J.W.
K.:
It is exactly as Britney said. It is their source of comfort. Why would you take it away so early or at all. I know I am on the opposite end of the spectrum on this issue, but have stated before and will again. I never "took" my daughters bottle, passy or blanket from her. She gave them up when she was finished with them. They will not want them forever and in reality if you think about it sucking on a bottle or a cup are the same thing. One has a nipple and one doesn't, but it is still the same concept. If you are a coffee drinker or cigarette smoker, it gives you comfort. Would you like someone larger than you to say o.k. you are XXX years old and no more coffee for you or cigarette for you, just because you are this age and I am bigger and can do it. I don't give a flip about what experts say, usually they have not raised kids or even had any of their own.
I get so tired of living in a "hurried child" world where we want to pop them out and not enjoy childhood. We have to get out of the baby bed early, potty train early, barely even get a bottle at all and be on little league by the time we can walk.
Please take time to enjoy the baby times and childhood times. They will be grown forever and then you cannot recapture it. Pleast take time to read "The Hurried Child."
Just my 2 cents worth. Take or leave it.
J.