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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To allow my baby to have a bedtime bottle a little longer than 12 months?

71 replies

MrsMaker83 · 16/01/2015 15:31

My baby is almost a year old (next week!) and she has been formula fed from birth.

She absolutely will not accept a cup, apart from very occasional sips of water. She gets quite distressed if milk is offered in a cup.

While we are still working on this, a bedtime bottle won't do any harm will it? I intend to offer only cups in the daytime from a year old, as food will become main nutrition, therefore she can take or leave the milk, but i think a bedtime bottle is a great comfort to her and don't want to distress her when she is tired. She is brilliant sleeper too and i worry that suddenly taking the bottle away will unsettle her.

My partner thinks we should cut all bottle use out at 1 year, and have her go cold turkey. I think there is no harm in taking a little longer (maybe a month or so?) to keep trying to crack it after all 1 year is advice and guidance, not law!

So what do you guys think? And any tips or advice for a stubborn little cup refuser?! Grin

OP posts:
UrchinMadeOfAcne · 16/01/2015 15:32

My DS is 2.3 and still has a bedtime bottle.

And a morning bottle.

And a nap bottle.

Confused
scrivette · 16/01/2015 15:33

My 3 year old still has a bedtime bottle!

Pointlessfan · 16/01/2015 15:35

My DD is too young to speak from experience but I think you are right. It is better to practise skills like using a cup when not tired at bedtime. Once she us ok with it in the day you can introduce it at bedtime.

FrankelandFilly · 16/01/2015 15:35

From my understanding, and talking to a friend who is a dentist, the advice is aimed at the lowest common denominator - ie the parents who would happily let a baby fall asleep in bed with a bottle in their mouth. The risk to teeth is from milk pooling around the teeth and/or not brushing regularly.

If you are not leaving your dd alone with the bottle and brushing her teeth regularly then I don't see any harm.

DoJo · 16/01/2015 15:35

Mine is nearly three and has only just dropped his daytime bottles, and still has one at night. If he slept well, I would be so terrified of the consequences that I would NEVER drop it! Don't poke the bear, my friend!

Original poster
MrsMaker83 · 16/01/2015 15:36

Ah bless him! that because he didn't take to a cup?

I can see my daughter clinging on to it a while longer ! Smile

OP posts:
peppapigonaloop · 16/01/2015 15:36

I stopped mine at 2.5..not sure why you need to cut it out at one? Won't do her any harm, mine both loved it as a comfort.. Make sure teeth are cleaned properly otherwise can't see the problem!

BadtzMaru · 16/01/2015 15:36

My DD had a bedtime bottle until after she was 3. If it's only the one I wouldn't stress about it.

ToastyFingers · 16/01/2015 15:37

In real life, most babies I know have a bedtime bottle long after they reach 1.

It's not quite the same but DD still has a bf and bedtime (she's almost 18mo).

I think it's a little mean to take away such a source of comfort, especially cold turkey, One is still so little imo.

Original poster
MrsMaker83 · 16/01/2015 15:38

Thanks everyone! Its reassuring to know its common to continue bottle use.

She is never left to feed herself and always had her teeth brushed after last bottle so no problem there! Smile

OP posts:
Pointlessfan · 16/01/2015 15:39

Out of interest do you give them the bottle after teeth are brushed?

Original poster
MrsMaker83 · 16/01/2015 15:39

My health visitor said 1 is when they recommend moving on to cups, thats why its on my mind.

OP posts:
Laquila · 16/01/2015 15:39

Whilst it might be unwise to introduce a bottle after 12 months, I really can't see how continuing with one bedtime bottle could do any harm - particularly if you're trying to get her used to a cup during the day. Maybe think about giving her cows milk in her bottle instead of formula now though? Having said that, some people prefer to keep cows milk just for a cup - it's completely up to you.

Original poster
MrsMaker83 · 16/01/2015 15:39

Bottle then teeth Smile

OP posts:
Gawjushun · 16/01/2015 15:39

My DS had a bedtime bottle til 2, then a beaker of milk for about 6 months after. We then managed to get him onto a 'big boy cup' with encouragement! As long as they don't constantly have a bottle in their mouth and are eating solids then I think it's ok.

ScotsWhaHae · 16/01/2015 15:39

Definitely would not worry about the bedtime bottle.

UrchinMadeOfAcne · 16/01/2015 15:40

He just loves his bottle.

He didn't take to the cup.

He brushes teeth at least once a day twice, if I have the fight in me.

I just do not have the energy just yet to try and wean him off. I don't see the harm TBH.

Am I a terrible mother??

Original poster
MrsMaker83 · 16/01/2015 15:40

I intend to switch to cows milk, much easier on the bank balance Grin

OP posts:
Gawjushun · 16/01/2015 15:41

PS - health visitor advice will drive you round the bend. Take it with a very large pinch of salt.

Original poster
MrsMaker83 · 16/01/2015 15:41

Not terrible at all urchin Smile

OP posts:
UrchinMadeOfAcne · 16/01/2015 15:42

Thank you MrsMaker, have a Wine

Smile
SingRingPing · 16/01/2015 15:42

We had a similar situation and got the an avent soft tip beaker which she will drink milk out of. It's just like her other cups but has a soft top. I agree that as long as she is not spending all day and night sucking the bottle, and teeth washed before bed then there is no problem. However after a year of preparing bottles I couldn't wait to put the damn things away!

Original poster
MrsMaker83 · 16/01/2015 15:43

Ha ha sing, i think i will ditch the steriliser and have cows milk in a clean bottle, a little less faff!

OP posts:
WillBeatJanuaryBlues · 16/01/2015 15:44

the advice is aimed at the lowest common denominator this is the problem is usually is.

Op my dd had bottle - not teat until 4/5 at night.

she just liked it - meant no spills she is super clumsy and now at age 8 drinks perfeeclty well from a cup, has no teeth/issues.... all is well.

Relax. your mum advice is general don't panic because its one day past 12 months and baby is still having a cup.

your child will be different and have different needs to the norm.

WillBeatJanuaryBlues · 16/01/2015 15:44

what about babies bf until two and older?

( ours had cows milk)