How do I get my 3 year old to give up the bottle?

Amanda - posted on 10/06/2010

I had my daughter take her bottles herself and her pacifiers and went to a friends that had a farm and allowed her to give them away herself to the new baby animals and she never did ask for any of them again. Just a suggestion try letting your child donate it thereself and let them see the happiness difference.

Jennifer - posted on 10/06/2010

Ideally, he should be drinking at least 2 cups or 16 ounces of milk a day. He can get additional dairy nutrition from cheese and yogurt. My pediatrician said that I should want my son to drink for thirst and not for comfort which happens when they continue to take a bottle at an older age. Give him time and he'll come around. Keep offering him the opaque sippy cup and perhaps go shopping for some new "big boy" cups. My son loves to drink with straws and was very excited when we bought cups with built in straws. He also picked out some curved crazy straws and sippy cups with Diego on them. Good luck.

Erin - posted on 10/06/2010

3 years old and still drinking 3 to 4 bottles a day... wow. My son is 11 months old and only have 2 bottles a day, which going to go down to 1 a day when he is 12 months old...because he is drinking more water and cows milk he dosen't need the other and he is eating more sold milk...just don't give in to him stick to your word...alot of mums do this... instead of starting it when younger... I am a first time mum... I ask for alot of advice... and then ajusted it to suit my life and babies life...Maybe if he choose a cup that he wants to drink out of...for his milk... ask him and tell this is going to be you cup you drink you milk our of... if he decide it would make him feel better because he made that choice himself...but 3 to 4 bottles a day is two much... give him more soild food and water as well.

Sarah - posted on 10/06/2010

He will be fine. Yes he will come around when he realizes that his is not getting the bottle back. Kids can be very smart at trying to get their way. Once he realizes that no matter what the bottle is not come back he will start drinking it more willingly. Also 3-4 bottles a day might have been too much milk for him at his age. Usually around that age doctors are saying they should be drinking about 8-16 ounces of milk a day. As many people know with toddlers some days they are going to eat/drink hardly anything and other days you wonder where they put it all, so that will also be with the milk. Some days he will drink less and other days more. Right now it will be down as he is transitioning, but that is fine there will be no harm in getting a little less for awhile. One thing you may want to try is going to a regular cup. He may feel more like a big kid doing what mom and dad do. At 3 yrs I am usually transitioning from sippy to regular cup. There are small cups you can buy and then just have him sit at the table to drink. Sitting at the table to drink also helps cut down on the unneeded liquids because they are carrying around a sippy all day sippying on it. I do 3 meals and 2 snacks a day and with offering liquid at all those times they are usually able to get the right amount of liquid they need for the day.

Jessica - posted on 10/06/2010

he should be fine. he's just being stubborn and will eventualy give in to the cup. stay strong - don't give the bottles back or it will be harder next time.
My daughter was the same way when I weaned from the breast to a cup, but after a few days she gave in and hasn't looked back.
Good luck!

Karlie - posted on 10/06/2010

hes 3 so a little while without milk will be ok. and i think 3 - 4 bottles a day is a bit much for a 3 year old. it will fill his tummy up and he wont eat what he needs. have you tried giving him cereal with milk or even trying him on a little flavoured milk to get him use to a cup? try get dairy into him other ways and just keep trying to give him a cup, with meals or before bed or something. hope this helps a bit :)