Getting rid of the bottle

Toothsmith

That would be sensible advice!

jellyhead

daveyjp wrote: »

Are we the only parents advised by the health visitor to throw all the bottles away shortly after our daughter's first birthday?

At 2.5 I can't imagine her using a bottle now, I'm so used to seeing her using a proper cup.

I was given the same advice, yes - but not all parents follow it. At the 2 year check there were 8 of us in the room and every mum said their tot still had a bedtime bottle of milk (one was a breastfeed rather than a bottle). Mine was the only one to still have a morning bottle though (stopped shortly after his 2nd birthday).

I can see that getting rid at 12 months is best - of course I can. But I didn't, and now it's not a case of 'who is the adult' - I as the adult have let my child get used to this comfort, and it would be unfair to suddenly say he has to go without.

Taking it away gently, ensuring that the child is happy and feels secure enough to go without, is kindest.

Some children would be okay with just being told 'this is how things are going to be from now on' but some would feel very insecure.

milliebear00001

daveyjp wrote: »

Are we the only parents advised by the health visitor to throw all the bottles away shortly after our daughter's first birthday?

At 2.5 I can't imagine her using a bottle now, I'm so used to seeing her using a proper cup.

You're not the only people, but this advice, like pretty much all of that provided by HVs, is part of a 'one size fits all' approach handed to HV via government guidelines. They tell all parents bottles are bad after 12 months because that approach is most likely to persuade parents not to give their child a bottle all day/in bed which is what they are really keen to achieve as it does real damage to children's teeth.

Having one bottle for a short period before bed, is fine for teeth, whether you're 12 months or 12! Whether you want to get your child onto a cup for other reasons, is a personal choice.

Lunar_Eclipse

onlyroz wrote: »

Isn't it meant to be bad for their teeth?

Only if they have sugary drinks and fall asleep with the bottle still containing liquid and in their mouth -ie the sugary drink in direct contact with their teeth (=highly unlikely).

No-where near as bad as sucking one's thumb, fingers or dummy.

Whilst my children didn't have a bottle at three, I really can't see the harm. I'd leave it too.:)

Lunar_Eclipse

daveyjp wrote: »

Are we the only parents advised by the health visitor to throw all the bottles away shortly after our daughter's first birthday?

One seems really young to me. Most children would still have a bedtime bottle of milk at this age, even though they are perfectly able to drink from cups/glasses, and do so throughout the day.

In fact I think it would be better for a child of this age to stick with the bottle for longer, for a bedtime drink, but to skip those awful tommy tippee type drinks containers and go straight to a normal small cup/mug and glass for daytime drinks. Those plastic things can then stay for years and are a hygienic nightmare!:o

Liney_2

My DS is 2 1/2 and he still has a bop bop (as he calls it). We go away for a few days sometimes and if I forget it he never asks for it, but as soon as we are back home its the first thing he asks for in the morning. My hubby thinks he should continue with the bop bop as he thinks they grow up too fast - I disagree and think its time to stop. But he doesn't like drinking milk from a cup. So I am worried he won't get his calcium levels if we stop totally - he does have a bit in cereal and in cooking but not enough I don't feel.
I do think he will be able to drop the bop bop though, with a bit of prompting anyway so I am not worried about that.
Does anyone know what the reccommended amount of milk a 2 and a half year old should have daily is - I can't find it on the web, last time I looked for a 2 year old it was a pint a day and I switched from full fat to semi-skimmed or skimmed but haven't checked again until today...

jellyhead

I was told it doesn't have to be milk, as long as there's calcium in their diet (broccoli etc.). My boy is lactose intolerant and his bedtime bottle, and some lactose free milk on his cereal or in scrambled eggs in pretty much the only milk he has. He hates cheese, yoghurt etc.

Most children his age will be eating fromage frais, dairylea triangles etc. or cheese sandwiches, food in creamy or cheesy sauces, things with custard, ice cream, chocolate so they don't need a pint of milk.

The health visitor can talk to you about getting calcium into the diet. We were referred to a dietician who talked to me over the phone and sent info about which cheese are lower in lactose etc.

Mini milk lollies contain one fluid ounce of milk, so 20 of those a day would be a pint

Liney_2

jellyhead wrote: »

Mini milk lollies contain one fluid ounce of milk, so 20 of those a day would be a pint

He doesn't need any encouragement on the mini milk front thats for sure! lol In fact he came home from his grandmas the other day and asked me for a Mini Magnum!!!!!

Toothsmith

jellyhead wrote: »

Mini milk lollies contain one fluid ounce of milk, so 20 of those a day would be a pint

And a denture before he's 5!

jellyhead

I was joking

Toothsmith can I ask a question? A dentist said in the 'yourfamily' magazine (NSPCC sponsored, from early learning centre) that if you brush your teeth AFTER having breakfast you do more damage.

What about milk at bedtime - is it best to brush before, or after? (assuming that the child drinks the milk all in one go, not sipping during the night).