HELP PLEASE. When (and how) to stop bottle-to-bed?

[Olive]

i breast fed sophie before her night sleep up until 18 months, yes it was tough, very tough for the first few night, she cried, needed more cuddles extra, but we introduced sing twinkle twinkle little star as her new bedtime thing and afte a few weeks she got the hang of teh change and now runs to her bed after singing!! id start something now such as reading a book then slowly cut back teh bottle until hopefully you only need to read a book ,and see how that goes

[Lulu]

Is there any reason why 12 months? I tend to agree with you on the 18months....

I wouldn't want to mess up the routine of a good sleeper for anything!

[MrsFabuloso]

I don't think I'd be worried what the nurse told me, but if you really do want to stop, coiuld you maybe replace the comfort of his bottle with another, like a blankie or teddy? My DD (15mths) has her bottle cuddling with me on the lounge and then I rock her for 10 mins with her blankie and then to bed. She's usually asleep by then, but if not she often goes off herself, if not I rock again for 10 mins, to bed atc until she's asleep. Or as someone else suggested give him his bottle sitting up and maybe read a story together and then put him to bed. I think anyway you do it, it will be hard for him to change routines for a few days, up to a week or so. Good luck.

[Jac]

Thanks so much for your replies. Now that I think about it I used to give him his bottle on my lap, then put him to bed awake, which worked ok, however, I changed it to in his bed as he would then hold the bottle himself rather than want me to hold it (which was what happened when on my lap). Maybe I should go back to doing bottle on my lap (him holding it this time now that I know he can!) with a book then to bed awake as a method/plan to stopping it in the future? He almost falls asleep having his bottle in the bed so maybe I should change that part of it. Using a book would be relaxing but encouarge him to stay awake with the bottle. Thoughts?

Another thing though, how much milk do they need at this age as there is no way I could get him to drink anywhere near what he currently has from bottle if/when we switch to cup (he has about 350mls a day at present)? He drinks minimal water from sippy cup throughout the day and has refused to drink milk from sippy cup thus far.

[JordieC]

The other girls had some really good suggestions and I too wouldn't worry about the age too much - I meant it's only milk and if it helps - well hey do it!

My only conern is that I have read many times that you shouldn't put babies to bed with their bottles because it is bad for their teeth - I think the milk lingers for longer and there may also be a health hazzard (drwoning which I know seems extremely unlikely but still...). I like the idea of giving bottle in chair or on couch - maybe with some quiet music or story.

Good luck!

[Lulu]

Yeah, that sounds good. Give him bottle on your lap, read a book and get him sleepy - then off to bed all groggy. It could set him up for a great bedtime routine for the future.

There is still no hurry though - and I have no idea how much milk to give !

[~Kim~]

Hey Jac, is it really that big a deal if he has it longer than 18months?
The Dragon is over 2 and about 2 months ago started not to ask for her bottle. She rarely has one in the mornings as she always has (since stopping bf at 17months) and only occasionally at night. She just stopped asking, so we don't offer. That way it hasn't been missed