As a parent, it is sometimes difficult to know when you should introduce change into your child's life. One of the most difficult decisions you will make when your child is young is when you should wean your child from the bottle. This is because it is sometimes difficult to know when your child is ready to make the change.
Experts say you should wean your child when they can sit up on their own, can feed themselves with a spoon, have consistent meal and snack times, and are interested in solid foods. At this point, you child needs more nourishment than a bottle can provide them. Milk will only replace more nourishing meals that could help your child develop properly. It is important to wean your child from a bottle because the longer a child is on a bottle, the more likely that child is to develop tooth decay and other dental problems.
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You should follow the cues of your baby. Introduce the cup early during feeding times, but do not force your child to use the cup. Some experts advise putting the cup next to your child during feeding times. When you think the child might be ready, try offering the cup to the child instead of the bottle. If your child fusses, do not push the issue. The child simply is not ready for the cup. Put the cup away and try to introduce it again in a few days,
Another problem is that many children are allowed to carry around bottles throughout the day. When you are trying to wean a baby, this is counter-productive. During this time, do not allow your child to carry a bottle around with them. Instead, only allow the child to drink from the cup during meals and snacks. If it is very hot out or your child is very thirsty, you may sit your child down at the table and give them a drink from the cup.
Remember, you must set the example. It is important that you do not carry drinks around the house, even if those drinks are for you. Follow the same protocol as your child while you are weaning from the bottle. Mixed messages will only confuse your child and prevent successful weaning.
Many parents have difficulty weaning their child from taking a bottle at night. This is often the most difficult hurdle in the weaning process. Many children find comfort from the bottle, so you will need to find other ways to comfort your child. Instead of preparing a bottle, have a cup of water prepared to offer your child. Never put your child to bed with a bottle because this can cause severe tooth decay and is also a significant choking hazard.
Consistency is the key to successful bottle weaning. Let your child set the pace, and you will find weaning to be much easier than you anticipated.
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