. Sometimes we'll splash some fruit juice in them or lemonade for flavoring. Mostly, though, they think being a "big boy" or a "big girl" and getting to drink from a water bottle is treat enough.

Good luck!

My dentist has told me that children should not be drinking milk all day long. It will rot their teeth. Give it to them at meals but they should have water in between. That said if your daughter will drink milk from a cup at daycare she is just 'playing' you at home. You already said once she goes thru the nipples that it. Stick to your word. As long as she has other liquids I wouldn't worry to much about it.
You can also try the Horizon or other brands of milk in the container with the straw. It might be a novalty to drink from the straw. You can also try chocolate, strawberry or vanilla milk. Even Carnation Instant Breakfast drink - it actually has less sugar than PediSure and is very nutritious.
However be prepared for a little battle with your daughter. Best bet is to not play into it. Give her the milk in a new sippy cup or try to make it new with flavors but if you buy new nipples and let her have it in the bottle she will continue not to drink it from a cup.

Good luck,
L. M

I like what Amy said. She will stop when you stop giving them to her.

Decide if you want to just throw them away or if you want to snip the tops on the nipples, Once you 2 decide she has "worn out her bottles". Take her to the store and let her pick out some special milk cups. (in case one is lost or dirty)

She will be fine a couple of days with out her milk. Give her cheese. Does she eat cereal? For secret liquids give her watermelon, oranges and other fruits that can take the place. . Does she like ice? Add ice to liquids. Fruit juice popsicles..

You know she CAN do it since she does it at school.

PITCH the bottles! All of them. Now. Call milk "moo" or something else. It's the only way. If you throw out the bottles there will be no other option. If she doesn't drink milk for awhile, that's ok.

we just had to go "cold turkey".........2-3 days were BAD but after that our boys were fine with it.

Pick a time in the near future when you will be ready to do it. Get rid of all of the bottles, and tell her next Saturday, all cups, bottles will be gone. She will pitch a fit. Have a couple of different milk cups in the fridge, and when she is thirsty enough she will use it. She is playing you if she is willing at day care. (Mine did the same!) It may be a battle, but best to just do it. No caving after you decide to commit, or she will sense weakness. If she is healthy, don't worry about fluids, she will not get dangerously dehydrated. Just leave a cup of milk where she has access, and get out of sight for awhile. She may surprise you. Good luck. We transitioned ours on one weekend, no looking back :)

We make chocolate milk with ovaltine. That is how we got our youngest to drink milk. Flavored milk doesn't have that much extra sugar & the calcium & vitamin D that she will get from the milk will be worth the extra sugar.
Otherwise I would go cold turkey on the bottle. Don't let her chew through the nipples, as that is a choking hazzard. She will drink when she is thirsty. Otherwise keep offering her drinks from the sippy cup (perferably the same type from daycare).

God bless!

Throw the bottles away and just offer a cup. If she gets the keys, jumps in the car, and rushes over to the grocery store to charge new bottles on your credit card--well then you have a real problem on your hands! I'm not trying to be cruel--but seriously she is 2 years old and you decide what she drinks from, not her. She won't thirst to death and she can't have a bottle if you don't give her one.

Just do it Michelle! Sounds like your daughter likes to be the one in control. Nip it in the bud and ditch the bottles. It may take some time and she will be really annoyed with you, but you're the mom.
Go for it!