Parents should begin withdrawing the bottle as a way to feed the infant between the first and third year of life, especially when the baby stops suckling, to avoid a greater dependence on the child to suck to feed.
From the moment the baby already holds the plastic cup and drink without gagging, still under the supervision of the parents, you can withdraw the bottle and progress to food only in the cup.
Here are 7 tips to make this process easier.
1. Make the Cup an achievement
A good strategy is for parents to talk to the child and make it seem like the passage from the bottle to the cup is actually an incredible achievement for her.
It should be said that the child is growing up and becoming an adult, thus gaining the right to use the glass as other large and independent people. So she will feel stimulated to make the switch.
2. Create a good environment
To stimulate the child, one tip is that the family is always at the table, especially during main meals and breakfast.
Parents should talk, tell stories and create a pleasant environment where everyone is grown and use glasses and dishes instead of lying on the bed or on the sofa alone with the bottle.
3. Remove the glass gradually
So that it is not a shock to the child, the ideal is to withdraw the glass gradually, beginning by using the glass during the meals of the day and leaving the bottle for the night, if it is necessary to use it.
When using this tactic, it is important to remember not to take the bottle for walks or family visits, because the child should understand that she now uses her own glass.
4. Choose your favorite cup
To further engage the child in the transition process, a good tip is to get her to choose the new cup that will be her own. So she can choose the cup with the photo of her favorite character and her favorite color.
For parents, stick to the tip and choose light, winged cups to help the child hold it. Those with nozzles with nozzles in the tip are a good option to start the process.
5. Giving the bottle to those who need it
Another strategy for the baby to discard the bottle is to say that it will be given to younger children who still do not know how to use the cup or for some childish character, such as Santa Claus or the Easter Bunny.
So when she asks for the bottle back, parents can argue that it has already been given to someone else and that there is no way to get it back.
6. Be firm and do not go back
No matter how well the baby accepts the withdrawal of the bottle, at some point he will miss her and make a tantrum to have her back. However, it is important for parents to resist the child's suffering, because bringing the bottle back will make her understand that she can get everything she wants back, despite a commitment to discard the object.
Therefore, respect the decisions and commitments so that the child also develops this sense of responsibility. Have patience, she will stop tantrums and overcome this phase.
7. Schedule yourself
Parents should schedule and have a goal for the child to stop using the bottle, which is usually indicated within 1 to 2 months until the bottle actually prevails.
During this period the various strategies should be used, remembering not to go back to each step given in this process.
Now see tips on How to Make Your Baby Sleep Through the Night.
