Holding Parents
In my latest article on toddler formula and transitioning from bottles, the WHO (World Health Organisation) recommend starting as early as 12 months of age. Here are some tips on when and how to begin. The transition can be gradual or swift, depending on your family and child. It is important to practice patience and empathy towards both yourself and your child. Holding Parents suggests starting the weaning process for toddlers from bottles gradually. You might be amazed at how swiftly toddlers adjust to this change. Nevertheless, the older your toddler is, the more difficult the process may become, so we highly recommend sticking to the gradual approach.
Do not wean bottles when there is increased activity or stress in your life, such as starting daycare, returning to work, new additional sibling, moving house, etc... wait until it is a calm environment.
Make it lots of fun, choose a fun cup, involve your little one by helping pack away bottles, lots of genuine praise for using a cup.
Gradual approach:
To gradually reduce the number of bottles, consider replacing one bottle with a cup every few days. Many parents start by eliminating day-time bottles before addressing night-time bottles, as the latter are typically associated with the bedtime routine.
Here’s an example of a gradual approach for a child who has bottles in the morning, middle of the day, afternoon and at bedtime:
Start transitioning early in the morning because toddlers are typically very hungry at that time, making it the ideal moment to start establishing set meal times if you haven't done so already.
Get ready the evening before and have a brief conversation with your little one about starting the morning routine by waking up and eating breakfast. Engage your child by involving them in preparing breakfast, such as fetching a bowl from the cupboard, putting bread in the toaster, and pouring milk.
Complete this routine for a few days, then proceed to replace the lunchtime bottle with a meal rich in protein and fats, along with providing a cup of water or a small cup of regular milk or a dairy substitute. Keep all other bottle feedings consistent.
Keep doing this for about 3 days.
Swap the afternoon bottle with a snack and a cup, so you’ve now replaced 3 bottles with cups. Continue all other bottles.
Keep doing this for about 3 days.
Swap the dinner bottle with family dinner meal and a cup, so you’ve now replaced 4 bottles with cups. Keep giving the bedtime bottle.
Keep doing this for about 3 days.
Swap the bedtime bottle with a cup, so you’ve now replaced all bottles with cups
Immediate approach
If you have attempted a gradual approach without success, this method can be effective.
Discontinue offering bottles completely.
Store all bottles out of sight.
If your child requests a bottle, provide a drink in a cup and/or a snack as an alternative.
Regularly offer drinks in a cup throughout the day – for instance, during meals and snacks, and when your child is thirsty.
What if they refuse to eat and demand a bottle - this will happen and its a great indication that your little ones is utilising those autonomy skills that I talk about. If your little one is demanding milk - offer regular milk or dairy alternative depending on your situation in an open cup! Will it be messy, yes, but messy eating is healthy exploration for positive long term relationships with food.
The biggest key to transitioning away from bottles is to have meal prepared ready to go, as we know when toddlers are hungry it needs immediate attention!
Another alternative is to dilute bottles, reduce volume. This allows increased appetite but can feel less risky.
Night-time bottles:
This is often a significant issue with toddlers, particularly because night-time bottles are a key part of their bedtime routine, serving as a source of comfort and calmness.
BE kind to yourself!Â
It is okay to set feeding limits and consider your needs and those of your child. Â
Do not offer a bottle, offer a cup if they ask.
If you are worried about your little one being hungry when putting them to bed, add a snack before bed, such as a banana, yogurt, or peanut butter sandwich.Â
Add a cuddle with a transitional item, like a lovey or a small blanket (let them choose), to your child's bedtime routine, and then put them to bed with this item instead of a bottle or sippy cup.
What if my little one wakes up asking for a bottle during the night?
Very common question, again be kind to yourself! It can be hard for the first new nights as your little one adjust to the change! However, consistency is key.
Create a consistent bedtime routine (See bedtime routine) along with a consistent response to nighttime wakings. Comfort your child when they wake during the night, but keep it low-key, offer a drink of water if they are thirsty, keep the drink bottle in the room for easy access. Avoid turning on the lights or engaging in deep conversation.
Increase your child protein and healthy fat intake during the day, this will keep them fuller for longer.
IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER
Your toddler is in control of what they choose to eat, your role as a parent is to prepare the food and offer and support what they are telling you.
If your toddler chooses not to eat, thats ok,- children do not go hungry! They will eat when they are hungry. It can be really stressful as a parent to know that your little one has only had three bites of toast, and 4 grapes since 8 am and now its 2 pm. Don't make a deal about it, move on, focus on the next meal.
Worried about food wastage? This is a hard one and triggers parents as a lot of us parents who were taught that you had to eat everything that was offered and make sure your plate was empty before you left the table. You are making intergenerational changes by allowing your little one decide what they're bellies are telling them! My suggestion is get creative, little one didn't eat the toast, make bread and butter puddings with the left overs, make croutons, make bread crumbs, start a compost bin, feed it to the chickens or dog, lots of website about reducing wastage.
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