Weaning from the Bottle: When and How to Transition

Your baby loves their bottle. It's comforting, familiar, and has been a reliable part of every feeding since birth. But the day will come when you need to say goodbye to bottles and hello to cups. This transition can feel daunting—especially when that bottle is the secret to a peaceful bedtime—but with the right approach, it's smoother than you might expect.

This guide covers when to wean, why it matters, and how to make the transition as easy as possible.

When to Wean from the Bottle

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends weaning from bottles by 12-18 months, with complete weaning by 18 months at the latest. AAP

Ideal timeline:

• Start introducing cups around 6 months
• Begin transitioning from bottles around 12 months
• Complete bottle weaning by 18 months

Why the deadline?
The longer bottle use continues, the harder it is to stop—and the greater the risks.

Why Weaning Matters

Prolonged bottle use isn't just about attachment to a comfort object—it has real consequences: AAP

Dental health:

• Milk or juice pooling around teeth promotes cavities
• Nighttime bottles are especially harmful ("bottle mouth" decay)
• Sucking on bottles affects tooth alignment
• Can cause overbite or other bite problems

Nutrition concerns:

• Toddlers with bottles often drink too much milk
• Excessive milk fills them up, reducing appetite for solid foods
• Can lead to iron deficiency (milk is low in iron and may interfere with iron absorption)
• Missing out on diverse nutrition from real food

Developmental issues:

• Extended sucking can affect mouth development
• May delay speech development
• Older toddlers with bottles may be socially self-conscious

Sleep association:

• Babies who fall asleep with bottles often have worse sleep
• May not learn to self-soothe
• Bottle becomes required for sleep onset

Introducing Cups Early

Set yourself up for success by introducing cups before attempting to wean: AAP

When to start:

• Offer cups around 6 months
• Alongside bottles, not replacing them yet
• Just for practice and familiarity

First cups:

• Sippy cups are popular but not necessary
• Open cups with help teach real drinking skills
• Straw cups are another good option
• Try a few types to see what baby prefers

Building cup skills:

• Let baby practice with water first
• A few sips is success
• Expect mess—that's normal
• By 12 months, baby should be proficient with a cup

Sippy cup concerns:

• Sippy cups are fine for transition
• Don't let them become bottle replacements that persist for years
• The goal is open cup drinking eventually
• Many experts now recommend straw cups over sippy cups

Strategies for Weaning

There's no single right way—find what works for your family: AAP

Gradual approach (recommended):

• Eliminate one bottle at a time
• Start with the bottle baby is least attached to
• Replace with cup at that feeding
• Wait a few days to a week before eliminating the next
• Save bedtime/naptime bottles for last

Typical elimination order:
1. Mid-morning bottle
2. Afternoon bottle
3. Morning bottle (after wake-up)
4. Naptime bottle
5. Bedtime bottle (usually the hardest)

Cold turkey:

• Some families just stop all bottles at once
• May work better for younger babies or flexible temperaments
• Expect a rough few days
• Not recommended for very attached babies or anxious temperaments

Don't-offer-don't-refuse:

• Stop offering bottles
• If baby asks, provide one
• Gradually baby asks less
• May take longer but lower conflict

Tackling the Bedtime Bottle

This is often the hardest one. Here's how to handle it: AAP

Why bedtime is hard:

• Strong comfort association
• Part of sleep routine
• Baby may rely on it to fall asleep
• You may rely on it for a peaceful bedtime!

Strategies:

• Gradually reduce amount in bottle over time
• Move bottle earlier in bedtime routine (not last step)
• Add new comfort objects (stuffed animal, blanket)
• Offer milk in cup with bedtime snack
• Expect some protest—it's temporary

New bedtime routine:
Instead of: Bath → PJs → Bottle → Sleep
Try: Bath → PJs → Milk in cup with story → Brush teeth → Songs/rocking → Sleep

Breaking the falling-asleep association:

• Baby shouldn't fall asleep with bottle
• Move bottle earlier in the routine
• Put baby in crib drowsy but awake

What to Put in Cups

When transitioning bottle feeds to cup feeds: AAP

Milk:

• Whole milk can start at 12 months
• Offer 16-24 oz per day, not more
• Too much milk reduces appetite for solids
• Cup of milk with meals and snacks

Water:

• Perfect for cups
• Available freely throughout day
• Builds healthy hydration habits

What not to put:

• No juice in bottles (or limit juice in general)
• No soda or sugary drinks
• No milk in bed (cavity risk)

Handling Protests

Expect some resistance—here's how to stay the course: AAP

Validation:

• "I know you miss your bottle. It's hard."
• Acknowledge feelings without giving in
• Offer comfort in other ways

Distraction:

• New special cup
• Stickers or decorations on cup
• Special "big kid" routine

Consistency:

• Once a bottle is gone, don't bring it back
• Going back and forth confuses baby
• A few hard days are better than prolonged inconsistency

The transition cup:

• Some babies do well with transition cups that look like bottles but are cups
• Can help bridge the gap
• Eventually transition to regular cup

Comfort objects:

• Stuffed animal
• Special blanket
• Something else to hold and cuddle

Common Challenges

"My baby won't drink from a cup."
Keep offering. Try different types—open cup, straw cup, various sippies. Offer water throughout day for practice. Make it no pressure.

"My toddler is throwing tantrums about the bottle."
This is normal and temporary. Stay consistent and compassionate. Offer comfort without giving in. Usually resolves within 1-2 weeks.

"My baby isn't eating well after weaning."
They may be hungry and cranky at first. Offer nutritious snacks. Appetite often increases once they're not filling up on bottle milk. Check with pediatrician if concerns persist.

"Naps/bedtime are a disaster."
Expect some disruption. The bedtime bottle association is strong. Work on new sleep associations (songs, rocking, comfort objects). Usually improves within 1-2 weeks.

"My partner/grandparent keeps giving bottles."
Everyone needs to be on the same page. Explain the reasons for weaning. Consistency across caregivers is essential for success.

If You've Missed the Window

Still using bottles at 2, 3, or older? It happens. Here's what to do: AAP

It's not too late:

• Weaning can happen at any age
• Better late than never for dental and nutritional health
• May be harder with older toddlers but definitely possible

Strategies for older toddlers:

• Talk about becoming a "big kid"
• Let them help choose a special cup
• Mark a transition date on calendar
• Consider a "bottle fairy" who takes bottles to babies who need them
• Celebrate the milestone

Address dental concerns:

• See a pediatric dentist
• Discuss any damage from prolonged use
• Prioritize twice-daily brushing

The Bottom Line

Weaning from bottles is a transition most families dread more than necessary. With the right timing and approach:

When:

• Introduce cups by 6 months
• Start transitioning around 12 months
• Complete by 18 months

Why it matters:

• Dental health
• Proper nutrition
• Developmental progress
• Better sleep

How:

• Gradual elimination is gentlest
• Save bedtime bottle for last
• Expect some protest—it's temporary
• Offer new comfort objects

In a few weeks, you'll wonder why you worried. Your baby will adapt, and you'll both move on to the next phase. Clara is here to help you navigate this transition or troubleshoot any challenges!