First time mommy. When should I wean her?

Question

I have a beautiful little girl. She turned one on 08/04. She already falls asleep without a bottle. But during the day she has 2-3 bottles. She looks so small, and my family says that she is too tiny to be off the bottle. She is fine with her cup. I don't let her walk around with her bottle or let it lay around. She uses her stuffed duck as comfort. Am I doing this too early? I don't like feeling like I am a bad mother. My cousin had a child 2 weeks before I had mine and her baby is still going strong on his bottle. I don't know what to do.

Answer 1

you are doing great, she probably isnt to small, the reasons why doctors want the bottle away at one is becuase the child is drinking more and not eating enough food! i think you are doing perfect, your duaghter should get bigger by you taking the bottle away, she will want more filling foods and gain weight! talk to your doctor, you are the mother not your family they need to let you fallow your motherly instinct and do what you need to do

Answer 2

Hun, from experience I would actually recommend the " sippy cup " My daughter started using a sippy cup when she was 1, but still had a milk bottle after lunch, and breakfast. It teaches them how use there hands, and strengthen their fingers. Have fun with the sippy cups. Sooner or later you will not need that bottle. Try substituting the cup of milk at bedtime.  

Answer 3

She's fine. She still needs to have a bottle. My daughter is 18 mos and still has about 2 bottles a day (we cut down from 3 very recently) she has mil at mealtimes from a sippy cup as well.

I just put her for a nap and gave her a bottle . She doesnt fall asleep with a bottle either, never did that. She has a bottle before bedtime.

I think you're doing just great. Do what you think is best for your child. Now you say your daughter looks very small, how much does she weigh? She could very well be a petite baby, if she's otherwise healthy and on track with milestones she'll be fine. My dd is also quite tiny, but a little tornado around the house! So it depends!

Best of Luck!

Answer 4

No rush but my doctor told me my son should be totally off by the time he was one and he was but he's 2 now and still uses a binkie at night so you be the judge I do think there usually ready by one and I know my son shouldn't have his binkie either..

Answer 5

I took the bottle away on my son's 2nd birthday, she's still so little.  If she's the one that prefers a cup then there's no harm in that either, just follow her cues and see what she wants.  You're her mom and you're the only one that knows what she needs, don't let other people make you feel bad and every child is different so don't compare her, just focus on her.

Answer 6

since shes not addicted to the bottle, u shouldnt worry about weaning her yet, just as long as she doesnt become obsessed with it.

if it makes you feel comfortable, ask the pediatrician and explain what u said here.  he might tell u wait 2 or 3 more months, or he might say dont tkae her off until 2.  every pediatrician is different.  but if he said 2, u should take her totally off by then, between 18 and 24 months.

u are on the right track, by not letting her sleep with the bottle, its bad for her teeth and can cause ear infections.

Answer 7

You were so great answering my question...Thanks. But as far as your question..... I would let her go a little longer. Doc's usually disagree (they usually say no more than a year) but a few more months isn't going to hurt anything. You can slowly wean her and promote the cup more over the next few months and before you know it, you and her both will be weaned!!! lol

Personally, I wouldn't let my babies sleep with their bottles because no matter what's in them (unless it's just water). The liquid can sit on their teeth thru the night and cause them to get cavities. That's really the biggest concern that I would have. Hope that helps.