Bottles & Babies

[coolconfidentme]

Do you lay babies down with a bottle? I have a new 13 mth old who takes a bottle at nap time & we are weening him off of it. I had a surprise inspection yesterday at nap time. Inspector said NO bottles in PNP. (I couldn't find it in the regs) I was told to inform the parents & ween babies quickly off of nap time bottles.

I don't like bottles in bed, but it seems to bed the norn for parents these days. Suggestions anyone?

[MsLaura529]

We are not allowed to do so according to our regs in MI. Plus, doctors and dentists are against it.

Does he fall asleep while drinking it? Could you have him drink it in your arms or in a Boppy pillow, fall asleep and then quickly transfer him to the pnp?

[LK5kids]

Laying a child down with a bottle can easily cause tooth decay and also ear infections. The tubes in the ears lead to the throat and milk backs up into these tubes if the child is not fed at an angle and stays still (as in going to sleep). I'm thinking as infants get older and hold their own bottle, finish, get up and crawl away, move around enough to cause the milk to drain. Also younger infants who have had a bottle propped,have stopped swallowing and choked.

I'm surprised this is not in your regulations.:confused:

[Leigh]

My state's rules don't allow it, and I don't allow it, either. I had a parent who was furious with me because her daughter couldn't sleep without a bottle and a blanket over her head (7 months). I termed after 3 weeks of mom's complaining. My handbook clearly states that neither are allowed, but some people think it doesn't apply to them.

[Blackcat31]

Never. I also do NOT allow anyone over 12 months to use/have a bottle.

[Crazy8]

never. never did it for my own kids and wouldn't do it for a daycare baby. They finish bottle and then get put down for nap. No exceptions.

[Heidi]

Never. I also do NOT allow anyone over 12 months to use/have a bottle.

This!

I once enrolled at 3 YEAR OLD who was still going to sleep with a bottle. All her teeth were black! Mom put milk or juice in the bottle..

It was a long time ago, but I think what I did was tell the girl (remember, she was 3), that I was only allowed to give water in bottles at my house (rules, you know). She could have milk in a cup BEFORE bed, and water in her bottle. She took it, but wasn't really interested, so a week or so later I was able to get rid of the bottle easily.

With a 14 month old, I'd probably start with watering it down and putting less and less in the bottle. In about a weeks time, it would be 2 oz of water, then an empty bottle.

You could either try that or go cold turkey, but if mom is still giving it at home, that would be tricky.

Show her this picture:

https://www.google.com/search?q=bottle+mouth&hl=en&qscrl=1&rlz=1T4GGNI_enUS545US545&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=Gy0vUtyuAqS42QW1pYDYBQ&sqi=2&ved=0CDAQsAQ&biw=1051&bih=475#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=xbnE8Qc3dTxyQM%3A%3BeXAPnZJsTDSptM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fdoctorspiller.com%252Fimages%252FPedo%252Fnursing%252520bottle%252520syndrome_6.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fdoctorspiller.com%252Fnursing_bottle_syndrome.htm%3B448%3B298

That should get the point across!

[LaLa1923]

this!

I once enrolled at 3 year old who was still going to sleep with a bottle. All her teeth were black! Mom put milk or juice in the bottle..

It was a long time ago, but i think what i did was tell the girl (remember, she was 3), that i was only allowed to give water in bottles at my house (rules, you know). She could have milk in a cup before bed, and water in her bottle. She took it, but wasn't really interested, so a week or so later i was able to get rid of the bottle easily.

With a 14 month old, i'd probably start with watering it down and putting less and less in the bottle. In about a weeks time, it would be 2 oz of water, then an empty bottle.

You could either try that or go cold turkey, but if mom is still giving it at home, that would be tricky.

Show her this picture:

https://www.google.com/search?q=bottle+mouth&hl=en&qscrl=1&rlz=1t4ggni_enus545us545&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=x&ei=gy0vutyuaqs42qw1pydybq&sqi=2&ved=0cdaqsaq&biw=1051&bih=475#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=xbne8qc3dtxyqm%3a%3bexapnzjstdsptm%3bhttp%253a%252f%252fdoctorspiller.com%252fimages%252fpedo%252fnursing%252520bottle%252520syndrome_6.jpg%3bhttp%253a%252f%252fdoctorspiller.com%252fnursing_bottle_syndrome.htm%3b448%3b298

that should get the point across!

ditto!!

[sharlan]

Absolutely no bottles in bed, regardless of the regulations. I consider them a chocking hazard.

No bottles after a year.

I was at the store the other day and a girl about 4 or 5 was walking around with a pacifier in her mouth and a bottle in her hand.

[Cat Herder]

"No bottles in crib" were put into our regs in the 90's. It goes much further, now, saying infants are to be held for ALL bottles. Meals and drinks are to be served in high chairs/ at table, only.

**The goal (seemingly) is to motivate providers to support the child in learning self care, not placating...

I personally start at 6-7 months offering water from sippy cups after each bottle and throughout the day.By 12 months mine are completely off bottles, (most around 9 months), if they can hold their own bottle, they can hold a sippy.

[Patches]

No bottles in bed ever.

[Lavender]

We are only allowed to give a baby a bottle in our arms/lap or in a high chair. I've never in my life given a baby a bottle in bed. At 13 months most of the kids in my class are drinking their milk from sippy cups.