Babies should generally stop using bottles around 12 to 18 months of age. The transition away from bottles typically begins around 6 months when babies can start trying a cup, and the goal is to complete weaning by about 12 months to avoid issues like tooth decay and to encourage development of proper feeding skills.
Recommended Timing and Reasons to Stop Using Bottles
- Start introducing a cup at about 6 months, when solid foods are introduced and babies can sit up and hold a cup.
- Most pediatricians recommend stopping bottle use completely by 12 months, as continued bottle use past this age can increase the risk of tooth decay, improper dental development, and obesity due to excess milk consumption.
- Weaning can be gradual, replacing bottle feedings with cup feedings over several months, or more immediate depending on the child and family preferences.
Health and Developmental Benefits
- Stopping bottle use by 12 months helps ensure proper oral hygiene and avoids cavities caused by prolonged exposure to milk sugars.
- It encourages toddlers to develop feeding skills by using cups, which supports better nutrition and appropriate solid food intake.
- Weaning also supports emotional and developmental readiness as children become attached to bottles after 12 months, making weaning harder if delayed.
In summary, it is ideal to wean babies off bottles by 12 months of age, starting the introduction to cups at around 6 months and gradually replacing bottle feedings to support dental health and overall development.
