Toddler addicted to bottles

[Sunnyside0878]

Hi my 16 month old boy's only comfort item is a bottle. The bottle doesn't have to contain anything, it can be empty, but if he's tired or anxious it calms him. If he had his way he would hold in his mouth 24/7. I've been trying to reduce how much he has it, by just giving at nap times and bedtimes but he can he generally grizzly when he doesn't have it. I'm concerned for speech development and his teeth potentially being pushed out by constant use if this continues. Is this an issue, or should i just chill out and let him have it as much as he wants and he will grow out of eventually?

I thought the advice to ditch the bottles by 12 months was because it affects teeth and mouth development. If he has it in his mouth all of the time, I'd guess it would affect his speech too?

I'd be tempted to keep them for nap and bedtime but go cold turkey with it fir the other times.

Has he seen a dentist yet? If not I'd take him along next time you have your checkup.

My little one was the same, never had a dummy only a bottle and wouldn't sleep without one.

We reduced the amount of milk he had in his bottle at nap times and gave him a normal bottle for bed. We didn't worry about it because he would drop the bottle eventually during his sleep. He's now 2 and doesn't have teats anymore he has milk in a sippy cup.

Maybe have a look at the MAM bottles for toddlers we go ours from Amazon, they may be better than him keeping a teat in his mouth, and their non spill which is handy.