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Behaviour/development

Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

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Original poster

13 month old drinking very little milk now bottle has gone and beaker introduced. Should I go back to bottles?

41 replies

Melody3boys · 26/12/2012 22:03

Last week I got rid of bottles and gave beaker for all three of DS3's milk feeds. First day or two he totally refused which I expected. Now he will take about two ounces of milk from beaker then flatly refuses to drink the rest. He used to drink 3x 6oz of milk per day. Now that's down to 3x 2oz which obviously isn't enough for his age.

He eats food really well so does have a good, balanced diet. And he drinks water or weak squash at meal times from a beaker so I don't think he's dehydrated. I just worry that he's not getting enough calcium and other nutrients from his milk. Should I be concerned?

I don't remember having this trouble with my other two children but I did get rid of bottles earlier than this. DS3 was also bf for the longest soI don't know if his attachment to bottles has something to do with them becoming a replacement breast so he thinks the whole feeding ritual should be a source of comfort??

Any ideas? I don't really want to go back to bottles but I do want him to get enough milk.

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5madthings · 26/12/2012 22:08

He should have 12oz a day, but that can include cheese, yog etc so you should be able to make up the amount easily. Mine all still had breast or bottle at that age for milk so I don't see any harm in him still having a bottle say twice a day.

itsanewday · 26/12/2012 22:14

I stopped the bottle with all three of my dc's at 12 months, and after that I made up the recommended daily quantity of formula in a jug. They got weetabix for breakfast (which takes up heaps of milk) and I stirred a splash, or however much it would take, into every meal, as well as giving it to drink in a beaker. I didn't stress if there was a bit left at the end of the day - there was always the cheese and yoghurt etc to make up the amount, but I generally got through it in that way.
I think if you've dropped the bottle successfully, it would probably be a step backwards to go back to it, unless you are genuinely concerned that your ds is not taking enough.

Original poster

Melody3boys · 26/12/2012 22:14

Thanks 5madthings (does that name mean you have 5 kids? - RESPECT!).

I've always read that they're supposed to be off the bottle by 12 months and I really don't like seeing toddlers with bottles hanging from their mouths so I've always thought it a battle better to tackle sooner rather than later!

Maybe I'll go back to bottle just at bedtime then.

Is it only 12oz? I always thought it was more. That makes it easier to get calcium take up through cheese and yoghurts then, I guess.

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Original poster

Melody3boys · 26/12/2012 22:16

That's a good idea itsanewday

He does have milk on Weetabix actually, so that's a good few ounces I'd not counted.

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lightrain · 26/12/2012 22:20

Don't go back to bottle, that's daft! All you need to do is count up dairy and if you're worried it's not enough, add a yogurt for pudding and cheese for a snack.

Original poster

Melody3boys · 26/12/2012 22:22

Is it really only 12oz?

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5madthings · 26/12/2012 22:25

Yes its 12oz a day from 12mths :)

and yes i have five children, 13, 10, 8, 4 and 2 :)

U agrree toddkers walking round withbottles is not nice but a bottle and a cuddke before bed at this age is fine :)

JingleJohnsJulie · 26/12/2012 22:32

It's 300ml a day from 12 to 24 months according to the NHS, I thought that was 10floz? So 6floz in a beaker plus milk in cereals, yogurts, milky puddings and cheese should all be fine. If you are worried about calcium, will he eat salmon or sardines?

Original poster

Melody3boys · 26/12/2012 22:58

I don't eat fish (I'm allergic but kids aren't) so tend to avoid buying it or dealing with it. I know I need to get them into the habit of eating it so I should try. DS1&2 are at that age where they turn their noses up but the baby would probably eat anything he was given so I shall add salmon and sardines to my shopping list.

10oz is still a lot lower than I thought. I'm sure I thought it was about 18-20 ish.

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Original poster

Melody3boys · 26/12/2012 23:02

Wow 5madthings I take my hat off to you. I find three hard work but we are considering TTC for #4 soon as I just can't shake that feeling that I'm not finished and DS3 really needs a companion as he is four years younger than #2 (#1 and 2 are less than two years apart).

Anyway, I am in awe and admiration of big families.

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5madthings · 26/12/2012 23:29

Well I love it :) we planned four and no five was a bit of a bonus, in more ways than one as the first four are boys, no five is did, doted on by her brothers :)

5madthings · 26/12/2012 23:30

Is dd not did.

Original poster

Melody3boys · 27/12/2012 08:53

Wow! We have three boys and I'd bet my right arm number four would be a boy as well. I don't really mind though. Boys are fun.

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AntoinetteCosway · 27/12/2012 09:09

Gosh, DD is 15mo and still has 3 bottles a day she has about 600ml to drink, plus what goes in her ready brek. She's quite big for her age-both height and weight so she's in proportion. But maybe I'm overdressing her?!

AntoinetteCosway · 27/12/2012 09:10

Erm, overfeeding that is.

MrsHerculePoirot · 27/12/2012 09:15

Don't go back! I wouldn't worry too much, maybe offer mill as a drink in beaker throughout day? I always worried DD wouldn't have enough but she ate yogurts every day and had milk in her porridge. I also let her drink milk with her meals in a beaker instead of squash some days.

Otherworld · 27/12/2012 10:09

We dropped bottles at this age - and moved to cows milk too. We did have a special beaker for night time milk which we warmed. I wouldn't worry too much and wouldn't be planning to have bottles again. I agree 12 months is a good time to get rid of them. Hate to see older children with baby bottles.

5madthings · 27/12/2012 10:19

This isnt an 'older child' they are a baby/toddler. Tbere is nothing wrong with a baby this age having milk in a bottle. As long as they eat fine, drink water from a sippy cup etc then a couple of bottles a day ie morning and night snuggled up and having a cuddle is fine. do make sure to clean teeth after bottle and before bed tho.

Babies/toddlers still bfeed at this age as well. Sucking is an important comfirt and its fine for them to.have breast/bottle if thats a comfort they need.

Original poster

Melody3boys · 27/12/2012 10:50

5madthings I am thinking of going back to a bottle for him at bedtime (but beakers only during the day) as I now think he's getting constipated from not drinking enough fluid. What age did you drop the bedtime bottles and was that harder once they were older?

I understand what you mean about him still being a baby and needing to suck for comfort (he's only 13 months).

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babySophieRose · 27/12/2012 10:51

My almost 14 months DD is drinking water from a cap, but still having two bottles of milk one before bed and one in the morning. I see no harm in that, as she will not have milk otherwise.

babySophieRose · 27/12/2012 10:54

Cup, not cap, :))

Yobo · 27/12/2012 11:05

If you want to add fish to their diet you should try making little fish cakes great finger food for all ages, just salmon, mashed spuds and spring onions roll in flour dip in egg and breadcrumbs and fry. They freeze really well too
I just dropped one of DD's bottles yesterday (she is 10 months), tried giving it in a beaker instead, she looked at me like I was insane and refused it but slept all night so didn't seem to affect her too much! Good luck x

5madthings · 27/12/2012 12:55

They stopped at various ages.

Ds1 at 18mths self weaned from breast.

Ds2 had a night time breastfeed till he was three and a half yrs.

Ds3 had a bedtime bfeed till 3yrs.

Ds4 had a bedtime bottle till 3yrs 5mths.

Dd is just two and has 5oz in the morning and 5oz before bed.

Not hard to stop at all, just gradually cut down the amount and bought them a special grown up mug (proper brealable type but with buzz lightyear or whoever their fave thing was) the idea being they could have warm milk in the mug. None of them liked warm milk but they do like the occasional hot chocolate in their own mug.

As long as they arent drinking masses of milk instead of food and you clean their teeth after the milk then a bottle for comfort at bedtime is fine, lovely cuddly time and a nice routine :)

Original poster

Melody3boys · 27/12/2012 15:29

Yep, decision made! Just been to shop and bought bottle teats (as I'd thrown others away in my haste!)

You know what'll happen now? He'll not like the bottle as it's been a week since he's seen one!!!

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Original poster

Melody3boys · 27/12/2012 15:32

Thanks to all of you for the advice. Normally I would not go back to bottles once they're gone but I just feel DS really isn't drinking enough OF ANYTHING from beakers so is now getting constipated

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