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Is it wrong to give 2 year old a bottle?

46 replies

apronandscones · 07/09/2026 23:46

I still give my two year old a bottle. I’ve been told they are too old. I don’t see the issue.

OP posts:
ItsAlwaysTwins · 08/09/2026 11:17

I know it’s too old, but mine definitely still had a bottle at night at 2.

They both have perfect teeth.

PinkWaffleMaker · 08/09/2026 11:17

SJM1988 · 08/09/2026 11:15

this was also my thought. seems like a fake post to provoke people.

I know lots of people who still put a bottle in the cot when a child is 2 or even 3! It isn’t recommended but I don’t think it’s that uncommon.

PinkWaffleMaker · 08/09/2026 11:16

I know lots of 2yo who might have a bottle at bedtime or maybe in the night.

But overall no. A 2yo shouldn’t be having a bottle. It’s bad for their jaw and teeth development.

Xmasinkennels · 08/09/2026 11:16

my dd had a bottle in the night till she was 4 and a half! She would wake at 3/4 am screaming and if she had it (7-8oz) she would be back to sleep within 10-15 mins if not the day would start with her miserable at 3/4 am which nobody needed. Once she started school she just stopped waking up . Speech fine teeth fine

SJM1988 · 08/09/2026 11:15

Iloveeverycat · 08/09/2026 10:59

Is this real

this was also my thought. seems like a fake post to provoke people.

Lentilcakes · 08/09/2026 11:13

Too old! Only DS had a bottle and I’m 100% by 2 he was drinking from a sippy cup. He’s 22 now so my memory is a bit hazy!!

DooDallyHallie · 08/09/2026 11:12

they are still babies until 3+ imo
🙄

blubberball · 08/09/2026 11:01

They can use a cup, so it's good to allow them to continue to progress to learning skills in their development. It's associated with speech development and using the muscles around their mouth, as well as dental issues

Iloveeverycat · 08/09/2026 10:59

apronandscones · 07/09/2026 23:46

I still give my two year old a bottle. I’ve been told they are too old. I don’t see the issue.

Is this real

Iloveeverycat · 08/09/2026 10:56

NHS recommends stopping at 12 months

maybemaybenot17363 · 08/09/2026 10:31

apronandscones · 07/09/2026 23:46

I still give my two year old a bottle. I’ve been told they are too old. I don’t see the issue.

All day instead of a cup or at night time? Mine still had one before bed at this age. But used a cup at every other time. Despite the people above they are still babies until 3+ imo

HoppingPavlova · 08/09/2026 10:25

They should be well and truly transitioned to a cup at that age.

millymollymoomoo · 08/09/2026 10:07

You totally need to just move them to a cup ! There is zero reason to give a bottle at that age

Mumtobabyhavoc · 08/09/2026 09:36

Mine wouldn't give up the bottle until 3y 4m. The nipple tore and I said no more replacements. It was tough.
However, no teeth issues resulted at all.
I was giving milk or water in it and I took it away as soon as it was empty. As a baby, or toddler, the bottle was never given at night in bed which I think is where the dental issues come from with prolonged sucking on the bottle Anyway, obviously dc needs to give it up, but I wouldn't stress.

GrantMyWishes · 08/09/2026 00:00

The issue is that they are no longer a baby and giving a dummy or bottle will damage their teeth. If they've already learned to drink from a cup then that's great news, why would you want them to keep using a bottle?

PressTheSwitch · 08/09/2026 00:00

@apronandscones i think it’s fine if just a couple a day. I definitely remember giving my DC a bottle of milk at bedtime at 2 - infact, it only stopped when his sister was born, he was 2 & 9 months.

worriedbeyondwords · 07/09/2026 23:51

Just no ! and I’m old .. when parenting rules were very different.. even 40 years ago this would not be good. xx

apronandscones · 07/09/2026 23:48

Derbee · 07/09/2026 23:47

Yes. Not good for teeth or mouth shape/facial muscles.

Only get a few a day

OP posts:
apronandscones · 07/09/2026 23:48

MeetMeOnTheCorner · 07/09/2026 23:47

They are a child. Not a baby. They should not be sucking all the time now. They need to learn to hold and use a cup. Baby days are over!

They can

OP posts:
MeetMeOnTheCorner · 07/09/2026 23:47

They are a child. Not a baby. They should not be sucking all the time now. They need to learn to hold and use a cup. Baby days are over!

Derbee · 07/09/2026 23:47

Yes. Not good for teeth or mouth shape/facial muscles.

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