My getting DD to sleep without a bottle or controlled crying plan!

[CrazyLady]

Hi all,

I think this is the right area because I refuse to let DD scream herself to sleep. Well I hate her screaming at all.

My DD was up until 4 nights ago fully dependant on her bottle to get to sleep. This was becoming a problem because I noticed a rather heavy plaque build up on her lower teeth and didn't want to cause any teeth issues. For about 4 weeks prior to taking DD's bottles away I kept saying she was a big girl and that the fairies will come collect her bottles if we put them in a nice box because she's too big to have bottles. I was going to eliminate her dummy too but with her recent reflux issues due to her canines trying to bust through I thought it'd be best to work on them on a later date. So 4 mornings ago about an hour prior to her morning nap I boxed up the bottles and we had a very cheerful "bye-bye bottles" ceremony After the ceremony i gave her a big drink of water, got her favourite toy which has been next to her from day dot in the cot (we now co-sleep) and her dummy and climbed into bed. A tearful 30 seconds post getting into bed I reminded her that she's a big girl and she doesn't need a bottle now. 5 minutes after she's asleep! I sneak out and hide the bottles, make a coffee and pat myself on the back. DD wakes up 90 minutes later very cheerful and looks where we put the bottles, giggles and says "bye-bye ba".

Night day 1: we follow usual dinner, bath, book, bed routine. I ask if she's tired and she says night to her father, gives a kiss and cuddle and walks to the bed. Her teeth start acting up so after 20 minutes of fussing I give her a dose of panadol and a drink of water then back down we go. 10 minutes of wriggling and such later she lays still, 10 minutes after that she's snoring. I give myself another pat on the back.

Day 2 morning nap: skipped because she had a nasty bout of constipation and wouldn't settle. after 1 hour and a lot of wind we get up and she eats lunch.
Night Nap: With her system cleared out and no day nap I give her a dose of panadol (very red and hot cheeks and chewing on fingers) and a dose of Calm. Dummy, Mr Elephant, pillow, out in 10 minutes.

Day 3 morning: Daddy's first day off work so a tad harder to settle because the novelty parent is home out in 45 minutes after me telling DP to get his rear outside and go play in the shed while I settle her so she doesn't want to play. Add a cat that likes curling up at my feet with a bell on it's neck into the mix and I had one hard to settle DD. Slept only an hour because she woke up thirsty and heard music from next door. Happy with an hour so I didn't resettle her.

Day 4 night: fed, bathed, book read and dressed for bed then realised it was 45 minutes too early (DD consistantly settles at 8-8:15). I let her play a bit and she out of the blue waves bye-bye and I realise she's ready for bed. She leaves the room and calls out for me and she's waiting to get on the bed. Give dose of Calm and she's out in 10 minutes.

Sorry for the ranting post but I just feel so proud of myself for breaking a nasty habit. DD has been dependant on the bottle for 19 months. I will post again tomorrow and keep everyone updated on our progress! I am going on the 7 day will it work plan then the average 21 days break the habit rule! Kudos if you got through that all and GL to anyone that is trying similar!

<3 CL

[Party-of-five]

good work to you both

[Swoop]

Great to hear it's going so well - well done you!

[dusty]

Wow you are both doing so great! Well done

[sloane]

that's fantastic!

[MummaSue]

Awesome work hun, I love hearing gentle parenting success stories!! xxxx

[CrazyLady]

Thanks for the positive reinforcement and feedback everyone . Last night DD woke in the middle of the night shrieking. I think she was having nightmares. She wanted a bottle to soothe her as she usually did when she was really upset. I spent 30 mins reminding her she was a big girl and doesn't need it and gave her a huge cuddle. Bad idea because she fell asleep on top of me and I woke up with a numb arm but at least I got a bit of shut eye and no bottle! Today she was rather exhausted and 10 minutes after heading to bed (and reminding her she's a big girl 3 times) she's out like a light with the cat keeping watch at her feet.

[CrazyLady]

Last night's efforst were a disaster getting DD to sleep. She just wouldn't settle so she ended up finally passing out at 9:45. I don't know whether it was because she got overstimulated, had too much energy to burn, reality kicked in about no bottle etc. She was trying to get out of the bed, wanting to play, running around etc She woke up normal time this morning.

Napping right now, 10 minutes and she was down for the count. I always seem to be able to settle her easier during the day. DD is actually walking to the bed and having a big grin on her face in there so at least she's happy without the bottle.

[CrazyLady]

Haha, I forgot to update.

Still hit and miss on the settling front here. Last night she was in an evil mood because she stole preservative laden foods off the table at playgroup yesterday. It's been varying anywhere between 10 and 40 minutes to settle her now but she actually volunteers to go to bed and I can pick the tired cues faster. I do give a lot of credit to Brauer's Calm because it does settle her a bit. If she's really wired it just brings her down a notch so shes not jumping all over the place. I think I have shared all I can without sounding like a scratched CD. Thanks for listening to my ramblings

[MummaSue]

Not ramblings at all CrazyLady, I love reading how you're going with it. I guess it will be hit and miss for a wee while until she gets used to the new way of things hey?

You're doing an awesome job, a real inspiration xxxx

[Swoop]

You're doing an awesome job, a real inspiration xxxx

:yeahthat:

How's it going CL?

[CrazyLady]

fantastic! She hasn't had a bottle since i started the routine and usually sleeps within 20mins of getting into bed! Thanks for the positive feedback all

[MrsFabuloso]

It's funny how we as parents expect the worst of our children when removing things like bottles and dummies! I have recently taken my DD and DS's dummies away (well a few months ago now) and it was actually a fairly easy exercise! I was expecting full blown tanties and terribly sleepless nights, I was so anxious about doing it, but in reality there were a few nights of extra time spent settling, but nothing terribly traumatic and viola!! now they don't have dummies!

You and your DD have done a great job CL!! Keep up the good work, you're on the home straight now!!

[bubno.3]

fantastic wish i could do the same and mine is 28 mths ....

[CrazyLady]

DD was getting harder and harder to settle bubno.3 I just thought enough is enough. She was having about 1 litre of milk before bed every night