Pacifier & Bottle Weaning

Updated on August 11, 2007
V.B. asks from Miami, FL
7 answers

I know there are all different kinds of opinions and perspectives on this topic but I just wanted to know what you mom's out there (who have all been so helpful already) thought about the best age to start weaning a child off of the bottle and pacifier.

My daughter is 27 months old. At this point she only uses her pacifier to nap and sleep at night and sometimes even falls asleep without it. She only uses a bottle for her milk first thing in the morning. THe rest of the day and for all other beverages she uses a cup and has been doing so since she was 1. I tried to give her the mornign milk in a cup a few times and she refused it. I didnt see the harm in one bottle a day being that its a comfortable routine that she enjoys so I have continued it (same for the pacifier) but now I'm just wondering when should I begin to wean her off of them completely. We just successfully broke the habit of her taking her favorite stuffed animal to school (which she used for her nap) and with us whenever we went out. Now she only uses it to sleep at home at night which I don't mind at all. She can do that until she's 50 if she wants. lol. Now her teacher and I are working on potty training (she's familiar with the concept and uses the potty sporadically but isn't consistent with it at all. In any case, I dont want to bombard her with too many changes all at once. So I was thinking that once the potty training thing is DONE then I would concentrate on the weaning and am trying to figure out which I should do first or if I should do them both at the same time and if there is an urgency for me to wean her or if I can take my time and do it at her pace, etc. Your thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks!

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K.K.

answers from Boca Raton on

I can only speak from personal experience here- our pediatrician told us to wean her from the bottle as soon as we were done with formula at one year old. I took it away and we never looked back. She really didn't put up much of a fuss though so I really can't complain- some kids are easier to wean than others. My theory was that if we did it before she could really remember, she would be easier to get off the bottle and it seemed to work. As far as the pacifier, she never really had an interest. Her thumb is another story and I wish I could figure out how to get her to stop with that!!

1 mom found this helpful
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M.D.

answers from Miami on

sounds like she has done a great job weaning herself, so far, so I would continue to let her, let you know when she is ready to give up those last securites. Especially since she has started the potty training. You are obviously doing a great job, I would not rush her.

1 mom found this helpful
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C.D.

answers from Miami on

Hiya! You sound like such a wonderful and caring mother. i still don't understand pediatricians rush to get off the bottle. Sounds like you guys are doing things on your own time and that is just fine! For the record, my son still has his milk in a bottle - he is 26 months. He drinks water from sippy cup.

C.

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K.D.

answers from Boca Raton on

When it was time to take the pacifier away with my daughter it was rough. We tried cold turkey, only at bed time exc.. Finally i took out the siccors and cut the nipple off and gave it to her. At first she would try to suck on it and actually Kept it bit between her teeth. She told me it was "broke". and id say "I know im so sorry. After a few weeks of sleeping with it in her hands she gave up. Maybe this will work for you.

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S.P.

answers from Miami on

V,
I never had a problem with the pacifier situation nor did I have a problem with the bottle....
My daughter is 28 months old and I can remember back when she turned one how stressed I was to get her off the bottle but I must tell you we were going through many changes in life as well and one week after her birthday I decided NO MORE BOTTLE... YOu have to remember you are the adult and at 2 ,believe me they know how to manipulate....My daughter doesn't even drink milk since she was 18 months.......She stopped completely but gets plenty of drinkable oraganic yogourts....Believe me, make the choice throw out all the bottles in the trash and don't look back , not even for a minute.I fthey aren't in the house then you aren't tempted to pacific that manipulation techinique they began using around age 2.....It won't hurt her to cry and whine a bit,(it might hurt you but don't give in, I promise in 2 weeks if you stay strong the habit will be broken...Do it now.

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L.H.

answers from Miami on

way to go mama!!
I truly don't know why our society gets all out of whack from a baby's/toddler's need to suck...

my son had his pacifier until he was close to 3 & 1/2 and his teeth are fine :-) he only used it in his bed for naps and night and that was that.

as for the bottle, again, I see no need to get rid of it. It's not like she's going to kindergarten with a bottle, lol!

I'm with Mary: follow her lead- you two have been doing a great job!!

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T.B.

answers from Boca Raton on

My pediatrician advised to get rid of the bottle early. (I have a 21 month old.) We phased out feedings as you did and replaced them with sippy cups. I think the morning feeding was the last to go mostly due to comfort and convenience. I would suggest trying again and explaining to her what you are doing. (She should understand by now.) It's okay if she refuses the sippy. She can make up her milk consumption other ways during the day. (Maybe even put only water in the bottle... milk in sippy?? Offer a choice??)
We're still using paci at night and to nap... my DH isn't ready to break her of that habit yet. I haven't pushed either. In fact, my uncle who is an orthodontist said she would be fine to have her paci for a bit longer.
Good luck with the potty training! That's our next challenge, too.
T. B.

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