Which instruction is appropriate for a child who drinks only from a bottle?

Encouraging the use of colorful cups for a child who only drinks from a bottle is a beneficial strategy, as it can promote the transition from bottle feeding to cup drinking. Colorful cups can be visually appealing and may motivate the child to explore new drinking methods, fostering independence and improving motor skills. This transition is important as extended bottle use can contribute to dental issues such as tooth decay and may hinder the development of drinking skills that are typically encouraged during early childhood.

While increasing bottle feeding, offering smaller bottles, or providing more solid food might seem like viable alternatives, they do not address the goal of transitioning away from the bottle itself. Increasing bottle feeding could reinforce the behavior of exclusively using the bottle, while smaller bottles would still keep the child dependent on the bottle. Providing more solid food does not directly facilitate the change in drinking habits and may not adequately encourage the child to learn to drink from a cup. Thus, the recommendation to encourage the use of colorful cups is a proactive approach to facilitating this important developmental milestone.