I quit around a year with both of them… but only because I hated washing bottles about more than anything else in the world. Otherwise, I felt no rush.

With my first, I felt more pressure to be the “model parent.” With my second (now 23 months), I’m content for her to do things at her own pace. That also includes pacifiers and potty training.

I don’t remember making a conscious decision (lack of sleep has done a number with my memory) but I do remember that my youngest switched easiest to the camalbak straw bottles, as they had the squishy straw. Probably helped that my oldest used them for her school water bottles.

My boy finished with bottles at about 11 months. He just wouldn’t stay still long enough to have a bottle, and started having his milk from a straw bottle, the same as his water bottle. At 13 months he doesn’t have milk every day, depending on how much dairy he’s had from other sources. I don’t know what I’ll be like with a second bub – our first was such a good baby, I’ll probably be quite similar in the hope that it was our parenting that made him that way (really, he’s just a chilled out boy!)

Our kiddo had a bottle once a day until he was a little over two. I was felt so guilty and embarrassed (he’s much too old!) and mortified (his teeth!) but I’m happy to report that one afternoon he decided he was a “Big Boy” and threw it away, and that was IT! His teeth are just fine he’s moving on to potty training! Thanks for sharing – Mabrey is just adorable!

Don’t you worry, drinking from a bottle is such a silly thing to make an issue over! ( not you, but those who give you a hard time!) I completely understand though, because I let my son drink milk ( he too had a dairy sensitivity, so he drank almond) from a bottle until he was 3. I got looks ( especially from my sister!), but kept reminding myself that it wasn’t that big of a deal. He was getting the nutrients he needed, and I knew that eventually he wouldn’t want the bottle. He finally stopped, because he became old enough to recognize ‘cool’ sippy straw cups, and want one. He switched effortlessly, as did my daughter ( who wanted a cool cup like her big brother!!)
I love that you are relaxed with Mabrey. Isn’t it too bad that we can’t go back and use our ‘veteran’ Mommy wisdom on our first kid ( or two) ?!

neither of my kids were fond of bottles, so we used the sippy cup spout for the Avent bottles we had been given when the kids were about 1. My youngest also loved to drink out of straws, so that was our other transitional drink delivery device.

don’t stress about “the look”. sounds like she’s doing just fine :)

Deja vu reading this – Matteo will be 2 on February 28th, he is also my 3rd and last, the older 2 are girls – Sofia 7, Gianna 5. I nursed all of them for a year they rarely took bottles, so when they were weaned off the breast they went straight to cups. Matteo, not so much – he refuses the cup when it comes to milk….so naturally I give in. Maybe I’m too tired to fight it, maybe it the whole last baby thing….he too throws the bottle in the sink when he’s done. (I’m sometimes grateful when he eats food off the floor). Honestly I feel I’ve been a good mom to each kid but I’ve been so much happier, relaxed an in the moment with Matteo – so what if he takes a bottle……

Yes! Wouldn’t it be funny to see how we would do things differently?

My twins had bottles until they were 18 months old. The only reason we stopped using bottles was because we were at a restaurant and my daughter dropped her bottle and it broke (we used glass Dr. Browns). We did not want to invest in new plastic bottles since they were old enough to use sippy cups. One twin made the switch to sippy cups right away. My other twin refused milk in a sippy cup for 8 months and then one day asked for milk. She is my super stubborn twin. We were not concerned about her lack of milk drinking since she takes a vitamin and would eat yogurt all day if we let her. Now they both drink out of water bottles (like mommy and daddy) plus sippy cups. Good Luck!!

Oh, the dreaded bottle wars! We took the bottle away from the oldest when he was 18 months old after he had nursed for almost a year. Worst parenting decision to date. He wasn’t at all ready but that’s what the doctor said to do so we did it. With the second, we listened to our instincts a little more and he had the bottle until two years old. Although I have to admit that I was antsy to take it away before the two year check up so I didn’t have to lie when she asked if he still had a bottle. We had a few raised eyebrows over the bottle but I just told myself that he wouldn’t go to kindergarten with it and it certainly wasn’t going to effect his college acceptance or anything like that. But it’s hard to remember to relax about those things.

If I would have read this five years ago which was before my first child I would have judged. Fast forward and now the mother to a 4 yr old boy, 3 yr old girl and 2 month old boy yeah things are different. I breast fed all three, 10 months, 22 months and presently. My first two had bottles because I worked but at one year I yanked them away. First child went ape and second child did not care for a second. I am now at home full time since # 3 arrived. Yea! ( scared face ). We’ll I started thinking what is the difference between nursing until self weaning versus bottle until they are ready to let it go. I don’t see Your daughter’s preference to use her bottle any different than my daughter who wanted to nurse until two. And potty training my first two kids was a non issue but for those who took longer, seriously have we ever seen an adult who was NOT potty trained? It will happen eventually.

But I need to practice what I preach…. I need more patience with my four year old who sucks his thumb and rubs his nose.

Our son stopped taking the bottle around 6 months. Before that he was exclusively breastfed, but we did offer milk in the bottle when we were out. So we started using a straw cup. We started off with the playtex one where you can help squeeze the bottom so he knew that if she sucked on the straw, something would come out. Then I moved on to the Zoli cup which is awesome.

My daughter never took a bottle no matter what we tried: different bottle, different nipples, etc. I had to go to school two days a week and had to pump those days, but most of the pumped milk went to waste. She just took water from a cup while I was away. She was using a cup before she was one, which was pretty neat. However, she still nurses and she’s almost three. It’s only once per day around 6am.

Our daycare said to move up to the next room (aka- a cheapeer rate) one of the criteria was that they had to take milk out of a sippy cup. We found a sippy cup that had a hard nipple much like a bottle at 13 months. Once they took that – it was an easy transition to other sippy cups.

When I was pregnant with my first son, a coworker told me the best advice he ever got about parenting was “do what works for you and your family.” And so we have followed that sage advice. I breastfed my eldest for two years (which is supported by the WHO). If I had been giving him a bottle would have equated to him getting a bottle in the morning and at bedtime from 18mos through 24 months – and intend to do the same with my youngest (now 9 months). We also co sleep with our children and really wouldn’t have it any other way. It WORKS FOR US.

So, when someone gives you the hairy eyeball about Mabrey drinking from a bottle, just remember that it is currently working for you. If you feel like it is time for her to move on, then do it. But only if it works for you and for Mabrey. I wouldn’t worry about anyone else’s opinion. It isn’t like she’s going to be making toasts at her wedding with a baby bottle.

I did the same with my second one. He had dairy issues and drank from the bottle past age 2. He didn’t make any mess, didn’t carry it around, and it was super cute to see him lie down and drink from his bottle. I did finally wean him and then he stopped drinking milk altogether. I had no mom reins on him as well :)

How blue are her eyes! She’s gorgeous just like her Mama!

My daughter was addicted (not exaggerating with the word) to Smoothie pacis and their bottles ONLY took that brand and I left her have both until a bit over two years of age. Regardless of me wanting to keep milking the baby phase out of her for as long as posisble (that way of thinking spills over into ALL areas of life as you Dana know). I REGRET having her on the bottle and pacis for longer than 1 1/2 yrs old – it truly affects how their teeth develop as come out as far as appearance goes. I’m not trying to tell you what to do here you are a weathered mother of three littles so you know the drill. But by you letting her have her way in all how she gets her milk you are doing her no good come later when teeth start forming in her mouth the same way they do if she was a constant thumb sucker. Believe me, a child will desperately want her milk that she will eventually learn how to drink it in another form (i.e. sippy cup appropriate for her age). Let us know in a few mths how this is working out for you!

My little guy is so tiny (and refused to be spoon fed and refused food period, so often) that his pediatrician was fine with him still taking a bottle. he gave it up on his own two months ago at 27 months. He is still only 22.5 pounds at 29 months, but he’s a much better eater now. I say it’s all about who your baby is and what their needs are. Who cares about “the look” ;P

And now I’m laughing at myself for including the WHO reference: it’s what I always tell people who put on their judgey-pants when I tell them how long I breastfed.

The need to justify our parenting choices is sometimes so hard to ignore. My friend has a great thought on it, her response to people what judge is “F*** them.” Works for her.

As long as she’s not going to bed with it, and ruining her teeth, then who cares? You milk it all you want. As long as a child is not being harmed, it’s really no anyone else’s business. (Just hope I remember this when I’m a grandmother.)

No baby experience over here but I just had to say… WOW! Mabrey looks like she’s grown a foot since the last time I “saw” her. Like a real kid with opinions and attitude and… a voice. Crazy insane and way too cute!

My daughter (#1) is about 18 months and still has a bottle before naps and bed. She doesn’t need a bottle to get to sleep, but seems to find comfort in it as part of her “routine”. At first I stressed about the fact that she still took a bottle – mostly because of that look people give you! – but since I’m fairly confident that she won’t still be taking a bottle when she’s 8, I figure why rush it? It brings her comfort and it’s not hurting her, so really, what’s the big deal?

We weaned off the bottle around 15 months. But now I regret that because she down right refuses to drink milk at all. Not even milk flavored with chocolate! We were doing yogurt until she got the stomach flu and now she wont look at the stuff! We used to give her almond milk until we suspected a nut allergy. But I’m curious what made you pick coconut over other non dairy options?

We give our kids bottles for too long (easily two years) and keep them in their cribs too long (gosh…up to three years maybe?). I am used to getting the eyebrow-raise at both. But it works for them and for us.

This is my 4th baby and I have let my kiddos tell me when they are ready; they usually did so by starting to bite the end off the nipples and eventually refusing them. One of mine was 3 but the rest have given theirs up by themselves around 2. My youngest is 18 months and I fill his sippy cup with filtered water which he drinks during the day. When he is tired, he will ask for his bottle of milk.

I’m glad I’m not the only one having the same dilemma! My little guy, who’s 21 months, has been drinking from a regular kid cup at mealtime and a sippy cup when he’s on the run. But he still LOVES his two little bottles of milk (only 4 oz) before nap and before bed. He pretty much squeals and runs to his room to get a book when he sees it. It’s just so adorable that I can’t take it away just yet.

I have a feeling they’ll both be okay. :)

My first born lost his bottle when he kept throwing them and the plastic ring would crack! I got tired of buying them so switched to a cup with only some fussing about it. Same with the soother, he bit a hole in it shortly after he turned 2 and that was the end of it! I’m starting to feel like I’m getting those looks too, now that he’s a few month over 2 yrs. and I haven’t gotten up the nerve to potty train him….!

My daughter, who is 8 years old now, took a bottle until she was almost 3. It was upon her pediatrician’s suggestions because she was a micro preemie and only weighed 2 lbs 2 ounces at birth. She was on a high calorie formula. She weighed 18 lbs when she was 2 years old. She started really catching up in size and weight with her peers by age 4.

My oldest didn’t want to give the bottle up, so at 15 months I tossed them. (not sure if that was a good thing or not). My next (and last) child refused taking a bottle and formula the day before her first birthday. I had them both close in age, so I felt I was almost raising them at the same time. I didn’t experience the second child-more relaxed parenting methods until potty training time! The oldest was super easy and quick (almost overnight, with never any setbacks) at 26 months. My second? Almost three, and I felt I rushed her and she did regress back and forth for almost…..a year.

Each child, in my opinion, has there own limits/milestones. I think every parent (for the most part) knows their kid, and is the best judge :)

Good luck! All your kids are adorable :)

My little man will be 2 in February and he still takes a bottle! I always thought we would stop at one, but here we are almost two and I can’t bring myself to do it. He drinks milk out of a cup but before bed he loves to cozy up with a bottle, his blanket his favorite stuffed animal and a book. It’s my favorite time, I am clinging to the last bit of baby also!

Both my kids stopped bottles at 14 months, but the older one took a pacifier at bed time until 3.5 and the younger one still has one at 3 and 4 months. She’s not going to be taking a bottle to kindergarten so I say “bottle on.”

Our pediatrician suggested almond or coconut milk. (She was on Nutramigen formula from 10 months to 12 months.) I tried almond at first because that’s what the rest of the family drinks but her stools were really loose and frequent. I switched her to coconut and she hasn’t had any problems. She loves it! Mabrey gets a daily multivitamin and loves fish and avocados, too, so she isn’t missing out on vitamins and good fats. Of course, every parent should check with their doctor before making substitutions. I’m so glad our pediatrician is attentive to Mabrey’s needs.

I know! The deep blue color of the walls in her nursery were inspired by her denim blue eyes.

Mabrey was the same way! She drank from a cup before she drank from a bottle.

A very wise, older pediatrician told me, a concerned first-time mother, that he’d never seen a child take a bottle to school – that, like moving from crib to big bed, certain things give a small child comfort and to just let it go. My daughter took her bottle for so long she was able to fill it herself! She also took it to bed with water in it. As an adult, she has no cavities and isn’t “orally fixated” (which people warned me about) with food, smoking, etc. Your child will let you know when she’s ready and you can avoid trauma, battles.

My only concern would be for a Speech and Language perspective. As a special ed teacher I have had to help fix “sippy cup” syndrome a bunch with kiddos.
http://blog.asha.org/2014/01/09/step-away-from-the-sippy-cup/
http://sayandplayfamily.com/articulation/sippy-cups-and-articulation

My daughter is almost 3 and still LOVES to have a bottle of milk right before nap time and bedtime (gasp!) She would actually love to have more than that if allowed. She’s my second of three kids and I’ve decided to be relaxed about this, certainly more than I was with my first. When this topic comes up with other moms, I tend to justify it/ make excuses—she potty trained herself in a few days… she goes down for a nap and bed consistently and without a hassle… etc. Both of these things were a huge battle with my oldest, so I feel like I don’t mind giving her a little leeway with the bottle, since she brushes her teeth and has a healthy diet, is physically active, etc.
As a child I sucked my thumb for longer than I should have (gasp, again!), so I understand that it’s a comfort thing. And I also realize that she won’t do it forever, just as I gave up thumb-sucking when I was ready.
As moms, we are our own toughest critics and prone to guilt! It always makes me feel better to hear from others who have had similar challenges, so hopefully all of the comments/ support here will help you!

I believe I read somewhere that the issue with having the bottle after a certain age was the milk (or whatever you give them) sits on their teeth and can eat at the enamel. Sounds like she is just using it as a sippy cup and should be no problem. I’m on my first child (9 month) and have tried to have a laid back “second child” parenting philosophy so I’ll be interested to see what changes with future kids.

Mabrey has beautiful eyes!

Hi. As far as I can remember, I’ve never seen anyone drinking from a bottle or wearing a diaper in college. :)) However……….I would offer milk in a cup at every meal. But absolutely no pressure to use it. Then………..I would “lose” the bottle one day. “Oh dear Mabrey, I can’t find the bottle right now!” (It’s called “positive manipulation”!) :))

If you are suspicious of a tree nut allergy, coconut milk will likely not be an option either as it too is considered a tree nut. :(

Totally up to you and your parenting decisions, speaking from a PA student on my pediatrics rotation (who loves your blog for an escape from studying), we typically recommend transitioning to a sippy cup at 12-18months per the “bright future pediatrics guidelines”— and if you want to make the switch, try putting only water in the bottle and enticing liquids like coconut milk in a sippy cup. Not at all trying to tell you how to parent, just letting you know what I go over with parents everyday—-of course, go along with whatever you (and Mabrey) are okay with. It seems absolutely harmless for her to have a bottle at night to me, it looks a lot like a sippy!

My daughter is 19 months and takes a bottle before her naps and before bed. It is such a big part of her routine and it is very comforting to her. She is a very independent little girl and her bottle is one of the few things left that she is 100% comfortable letting me do for her. She rarely holds it herself, preferring I do it for her. Her pediatrician said this will make it easier to wean her later, but I’m leaving that up to her. Some nights she drinks more than others and always pushes the bottle away before she is done. The primary criticism I get is the teeth issue but there are too many parents who allow milk before bed for this to be a massive concern. One of my friends was told by her daughters dentist that the bigger issue is leaving a bottle unattended. Babies will fall asleep with the bottle in their mouth and the milk will “pool” in their mouth. He said as long as she wasn’t falling asleep with it, it was okay. I am sure another dentist may have a different opinion but so far his advice has held up. Like all things, I’m holding on and treasuring every moment. My eldest passed away as a newborn and I find myself a very relaxed parent now. She will grow up in due time, I’m in no hurry to rush her. I also want her to grow up learning to listen and be in tune with her body and her needs. I let her set her own pace and to be her own little person. I’m guessing I’ll change my tune by time I have a teenager on my hand but for now she is just a happy little girl :)

Thanks for the links!

I probably should have noted that other than 2-3 quickly downed bottles of milk daily, Mabrey also drinks water throughout the day from open cups, cups with straws and a “sippy” with a one-way straw. She could drink from a cup well before she could drink from a bottle. She also sees what her older brothers are drinking from so refuses to drink water from anything that looks like a bottle. She can definitely drink from a cup and does so frequently. There’s just something about milk in a bottle that comforts her. I do offer her milk in a cup but she won’t drink it.

When I stopped offering breast milk or formula it was around 1 year. I only offered milk/water/juice in a cup or a sippy cup and got rid of the bottles. This was how it worked for 3 of my 4 kids. My second child chewed through the nipples on the bottles all of the time and I was tired of buying new ones, so he started using the sippy cup at 9 months old. When he was 12 months I just replaced the formula with milk (yah, I didn’t breastfeed him for very long- he was constantly chewing on things and when his teeth came in I wasn’t thrilled to be chewed on- he even chewed on his thumb and cut it open so that we had to wrap his hand for weeks to let it heal because he would chew the wound open again).
Do what works for your family. I am far more relaxed with my 4th than I was with my first 2. My last one really is being raised by a different mom- I really like being a more relaxed mom!

I’m not a mother yet, and I have no opinion on the bottle thing. I just had to comment, because it was interesting to hear the few comments about thumb sucking. I sucked my thumb until I was in 6th grade. It was involuntary as I got older, because I would do it while I was sleeping. It was definitely a comfort thing, and I never had any teeth issues from it. (I just googled it, and dang some people’s mouths are messed up!) I finally made myself stop, because I was afraid of doing it at a sleepover! Plus I had a weird callus where my bottom teeth dug into my thumb. But anyway, just thought I’d share that bit of random info for ya.

I have 4 boys who all randomly quit on their own between 1 & 3 yrs. (Ok the 3 yr old I had to encourage a little bit:) but who cares? Now that my oldest is nearly a teenager, I’ve realized the bottle is, and was, the least of my parenting obstacles :)

Ha! I am pretty sure my son was two before I finally cut him off from bottles for good. He had a love affair with bottles and it was just too hard a battle to fight. Even now, 2 1/2, he still calls his cup a bottle. I’m sure they all will turn out fine in the end!

I’m still nursing my first (8 months old) and he takes bottles of breastmilk while I’m at work, although even getting him to take the bottle in the first place was an all-out war. I just wanted to say I’ve enjoyed reading all these comments from “veteran” mamas! And Dana, it’s no wonder you are more lenient with Mabrey, how *could* one say no to those blue eyes!!

Mine pretty much made the switch when I ran out of nipples and refused to buy more. But it was pretty smooth. The hard part was weaning her off nursing. People gave me weird looks, and my mom scolded me, when she was still nursing as 2.5 years old. I was just like “Whatever!” and eventually we phased it out at her own pace. My son was off the boob at 6 months as soon as he realized he could get food faster from the bottle haha, but my daughter just needed that extra cuddle time each day with Mommy. :)

I’m on baby #1 and have been pretty rigid (opposite of loose) in my weaning. B-fed for 6 months, bottle from 6months-1year old. At the same time, we didn’t really baby proof our house, so Levi kind of does his own thing without too many restrictions.

Levi was totally fine going right from boob to bottle to sippy cup. So I really think it just depends on the baby and the parents intuition – since they know best what their kiddos need, nah mean?

Nicole B.

I’m so sorry to hear of your loss, Sydney.

I am trying to understand the rationale behind giving a bottle to a baby who can drink from a cup. I can’t see the need for a bottle in that case. Am I missing something here?

35 years ago, when baby #1 was small, he nursed. We didn’t own any bottles. As his teeth came in we introduced solids, and when he grabbed my cup of milk at 5 months, I started giving him sips from a cup. At twenty months he was weaned. Baby #2 was similar. Ahhh, #3 – the moment she was weaned, between 20 – 24 months, she put her thumb in her mouth and didn’t take it out for 5 or 6 years. Interestingly, baby #6 – my youngest son and baby #9 – my youngest daughter were both horrible nursers. One only nursed 5 months, the other 7 months. They are just fine now, at 20 & 12 years old.

What is remarkable is that the youngest was the only one to use a pacifier for any length of time. When she was 3, her father asked her when she would stop – if she did she could have a tricycle. She said she’d stop before she turned 4. She did. Recently she told me that she would find an old pacifier (she hid some) and try sucking it, but one suck and she tossed it in the trash.

I totally agree that all babies are different and that even though there are typically recommended guidelines to follow, babies often just do their own thing. With my first baby I did things the “right” way and started transitioning her from the bottle a little after she was a year old (our pediatrician recommended that she be off the bottle by 15 months.) She knew how to drink water and juice from a sippy cup but she would NOT drink her milk from it. I tried lots of different things but finally found that letting her drink through a cup with a straw worked great and that was what worked best for us (we used the take and toss cups with lids and straws.) My next two girls were both done with bottles at a year and transitioned just fine. That being said, I think that every mom knows what is best for their baby. If you don’t have a problem with it then I wouldn’t worry about other people that do. Now, if Mabrey was 5 and still drinking from the bottle…I might have more to say =). I apologize in advance to anyone who may be offended by that but I think there are definitely limits even though I totally agree with flexibility in raising our little ones!

What a gorgeous little girl you have! My daughter turned two earlier this month and she still takes a bottle of milk three times a day. She really loves it and it seems to comfort her. She refuses to take more than a sip of milk out of a cup. I know we should be moving along soon but I really don’t want to rush her. I truly believe kids know when they are ready!

My second is 10 months old, today actually! I have no plans to take away his bottles, though he doesn’t seem particularly attached to them and I hate washing all the little parts so it will probably be around age 1. He only gets bottles daycare since he nurses at home or I give him a sippy with his meals. I have no particular plan for weaning him, though my supply seems really low lately. With my first, my lovely daycare provider worked with him on using a cup and he never did care much about the bottle going missing at age 1. Then I weaned him from me at about 13 months.

Hello
My daughter (our only kid), Aubrey, just turned two. We just now took her bottle away.. Due to her milk allergy, we had to give her almond milk ( its the only kind of milk alternative that she would drink)
The only way should would drink it was, in a bottle, and heated up.. I figured it was better for her to have the almond milk in a bottle, then not at all. The last few months, she only used the bottle at nap time, and when she went to bed.
We took it away, at two, because we noticed that her front teeth were starting to spread apart..

I’ve only been lucky enough to be blessed with one child, but I’ve decided to let her decide on some of these things. For example I breastfed until she was 16 months which is when she decided she was done. She potty trained really early, but not at night so she continued to wear diapers/pull-ups at night. I let her wear pull-ups for 6 months at night even though she was dry after she had an accident a couple of weeks into it as she was freaking out about it.

Now on the naps I’m pretty rigid though, but I need a break and she gets too whiny if she doesn’t have one, but is finally starting to not need one if she sleeps past 7am (rare) – turning 5 on Saturday.

We pretty much went straight from exclusive breastfeeding to sippy cups (a few bottles here & there when I was gone, but nothing routine), so I can’t speak to the bottle/cup transition. However, I will say, that after parenting two kids, I learned fairly quickly that it was wayyyy easier to leave everyone else’s opinions out of OUR equation, and just trust our instincts to know what was right for us. It was amazing how some rites of passage we moved through quickly (one child potty trained before he was 2), and others drug on for *supposedly* wayyyy too long (um, pacifier at age four anyone?). However, all transitions occurred exactly when they needed to – on OUR schedule. I feel like the key to everyone being happy is staying flexible and open-minded.

I started introducing milk in a straw cup around 11 months, and she started rejecting bottles of formula shortly before 12 months. I was lucky to have her make the choice herself (and in a time frame that I was happy with). So happy I don’t have to pack 3 bottles of formula every day for daycare anymore.

I think potty training works easiest when your kids decides they want to do it. I wouldn’t worry about what others think. Do what works for your family and your kid and I think it will be much less frustrating for all. I had a friend who felt she had a lot of pressure to do it and her boy wasn’t ready. They stopped for a while and then a few months later he was ready on his own. She said she wished she hadn’t given in to pressure as it would have been so much less frustrating for them if they had just waited.

She’s adorable! I wouldn’t worry at all……….she’ll grow up and give up the bottle soon enough!

My daughter is 21 months, and still takes about 2 bottles of milk a day at daycare. However, she has refused to take a bottle at home from the time she was about 5 months old and realized that even if the milk tastes the same, a bottle is not mom. She absolutely refuses to drink milk from any of her sippy cups, both at daycare and at home. So I’m not overly worried about the bottle, because I’d like her to at least get some milk. We’re still breastfeeding once or twice a day, too. I just realized that I’ve never tried almond milk, I might have to give that a try.

my daughter is 3 and still drinks from a bottle. the horror :P
she just stopped using her paci about 3 weeks ago, only because we lost it and she slowly forgot about it. both our pediatrician and dentist advised us to take our time so we are not in a huge rush.
and i agree we are less milestone driven with our #2.

Quick question….your Chicken Marbella recipe sounds wonderful….I want to try it tonight, but the pictures looks as though there may be some cheese on the chicken yet there is no mention of cheese in the recipe….wouldn you clear this up for me please? Thank you.

Laura

I just took away my 22 month old’s binky away this week. (her older brother gave it up at 6 months). We only used bottles for breast milk and then always gave her almond milk (also a dairy allergy) in a regular cup. It took her awhile for to even take the milk since it wasn’t breast milk. She won’t be going to kindergarden with a bottle and it isn’t damaging her teeth.

I nursed my two girls until 11 months. Since I work, they had to have bottles (of my milk) at daycare. When I stopped nursing, they continued to have bottles and after the age of 1, I would put whole milk in the bottle (and would warm it in the microwave). My older daughter did this until the age of 2. My youngest daughter didn’t care as much, and I was able to wean off around 15 months. I asked my doctor if it was more important for them to have milk (dairy/calcium) or to be off a bottle. He said it was more important to be off the bottle. I clearly didn’t agree with him. I, too, got “the look” by other parents, but at the end of the day, I did what I felt was right for my girls. And when they’re 5, 16 or 21 years old – will anyone know what age they were weaned off the bottle? NOPE! I think you’ll “know” when it’s time! :-)

Oh, parenting decisions! I only have one child right now…my daughter is 20 months. I got a bit of unsolicited advice from multiple people telling me I shouldn’t let her have a bottle (she was 14 months at the time). I let it bug me and freak me out that I was ruining her life/mouth/teeth already so we started the transition off bottles. Now she chugs milk out of a sippy, no problem, and uses a cup sometimes too. For awhile I was a bit miffed at myself for listening to other people instead of just listening to my instincts. Now I just know that as she gets older and we have other kids I’ll be better about letting suggestions roll off my back instead of letting others make parenting choices for me.

I got rid of the bottle around 16 or 17 months. He was moving towards the toddler room at daycare (no bottles there) so I knew it was coming…so he dropped his daytime bottles then, and I just had a nighttime bottle. Then he got sick for a few days (barfing at night) so we dropped the nighttime bottle (because milk and puke NO BUENOS) and just never gave it back.

I’ve had a few hairy eyeballs looked my way when I say that he doesn’t get a bottle anymore. Oops. He’ll survive :-)

I used to be the type of mom who had the best dressed kids at the preschool recitals and now I let my third child wear what he wants. Sometimes he sleeps in his ‘cozy suit,’ (sweatpants and a shirt) and he wears them the next day.
I think positive experiences and letting your children know that they are loved and supported are the most important things; with bottles at age 2 or without, and keeping the cozy suit on for a day or two… or with the snow days, three:)

I don’t have any children yet so I don’t really have anything to add to the bottle conversation other than I feel compelled to tell you how lovely Mabrey is. SO LOVELY! :)

If it’s any consolation, both of my kids took bottles until they were almost 3, and they’re both healthy, happy, thriving almost-six-year-olds now. Everyone has opinions about it. I can’t believe someone gave you a look…. please.

With both my kids I slowly weaned them from their bottle by the time they were 2. They both only got a bottle before bed at night from abou 1-2 and then I slowly just took it away. But I am so much more relaxed with my “rules” the second time around.

My kids never took a bottle, so I can’t really speak to that {breastfed and transitioned straight to a sippy cup}. But as a momma of 3 with one on the way, I can DEFINITELY see where I’ve loosened the reins a bit. Learning to major on the majors. Some things are important to me, and some things just aren’t {anymore}. Something like a bottle seems pretty inconsequential to me. ;) Ah, the joy of giving ourselves grace and not being hung up on every ding-a-ling “rule.” :)

I always wished my kiddos would’ve liked bottles or bikinis, but man, all three were ‘one nipple’ kind of babes. All finished nursing at 1, and then cups galore. I agree completely with the 3rd kiddo mama style being über relaxed about everything. I look back at that crazy, germ-a-phob, worry wort mom I was with our 2 older boys (5 and 7.5), and geez I laugh…alot. (ya, I deal with embarrassment that way). ;) I’m so glad our 3rd and last babe, miss 21mo old sweet lil lass, has got this way cooler, chilled out, ‘eh, I’m not worried about that’ mama.

My oldest now 7 took one until around 2 years old, not to mention she had her binkie until after 4. She had some tone issues in her midsection and the act of leaning her head back while sitting up would make her topple over and hit her head. I let her keep her bottle and lay down. Her binkie was her best friend in therapy for her low tone. I just could not force her to get rid of it. We put it in a small build a bear together. We both cried and she slept with it. That thing was her buddy. Pretty strict mom, I’m a softie at this stuff. I think we are way to quick to make our babies into adults, usually to make our lives easier. I LIKE TORTURING MYSELF :). The second took it late as well. She had some feeding issues and gagged from a sippy…yep my kids have issues. These things bring them comfort and happiness. She will do fine. She won’t go to college with it.

I have 4 kids- I got rid of the bottle at age 1 for all if them. My oldest hated drinking milk after we stopped bottles- but she survived. I think I just hated washing bottles more than anything! The others made the transition somewhat easily. I heard that as they get older it can become more of a power struggle. I was that way with potty training too. Once they showed an interest in training, I got rid of all diapers. All the kids were potty trained relatively quickly. This sounds pretty strict- which is funny because I’m much more of a “every child is unique kind of mom” but I guess I had just had enough!

yeaahhhh don’t be bothered. i was a nanny for about five years with all kinds of kids and then by the time i had my son i WISHED he would take bottles. nothing but the real thing i had to take him EVERYWHERE i went. he was 18 months when i weened him and he never had a single bottle. now he won’t drink anything but water. in a cup. my second has no problem with bottles and i sing every time i go on a date or even just somewhere i can’t just sit and nurse (like the car). but she also seems more interested in real food and always has so i think she may ween herself when she’s nine months and just eat food instead. and i see now why grandparents are so awesome. their parenting is all but gone ha!

I, like you, did everything by the book with my first, but loosened up with my second. It’s helped save my sanity and I think helped my enjoy him more. When he was ready, shortly after he was one, I transitioned from a bottle to a Think Baby no spill sippy cup, and then from there to other sippies. I loved that transition cup! I’ve told lots of moms about it and those who have tried it have all loved it as much as me.

No cheese in the chicken marbella! Maybe you are seeing the garlic?

Wait, did you just say baby #9?! Wonder Woman.

My youngest breastfed until 20 months. She’s 25 months and will primary drink out of either a bottle or a mason jar. I don’t think it’s a huge deal honestly. I’m sure its more of a comfort thing for them. If she was still breastfeeding she would still be getting milk from a nipple so it just makes sense to me that is what she still turns to.

I don’t think this is true. I have a daughter with a peanut/tree nut allergy and coconut is not an issue for her. I think a few years ago the FDA confused everyone by saying that coconut was considered a tree nut. As far as I know, this is false. I do still carefully read labels to make sure things are safe, but I wouldn’t think that coconut milk would be an issue.

My first-born is 11 and back then I was laid back but more structured or whatever… he never even HAD a bottle (straight from boob to cup) ….my 2nd is almost three and he still uses a cup that is basically a bottle.. different nipple thing but same concept. He’s my last, and he’s also the skinniest, pickiest eater ever and not great at sleeping. I guess I just decided he need that much milk, in that cup. The way he zones out and cuddles up while drinking it reminds me of those lazy, milk drunk nursing days and I am reluctant to give it up, or force it. Call me a sucker. Sounds like most people loosen up quite a bit! I love it!

Wow! Nothing like asking a mom what and how she handled a situation with their child – that warrants you to recieve a million responses and none that you will actually take into consideration. In the end, everyone will do what best suits them.

I have learned over the years that you never give “that look” about the way someone raises their child…, because you never know how your kids will be!! Better make those words sweet ;) My baby is 9 months and refuses a bottle and sippy cup. We are just getting to where we can put a sippy cup in her mouth without her pitching a fit. I’ve had a couple people say “oh, I could get her to take a bottle.” I’ve gladly let them try…. And she refuses! My first child refused to nurse and would only take bottles, then transitioned from bottle to sippy cup without a problem. All kids are different!

I am glad to hear there are other kids out there who don’t take food at 6 months. Three of my children have refused all food until 11-13 months. All the other babies I know are eating food happily and I always felt so much pressure to get them on solids. They are now 3 and 5 and eat everything under the sun (let’s hope the last one does too). Thanks for sharing this. All kids are different. They do that so that you never know what you are doing from one to the next.

Hello Jessica,

I really enjoyed your thoughts of experience with your children.As a mother of four boys with the oldest 18&the youngest 14months. I’ve learned from my own experiences that they are all different. Each child is ready to learn to do things in their own time…..thank you one again..
I’m having a difficult time weaning my 14month old from his bottle…..