Doesn’t every moment with your baby seem like a change! Well, that’s only a good thing because it indicates a growing baby! Just as you’ve got used to a routine, you possibly need to swap it for another. One such change is weaning your child from bottle to a beaker or sippy cup around six months of age.
Moving on from the bottle
Transitioning your child from a bottle is a big step in his developmental milestones, and frankly, is quite an achievement. Not only does it foster independence, but it is also a step forward health-wise. Prolonged use of the bottle can lead to dental caries in children, especially if your child is used to a bottle at night. Research also indicates that it could give rise to a delay in speech and language development.
Tips to transition the child
- Pick the right beaker: If your child is just crossing infancy, pick a beaker or sippy cup that has handles on either side. This will help him grip the beaker
- See what goes in the beaker: Ideally, don’t introduce fruit juice, whether fresh or otherwise, to avoid excess sugar. Fill the beaker or sippy cup with milk or water and offer it to your child.
- Go slow: If your child is really dependent on his bottle, don’t go cold turkey on him. Drop one feed at a time and let him acclimatise to the change. This will be less difficult for the child and he will adapt to the beaker more easily.
- Make inroads into solids: Remember that your child won’t go hungry because you won’t offer a bottle! In fact, he is more likely to explore solids as a result. So together with the new beaker or sippy cup, bring on the veggies and fruits!
See the change!
Once your child is accustomed to the change, you can move to a beaker with no handles. Post a year or so, consider transitioning to a cup for all beverages.
