How long to keep giving the bedtime-bottle/milk?

[Vicku]

Hello!

I have a 16 1/2 month old daughter who is still having one bottle of formula at wake-up and one at bedtime. She seems very happy with this and it's part of the routine, but I wonder how long it is ok to keep giving this? I know cups are better for teeth than bottles, but she totally refuses the milk in a cup, and it can't be that bad just twice a day, can it? She doesn't like cow's milk either so is not having any of that during the day apart from cheese and yoghurt of course.

[em_here]

I would say its fine, if it works for you  A way to get your lo to drink cows milk is to maybe add an oz at a time to the formula to wean her onto it.  As for the bottles, if she is not using it to comfort suck on and is literally just drinking the milk and then the bottle is being taken away I would say its absolutely fine

[Vicku]

Thanks!
The idea of gradually adding the milk oz by oz is something I never thought of.
Yes, she only drinks what she wants, then jumps down to go get her teeth brushed  so it's not comfort sucking. I'll carry on for now then.

[Maffoos mummy]

I think you're fine too,I only dropped my ds's bottle when he was a little over 2,as he too was just drinking and not soothing. Had bought him several "proper" cups (ie Noddy one,snowman one etc) which he would choose for his milk each day. He liked the idea but it did take quite a while for him to actually do anything but take a tiny sip though,lol!! I didn't push him to drink more,just made it clear that was basically all I was offering him!! He's now just turned 3,and still has a cup of cold milk at bedtime (strangely has never accepted warm in the new cups) which he drinks well, and sometimes even asks for it during the day too!!

[ninav]

Hi there

My son is 26 months, and still has a wake up and bedtime bottle. I do not feel at all worried about this as he, like your LO, cleans his teeth straight after. Also I think teeth are really an issue when the child has a bottle hanging from their mouth all day, but a quick drink of milk vs juice, then teeth is ok. As Isak gets older he seems to drink less and less at these 2 bottle feeds and I suspect that in a few months he himself will stop wanting the bottle. I hope so anyway as he has Browns bottles and they are a pain to wash!

Love Nina

[*Mona*]

my dd is 21 mos old, still on 2 bottles per day. we've moved to full milk form formula quite recently- one day dh forgot to buy the formula for dd and as I had milk at home I just gave her a bottle of a little bit warmed bilk and that was it
I'm planning to wean her when she decides she doesn't want her bottles anymore.

[jennyh]

dd2 still has one at night ,then brushes teeth.imo its fine .

[woopster]

*ahem*

Sam and Lydia are 2.5 and still have 3 bottles of milk a day...

[Vicku]

Well, thanks guys! I feel reassured that we're not the only ones. Everyone I know seems to have stopped or gone over to cups, but as you say, it should be fine for them to keep having it. Also, I DO love that cuddly time we have together when she has the bottle. It's almost the only time she sits still for long enough to enjoy a little cuddle these days  And as we've now got a dishwasher I just sling the bottles in there.