'Change to cup': an audit to determine parental awareness and practices inchanging from bottle to cup

Background It is recommended that infants from the age of 6 months should b e introduced to drinking from a cup and the use of a bottle should be activ ely discouraged after the age of 1 year. The number of young children using a feeder bottle after the age of 1 year is not known but it is recognized by health professionals 'growing' concern. Aims To obtain local information ab out the numb er of children using a bot tle past the age of 1 year, what fluids were being offered and to assess pa rental awareness about when a cup can be introduced. Methods The study data was collected by questionnaire from 407 parents betw een Tune 1998 and January 1999. Socially disadvantaged groups were targette d for the sample group as well as care being taken to include a representat ive ethnic population. Results Ninety-nine per cent of the study infants were below the age of 2 y ears, with the age range being 12-28 months. Thirty per cent were using onl y a cup/beaker, 8% of infants still used a bottle only, and 62% used both a bottle and a cup. Drinks/food other than milk and water had been offered f rom the bottle by 47% of respondents. More than 60% of the parents thought that the age at which the use of a bottle should be discontinued was older than that recommended. Only 18% thought a cup/beaker could be introduced as early as 6 months. Conclusion The results show that there is a need to actively encourage the use of a cup at an earlier age and to discourage the inappropriate and exte nded use of a feeder bottle. Barriers to change need to be addressed.