Why should babies be weaned off bottle at 12 months and not later?

It has come to my attention that many infants and toddlers are left on the bottle till early childhood.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends this for the following reasons.

1.Dependency: When kids are allowed to keep their bottles past their first birthdays, they quickly develop a strong dependency on them and it becomes harder and harder to wean them off.

2.Dental Health: Tooth decay occurs when continuous flow of formula pools and bathes the teeth. Ensure your baby's dental health-wean at age one.

3.Better solid food intake: Weaning reduces Baby's dependence on the bottle, and ensures better nutrition for age with food variety.

4.Developmental skill: Weaning advances Baby to the next developmental step in feeding and teaches new muscle movements.

5.Anemia: A child who drinks more than 24 ounces of milk each day may be too full to eat important iron-rich foods.

6.Weight problems: Too many bottles may mean either too many total calories or not enough calories or not enough calories from food.

Lucille Beseler elected to ADA Board of Directors 2011-2012

I am so happy to share this news!
Press Release:

AMERICAN DIETETIC ASSOCIATION NAMES 2011-12 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

CHICAGO – Seventeen national leaders in nutrition, medicine, industry and public health will serve as the 2011-12 Board of Directors of the American Dietetic Association, the world’s largest organization of food and nutrition professionals. The Board is responsible for strategic planning, policy development and fiscal management for the Association.
Members of ADA’s 2011-12 Board of Directors will serve from June 1 to May 31, 2012.


Editors: Please note local interest.

Lucille Beseler, MS, RD, LDN, CDE, Margate, Fla. Director-at-Large
Beseler is the president and owner of Family Nutrition Center, Family Nutrition Communications and the nonprofit Family Nutrition Center Foundation all located in South Florida. She serves as a nutrition consultant to the Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital and was recently the recipient of the Florida International University Paths of Excellence Award for her work with Childhood Obesity. Her past appointments include the Fl. Board of Medicine Dietetic/Nutrition Practice Council and President of the Florida Dietetic Association. Ms. Beseler is a member of Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz’s health care reform work group.


The American Dietetic Association is the world’s largest organization of food and nutrition professionals. ADA is committed to improving the nation’s health and advancing the profession of dietetics through research, education and advocacy. Visit the American Dietetic Association at www.eatright.org.