I have been getting some slack for her going to be so early. Please understand that she goes to a Monetsorri pre-school which keeps her busy all day. Her dad and I both work. She naps usually from 11:30-1:00pm so when 6:00-6:30 rolls around she cranky and asking for bed. They are taught sign language at an early age to help the communication gap so she says and signs the words for night night. That is why she is so tired... sorry I should have elabriated on that a little more. Thanks for alll your great words of advice!!!!
2006-08-25 06:23:32 · 7 answers · asked by Katelyn S 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
Try just giving plain water in the bottle. The reason doctors want kids to give them up is cause the milk causes tooth decay, but water won't do any harm and hopefully she will be like my daughter and lose interest after a few weeks. Also try putting her down about 20-30 minutes before she usually gets cranky. I think kids this age need like 12-14 hours of sleep a day. Good Luck.
2006-08-25 06:29:03 · answer #1 · answered by JL's Mom 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think going to bed at 6 or 6:30 is great. She sounds like she is getting a great amount of sleep - trying to keep her up will backfire!! "Sleep begets sleep" haven't we all heard that? A child that is well rested will sleep beautifully. A child that is kept up past when they are ASKING to go to bed (as yours is with her baby signs) will be cranky and not sleep well at all.
Now for the bottle. What does your pediatrician say? It is very likely she doesn't need it, but is just used to the routine of it. Have you tried a bottle of water instead, to wean her off the calories first? In theory, once she realizes all she is going to get is a bottle of water (boring!) she won't bother you in the middle of the night anymore. Also, when you give her the water (or even the milk if you stick with that), don't offer anything but that - no affection, no hugs, etc. I know it's SO, SO hard, but you can save all the loves for morning when you *want* her to be awake. It is sort of like when they are first born and you are trying to get them to get their days and nights straightened out - you don't entertain them in the middle of the night no matter how awake they are because you are trying to send the message that this is sleepy time. Mommy is not fun in the middle of the night! Mommy is fun in the morning!
Good luck. 18 months is such a fun age.
2006-08-28 18:46:25 · answer #2 · answered by Katie R 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do not let her go to bed that early! The earliest she should go to bed at night should probably be 8. If she gets sleepy, distract her with toys, a walk, going to the park, playing outside, toys.
No more bottles either. She should have quit at 1, I think. My daughter was off at 12 months, and on those NUBY baby sippies- it has a soft nipple kind of like a bottle, but not a bottle. Then slowly migrated to sippies. Now at 16 months, we're off sippies to straws and regular cups or the pop up straw sport bottles for kids.
Good luck, and your daughter is probably just needing some more mommy daddy time. :)
2006-08-25 08:36:15 · answer #3 · answered by the_proms 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Please get her off the bottle, you will be sorry. When my daughter was little I lived in a house with someone who worked a shift opposite of mine so when my daughter and I were just getting home from work late at night the other person was trying to sleep and to keep her from making alot of noise, when she fussed and cried alot I gave her the bottle to keep her quieted. It did affect her teeth, the enamel on her teeth suffered and prematurely decayed. Thank goodness it was only her baby teeth affected, but it really isn't good for them. Please try some of the other suggestions for getting her off the bottle asap. Good luck.
2006-08-25 06:35:20 · answer #4 · answered by girlmuvinon2003 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There is nothing wrong with a night bottle. Is it actually very good for her as the milk will help develop her bones and give her lots of calcium. My 3 yr old brother still has bottles - they help keep him relaxed, full (granted he does't eat much otherwise anyway), and in good spirits. It might seem weird, but it's very good for ehr health. I had bottles with my older brother for a long time when I was little.
2006-08-25 06:30:12 · answer #5 · answered by Claire 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
keep her up. even though she says she tired. try a video for a little down time. a later bedtime wil lhelp with the waking up. other then that just give her a cup.
2006-08-25 06:27:25 · answer #6 · answered by kleighs mommy 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Never send a baby to sleep with milk in bottle...baby teeth will rot!
Water if you must, she will grow out of it!
2006-08-25 06:29:49 · answer #7 · answered by fairly smart 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋