How to help Toddlers Give up Bottles

Many toddlers absolutely love their bottles or “babas,” as they are sometimes deemed. They will fight you if you try to take them away from bottles, however children cannot use bottles forever. There are different strategies that you can employ to help your child move from a bottle into a big kid cup.
Offer rewards
Sometimes a little bribery is all that is needed to get your child away from the bottle. For instance, you can give your child a little chocolate chip every time he or she forgoes the bottle. You could give him or her a stamp on his or her hand. You can also offer a larger prize for when he or she finally decides to give up the bottle altogether.
Give a better alternative
In many cases, the child is just moving up to sippy cups, which are actually not all that different than bottles. Let the child come with you to the store to find the one he or she likes. They make many of these with popular children’s characters, such as the Disney princesses and Mickey Mouse. They also make cups that have straws, which might be fun for kids.
Use positive praise
Talk about how wonderful sippy cups are. If he or she gives it up for a meal, then heap lots of praise on him or her. Talk about how he or she is now a “big kid” and how proud you are. You can also talk about how bottles are for babies. Your toddler may decide that he or she is not a baby and want to move to the next stage on his or her own.
Model others
Many toddlers like to follow what others do. If a toddler sees friends doing something, he might decide it is the right thing to do, especially if he holds this other person in high esteem. If your toddler has a sibling or a friend who is past the bottle, then show him or her how that child drinks. Offer your toddler the same thing while with the other child. Your toddler may want to follow along with the friend and may agree to switch.
It is difficult when your toddler does not want to switch away from the bottle. Sometimes you just need to give it a little time, especially if he or she is saying “no” more out of stubbornness than actually needing the bottle. Try the different techniques until you find the one that works for you.