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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To let DS continue to have a bottle?

72 replies

persan · 29/01/2022 16:08

DS is 4, almost 5 and he still has a bottle. I know I'm going to get judged for this.

I tried to get rid of them when he was around 2, but he refused to drink out of a sippy cup and I was worried he would become dehydrated so I gave in.

He has a bottle of milk in the morning before school, I put a carton of fruit juice or a water bottle with water in his lunchbox but he very rarely drinks this.

When he gets home he asks for squash in his bottle and he drinks that and he then has a bottle of milk before bed. When he's at home at weekends or during holidays he will drink cartons throughout the day.

His teeth are fine but my partners mum (not DS’ nan) has noticed DS with a bottle and said he's too old and I should get rid of it but I'm not sure how to as he might refuse to drink again.

WIBU to let DS have a bottle for as long as he wants as surely once he's a bit older he won't always want a bottle?

OP posts:
JustUseTheDoorSanta · 29/01/2022 16:51

I'd move him onto a normal water bottle like all the other kids at school, or get an oxo straw one, let him get used to that before moving on to a cup. You won't get all the judgement that way and can move at his pace.

Sciurus83 · 29/01/2022 16:52

Usually would go with the they'll do it at their own pace answer but sorry not in this case, five is far too old for a bottle you need to deal with this. Get some fun cups, straws, munchkin 360s but the bottles need to go.

Mommabear20 · 29/01/2022 16:55

Take them away and go cold Turkey, I'd completely throw them out so you can't cave and give them back. When he's thirsty, he'll drink.

SuperSleepyBaby · 29/01/2022 16:57

My 5 year old still loves one bottle a day like her little sister. I don’t imagine she’ll be drinking them when she’s a teenager!

Her older brothers were the same and their teeth are fine.

One bottle a day while mainly drinking out of cups is fine. They like the comfort of it.

Whatwaswrongwiththatusername · 29/01/2022 16:58

I think I'd probably try and skip the sippy cup at this age (if you can) and go straight on to a cup, so that you're not then going to have to go through with it again from sippy cup to normal cup. Can you take him shopping so he can choose a cup with a favourite character of his on it? When I weaned mine off a bottle and onto a cup (over 25 years ago now, tho!), I'd read that it's easiest to try and do it before their first birthday as they adapt quicker. Tho of course that's irrelevant now, but advice about all sorts of baby related things changes constantly over the years, so no idea if that's still the case, but a quick changeover was advised as they get used to it quicker, so the same with a cup I assume. I think he is definitely old enough now to understand it's time for a big boy's cup, whilst still acknowledging with him that you know it's a little bit hard for him but he'll be so proud when he's done 'cos he'll be a very big boy 😁

itsgettingweird · 29/01/2022 16:59

Have you experimented with different types of water bottles?

If he drinks cartons he may find one with a straw easier to transition to?

Ozanj · 29/01/2022 17:05

Giving squash through a bottle causes decay and sometimes it can cause decay of the adult teeth without it visibly showing up on milk teeth (my DN had to have five adult teeth removed before they even came in). How regularly do you take him to a dentist?

Sundayrain · 29/01/2022 17:07

I really empathise with this as I have a 4yo who's extremely reluctant to drink as well, his water bottle comes home from school almost full and getting him to drink is a constant battle. For us it's in no way as simple as he'll drink when he's thirsty, he just doesn't and during vomiting bugs has been hospitalised for dehydration. He doesn't have bottles still but he uses bottles with straws, it wasn't an easy transition but we went cold turkey and he did adapt. If he drinks cartons with a straw then I'm sure he'll adapt to a straw cup, good luck!

worriedatthemoment · 29/01/2022 17:18

You said he drinks cartons so he will drink , hes also old enough to understand hes to bug for a bottle
And its not good for his teeth

worriedatthemoment · 29/01/2022 17:20

Maybe take him out to oicj some juice cups/ drink bottles etc that he likes
Favourite colour/ character etc

StanleyGreen · 29/01/2022 17:24

You do know you're the parent? You know, the one in charge. FGS throw the bottles in the bin. Once they get thirsty enough they'll use a cup, there won't be a choice.

Rainbowqueeen · 29/01/2022 17:25

Yes you need to stop the bottle.

What does he drink if you go out for a meal? I’m guessing from a straw? Get him a metal reusable straw and a special glass and make the switch.

OnceuponaRainbow18 · 29/01/2022 17:27

Unless you’ve missed a major point like he has sen he really needs to drink out of a cup.

Ditch the bottle, give him a cup.

Briarshollow · 29/01/2022 17:31

Squash or milk in a bottle or cartoons of juice. Yeah, his teeth are going to wrecked if you don’t bin off the bottle.

IDontDrinkTea · 29/01/2022 17:31

YABVU. Get rid of the bottles and stop treating him like a baby

Crazycrazylady · 29/01/2022 17:34

Far far tool old.. what were you thinking. your Mil is definitely not going he only one judging you!!
He is almost 5!

Jossbow · 29/01/2022 17:35

I'm not suggesting you give him fruit shoots but would he drink out of that type of bottle? Esecilly if that was all that was availible?

£1 shops/B&M do some colourful pop top bottles, I'd just but his 'home from school drink' in tht and let him drink it or not.

He'll probably get bored if you dont cave. He is unlikely to do himself any lasting harm by resisting for a day or two

Ilikecheeseontoast · 29/01/2022 17:36

My 4 year old has a bottle of warm milk before bed. Mainly because they have it in bed with a story and it’s less likely to spill. They drink normally from a cup the rest of the day. It’s no big deal and I’m pretty sure he will have ditched it in a few years!

CheshireChat · 29/01/2022 17:37

Bottle aside, it sounds like he drinks very little during the day? 2 bottles or so all day?

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 29/01/2022 17:38

I think that @Jossbow’s suggestion is a good one. And I agree with everyone who has said that, at nearly 5, it is high time your day gave up the bottle, I’m afraid, @persan.

Somethingsnappy · 29/01/2022 17:40

@olympicsrock

Come on OP! You need to get rid. Bribery…. And a bit of firm parenting. No screens if he doesn’t drink a cup of water / squash with his meal .
Yes, bribery! Or something like a choice between a bottle with just water in it, or a cup with squash or milk?
Hugasauras · 29/01/2022 17:42

We use these with 2yo DD as they're spill-proof and really easy to wash with no fiddly bits. Great for nursery too. Maybe he would use something like this?

Foxberry 300ml Children's Small... https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08VS9YR14?ref=ppxpoppmobappshare

Aria2015 · 29/01/2022 17:47

My son had a bottle of milk before bed (so once a day) up until age 4. I ordered some cups that have silicone lids and metal straws. One day I just told him that his bottles were old and leaking and I'd thrown them all away but that I had these cool new cups for his milk instead. He had a moan for 5 minutes but once he realised there were literally no bottles in the house he took his new cup and just went with it. The thought is often worse than the deed. I say just bin them and give him an age appropriate alternative.

purpleme12 · 29/01/2022 17:47

Wow I thought you were going to say 3 or something
This is far too old for this come on!

Confrontayshunme · 29/01/2022 17:48

Even if his teeth are perfectly straight, using a bottle affects the soft palate shape, which is important for speaking and sound formation in phonics. Woman up and bin them. Get him a water bottle in a fun shape with a straw or suction lid. He will still get the sucking action but not so hard that it will affect his development. 3 bottles a day is a lot of suction, and I think you probably know it has gone on too long, but there is no dummy fairy special hack that will work more effectively. He won't go for very long without liquid. Just leave a cup or water bottle out and his thirat will force him to take on water. That is assuming he is neurotypical.