Ditching the Bottle

When should you ditch the bottle? P2B thoughts… 

P2B generally recommends transitioning away from bottles before or around 18 months, and ideally no later than 2 years of age.

Why make the change?

After 12 months, milk should gradually become part of a meal — not the main meal itself. It’s easy to forget that milk is a food, not just a drink. When toddlers fill up on milk, they’re often less hungry for breakfast and other important foods throughout the day.

Too much milk beyond this age can be linked to:
• Iron deficiency anaemia
• Reduced appetite for iron-rich foods (meat, legumes, wholegrains, iron-fortified cereals)
• Tooth decay
• Increased risk of middle ear infections
• Excess calorie intake

While cow’s milk contains valuable nutrients, it is naturally low in iron. When milk replaces a varied diet, little ones may miss out on nutrients needed for energy, growth and development.

Bottles — especially at bedtime or when lying down — can also increase the risk of tooth decay, as milk sugars remain in contact with teeth for longer.

✨ “But the bottle is part of our bedtime routine…”
I hear this often. Yes, some toddlers protest change — but many adapt beautifully to new rituals like books, songs, cuddles or quiet connection before sleep. Parents are often surprised by how quickly their toddler adjusts — and how much their eating improves once bottles are removed.

A gentle reminder when moving away from the bottle:
• Most toddlers don’t need milk from a bottle after about 12–18 months
• Too much milk can crowd out other important foods
• Calcium can come from a variety of foods — yoghurt, cheese, custard and meals shared with the family

As always, these are general P2B recommendations and may not suit every child or family. For personalised guidance, speak with your GP or a paediatric dietitian

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