By: Sarah Bossio, Certified Pediatric Sleep Expert
You're not alone if you're wondering when and how to transition your baby off bottles. Many parents face this milestone with uncertainty, especially when bottles have been a constant part of daily life.
Weaning off bottles isn't just a change for your baby—it's also a big adjustment for parents. For months (or even years), you've measured ounces, sterilized parts, and relied on bottles for nourishment and comfort. But now, it's time to make the shift.
And here's why it matters: What your baby drinks during the day can directly impact its sleep, especially those early morning wake-ups.
Why This Matters for Sleep
I'm not a paediatrician or dietitian, but I work daily with feeding schedules as a baby sleep expert. I've helped hundreds of families navigate the bottle-to-cup transition and have seen firsthand how daytime nutrition impacts nighttime sleep.
Keeping your baby in bottles for too long can:
✔️ Reduce their appetite for solid foods
✔️ Lead to early morning wake-ups due to habit-based hunger
✔️ Make the transition to cups harder the longer you wait
The good news? The earlier you start, the easier it is.
When Should You Drop the Bottle?
Your baby's first birthday is the best time to transition away from bottles. By 12 months, babies are developmentally ready to move from bottles to sippy or straw cups. Waiting too long can make the process harder, as older toddlers form stronger emotional attachments to bottles.
Why 12 Months is the Right Time:
Solid foods become the primary source of nutrition at this age, with milk as a supplement.
Prolonging bottle use makes the transition more challenging later.
Moving to cups supports oral development and better mealtime habits.
Step 1: Introduce Cups Early
Would you want to drink every meal from a bottle? Probably not—and neither does your growing baby!
How to Make the Switch Easier:
✅ Introduce sippy or straw cups around 10-11 months so your baby has time to practice. ✅ Offer formula, water, or milk in a cup during meals. ✅ Choose straw cups over sippy cups—speech therapists recommend them for better oral development.
Step 2: Adjust Milk Intake
You've spent a year tracking every ounce of milk, and now, suddenly, your baby needs much less? It can feel like a significant shift, but here's what you need to know:
How Much Milk Does a 12-Month-Old Need?
Pediatricians recommend 8-16 ounces of cow's milk or a dairy alternative per day.
This is much less than the 24-28 ounces they were drinking.
Mindset Shift for Parents:
Milk is now a side beverage, not the main meal. Instead of bottles being the focus, balanced meals take centre stage.
Sample Feeding Schedule for a 12-Month-Old:
Breakfast: Oatmeal, banana + 4 oz sippy cup of milk
Snack: Fruit and crackers + water
Lunch: Chicken, veggies + 4 oz sippy cup of milk
Afternoon Snack: Cheese and whole grain toast + water
Dinner: Pasta with meat sauce + 4 oz sippy cup of milk
Step 3: Drop the Bottle
If your baby is between 12 and 14 months old, the best approach is to drop bottles altogether.
Why Cold Turkey Works Best:
✅ Younger babies adapt faster. ✅ The transition is often easier than parents expect. ✅ Babies will drink from a cup when they're genuinely thirsty.
When my daughter turned one, my father-in-law gave her the last bottle at bedtime, and that was it—the full transition to sippy cups the next day. There was no turning back!
What If Your Child is 15+ Months Old and Still Using Bottles?
The bottle is more than just a feeding tool for older toddlers—it's a comfort object.
How to Wean an Older Toddler:
✔️ Replace bottles with a straw or sippy cup. ✔️ Offer milk only at mealtimes. ✔️ Remove bottles entirely to avoid temptation.
Some parents try cutting the nipple or switching to water, but removing bottles is the most effective method. Expect a short adjustment period, but rest assured—your child will adapt faster than you think.
Step 4: Expect a Short Adjustment Period
What to Expect:
Your child may drink less for a few days—this is normal.
The appetite for solids will naturally increase as milk intake decreases.
How to Know They're Getting Enough:
✔️ Wet diapers and regular potty breaks indicate proper hydration.
✔️ No bottles in the house = no temptation.
Bonus: How Dropping Bottles Helps Sleep
Here's an unexpected perk of saying goodbye to bottles—better sleep!
Bottles often become a sleep association, making it harder for babies to self-soothe.
Removing bottles can help with:
Early morning wake-ups (less reliance on a bottle for hunger)
Improved overnight sleep (better digestion from eating solids)
Sleep Tip: If your baby relied on a bottle at bedtime, replace it with a small, nutritious snack instead.
Final Thoughts
The sooner you transition away from bottles, the easier the process will be. As a bonus, you'll never have to rewash bottle parts!
💬 Tell me in the comments—how old is your child, and what's your biggest struggle with weaning off bottles? 👍 If you found this helpful, give this a like and subscribe for more expert sleep and baby tips!
🌐 Visit YourZenBabySleep.com for sleep programs and resources. Thanks for being here—I can't wait to support you on your journey!
Did you know? I also host a weekly Q&A on my Instagram. Tune in or send me a DM on the 'gram!
I work with families one-on-one all the time who are experiencing issues with their babies' naps, overnight sleep, and more. If this sounds like you, please book a 15-minute sleep assessment call just so I can understand a little bit more about your child's sleep and then explain ways that I can work one-on-one with you to get it in order.
May your coffee be warm,
Sarah
Sarah is a Certified Pediatric Sleep Expert based in the NY/NJ Tri-State area and has helped over 500 families worldwide get their sleep back on track.
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