22 Month Old Still Needs Bottle to Sleep

Hi there-

I have a 22 month old son as well. This was my solution to weaning my little guy from giving him a bottle in his crib when going to bed. I give him a bottle right before bedtime and let him watch tv, read him a book, etc.

If he asks for a bottle when I put him down, I explain that he just had one and it's all gone. I then give him his blankey, binky, lots of kisses and he's off to sleep.

Good Luck!

Ok I'm not proud of this but, I weaned my 4 yr old off breastfeeding. I weaned my 17 and 20 yr old off the bottle the same way. I would put just a little mustard on the nipple. The taste is soo bitter for a young child. They would get upset and I would also act upset. I would say it was no good anymore. Yes they would have me clean it or put more milk in it. I would and sneak the mustard on. After two or three days they just didn't want it. Get into it with them, be upset with the bottle for tasting that way. Just so you know my 4 yr old will not eat anything with mustard. My older children didn't have mustard until they were about 10 or 11. I would love to know if this works for you. Good Luck Mom.

Hi S.:
I agree with SH.I believe I'd give your son a little time with this,I'd get him a fluffy blanket,and a cool stuffed dog to cuddle up with.These could take the place of the bottle in a short time. I believe,Under the circumstances. (Your husband being gone right now,over seas),that your sons probably feeling a bit insecure, and misses his daddy being around.His need for soothing at night is quite understandable.I wish you, your darlin son,and your husband the very best.

Well, speaking about my friend who had this "problem".... (her son was a little older though about 2.5 years old), but for her... she started diluting his before-bed bottle of milk with water.... then gave him the smaller bottle (not the 8 ounce size).... then, she told him that if he wants his milk, "he" can go himself to get it in the fridge. (their kitchen is downstairs). She said that for her, and per her son's personality/understanding, that this worked. He is now off his bottle. She didn't do this over-night... but over a span of a few months.

So this "solution" worked for her and she got creative about solving it this way. Now, he just uses a sippy bottle of water.

Some kids are just more "oral" than others, and it soothes them. For my son, he just likes to hold something as he sleeps... even if it's an "empty" bottle... it's fine with him. Which I put water in it, and even if the bottle is empty though, he'll hang on to that and his stuffed cow.

Maybe your son will take to having a "lovey" to sleep with too? Something to "replace" the bottle????

Good luck hope this helps in some way,
Susan

I, too, was so worried about getting my kids off the bottle for bed by 2 yrs. But now I wonder why I was so intense about it.They are so little and if it happens by 2 or 2 1/2, what is such a big deal. My kids were very attached and I thought it would take forever, but having my husband tell them "the bottles are dirty, we have to wash them", or "the bottles are broken, we will get new ones" each night helped give them a reason why they had to have a sippy cup instead. (They would beg me to go get new ones or wash the dirty ones - guess they know who is the softy). There wasn't a whole lot of arguing with daddy. It took a while and we would cuddle with them on the couch instead of them cuddling with the bottle, but it finally worked and they stopped asking.

S.,

You could try talking to him about being a big boy and that he doesn't need bottles anymore, I was going to say take him with you as you put them in the trash, but having a baby in the house will make that hard if your bottle feeding. If your not bottle feading the baby, pack the bottles up for awhile. I just wouldn't give him one for bed and let him cry it out for awhile. I can't stress enough to moms on her that children need to learn to self sooth. It can take 5 to 10 days of crying to sleep, but it will be worth it...and you can't give in because it will become a cycle you'll never get out of. He's almost two if he's eating solids really well he shouldn't need milk anymore and drinking anything to go to sleep. He'd be getting the nutruiants from the food he eats. Have your tried Pediasure? Talk to your pediatrcian about his diet and you should be just giving him mostly water now unless he's in need of fatining up. That's coming from my pediatrican. He's really blunt and to the point and will tell you how it is. When your little one is a year old would be a good time to start getting off the bottle. Whatever you decide to do the most important thing is to be consistent no matter what especially with potty training also coming up fast. I can't imagin how hard it must be without your husband there to help at least with moral support. Just hang in there and good luck! We'll be praying for your husbands safe return.

Try putting water in the bottle and what he likes in the cup ....

I did have that issue, my son refused bottles all together. However, some friends of mine did and they used the methods mentioned here with great success.

One made a big deal on her daughters third birthday about her being a big girl and how big girls don't use bottles. They did a little ceremony and her daughter threw them away. Of course when night time came her daughter asked for a bottle and they had to reminder her that she threw them away. They did have a "special" sippy for her to use at night only.

Another friend watered down the milk over the course of a month and eventually replaced it with water.

I hope this helps. It does take time and with your hubby being deployed he probably is needing more comforting than usual. Just give him time and remember 2 is not the magic date, no kid ever went off to high school with a bottle.

Just get rid of the bottles alltogether. You can either do it yourself, or have him put them in the trash. Then explain that he doesn't need it anymore. Once they're out of sight, it'll be out of mind too a lot faster. Keeping the bottles could weaken you and/or him. When he asks for a bottle, gently remind him that he threw them out because he's a big boy now. It might be nice to get him a brand new sippy cup. Maybe one that he picks out, or one you know he'll love because it's his favorite color or character. Just be sure to take a lttle more pre-bedtime quality time with him, specially since the new baby's here now. You'll both do great!

At 22 mo. he's definitely old enough to cease the bottle. I would give him a bottle BEFORE bedtime and cuddle, rock, read a book or something else until it's gone. Then brush the little teethies and give him a drip proof sippy cup of water to take to bed. anything other than water is not good for the teeth. And if you tell him no milk after brushing, maybe he'll understand.

HI there, I had the same problem with my now 8 year old....her godmother came to visit and was appalled that I still had her on the bottle - so on her 2nd birtday she and Aunty Jean had a throw your bottles away party - they both put the bottles in the trash and celebrated drinking out of big girl cups - Aunty made a big deal of it and Kiana was so proud....Don't underestimate your child's ability to handle the transition..sometimes it is really us who holds them back - unknowingly and with loving intentions. I had an infant at the time as well and it put a nice distinction between them - I focused on Kiana and her accomplishment and explained how now that she was grown up she could teach baby when he was ready...2 year olds are very very intuitive and smart! He may take a while to drink milk out of the cup so don't force it and eventually he'll miss milk and drink from the cup. And of course, don't waiver; once it's done it's done...no looking back even in the moments when they throw a fit - just change the subject and go forward..GOOD LUCK!

Hi S.,
I too was in the same situation as you. My daughter was 22 months and very attached to her bottle, and i have a newborn in the house. I made my daughter throw the bottles away and told her she was a big girl now. she did it but asked for the bottle at night. she cried and didn't want to take milk in her sippy cup. i told her if she wanted something to drink her only option was the cup.. she cried and then took the cup an hour later.. if there thirsty enough they will eventually take the cup.. just don't give up.

There's some great advice here! I would go gradual as it sounds like he's very attached . . . I would warn you though that the older he gets the harder it'll get . . . my friend's son is turning FOUR next week and STILL needs a bottle . . . yikes. I think it's just gotten harder the older and smarter he gets.

I had to laugh at one post below, she said her friend's son still "needs" a bottle at age 4. They don't need a bottle past age one, and should stop by age 2. Like the others recommend, only use water, and let him cry if he does. He'll get used to it eventually. Anything other than water will cause the teeth to get cavities. Just stand firm. good luck!

Same problem here. I want to see suggestions.

My suggestion was also going to be to dilute with water and eventually switch over. It has worked for parents I know. Be consistant with only giving milk in a cup. maybe you just need to change sippy cup brands.

First, I must commend you on doing a great job as the mom of two small babies. I went through this with my second child. She just could not sleep without her "baba", as we called it. I recommend that you do not give him milk in the bottle. Even if he refuses to drink milk otherwise. Only put water in his bottle. Never put Milk and juice in his bottle. Prepare him for this change. Tell him he is a big boy and gently explain to him that sleeping with a milk bottle may cause his teeth to hurt. Be honest with him that he can only have water in his bottle. Start right away. This is the next step toward getting him off the bottle. You stated that he uses sippy cups so he is a step ahead. Once he gets used to only having water in his bottle it will be a lot easier to get him off. I know you want him off by two years old. However, if it takes longer don't feel bad. It will happen. Every child is different. Don't compare him to others. Don't worry. Remember to be consistent it will be rough for a while, but you will both get through it.