Table of contents:
- Why do children have to switch to drinking milk using glasses?
- When should children be taught to drink milk using a glass?
A bottle of milk can be said to be a child's "best friend". Usually, the child will look for a bottle of milk before bed. Not surprisingly, some children cannot get out of a bottle of milk until they are older. In fact, there are children who still drink bottle-fed milk when they enter school. Of course, this is not very good. So, at what age should children be introduced to drinking milk with glasses? This is the answer.
Why do children have to switch to drinking milk using glasses?
Children who still drink bottle-fed milk when they are older are considered bad. But, why is it considered like that? What are the dangers of drinking milk from a bottle?
- Trigger tooth decay in children. Usually children drink bottle milk while sleeping. This causes milk containing sugar to pool in the child's teeth, which triggers bacteria to multiply. As a result, children's teeth can become cavities. Not only that, drinking milk in a bottle while sleeping can also cause less saliva production (which cleans food debris on the teeth) to be less, allowing bacteria to multiply more easily.
- Increase the risk of obesity. Children who are used to drinking milk using bottles usually drink milk more often even though they have eaten a lot. This could be because a bottle of milk provides its own comfort. Research has also shown that children who are still using a bottle of milk at the age of two are more likely to be obese by the time they are 6 years old.
- Using a bottle can change his smile. Continuously sucking on a pacifier can change the position of your child's teeth, as well as affect the development of the palate and facial muscles. This can then affect the child's smile line.
When should children be taught to drink milk using a glass?
It's not easy to ask children to switch from bottle to glass. However, it is certainly not good if you continue to let it be. Children need to be taught from an early age so that it is easier for children to get used to it. Don't be afraid if you get out of the bottle, your child's intake will decrease. You can deal with this by increasing the portion of your child's meal.
As reported by WebMD, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children leave their milk bottles before the age of 18 months. Some other experts also recommend that children get out of the bottle before the age of 2 years or earlier is better. If you wait too long to ask your child to get out of the bottle, this will make it more difficult for your child.
Introduce the child to the glass gradually, little by little. Start by giving an example to children how to drink with a glass. Children are good at imitating so he will be able to quickly if he sees it often. Try to encourage your child to drink milk using a glass during the day as it will be more difficult to replace a bottle with a glass when drinking milk at night.
If the child doesn't want to drink milk using a glass, try to offer the child drinking water or juice using a glass first. If the child is able to, introduce the child to drinking milk using a glass and start increasing the frequency of children drinking using a glass. Over time, children will get used to drinking with a glass. It may not be as easy and fast as you think, but the important thing is to keep trying.
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