• Keswadee Subsandee D.D.S., Grad. Dip. in Clin. Sc. (Pediatric Dentistry)
• Supaporn Chongvisal D.D.S., M.S., Diplomate, American Board of Pediatric Dentistry
• Napaporn Kittitavornkul
• Nantajit Wangprasertkul

Objective To study the bottle-using behaviors in a group of preschool children in Bangkok, Thailand.

Materials and methods The sample consisted of 970 preschool children aged 1-6 years old from one
kindergarten in Bangkok. Parents/caregivers completed self-administered questionnaires including
information related to demographic data, the childrenûs bottle using or weaning status and the parentsû
attitudes towards bottle using.

Results Out of 824 questionnaires returned (85%), 605 were valid (73.4%). Results showed that 58.2%
(352/605) of children (age 2.6 ± 0.9 years) still used a feeding-bottle while 41.8% (253/605) already
weaned from bottle (age 4.2 ± 1.2 years). The mean age at the weaning time was 2.8 ± 0.9 years.
Different opinions were found in some attitudes between parents/caregivers of bottle-using and
weaning group. The most prevalent reason that led parents/caregivers of bottle-using group to allow
the continuation of the habit was the child refused weaning. Of this group, 32.1% lacked knowledge
concerning the time their children should wean. As for the weaned group, the most reason for weaning
was the children quit the habit by themselves and the most difficult time to wean was before bedtime.
It was also found that the persons who provided weaning information were relatives and friends
(45.6%).

Conclusion Prolonged use of bottles beyond recommended age was found in the majority of preschool
children in this study. Despite of health care workers, laypersons may help provide dental education
including feeding practice information to parents and caregivers.

(CU Dent J. 2008;31:273-82)