What age should baby stop drinking formula and using bottles?

Melanie - posted on 12/13/2009

well my mom told me to mix some formula with the normal hot chocolate during the day and mornings and night give him the plain formula to use because the formula has extra added things in it to help with the development of the bones an teeth

Krista - posted on 12/12/2009

He should have stopped drinking formula at 12 months. My son kept drinking from a bottle until he was 16 months.

Kendall - posted on 12/12/2009

my pediatrician had us stop formula at 12 months and start on vitamin d milk. my daughter is now 16 months old and has had no problems. my cousins pediatrician told her to not put anything other than formula in the bottle and anything else in the sippy cup, that way the child will figure out that the goos stuff is in the cup and prefer that over the bottle. i did this with my daughter at 12-13 months and she has been on a sippy cup since with no problems at all.

Jaime - posted on 12/08/2009

I started giving both my kids sippy cups as soon as they were able to sit up unassisted and could hold their own bottles without help. It made the transition sooooo much easier when they were unable to ask for the bottle back. They were both off the bottle before they were 9 months old!!! And with the green light from the pediatrician I switched them to whole milk when they turned one. I would recomend that if you do decide to get your son off the bottle to do it now rather than later. When new little bundles of joy come home from the hospital, older siblings have a tendency to regress in their current training and/or weaning. Especially if you plan on bottle feeding the new baby. Trying to take his bottle away when you're giving one to his younger sibling will be too confussing and make weaning at that time a struggle. Thats why I did it so early with my first born....I was pregnant and didn't want the battle of weaning later on. My kids are just 10 1/2 months apart and I desparately wanted my son off the bottle before his sister came home!!. It made thing soooo much easier for me. Good luck momma and congrats!!!

Charlie - posted on 12/06/2009

My son eats and drinks anything though he is a food monster haha !

C. - posted on 12/06/2009

I tried giving my son straight milk (like Loureen mentioned) before mixing it and he hated it. Maybe you should try that first and see and if your son won't take it, then you might be able to do it gradually.

Charlie - posted on 12/06/2009

I just swapped him straight over at one year at the recommendation of his midwife .
He transitioned easily without a fuss in fact i dont think he even noticed .

C. - posted on 12/06/2009

Quoting Gloria J:

Your son is old enough to understand about "leaving" or "going away" so you might try making a big spectacle out of it. You might tell him something about the angels needing the bottles for all the babies waiting to be born then get a big box and have him help you collect the bottles and put them in a box addressed to the "Angels" then put it out on the doorstep. Have a neighbor or you husband collect the box and keep it hidden until you're ready for them after the baby comes. You've given your son "closure" and a reason for giving up his bottles. He might ask about them for a couple of weeks but now you can tell him the Angels are using his bottles and then promptly give him his sippy.

As far as the formula goes take a look at his eating habits. If he is not a picky eater and eats a variety of vegetables, fruits, meats, and fish then most pediatricians suggest 12-18 months of age. However, if he is picky and doesn't have a great variety then I would keep him on formula. You might also try introducing yogurt (YoBaby is great) into his diet if you haven't already. Watch for any reactions to dairy if he is reacting you may want to stay on formula for a while and maybe consider other types of milk like goats, soy, or organic. Good luck!

I LOVE your bottle idea!!!!! 

YoBaby is good, but it's a bit runny.

C. - posted on 12/06/2009

Babies usually stop drinking formula and start drinking whole milk around one year old. To transition him, just take 3 ounces formula to 1 ounce whole milk. Mix it up and give it to him. I recommend doing this gradually since he has been on formula for a little longer than what is recommended, so he's pretty used to it. It may take a while, but you want to gradually go down to 1 ounce formula and 3 ounces whole milk. My son was on whole milk in about a week and a half of doing this method. He soon realized he like straight whole milk than the mix of milk and formula.
As for the bottle, it is recommended that you ween your baby off of the bottle by 7 months (though I personally think that is too young.) My son wasn't off the bottle until 10 months. Just give him a cup at bedtime and make him as comfortable as possible to make the transition easier. Cuddle with him, read to him, sing to him, whatever you would like to do that comforts your child. What we did was get cups with clear silicone spouts so the transition would be easier for our son since he wanted nothing to do with a hard spouted cup. Don't do it! My son didn't get his teeth until 11 1/2 months, but he gummed the spouts to death and we went through 5 or 6 spouts in one week. I recommend an in-between spout. It's flexible, but not hard. Gerber has some like that and I think maybe Nuby does as well. That may be your best bet since I am assuming your child has at least one tooth. If he refuses his cup, just explain that he is a big boy and big boys use cups. There may be some fussing, but don't give on or he'll never learn to use a cup 100% of the time. Good luck!!!!

Mikala - posted on 12/06/2009

What i did was started talking it away from my daughter in the morning and at night and that worked well for her

Lisa - posted on 12/06/2009

I am 51 and had two 14months apart, Fourteen month was off formula by the year & with bottle she only walked around having apple juice in it, but she gave bottle up after seeing only babies need bottles on her own.

Megan - posted on 12/05/2009

I stopped formula right at twelve months. Sometimes, I know this sounds awful, but it is the mommy we have to wean from the bottle! :) I hated giving up my time with the baby but I learned to continue cuddle time just without the bottle. I would sometimes give the kids a cup with whole milk but eventually we got away from that too. Good luck!

Eboni - posted on 12/05/2009

you should have started weaning him off around 9 months putting the child formula in the cup thats what im doing with my 10 month old but just dont give him the bottle at all any more just sip cups the ones that are soft like bottle nipples thats what my daugther likes. you can still keep him on the formula but just take away the bottle.

Cynthia - posted on 12/05/2009

Your son will want his bottle but its just a matter of time show him you throw it away in the. Garbage and put his liquids in a fancy cup with funny straws buy him some Disney one's they encourage kids to be independent , also buy him milk with the omega fats it is good for the brain there is every thing in that the whole milk is not good some kids develope allergies from it so don't wait any longer the sooner you do it will be better i work with children for 20 yrs. trust me it will work good luck.

Gloria J - posted on 12/05/2009

Your son is old enough to understand about "leaving" or "going away" so you might try making a big spectacle out of it. You might tell him something about the angels needing the bottles for all the babies waiting to be born then get a big box and have him help you collect the bottles and put them in a box addressed to the "Angels" then put it out on the doorstep. Have a neighbor or you husband collect the box and keep it hidden until you're ready for them after the baby comes. You've given your son "closure" and a reason for giving up his bottles. He might ask about them for a couple of weeks but now you can tell him the Angels are using his bottles and then promptly give him his sippy.



As far as the formula goes take a look at his eating habits. If he is not a picky eater and eats a variety of vegetables, fruits, meats, and fish then most pediatricians suggest 12-18 months of age. However, if he is picky and doesn't have a great variety then I would keep him on formula. You might also try introducing yogurt (YoBaby is great) into his diet if you haven't already. Watch for any reactions to dairy if he is reacting you may want to stay on formula for a while and maybe consider other types of milk like goats, soy, or organic. Good luck!

Larisa - posted on 12/05/2009

2 year is AAP recomendation

Stephanie - posted on 12/05/2009

Wow hon you should have started around 10 months, bt obviously it's not to late.So get movin' before the next one is here!Good luck, Stephy

Christy - posted on 12/04/2009

My son is 1 now and our peditrician told us when he was 9 months that since he was eating meals and doing well with his weight at 10 months start mixing 2% cows milk with his formula till he was 11 to 11 1/2 months then he would be ok to switch to just cows milk! Like I said he was eating 3 meals and snacks in between! We switched him to a cup around 11 months and did wonderful! He has progressed with everything wonderfully! Good luck and congrats on the new baby!!!

JoLyn - posted on 12/04/2009

My girls are almost 13 months apart. Obviously, the suggested magical age is one but get ready for your older child to regress a little when the new baby comes home.... Do what feels right to YOU. YOU know your children best!

Grace - posted on 12/04/2009

that is not the only problem with milk ; it was created for cows not babies

Staci - posted on 12/04/2009

My son started real milk at age 1, which is also when we weened him off the bottle, because our doc said that you shouldn't give real milk in a bottle because it can harm the baby's teeth.

Grace - posted on 12/04/2009

I feel that babies could safely be taken off a bottle around 13-15mo. un less there is a
strong feeling of insecurity.

Julie - posted on 12/04/2009

It depends on his weight. I had children that were only 15 pounds at a year old so the doctor had me keep giving them formula for several more months. However most doctors want the bottle gone by 12 months because otherwise it interferes with their speech development. My first one didn't want to give up her bottle either and at 12 months she had an accident cutting her frenulum and got a double ear infection so I couldn't bear to subject her to taking the bottle away too. Some people told me I should while others said don't worry about it and that she would give it up when she was ready. I did switch her to 2% milk though at 12 months. I had my 2nd when my first was 17 months old. She was still drinking from a bottle. I knew I needed to take it away, but my 2nd was colicky and I just couldn't handle my 17 month old screaming too. Finally when she was 18 months my sister-in-law said I needed to take away the bottle. She told me to pack all the bottles away and just tell her she was a big girl and that the bottles went bye-bye. We were doing good until she saw the last one in the dishwasher and wanted it. Then I just had to bite the bullet and endure the tantrum. My sister-in-law distracted her quickly though with a cookie or something so it didn't last too long. I learned with subsequent kids it was better to take it away no later than 12 months. There may be tears for a few days, but they give it up easier then.

Chris - posted on 12/04/2009

My kids were all off of formula / breast milk by the time they were one as well as off the bottle too. My 4th one weaned himself at 11 months and we started him on whole milk and the pediatrician wasn't concerned at all.

Sarah - posted on 12/04/2009

When you think its time to start to wean the child off then you do it ,,its really up to you,,x.

Amanda - posted on 12/04/2009

I have twin girls who are three. At age 1 I started to wean them from formula, but I need to let you know my one daughter was on soy because of a milk allergy. They both went to milk pretty well and one was fine with the sippy cup almost immediately the other had fits until she was about 17 months. I had to use a soft tip sippy cup for the longest time otherwise she would throw the drink. I don't know if you have tried the soft tip ones yet but that is what I ended up doing.

Logan - posted on 12/04/2009

12 months...it should tell you on the formula can

Bonnie - posted on 12/04/2009

formula usually stops at 1year old. with my boys we took them shopping and let them pick out one of those larger sippy cups with something on it like thomas the train or spongebob. they cost a little more but I found it worked. the next morning we gave them the new sippy and told them we could not find the bottle. nights were the hardest and it lasted a couple of weeks, but if they are thursty they will drink!

Ashley - posted on 12/04/2009

they say at 12 months they dont need formula no more that they ready for whole milk an bottles they say to get a baby of off that at 12 months also but the only reason they say that is because of there teeth but they also say to get rid of the binky at 12 months also an well my son is 20 months an 3 days an he is still on his bink an his teeth are ok, the formula shouldnt be nuthing to stop as soon as he gets the first taste of milk he shouldnt want his formula again but he might not like regular milk my son didnt an he got put on it at ten months old you can put some choc or strawberry syrup in it as long as he isnt allergic an then after that hell never want formula again as for the bottle that will be a battle alls you can really do is do it cold turkey or slowly do it make febuary your goal an every week just give him his bottle a little less hope this help

Brandy - posted on 12/04/2009

formula stops at age one and the longer you leave him have the bottle the more attached he will be to it. i took my son off at age one. after his birthday i just threw all the bottle away. there will be crying and it will be hard. but stay strong. you want him off it though cause once the new baby come he will be trying to take the bottle from it.

Jackie - posted on 12/04/2009

I have two daughters and my first daughter was off a bottle by the time she was 7 months old. My youngest daughter who is now 9 months old was off a bottle at 5 months. I believe that a child should be off a bottle at least by the time they're 6 months old. As far as formula goes, I wouldn't do formula after 1yr old! Period!! My advice to you is just get ALL the bottles ur 14 month owns and throw them away. Offer to buy a trainer cup and explain that he is a big boy now and therefore doesn't need a bottle. He will most definately cry for the first few days, maybe even weeks, but u must NOT give in. He's probably testing you and knows that if he cries long enough that mommy or daddy will soon get tired and just give in! The more u are firm about not giving the bottle the sooner all the crying will stop! I promise nobaody likes to see their children crying, but sometimes it's the best. That's why they call it tough love! :) Hope this helps and good luck!! :)

STEPHANIE - posted on 12/04/2009

hey well u have until he is 15months old to get him off (is what my wic office told me ) and all u do is tell him that the bottle has to go and let him drink from a sippy cup that is what i done with my now 2yr old and i was prego with my 2nd also ..but it will be alot better if u do get him off before the new baby come ... well if u need me i am here!!

stephanie lance

Allison - posted on 12/04/2009

he should be of the bottles now my son is 19 months been off his bottles since he was 10 months old an for milk the same age try and take it off him an throw away the bottles my boy doesnt care for his bottles he loves his cup

JULIANA - posted on 12/04/2009

You can wean him off the bottle at any time. He probably won't like it but you can say the bottles are for the new baby and he's the big boy now. If you take the formula away your son should be given whole milk. Young children need the fat content for proper development of the brain, nerves and absorption of some vitamins.

Nadia - posted on 12/04/2009

My baby noelle was 4yrs turning 5 this january, and she's still so in to it! Would you believe that?

Tracey - posted on 12/04/2009

I took my daughter off formula milk at about 12 months. regarding the bottle, These were removed slowly but shorely after that. I just kept telling her that she was a big girl and bottles were for babies, it worked for her, but you know your child and maybe with the new baby coming he will need the security of his bottle?!!

Kristin - posted on 12/03/2009

I took my son off the bottle at a little over 12 months. dont do the bottle thing anymore! its very bad for their teeth and can cause them to have an over-bit. trust me it happend to me and i had to get braces. haha. just hide all the bottles so your they wont be in sight of your child and you shouldnt have any problems. sippy cups are great.

Patricia - posted on 12/03/2009

He should have stopped formula at 12 months.

As far as weaning him off the bottle, every child is different when it comes to that. Some children are ready at one year, while others need it up to as old as 3. Only you know your own child, and what he/she can handle emotionally. By 3 they should be definitely using the cup most of the time though. Considering that you are due in February with a new additon, it may be helpful not to try to force your son off the bottle too soon, simply because he will feel some natural jealousy toward the new baby. On the other hand, if your son is the type who will feel important by being "the big boy" then it might help get him off the bottle. You need to gauge his emotional state. No one can tell you exactly when your own child is ready for anything. You are the only one who really knows him.

Tj - posted on 12/03/2009

I took my son of the bottle & formula when he turned one. I gave him whole milk in a sippy cup. Try the nuby sippy cups with the soft like nipple tip. they are sold @ walmart for like a dollar. I just slowy kept giving him the bottle less & less until it was once a day then i quit giving him the bottle.. Good luck!!!

Firebird - posted on 12/03/2009

My daughter was off formula and bottles at 13 months old. It wasn't hard. As soon as she took her first sip of milk from a cup the bottles went away. If your son is really attached to the bottle, the first few days might be trying, but it shouldn't take him long to get used to using the cup full time.

Sarah - posted on 12/03/2009

Quoting haleh:

the american academy of pediatric dentist wants you to stop breast feeding and giving milk or juice bottle as soon as the teeth erupt which would be at 6-9 mon. definetely by one year. I usually tell my patients if you can give water bottle after the milk or with a wet guaze wipe the teeth, you will be fine. haleh shaheedy dmd(pediateric dentist)

I'm very surprised a professional health body is recommending stopping breastfeeding so early, as the WHO and other respected organisations recommend breastfeeding until the age of 2.

Michelle - posted on 12/03/2009

either 11 to 12 months old or when there doctors say

Kerriann - posted on 12/02/2009

you should ween them off at 1 and go to whole milk and bottles... my daughters 19 months and she uses both bottles and sippie cups

Julianna 'Julz' - posted on 12/02/2009

I don't know if this has been said already, but try switching the two drinks. put water in the bottle = less exciting, and put the milk, juices, and other fantastic flavors in the sippy cup. thus making sippy cup = exciting flavors.

Josie - posted on 12/02/2009

First of all congrats to you....second of all the drs recomend switching to whole milk by one....but that being said if he likes the taste of formula u can try making it half and half for a couple of weeks. half milk half formula then ween him. But I would not take his bottle away and show that you are giving it to the new baby. Imagine the lil guys heartache. He will need extra love and comfort the last thing you need with a new baby is a distresed toddler. Good luck, I hope that helped, Jos

Melanie - posted on 12/02/2009

well my son is 15months an he uses both formula and regular hot chocolate so im weaning him off of the formula now. i dont think he is ready to come off of the bottle as yet tho

Haleh - posted on 12/02/2009

the american academy of pediatric dentist wants you to stop breast feeding and giving milk or juice bottle as soon as the teeth erupt which would be at 6-9 mon. definetely by one year. I usually tell my patients if you can give water bottle after the milk or with a wet guaze wipe the teeth, you will be fine. haleh shaheedy dmd(pediateric dentist)

Sandra - posted on 12/02/2009

As for formula, he should be weaning off of it now. Its not too late ;) As for the bottle don't give it to him. Put his sippy cup down in the middle of the floor, table or where he leaves it. When he wants his bottle tell him no, (its easier said then done! I have been in your shoes) He will go for the sippy cup evenually once he knows that you are not giving in.

Amanda - posted on 12/02/2009

how about trying a sippy with a rubber straw one that is bpa free of course he might like that as well as the bottle or more i know mine did.if would be safe to take him off formula now and try whole milk i gave my little one whole milk at 9 months but she was refusing the formula.hope this helps you some

Mary - posted on 12/02/2009

i took my son off formula when he turned one on the bottle thing we had issues getting him off the bottle because he was disabled and his arms are pretty much just to wear his elbos should of been and he only had one figure and no hands to grip the sippy with and he couldnt lift the sippy up to drink out of really well.. the way we finally got him off the bottle was we told him all his bottle disapeared and there was no more bottles left for him to have we took him to the store well my son is very into spongebob well he found himself a spongebob sippy cup and ever since we got him the sippy cup he hasnt ever asked for it back it worked for him hopefully you can find something that works for your son hope it helps