Toddler Connected to Sleep and Bottle What Have I Done!!!

I had the same problem with my first daughter when she was 13 month old. What I did was fill her bottle with water and change the nipple to stage 1 so it was harder to get the water out and offered her a cup of milk. After the second or third time doing this, she chose the cup. I let her start taking the cup to bed with her. After she was a sleep, I change the milk cup to a water cup so when she woke up in the middle of the night she had the cup right there. She is now 3 years old and still goes to bed with a sippy cup of water.

Jenn

My kids were the exact same way. My oldest actually didn't start sleeping throught the night until he was about 3, because he wanted his milk in the middle of the night. Once he gets old enough, you can just tell him NO when he wakes up, but until then...I think you should just ride it out. Doctors will say to stop immediately, but mine stopped waking up crying for his milk. Both of them did...the second one quicker than the first. I think it'll just be something he'll eventually grow out of. If you're OK with getting up, I personally say why upset him, you know? If he's still using a bottle, I WOULD try to switch to a sippy cup, and just make sure you stay focused on his teeth, as milk isn't good for their teeth...but don't worry about the rest. :) It all works out in the end.

Dear C.,

Well, for one thing, babies come first.

So have a talk with your rentor and explain that you are having to help your child learn to sleep through the night without having to have a bottle. O.K.?

Tell her that I said so. Someone had to listen to her cry at night somewhere down the line of her life.

Just keep on giving less and less of the first bottle until there is no more. Then tell him there is no more for tonight. He is getting to the 'danger' period of being a smarty 2 year old. So you'd better lower the boom starting right now. Or your life will get pretty miserable and you will have a hard headed, my way or no way beautiful baby. This is where they learn that life has rules and that they are not the King. They are the ones who follow rules and Mom and Dad make the rules.

So talk to him, over and over and over, being calm and firm and friendly. Just explain, and love him and put him back in bed, that is why they put high sides on cribs, you know. Remember there is no such thing as a child, or anyone else, that learns something the first 15 times they are told.

He may not cry long, but he will cry and you will suffer and so will the rentor, or you could be like I had to do when I was in charge of a day care center for babies, yes babies. There was one beautiful baby, Maria, who was a total cry baby. We put her crib just outside my office so that I could keep a close eye on her and let the other teachers take care of the other babies. She cried, oh how she did cry. But it was necessary, and we all together supported her need to cry and loved her and took care of her and finally she didn't cry....so much. She was a hard case, now I don't suppose that you son will be. He is a good boy and loved unconditionally and is smart and beautiful, so he will get the message....sooner or later.

Have a good night's sleep without feeling guilty, and you all will be happier and live long and secure lives.

Amen, C. N.

Hi
I live in Temecula, and am also married to an Aussie! We have a 4 month old daughter, and moved here 2 years ago. Just wondering where your husband is from- and if you live close to us? My husband found a great Aussie restaurant in the gas lamp distric in san diego. Maybe we can all go one night.

C.,
We have the exact same scenario with our 21 month old daughter. We are now down to 2 ounces before bed and 2 ounces in the middle of the night. It works sooo well to get her right back to sleep. She actually seems thirsty and I think about how I get thirsty in the night, so I keep going with it. But, I know it's something we need to break. Good luck with your son and your plan! Take care.
-T.

My first reaction was to switch out the milk with water, then he doesn't have the physical satisfaction of the milk but gets the emotional satisfaction of the process of drinking. Besides, as a colleague told me a while ago when we were having that problem, he's going to realize it's not worth waking up for some water, so he'll realize a full night's sleep is better.

We'll leave a sippy cup with water next to my son when he's touchy like that and needs that extra hydration or whatever during the night.

Best of luck!

My daughter is 2 1/2. She was nursed to sleep until she was 17 months or so and to help ween her I would give her a bottle which turned into a sippy cup which is what she still gets. I read to her and she usually drinks her milk while we read a story and falls asleep after, but there are times she still wants a bed "drink" but not normally. She grew out of the night bottle with age. Some people say if you give then a drink at night or in the middle of the night when they wake, they will regularly expect it, but that was not the case in my own personal experience. If you are worried about giving too much juice I still water my daughters down, even though she will be three in February. Good Luck!

Hi, C.. You sound like a great mom. I found an article for you. I can't remember whose comment, on here, pointed me to this site. I can't thank you enough, whoever you are! http://www.handinhandparenting.org/csArticles/articles/00...

It's not "tough love," not "cry it out," works with the child mostly during the daytime, but will involve some nighttime crying episodes. I TOTALLY agree with the approach: "I hear you, you're safe with me, and this is the bottom line," and dealing with the daytime stressors that are manifesting at night; and that giving him the bottle is using food as a replacement for meeting his needs. The only advice I have, in addition, is: Let your roommate know when you're going to start doing this and get her some earplugs. And - I KNOW IT'S HARD (sympathetic smile)!! Moms are already sleep-deprived.

Take care,
J. Smithson
Loving Hands Learn 'n' Play
http://www.lhlearnandplay.com

My mom said that she use to give us water in our late night bottle. We would not get anything from it and than just started sleeping through the night. I never had to try this myself but I have heard it works.
Good luck to you!

C., My son had similar problems when he was younger. I gave my boy water instead of milk and he denied it for several days with plenty of crying but alas he gave in. Remember no baby will be hurt from crying, let him cry and accept the fact milk is not an option at night. Give him water if he looks thirsty. One thing motherhood has taught me is you must stick to your decisions, they will cry and it will hurt you and upset you but if you stick to it, he will give in. Children from a young age will test your tolerance to see if you will give in. Be Strong Good Luck