What to Do When Baby Refuses to Bottle Wean 

By Kristi Patrice Carter 

As the time nears when a baby should be weaned from the security of their bottle, anxiety and insecurity may settle in, as an unknown object (like a sippy cup) replaces something familiar and relaxing. Some babies slowly ease into a new routine while others are not as cooperative. The new change may prove too much for them to handle as they flat out refuse to give up their bottle. When a baby resists bottle-weaning attempts, there are many different approaches for parents to consider.  
 
While some parents feel the rush to wean their baby from the bottle, there is truly no need to hurry the process. The sight of a bottle hanging from their child's mouth is one that bothers parents more than it affects the toddler (with the exception to nighttime bottles in the bed, which can cause tooth decay). Many children at the age of two are still attached to their bottle.  
 
Some parents attempt to wean their child from a bottle too early hit a brick wall because their child may not possess the capacity to hold a sippy cup or respond well to solid food. Waiting a little longer until their coordination increases is a good way to approach the situation. Holding the bottle when feeding your child will help make the transition easier when the time comes. It will be easier to reintroduce a sippy cup with less fuss because it is something they can interact with.  

Parents, who choose to wean their baby as soon as possible, should allow their little ones time to continue the use of a pacifier so they may satisfy their need to suck. Some babies actually use their bottles as a pacifier, so when they make the request, substituting the bottle with a true pacifier dipped in juice may cause a welcome distraction.  
 
The most difficult part of weaning a baby is to eliminate their nighttime bottle, which is probably one of their treasured rituals before slipping off into dreamland. Some parents have used a simple trick of watering down the contents of the bottle. Whether it is formula, juice, or breast milk, you may slowly but surely dilute the beverage by increasing the amount of water. Many babies soon find that the bottle is not worth its weight in gold and will eventually cease to wake up and fuss over a simple bottle of water. 
 
Parents who have babies that have not tasted the sweetness of juice for the first time may take advantage of this ally when attempting to bottle wean. To graduate your child to the ranks of a sippy cup, you may introduce juice in such an object to pique their interest. This new substance may prove powerful enough to move your baby to make a successful switch. As your child learns to trust holding a sippy cup and its new construction, they may forget all about their former attachment to the bottle. Sippy cups with bright colors and large handles are easier for babies to get the hang of.  
 
The process of weaning a baby from their valued bottle can be a frustrating journey. For some parents, a wealth of patience, understanding, and creativity is needed to survive this momentary phase. It is important to allow periods of relaxation for both baby and mother. If your baby begins to cry and refuse weaning techniques after your first attempts, you should pause, provide comfort, and try again in a couple of moments. After awhile, your baby will become tired of the process and eventually give in.