Bottle Weaning Guide: Signs Your Baby Is Ready To Transition and What to Do

Here at Pigeon, we recognise that the journey of parenthood is marked by a series of significant developmental milestones - the transition away from the bottle - is undoubtedly one of them. While the bottle serves a vital purpose in the first year, understanding the appropriate timing for weaning and recognising the signs of readiness is crucial for your child's continued health and development.

When should your baby stop using the bottle?

Leading paediatricians and child health experts generally recommend that weaning off the bottle should start at around 12 months of age, with the expectation of complete discontinuation by 18 months. This guidance is rooted in evidence indicating that prolonged bottle use can present several potential health concerns:

- Pigeon's partner Pediatric Dentist, Dr Rashidof confirms that extended bottle use increases tooth decay in toddlers due to the prolonged exposure of developing teeth to milk or juice. If you have more questions about tooth decay in children, check out our My First Dental Lesson page, a place designated to all things dental hygiene. 

- Excessive milk consumption from bottles can also sometimes contribute to iron deficiency by displacing the intake of iron-rich solid foods.

According to NSW Health, what age to stop bottle feeding depends on your child, but it is recommended to stop drinking from a bottle at 12 months. Children older than 12 months should have no more than 2 to 3 cups of milk per day. 

What are the signs your baby is growing out of the bottle?

Observing your child's behaviour can provide valuable insights into their readiness to transition from a bottle. So, when should baby stop using bottle? Certain cues may indicate that the bottle is no longer optimally serving their needs:

- Increased expressions of discomfort, such as persistent high-pitched crying, clenched fists, or drawing their legs up, particularly during or after feeding times.

- Difficulties with feeding or experiencing disrupted sleep patterns, especially in the late afternoon or evening.

Recognising these signals allows for a more informed and responsive approach to the weaning process.

Here at Pigeon, we believe that facilitating a smooth transition requires a gradual approach. The following practical steps can aid in making this change more manageable for both you and your little one.

Strategies for easing the bottle weaning process

- Begin by substituting one bottle feeding per day, ideally a daytime feeding, with milk offered in a training straw bottle.

- Introduce the straw cup during mealtimes to help establish an association between drinking from a training straw bottle and your established eating routines.

- Use positive reinforcement through encouragement, verbal praise, and demonstrating training straw usage.

- Gradually decrease the number of bottle feedings over a period of several weeks, allowing your child time to adapt.

- Address nighttime bottle feedings last, recognising their strong association with comfort and security.

Pigeon’s New Step-up Bottle Set

To further support this developmental stage, consider our new Smooth Transition Step-Up Bottle Set, a thoughtfully designed range aiming to facilitate a seamless and comfortable transition from nursing bottle to weaning. 

- Smooth, stage-based transition from nipple to straw supports weaning with familiar shapes and soft silicone for easy acceptance.

- Supports development of oral motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and independent drinking with ergonomic handles.

- Convenient and hygienic all-in-one set with training & drinking straws, gravity ball for 360° drinking, and a straw-cleaning brush.

- Eco-conscious design made from sustainable Biomass-PP and fully compatible with other Pigeon bottles.

The transition away from the bottle is a significant step, and it is important to acknowledge that every child progresses at their own pace. If your child needs more time to adjust, it's essential to remember that you're not alone in this experience. Maintaining flexibility, gradually reducing bottle usage, and ultimately prioritising your child's individual needs and comfort are paramount.