How do you take a bottle away from a 28 month old who has speech and behavior problems?

Question

I have a 28 month old little girl who cant talk and who has some behavior problems and I would like to take her bottle away at night but I don't seem to have the heart to do it. She finally stopped taking it during the day but she still needs it to go to sleep with. How should I get on with the dastardly deed?

Answer 1

Can she understand you? If so, make it a big deal, a huge positive. Go to the store and buy her something she really likes, then tell her the bottle fairy has to take all the bottles to the babies that need them because she is a big girl now. Then put them in a bag and leave them out one night. The next morning have a note from the fairy and her special surprise. Find a lovey or something else for security at night for her, music, nightlight . It will take a few nights and not happen easily, be prepared for her waking and the crying but she will figure out they are gone soon Just don't let her think YOU are taking them away..make it something she is part of.

Answer 2

I'll say this in parts. Honestly, the bottle will cause the speech problems, and it's evident where the behavior problems come from since you say you "don't have the heart" to take something away from her that's for her own good. The worst thing you can do to your child is to give them everything they want. Your job as a parent is to decide for them until they know enough to decide for themselves.
You can start by letting her sit on your lap and drink it before bed but not having it in bed. Which, dentists will tell you to brush her teeth after doing, but I'm a mom and realistic. Or you can just lay down the law. With most kids even the worst behaved ones, they will adjust in a matter of days if you just stick to your guns. Ever see Nanny 911? It's harder on you than it is on them at the moment, but better for everyone in the long run.

Answer 3

I am a mom of three. My oldest is now 12! We allowed him to keep his bottle until he was ready to give it up. He was around 3. He just got to the point where he didn't want it (around 3 or a little older). We now have 2-1/2 year old twin girls. We plan to follow the same plan with them. If it comforts them, what's the big deal? Toddlers think so much differently than adults -- their bottle is so comforting as they are going through so many changes at this phase in their little lives. I feel that society pushes more for us to make our kids give up their bottles by a certain age. If you don't mind your daughter having a bottle and it's still important to her, let her decide when she wants to get rid of it. Focus on the other issues that your little girl has with love and patience -- the bottle will serve as a great comfort to her (and allows her control over something) and may be your saving grace! If she has behavioral issues, taking her bottle may not work well at all for her special case. I pray that you and your daughter find the guidance and help you need to allow her to develop into a beautiful person! The bottle is a small thing to worry about. Hugs to you!

Answer 4

Redirect, redirect, redirect.

My kids had no bottles/pacifiers by the time they were 1. Sure, it was annoying in the store if they'd cry for something, but I wasn't about to give in - so we learned the redirect.

Years later and it still works. My kids are 4 and 5, haven't used a sippy cup for bed in almost a year now. Even then, the only thing they could have at night was water - period.

We traded the cups for stuffed toys, and made a big deal out of being such big kids.

Chances are if you make your daughter feel that she's gaining something by giving up the bottle, you're not going to have that hard of a time.

Answer 5

HI. I have an almost 4 year old who also has delayed speech (due to Down Syndrome) My short answer is, switch the bottle to the kind of sippy that has a hard straw. Rubbermaid makes one that is small (8oz) and has a purple lid with a flip up hard straw. Our son sleeps with that in his bed every night for two reasons:

(1) Part of developing the oral motor strength development meant getting rid of bottle and regular sippy cups because they encouraged tongue thrust. A short straw is better for the oral motor strength.

(2) Our son often wakes up thirsty, no matter how much he drank during the day. If he doesn't have his water, he'll fully wake up and cry. With the cup in bed with him he finds it, drinks and is back asleep in 2 seconds. Never even opens his eyes.

I am going to assume you are seeing a speech therapist, and have enrolled your child in the Early intervention Services in your area. They will also have some good support and advice to give you. If not, please call your school district ASAP and ask for a referral. Good luck.

Answer 6

you could do one of two things: 1) throw all her bottles away so that you don't have a choice to give one to her. 2) gradually replace it...first with a sippy cup that has a soft spout so that she can still suck, then to a regular no-drip sippy cup. It is really hard...I know. But hey, even if it doesn't work at first, how many 4 and 5 year old kids do you see running around with bottles in their mouths? Good luck!

Answer 7

Are you so sure that she cant talk? Perhaps she just doesnt want /need to. Are you catering to her by giving her things she points to and grunts? About the bottle, she is over 2 years old and now you are risking her dental health with the bottle at night. Just take it from her. It wont be fun or easy, but you must do it.

Answer 8

you should try and take the bottle away as soon as possible cause it very bad for her teeth to have a milk just before bed. change her bedtime routine to include a cup of milk in beaker and then have her brush her teeth. and maybe you can let her pick out a new special toy at the store to make her "sleeping toy" and have that as a comfort instead of the bottle...

as for the other problems...have you tried changing your childs diet to one of fresh fruits and vegetables, lean meats, whole grains and nuts and beans? stay away from processed foods and you may notice a change in behaviour

Answer 9

you are probably just going to have to take it, as hard as it might be for awhile. its not just the behaviour stuff either, i really do believe that letting kids have a bottle at night of anything besides water is bad for their teeth. i work at a daycare and we have seen horrible cases of bottle rot (from both milk and juice) and its horrible. one 3 yr old just got ALL his front teeth, top and bottom, removed because of it. they were GREEN. anyway just saying that because thats something else to think about as well. i was lucky because both my kids threw away their own bottles but i didnt give it to them at night in the first place.

there are many reasons not to keep giving it to her, and basically one reason to let her keep it (peace and quiet for everyone). perhaps you can find something else she will like, animal, blanket, etc? but throwing all the bottles away will at least stop you from giving in.

Answer 10

She's got bigger problems than the bottle. Let her have it to go to sleep with. In the meantime, find out of your area has any free speech therapists to help you.