How To Wean A Baby Off

A Bottle - When To Wean

& Damage Prevention

By Dr. Ramon Barragan

How To Wean A Baby Off A Bottle - When
To Wean & Damage Prevention
March 06, 2017

No more bottle: The Foolproof Method

Everyone gets that a formula-fed baby drinks from a bottle, but not much is
spoken about how and when to wean baby from a bottle.
We like to believe that this will happen spontaneously and that your child
will suddenly tell you - "Ready Mom, no more bottle!- and that this same
thing happens when its time to stop using a pacifier.
No more bottle, formula, pacifiers everything magically stops. Right?

How To Wean A Baby Off A Bottle - When To Wean & Damage Prevention
How To Wean A Baby Off A Bottle - When
To Wean & Damage Prevention
Unfortunately, nothing could be further from the truth. Your child cant
wean him or herself from a bottle alone. I have had isolated cases of 8-year
old children that STILL take a bottle to get to sleep, without anyone else
knowing they are doing it.
The "Norm"
Children are commonly weaned o their bottle
between 2 or 4 years old. The biggest problem
for parents is that bottles are used to facilitate a
nap, or when their children are going to bed at
night.
I don't want to make you feel guilty, but
continuing to employ these habits may bring on some serious problems for
your children:
Drinking more sugar-filled milk or liquids than they actually need.
Tooth damage.
Ear, nose and throat infections are more rife with bottle-feeding before
sleeping. Just ask an audiologist.
This habit teaches an inappropriate behavior of safety, comfort and
relaxation associated with food in order to be able to sleep.

It is true that infants use suction to feel safe, relaxed and even feel pleasure.
In reality, babies dont want the milk, he or she just wants to suck, but if it is
accompanied by a few ounces of milk, then obviously they will swallow the
milk whilst sucking.

How To Wean A Baby Off A Bottle - When To Wean & Damage Prevention
How To Wean A Baby Off A Bottle - When
To Wean & Damage Prevention
Theres a high price to pay for encouraging bottle-feeding, and I'm not talking
about what you spend in formula. In addition to the unnecessary
consumption of extra (unneeded) calories, babies are left with traces of milk
in their mouth and teeth. And in time, this will result in dental problems,
along with some of the issues previously explained.
So When Is the Best Time To Wean A Baby Off A Bottle?

The best time to stop bottle-feeding is right around babies first birthday.
Because by then:
Your child should already be eating quite well and have a varied diet.
Baby doesn't not need as much milk; just a little and not on a daily
basis.
Problems associated with bottle use/abuse typically always show up
around this age.

But how you do wean a baby from bottle?

Thats the question I get from many Moms who have tried multiple times,
resulting in endless days of crying?

How To Wean A Baby Off A Bottle - When To Wean & Damage Prevention
How To Wean A Baby Off A Bottle - When
To Wean & Damage Prevention
The Foolproof Plan
Here is my Plan. Its not the only plan out there,
but for many of my patients, it has worked very
well. All of my patients who have tried this
method have been successful.
First: All care-givers of your baby need to be on
board with the plan, and everyone needs to be in agreement of your
approach. And everyone needs to understand:
That is not going to do any damage
Baby will not be lacking food, iron, or calcium and you are not going to
malnourish your baby.

The secret trick to this plan is this: if your baby gets so much as a sni of
insecurity from either parent or another care-giver about the bottle-weaning
plan, I assure you that you are going to fail before you have even began.

So don't try it if you are not convinced or 100% con dent in this "how to
wean your baby off a bottle" plan.
Second: We're going to use your baby's goodwill to succeed in our plan.
All kids like to give and receive gifts. So prepare a box that ts all their
bottles (each and every one of them), as if you were going to make a gift.
Ideally find one that you can wrap and add a big colorful gift ribbon around!

How To Wean A Baby Off A Bottle - When To Wean & Damage Prevention
How To Wean A Baby Off A Bottle - When
To Wean & Damage Prevention
With your help, invite your child to help in a special "ceremony" of preparing
a gift, and put each empty bottle (one by one) into the empty box. Explain
brie y (without preaching) that we are going to give the bottles to another
child who really needs them.

Third: And now it's the big day - We go together with our child and their gift
to the home, business or o ce of our partner, friend, family member, or
even a pediatrician, who receives it and is grateful to receive the "gift" for
another baby and we tell baby that it is very good and noble gesture.
I encourage you to do one more little thing - this is the time to introduce a
super-hero glass, or perhaps a Disney princess glass to your baby.
Ready, aim, point.
No more bottle.
No more bottles in the home.

How To Wean A Baby Off A Bottle - When To Wean & Damage Prevention
How To Wean A Baby Off A Bottle - When
To Wean & Damage Prevention
Even though your child already knows, reassure them that their transition
away from bottles was a good thing. Take out the new drinking glass again
and remind your child that this will be their new way of drinking.
Of course you have to be prepared for crying and a bit of despair - thats
normal. But you will be surprised how soon it will be before your baby no
longer asks for a bottle or milk. That old habit will now be replaced with
reading time and extra cuddles.
There is a before and after in the development of the child when we stop
using the bottle at the appropriate time.
So give it a try. You have nothing to lose. I promise, seeing your baby grow,
eat, and develop normally is worth the e ort, and that is truly the best
reward!
(Im always delighted to receive these gift boxes full of bottles in my o ce - I
have many children who give them away!)
Dr. Ramon Barragan is a Pediatric Specialist and Critical
Medical Pediatrician from Mexico. Dr. Barragan lives in San
Jose del Cabo with his beautiful wife and daughter, while
growing a thriving pediatric practice for the past 7 years. To
read more about, or connect with Dr. Barragan please visit his
website Papas de Primeros.

How To Wean A Baby Off A Bottle - When To Wean & Damage Prevention