Bottles Feeding

It's completely up to you. I personally took all of mine off the bottle by no later than 13 months, but that was mainly because I had them all back to back and it was easier than having them steal each other's bottles. LOL. I think it's good to get them off around the age they are now, but it's completely up to you. There is no right or wrong answer here. If they are drinking out of a sippy cup most of the time they are probably just about ready to be taken off. I don't really feel that a child their age should have the choices of when to be taken off because they aren't old enough to make that decision, but you can. Good luck. Sorry I couldn't be more help, but you're their mom and that's really up to you. If you're ready to take them off then do it.

D.

My son was ready to let go of the bottle completely at about 17 months. He used a sippy for everything else but milk and then one day just took milk in the cup and I never gave him a bottle again. I think it is different for each child. I wouldn't personally worry too much at 13 months because they are still little and showing good mastery of using a sippy for other things. You could just try periodically and see if they are ready. I have a friend who's child just threw the bottle one day, she picked it up and never gave him another bottle, so I think we all handle it based on knowing our kids. As far as keeping 13 month olds busy, that is a task! You can let them color, play with toys, read, watch programs you approve of, if you have a library near by find out what they offer for children during the day, look online for activities for toddlers in your area. I try to have one fun thing everyday if I can. Good luck!! Happy New Year:)

Hi L..

I, too, have b/g twins who are 2 years. I had both of mine off the bottle just before they turned one. I think the real trick here is to not waiver. Do it cold turkey and don't give in to the crying. I don't remember mine crying much. It seems we worked on the sippy cup a couple weeks before the transition. Once we were able to master the sippy cup for meals, I took the bottle away completely.

As far as playtime, if it's not freezing, let them play outside. Bundle them up in coats, hats, and gloves and let them play for 15 minutes or so. The cold, outdoor air will be good for them and it seems like mine get tired more easily. We play outside everyday if it's not freezing or pouring down rain. When it's raining softly, we've been known to go out and run and dance in the rain. Running and dancing with my mom in the rain is one of my fondest memories as a child and guess what! I survived it! LOL. Playing in the cold air or dancing in the rain will NOT make a child ill. We, as a family, love being outside and the cold weather is no exception.

For inside, now is a good time to try working on coloring or easy puzzles. The earlier you start, the better. Now, mind you, their attention span is very short and it's not easy to corral 2 13 month olds for creative time, but begin with short intervals, say 2-5 minutes and work it up. You'll be amazed at how they will enjoy this. We have bins of stamps, WASHABLE markers and crayons, along with coloring books and paper. I like to shop the seasonal's at Hobby Lobby at the end of the season clearance and buy up the self adhesive crafts. They really enjoy creating and, although we began this with my direct supervision and help, they now do it on their own with limited supervision. I'm not saying it doesn't get messy!

L., you may not be a believer in baby gates, but now is the time to start! If you set limits for your children, they will limit themselves. If you give them reign over the house, they wil take it as their own. Children work best with discipline and schedules (as do their parents) and baby gates are a great asset to a family. FInd a place and make it theirs. I have a playroom that has a child size table for their art projects and their toys are all in this room. I do not lock them in there all day long, but do designate a time for them to be confined. You'll be amazed at what they will do in their space. We also have a TV and DVD in their playroom for movie time. Your's are a little young for movies but they will enjoy Little Einsteins, or Barney "shorts". My little boy loves cars and has since early on. My girl has her special babies. Stock your room or area with their toys and let them create their own play. Storytime is difficult with two but give them a stuffed animal to hold while you read to them. I always felt guilty during storytime because I couldn't hold them both at the same time while manuevering the book. The stuffed bears gave them something to cuddle with while I read.

Twins are fun and we are so blessed but it is different when there are two. Being an older Mom, (I'm 40), I didn't know where I'd find the energy but I think my twins energize me! It's definite'y been a learning process. My 3 year old was easy because it was just one. There are only 18 months between the three and it is very busy at my house! I learn new things every day and I find myself seaching for new things for them to do. If you can think it, you can do it!

Have fun! It goes so fast!

Let them have the bottle until they give it up on their own. Each of my now-twenty-something kids took a bottle at naptime until age 3 (milk allergy & bad-smelling Isomil). They are educated, employed, and have beautiful healthy teeth. Choose your battles carefully!

Get large butcher paper from Hobby Lobby or Michael's. Trace around their body and have them color it in. Dance to music--Laurie Berkner or a Kids CD. Play musical instruments--bells, drums. Play basketball with an inflatable ball and a wastebasket. Play hide and seek. Go to the library and check out books and music. All three of my children were drinking from a cup around 13 months old. I didn't put a bottle in their crib. If they are happy with a bottle at naptime, continue with it--just not at bedtime.

At 12 months my son went from a bottle of breastmilk (wouldn't take me and pumped from 6 weeks until 12 months) to a sippy cup of whole milk. The sippy cup had a soft nipple that made the transition easier. We never had any problems. It became part of our routine.

He never layed in bed with a bottle but he would drink from his sippy cup 30-45 minutes before going to bed.

The bottles are recommended to be taken by 12 months, but you can start giving them a cup at bed time gradually and see how that goes. It's mostly an attachment issue at that point since they can already use a sippy. My son's pedi always says that between 12-15 months is when kids start to get attached to objects and that is the best time to redirect the attachment (to a blanket, for example) and get rid of bottles/pacis.
As for play time, we use a lot of very basic toys--wooden mostly--cubes, puzzles, that have pictures of animals, fruits or veggies, shape sorters are excellent at that age. You can also give them a washable crayon and a piece of paper and let them go nuts! Pop up books, any type of board books are good. My son is older (21 months) but loves to draw, "read" and build. He honestly doesn't care for electric/noisy toys. We enjoy the cold days, lots of cuddling :)

Happy Holidays!

Hi L.,
Dont let "they" say when to do ANYTHING! I had a very rude mother come to my house once and "scold" me for bottle feeding my 15 month old. I, of course, ignored her. My DD decided to stop at around 16-17 months. I think bottle feeding ends naturaly with a child when the solid foods are in place. Kids KNOW what they want when they want it. Plain and simple. Not that you cant guide them in the right direction....but, babies are babies....they all do things in their own time. There is no set "rule" for any baby, for any milestone. They do it whan they do it.

Unless there is a medical condition, dont PUSH feedings...it will only make it tough!!!

Good Luck to you,
Margaret