Quitting breastfeeding for a baby is a difficult task. After going through countless hardships to get the baby to quit, it is impossible to keep the baby holding the bottle and drinking milk. Therefore, after weaning, it is necessary to continue fighting with the baby's intelligence and courage. It is best to quit using baby bottles before the child is 18 months old, otherwise it will be detrimental to the baby's development. So, how can a baby quit using baby bottles at the age of two?
How to quit bottle feeding for a two-year-old baby
1. Preparation period (6-12 months): When the baby starts adding complementary foods, the mother should remember to use a water bottle for him. Remember not to just put water in the cup, put milk in the bottle. This way, the baby will automatically mark the difference between the two and refuse to drink milk from the cup;
2. Transition period (12-18 months): When the baby is 12 months old, you can gradually reduce the number of bottles per day, starting with one meal per day, and then replace it with a cup of milk and some snacks; Dilute the milk in the bottle and provide undiluted milk to the baby in a water cup; First, switch from drinking the least important milk of the day to drinking it from a water cup (usually the one during the day); Take the baby to the store and let her choose her own water cup, or decorate the existing water cup to make it more attractive.
Why should babies quit using bottles
1. It affects growth and development. Babies' sucking ability is innate, and when they start adding complementary foods, they need to learn how to swallow and chew. If a baby overly relies on a bottle, it can lead to the inability to eat three meals a day well, resulting in difficulty exercising chewing and swallowing, which may lead to abnormal development of oral muscles and affect speech;
2. It is prone to tooth decay. Once a baby relies too much on a bottle, especially when sleeping with a nipple, the sugar in the milk will cover the baby's baby teeth. If they do not brush their teeth and clean them overnight, the risk of tooth decay will accumulate over time;
3. It is easy to cause obesity.
As mentioned above, it is essential for babies to quit using baby bottles before they reach the age of two. The harm of thieves to babies is great. Some parents spoil their babies and give them a bottle when they cry and their hearts soften, which will only harm the baby. It will have a significant impact on the future development of babies, so it is important to encourage them to quit using bottles as soon as possible.
