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A Hard Habit to Break
Part One Bring on the Cup
By April E. Clark
The AAP says a major disadvantage of bottle use past the age of 1 is the issue of the bottle becoming a security object. The AAP suggests restricting bottle use to feedings, when a child is sitting down or when a parent is holding the toddler. Do not permit toddlers to carry or drink from a bottle during playtime – instead, provide them with a sippy cup featuring two handles and a snap-on lid with a spout to minimize spills.
"Weaning was easier for me with my first son, Ethan," Stacey says. "He just wasn't as attached to things as Colin. The only 'security' Ethan had was his Matchbox cars. As long as he had those in his hands he didn't care what I took away from him."
Health Issues
According to the AAP, there are also several health-related drawbacks to allowing a child to drink from a bottle after 12 months. Babies can develop a condition called baby bottle tooth decay, in which incoming teeth become susceptible to deterioration, as milk or juice remain