what is the easiest way to get a toddler to give up the bottle?

Question

My son is 16 months old and still needs his night time bottle in order to fall asleep? Is there an easy way to get over this stage? Any suggestions are much appreciated.

thanks

Answer 1

Rest assured, he does not NEED it to fall asleep. A child NEEDS food, love, diaper changes, etc. It is a habit that you, as the parent, have to help him break. Feed him dinner later, or give him a little post-dinner snack, making sure his tummy is nice and full before bed. Then, knowing he is NOT hungry, put him to bed using your usual routine minus the bottle. He will cry for a few nights; leave him alone. Do not reward the crying with attention. In three or four nights at the MOST he will be all over it.

Answer 2

If he's getting milk in it, you should definitely change that immediately and only let him have water in it. He could give it up on his own once he realizes there's nothing good in it anyway! You could also try having him pick out a very special "big boy" cup and have him give or throw his bottle away. It'll be hard the first few nights, but if you cuddle with him and set up a good bedtime routine, he'll be able to give it up without too much trouble. If you get a spill proof sippy cup, you could even put a little bit of water in it for him to keep near his bed. My kids all do that and they range in age from 3 to 10!

Answer 3

I agree with most of the answers here and want to add that you MUST have a good bedtime routine (that, obviously, does not include falling asleep with milk). It's hard, b/c I think there is something very soothing about falling asleep drinking milk- did your son breastfeed?
Mine did, and at 26 months, he drinks 12-16 oz of milk ( i warm it with anise seed and a little honey) and I KNOW it's horrible for his teeth, but i'm not working on it right now for other reasons.

BUT anyway, a good bedtime routine makes a big difference. I had one going with my son before we had to move and go through many changes and it worked wonders... i would put him into bed and he wouldn't cry, just look at me and smile and say "night-night".

Answer 4

Tell him that 'big boys' do NOT drink from bottles. Make him throw it in the trash (make sure you don't have any more sitting around or in the cupboard) and then take the trash to your outside garbage can - make sure he's watching you (do this the day before your garbage is picked up).
However, before doing this make sure you have a few sippy cups for him. Do NOT allow him to have anything liquids 30 minutes before bed time and the sippy cup is NOT allowed in the bed.
Install a night light and play some soft soothing music and he will be fine.

Answer 5

I had an identical difficulty at around 20 months. What you're able to do is practice him for it and shop on with by using. i think of the difficulty is amazingly some dad and mom do no longer shop on with by using and it reasons issues. First you practice him. Say ok we've one greater night with your bottle. day after today we can drink all of it a a million/2 hour in the previous bedtime. Then the subsequent night you're saying "ok no baba for night night time, so drink all of it now". Then placed him to mattress and shop on with by using. he will scream the 1st night, then it gets greater advantageous. you in basic terms could set the policies and not "fall down" i think of. it relatively is going to pass 2 techniques at this factor. the two he will understand which you recommend employer and comply, or he will study that if he screams long adequate he can get his way finally. the different area of this coin is you will possibly decide for to motivate him while he does stuff top. day after today say "all night without a baba, wow it relatively is a large boy!" Sorry we nevertheless call it baba and not bottle, hehe. My toddler at this age wears his thoughts on his sleeve for each guy or woman to work out. in basic terms enable him throw a greater healthful and forget approximately approximately him and he will study that's no longer the thank you to get what he needs. stable good fortune to you! i'm looking this the main complicated age so far. yet additionally the main helpful. Ours finally used the "vast potty" final night at 26 months and mom and that i cheered him on. you will do large. :) additionally for encouragement, i might do slightly examine online approximately conserving a bottle that long. There are some wellness themes you could word of. fairly letting him drink that on the factor of bedtime and utilising a bottle that late in existence.

Answer 6

The best thing to do is just take it away. I have 3 children and with all of them I just picked a day and that was it. If they fussed really bad I would give them a cup of milk or sugar free koolaide and when they finished it I would put them back to bed. It might take him a little getting used to but he'll do it. Good Luck.

Answer 7

My 17 month old girl still uses hers and she slams allot of milk {2 8oz sometimes 3} between supper and bed time. A friend of mine said her little girl {now 25 working on PHD} Would breast feed only at night till she was 3 !

Answer 8

your child does not need the bottle. In fact, if there is anything other than water in it, it can cause his teeth to rot. Throw out the bottle and he'll get over it.

Answer 9

this may sound harsh, but i made my son give his buba to his sister the day we brought her home, i told him he was a big brother and she needed it. talk about rough, i cried alot. my cuzin had her daughter pick out a new toy and she had to "pay" for it with her bottle, explain to the clerk what you are trying to do and have her discard it. good luck

Answer 10

throw the bottle away. his teeth are being destroyed.