Ditching the Naptime and Bedtime Bottle... 1 Yr. Old

Updated on August 25, 2010
M.S. asks from Clearwater, FL
5 answers

Hi,

My son is turning 1 in a few days and I feel like I've broken every rule 'they' say not to do... My son is accustomed to having a bottle while falling asleep for naptime and bedtime.. I'm worried about his teeth.. Any ideas for weaning him?

He takes the bottle into the crib with him and when he's done with it he takes it out of his mouth. (it's usually somewhere to the side...)

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.H.

answers from Kansas City on

Do you mean you feed him before he sleeps or he takes the bottle into the crib with him? If you're giving it to him and then taking it away, it really isn't a big deal. If he has teeth you should be brushing them, but if you're not don't stress, just try and do it relatively soon. I would have him sit somewhere other than his room and give him the bottle while holding him, do a quick tooth brush and put him to bed. I can't remember but I may not have started brushing my daughter's teeth until after we took away the nighttime cup of milk...so you could wait a bit too. Now, if you're putting it in the crib with him, that's not as good. I like the advice Momofone mentioned. Gradually transition to a sippy and then start taking it away. He probably uses a sippy already right? If he uses it for other feedings it won't be too hard to get him used to using it at bed time too.

2 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.R.

answers from Minneapolis on

First I would start with getting him to drink his bottle before he goes to sleep. Then, I would take the naptime bottle and switch it with a sippy cup. Then when he is done with the naptime bottle move on to the night time one. I would definitely stop the naptime one first as if naptime doesnt go well, then you will have respite with night coming soon. I would say on average it usually takes a good week or so before they are used to the cup. Dont be surprised if they try to ask for the bottle, but be strong. I know you can do this! :) Hope this helps, oh and I work with infants every day and know this for certain... :) Oh, and trust me you have not broken every "rule" you would be amazed at what I see on a daily basis... Your doing good!

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

W._.

answers from Harrisburg on

I would certainly get rid of the bottle or just do NOT let him sleep with it....I did this all the time; (even after the bottle) my son took sippy cup to bed with juice....ended up with seven cavities and needed a crown....they had to put him to sleep to do this procedure.......yes, they even fix childrens teeth at this age...but my son needed a crown because it was a tooth that would not fall out until 12 years old. The whole cost was over $3500

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.B.

answers from Philadelphia on

I would fill it with water instead of milk. Then eventually switch it to a sippy cup of water. The biggest tooth concern is the kid falling asleep with milk sitting in their mouth. Thus leading to cavities. If they are drinking water, cavities are not a concern. Eventually, you may wish to get rid of the sippy cup as well, b/c it could be harder to night potty train your child if they are drinking just before falling asleep. My oldest started taking a sippy cup of water to bed with him when he was around 18 months. Our house gets very dry in the winter & he was waking multiple times to get a drink. My husband & I have water bottles next to our bed, so we figured he should be allowed to have one too. Surprisingly it has not affected his potty training at all. He wakes up dry just about every morning, even if he has finished the entire cup.
Good luck & don't beat yourself up so much. You are doing fine.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.R.

answers from Philadelphia on

If he still really likes his bottle, give him the bottle before he gets in the crib. My daughter is almost 2 and she still gets a bedtime bottle. She sits on my lap in the glider to drink her bottle, then we brush her teeth right after. She gets a sippy cup of water to keep in her crib overnight. As long as you are brushing his teeth after he's done the bottle it's fine- the tooth decay concerns come from milk (or juice) sitting on the teeth for a long time.

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions