How did you wean your toddler off the bedtime bottle?

[Gateau]

My DS is 20 months and he seems to love his milk at bedtime. But we just can't wean him off the bottle. From time to time he will take a beaker, but more times than not he pushes it away. Any tips on how to transfer him from bottle to beaker at bedtime? He drinks throughout the day from a beaker.
Second question is, how much daily milk does he need at this age? I'm just wondering if he really needs this last drink or if he is just taking it out of habit and because it's there.

I explained earlier seeker. He was waking in the night just for milk and wasn't eating during the day. He now eats better and sleeps through again.

I don't understand why it bothers you so much what other people want to do, seeker.

It doesn't bother me - but there are a lot of myths about night time bottles, and I would hate to think that people (not you, of course) who are doing something that is making their bed times stressful and themselves and their little ones unhappy just because they "think they ought to" or because someone has alarmed them. It would be nice to make sure that people in this position can relax and carry on with something that's making everyone happy.

You're right..
IN FACT, I've done a complete turnaround.
So many people's opinions on here (and all very helpful too) have confused me, so I've just spoken to my health visitor.
She said it was absolutely fine to continue with the bottle as a source of comfort for my LO. Some people on here said that earlier.
My LO doesn;t have anything esle - not a teddy he loves or a dummy, or blanket so it made me think again.
So you'll be glad to hear, seeker, that I'm going to stick with the bottle and maybe adress the issue of weaning him off it as about two.

You can take away my bottle
but canna take ma FREEDOM!

Good for you and your ds, Gateau.
We only stopped as dw was pregnant
and found it increasingly tough.

We did it with our son with the Heinz cup - its the one they use at the Baby room of hisnursery as they have found it the easiest transition from bottles. You can buy them at Boots and larger Tesco's

Our son was weaned form a bottle at 15 months and we are looking to wean our daughter off at 12 months - its our choice and our Health Visitor agrees. When it comes down to it it is all about personal choice - there is a plus and a minus for both changing and not changing. They both continue to have Milk (Although our son stopped his bedtime milk at 3 as we moved it to with his Tea)

One thing i would say in favor of doing it earlier - they will complain less when they cant talk to you properly!