Still using a bottle past 1yr - is it really such a crime?

[popeye123]

My dd happily drinks water from a cup (with a spout or even an open one with help).
She very rarely has juice.
But - she LOVES her milk in a bottle. She has about 2 bottles a day. Hardly has any if I give it to her in a cup - even when I've bought a special one just for milk.
I rely heavily on giving her a bottle to get her off to sleep (she loves to suck)so reluctant to get rid of it altogether. It also means I can get her back to sleep easily when she wakes.
I know we're both using it as a comfort, but it doesn't worry me too much because it works!
My DH is a bit concerned though as the advice is to get rid of them altogether after a year.
Are we really committing such a crime?
What are the reasons behind this advice?

[fannyannie]

oh don't worry about it - DS2 was exactly the same - was still having a bottle (for his milk) when he was around 2yrs old - can't remember exactly when it stopped but I know he was nearly/just over 2yrs old).

[CorrieDale]

I think it's because of dental worries. Prolonged sucking and the milk sloshing around baby's mouth.

But you won't hear any criticism from here, because I'm still giving my nearly 2 year old a breastfeed at bedtime and have no intention of giving up. It would be a bit hypocritical of me to say 'well, bfing's OK, but not a bottle' - it's all giving comfort to a child, isn't it?

[VeniVidiVickiQV]

No, its not a crime at all.

But it is important to make sure teeth are cleaned regularly, and preferably after the bottle....

Not entirely possible if its used as a sleep prop though

Dont worry about it too much.

[amidaiwish]

well DD2 is 19m and DD1 is 3.4 and they both STILL have milk in a bottle before bed.

they love it.

i know DD1 is way too old but it was such a battle when i tried to stop it and really, what is the harm? no harm to teeth as she drinks it in 5 mins flat, has never had a dummy or anything.

i guess when we start nights without nappies i'll have to stop the milk before bed anyway.

[amidaiwish]

oh and i do brush teeth after.

but if you had milk in a beaker/cup and didn't brush teeth after then the harm (if any) would be the same.

[Summerfruit]

Message withdrawn

[amidaiwish]

my little sister was 6 when she gave it up

no teeth issues there either!

[Bouquetsofdynomite]

Less of a crime if it's normal cow's milk because that's far less sugary than formula (or Nesquik).

[popeye123]

wow - super quick responses!

thanks ever so much. everyone has their props or bends the rules slightly and this isn't a battle i even want to fight. just thought I ought to check to make sure i wasn't doing any damage (and to get DH off my case).
i bf for 10mths, she never had a dummy, i wash her teeth but before bedtime so if anything i'll start to brush her teeth in the morning too.
i'm also going to try water in the bottle when she wakes in the night as that might be all she needs.
i guess there's always got to be something we feel we aren't getting right!
thanks again.

[popeye123]

thanks bouquetsofdynamtite - thats a really good point.

[Chirpygirl]

I tried giving DD her bedtime milk in a beaker, she had to go back in the bath and I had to get changed.
SO we decided she can have a bottle at night as long as she wants! (she's 16 months)

[gegs73]

DS1 had a bottle at night before bed until he was about 2.4 months. I stopped as he had a stomach upset and didn't have milk for about a week and thought it would be a good time to stop his bottle. I wouldn't worry about it.

[nickytwotimes]

glad you posted this popeye as my ds is 10 mo and though he will take milk from a cup, i feel he still has an emotional need to "suck". makes a hellish mess out the cup too! also, if i'd managed to bf more successfully, i'd probably still be doing it.
btw, friend of mine bfed till 4 years with last kid and didn't brush his teeth afterwards...got into trouble from the dentist, so it's not just ff babies who can have teeth issues.

[Moguie]

DS1 had bottle till 2 1/4 as we would have been waiting round till midnight for him to finish a beaker!

we eventually changed over cos we went to parents for a few nights and forgot the bottles so took the opportunity to try it as we were concsious of all the hype. He now happily drinks out of open top beaker and drinks what he wants before going to bed. Sometimes he drinks all of it other times he just has a few sips then says thanks but no thanks. We just up his cheese and yoghurt intake if we are concerned about his calcium levels.

Not really big deal though on the bottle front. I know someone whos 3 year old still has bottles ! kids suck thumbs/dumbies but you don't get as much grief for that even though does same for teeth structure!!