Ask Dr. Mona

Many parents find that their child is happy drinking water or milk from a cup during the day but still holds onto those morning and bedtime bottles. The goal is to transition away from the bottle between 12-18 months, and the best approach depends on your child’s temperament.

Before choosing a method, make sure your child knows how to drink from a straw or open cup. You can check out this PedsDocTalk YouTube video for tips on introducing cups. Once they have the skill, it’s about consistency and patience. There are two common methods:

• Cold turkey– this means eliminating all bottles at once and only offering cups. This works best for children with an easygoing temperament who can handle sudden change.

• Gradual weaning– dropping bottles one at a time, starting with the least important one, which tends to be smoother for most toddlers.

Since he is already used to a sippy cup during the day, a gradual approach may work best. Try removing the morning bottle next and offering milk in a cup instead. If he resists, that’s okay! Keep offering it in a familiar setting and stay consistent. It may take time, and there may be some initial frustration, but with patience and reassurance, he’ll learn to adapt–sometimes sooner than we expect.

The bedtime bottle is often the hardest to let go of since it’s not just about nutrition–it’s also a source of comfort. If this bottle is part of your bedtime routine, here are some ways to ease the transition:

• Offer the milk earlier in the evening– separate drinking milk from the bedtime routine to break the sleep association.

• Introduce a cup in a familiar routine– offer milk in a cup while you snuggle with a book.

• Replace comfort with another cue– if the bottle is soothing, try a special lovey, extra cuddles, or another bedtime book.

It’s common for kids to be frustrated at first– toddlers thrive on routine, and the bottle has been a big part of theirs! Stay patient and consistent. They may protest, but if they truly want the milk, they’ll eventually take it from the cup.

For more guidance, tips, and reassurance check out this PedsDocTalk YouTube video about transitioning from a bottle, including sample schedules, different weaning strategies, and what to do if they refuse.

It’s understandable to feel overwhelmed when your toddler hits you, especially when it feels like you’re the only target. It sounds like you’re already on the right track by responding right away and setting a boundary. At 2½, hitting is often less about aggression and more about testing boundaries, expressing frustration, or seeking a reaction. The key is to stay calm, set clear limits, and be consistent in your response.

• Keep your response neutral and firm– Instead of a big reaction, use simple language like, “No hitting. That hurts.” If he hits while you’re holding him, calmly put him down (as you do) and add, “I won’t let you hit me.” If needed, move him to another space to prevent more hitting.

• Redirect his energy– many toddlers hit when they don’t have the words to express frustration or when they’re seeking stimulation. After setting the boundary, guide him toward a “yes” behavior that channels his energy in a better way– jumping, clapping, or dancing!

• Model and reinforce gentle behavior– Show him what gentle touch looks like by softly touching his cheek and saying, “Let’s use soft hands like this. Can you show me?” When he does, praise him: “That was so gentle–I love how you used soft touches!” The more he hears positive reinforcement for the right behavior, the more likely he’ll repeat it.

This stage takes lots of repetition, but every moment of consistency builds the foundation. He’s learning, and with time, hitting will fade. If you need more support, the PedsDocTalk Toddlers & Tantrums Course is a parenting playbook to help you manage toddler emotions, behavior, and meltdowns with confidence.

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Dr. Mona will answer these questions in a future Sunday Morning Q&A email. Chances are if you have a parenting concern or question, another parent can relate. So let's figure this out together!