Baby does not want to give up the bottle

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Baby does not want to give up the bottle

Some babies grow attached to the bottle and do not want to give it up. Here are some common behaviors and suggestions on how to deal with them.

• Your baby always wants to have a bottle in his or her mouth. Do not let your baby crawl, walk around, or go to bed with a bottle. This will make him or her more prone to dental cavities (caries). Offer a stuffed toy or blanket for comfort instead.
• Your baby does not want to give up the bedtime bottle. If your baby always wants a bottle, he or she may need more closeness with you. Cuddle your baby often. You may want to continue the bedtime bottle for several weeks before trying to switch to a cup. Decrease the formula in the bottle, gradually switching to water.
• Your baby will not go to bed without a struggle. Bottle-feeding at bedtime can often be part of your baby's regular routine, and these feedings are often the hardest to give up. Replace these rituals gradually with new ones. Instead of a bottle, make a routine of providing a bedtime snack of milk or juice, a piece of fruit, or a low-sugar cookie, and then brushing your baby's teeth. After this, read a storybook or look at the stars.
• Your 2-year-old still drinks from a bottle. Start using a cup to feed your child if you have not already. Dilute the liquid in the bottle to make it less tasty.
• Your weaned baby wants to bottle-feed again. Try giving your baby extra hugs and attention instead of going back to the old way of feeding.

Credits

Last updated:	June 26, 2006
Author:	Cynthia Tank
Reviewed By:	Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics, Emmett Francoeur, MDCM, CSPQ, FRCPC - Pediatrics
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Lisa Shaw