Helping Your Baby Transition Off Bottles

By Priya Elkins, Early Years Contributor | Baby & Toddler Column | Childcare Standards Council

For many families, bottles become a comforting part of daily life in a baby’s first year. But as your child grows, there comes a time when it’s best to move on. In the UK, health professionals recommend beginning the transition away from bottles by around 12 months. This shift supports healthy development, but understandably, it can feel daunting.

If you’re wondering when and how to help your baby stop using bottles, you’re not alone. In this gentle, practical guide, we’ll explore why the transition matters, when to begin, and how to make the process smoother for both you and your little one.

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Why Should Babies Stop Using Bottles?

By 12 months, babies can usually begin drinking from a cup, and continuing with bottles beyond this age can lead to several concerns:

Dental Health

Long erm bottle use, especially when babies fall asleep with milk, increases the risk of tooth decay. Milk contains natural sugars, which can pool around emerging teeth and feed bacteria overnight.

Oral Development

Extended use of bottles may also affect speech development and mouth formation, particularly if your child continues sucking on a teat frequently past their first birthday.

Appetite Regulation

Sipping milk from a bottle throughout the day can fill your baby up and interfere with their appetite for solid food, slowing down the weaning process.

When Should You Start the Transition?

The NHS and most UK health visitors recommend starting to phase out bottles by 12 months, ideally replacing them with an open or free flow cup.

However, every baby is different. Some are happy to switch with minimal fuss, while others need a gentler, more

gradual approach. The key is to start at a time when your child is well, not during illness, major teething phases, or big life changes like starting nursery or moving house.

Which Cups Are Best for the Transition?

In 2025, there are plenty of options for baby cups on the market, but experts recommend choosing one that:

• Has no valve (a free flow spout) to encourage sipping rather than sucking

• Is easy to hold with two handles

• Is durable and easy to clean

• Can be used independently at mealtimes

Open cups or free flow beakers are ideal. Avoid “no spill” cups with complex valves, as they still encourage sucking

similar to a bottle and may delay proper drinking skills.

If your baby struggles with an open cup at first, try offering small sips of water during mealtimes to build familiarity. Practise makes perfect.

How to Start: A Gentle Step by Step Guide

Here’s how to help your baby gradually let go of the bottle in a way that’s kind, clear and developmentally supportive.

1. Start With Daytime Feeds

Begin by replacing one daytime bottle (perhaps the midday milk) with milk in a cup. Many parents find this easier to manage than tackling morning or bedtime bottles first.

Let your baby explore the cup without pressure, and sit with them during feeds to provide reassurance and encouragement.

2. Offer Water in a Cup From 6 Months

If you haven’t already, start offering sips of water in an open cup with meals from 6 months. This sets a foundation for future transitions and helps babies get used to drinking from something other than a bottle.

3. Gradually Reduce Bottle Feeds

After replacing the daytime feed, begin working on the morning or afternoon bottle. The bedtime bottle is usually the hardest to give up, so leave this one for last if needed.

Stick to the new routine for a few days or a week before moving on to the next bottle. Slow and steady helps minimise resistance.

4. Create a New Bedtime Routine

If your baby relies on a bottle to settle at night, try creating a comforting new routine:

• Warm bath

• Gentle story

• Cuddles

• Milk from a cup

• Toothbrushing

• Bedtime

Keep it calm and consistent. If your baby resists, hold the boundary with empathy. Change can be hard, but loving reassurance helps them adapt.

5. Don’t Reintroduce Bottles Once They’re Gone

Once you’ve phased out a bottle, try not to bring it back even during difficult nights. Reintroducing bottles can confuse your baby and delay the transition. Stick to cups and offer comfort in other ways (hugs, stories, music) if they’re unsettled.

How Much Milk Does My Baby Need After 12 Months?

By their first birthday, babies still need milk, but not as much as in the early months. NHS guidelines suggest:

• Around 300 to 400ml (10 to 13oz) of milk per day after 12 months

• This can be cow’s milk or a suitable alternative (like fortified oat or soya milk) if breastfeeding has stopped

Milk can be offered in a cup with breakfast and at bedtime. It’s also fine for babies to get calcium and other nutrients from dairy foods like cheese and yoghurt as their diet broadens.

Common Challenges and How to Respond Gently

"My baby refuses the cup."

Try different styles of cups, let your baby choose one if they’re old enough, and model using it yourself. Toddlers love to copy!

Offer small sips at each mealtime. Many babies resist at first but warm up over time.

"They cry for their bedtime bottle."

This is one of the toughest parts of the transition. Offer plenty of closeness, rocking, lullabies, a warm blanket, and keep the rest of the bedtime routine predictable. It might take a few days, but consistency helps them adjust.

"They’re drinking less milk now."

That’s OK! As long as your child is eating a balanced diet and getting fluids, a reduction in milk is expected. After 1 year, food becomes the main source of nutrition, and milk becomes a supplement, not the main meal.

When to Seek Support

If your baby is over 18 months and still reliant on bottles, or if the transition is causing high levels of stress, speak with your health visitor. They can offer personalised advice and help troubleshoot any difficulties.

Final Thoughts: Patience, Not Perfection

Helping your baby transition off bottles is an important milestone, but it doesn’t have to happen overnight. A calm, loving approach, with plenty of patience and encouragement, can make all the difference.

Remember: it’s not just about giving up bottles, but building new skills and routines that support healthy development for the years ahead.

Celebrate the small wins. Every step you take is helping your child grow in independence, confidence, and good health.