Bottles - Garland,TX

I think the most important aspect of keeping a bottle when children have teeth, is that they can rot their teeth and adjust their position. Start giving him a bottle with water in the middle of the night to start the weaning process, and hopefully then he won't want it as much. Then start weaning him down, to one before bed and then none. You will have to endure the crying somewhat, but he'll get used to it and you'll be happier not getting up in the middle of the night for sure.

Try the water in the bottles like Amber N. mentioned below. He's going to fuss no matter what approach you take, but you have to wean him eventually for his sake and yours!

His teeth are fine. If he is not holding the bottle in his mouth with the milk dripping onto his teeth all night the he is not at risk for teeth issues from the bottle.

Milk is milk is milk in milk..>Get that???? It DOES NOT MATTER if the milk is drank out of a cup a bottle a jar or a water gun. It is milk. The bottle is only the source that puts it in his mouth.

Saliva has a job to do. It rinses he mouth out and starts the digestive process. It cleans the mouth out. If the bottle is not taken out when the child is done then the milk cannot be rinsed out so it sits on the teeth all night soaking in to them.

If you are giving him a bottle then taking it away he is fine. There is not problem with his teeth at all.

My grand kids have my enamel. It is weak and they are going to have cavities just like me. Drinking milk or not drinking milk will have little effect on them. Bottle or no bottle.

What's more important: his current happiness or his future success?

I took the bottom away from DD1 at 10 months. The first 3 days were awful. But after that she was fine. DD2 is still nursing and will be going to a silly as soon as she weans.

Just do it. You could give milk and juice in the snippy. Leave the bottom just for water. Or cut the nipples. Take the "fun" out of it a d he won't want it anymore.

Ask him if her is ready to be a big boy & toss the bottles in the trash... if he is do it. Then when he asks for one remind him that as a big boy he through them out.

I don't have a lot of advice on how to wean from the bottle. My two were easy.. I just gave them cups and they were happy to give up the bottle. BUT, I do work in a dental office and want to respond to the bad advice you are getting about teeth. Baby bottle caries are terrible, and it borders on neglect when babies end up with them. Never give milk or juice in a bottle overnight, only water. Saliva's job is to begin digestion, NOT to clean your teeth. The lactose in milk is SUGAR (as are all enzymes ending in "ose" like sucrose, or table sugar and dextrose). The only way to remove milk from teeth is to brush them. Sippy cups are just as bad if not worse for kids. And the amount of enamel anyone has is NOT something that is inherited, however hygiene habits are. Parents and grandparents that have poor hygiene leading to decay pass those same habits on to their kids. AND decay and gum disease are caused by bacteria and can be passed by kissing and sharing drinks and utensils. So if you have decay or gum disease, do not share food and drinks with your little ones.

Your son is past the age suggested for his first dental visit. I would suggest you look on the American Academy of Pediatric Dentists website and find a pedodontist in your area. Take him for a visit and share your concerns with the doctor and/or hygienist. They'll have some wonderful advice for you on weaning.

I personally say that if babies can breastfeed until 5 or 6 then babies can have bottles until 2 or 3. My dd is almost 3 and still has one at night and nap. As long as they are sitting with milk/sugar in their mouths it should be fine. I say if they still need it, then they still need it.And, if you need to give medicine, this is by far the easiest way to do it!