My son is 1 (15 months) and he wakes up throughout the night crying and asking for his cup, so I keep it readily accessbile by the bedside. I really want to try to stop him from waking up in the middle of the night looking for it, mainly because I'm scared of his teeth decaying as a result of drinking from the sippie cup before bed every night. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
2007-10-30 06:51:12 · 39 answers · asked by ~Cheta K.~ 6 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
I agree there is no easy way. You may just have to listen to him fuss about it. You could just leave water in the cup. That way it won't rot his teeth if he wakes up in the night and wants it.
2007-10-30 07:24:10 · answer #1 · answered by kat 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This will sound harsh, but you just have to let him cry it out...let him keep asking and the answer still has to be "no". He can get ear infections along with have dental problems (as you mentioned) from doing this anyway, so it's good that you are stopping.
Sometimes children just have to figure it out for themselves. He's old enough to do that now. When they are infants, they cry because that is their only way to communicate with you, and they don't understand what you say to them. Your child is now 15 months old, and he should be starting to talk himself. He can understand the word "no". I know it's difficult to do this, but it can be done! Just let him work it out and he'll eventually stop asking, I promise.
And yes, you can do something about his waking up wanting it. It's called, "breaking the habit". It's much like potty training. It's a pain in the rear, but it's necessary. Also, if you cut off liquids at a normal time each night BEFORE he goes to bed, he'll begin a new routine. He'll be easier to potty train in the long run as well. The more they have to drink before bed and during the night, the more difficult it is to potty train.
2007-10-30 06:56:44 · answer #2 · answered by Beth 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If there's just water in this sippy cup, it will not be bad for his teeth. Might this be a solution?
And even if he's not drinking water normally, it would be the only way he could have his sippy cup at night. He can can choose between no sippy cup at all or one with a little water.
2007-10-30 06:53:50 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The easiest way? Stop giving it to him, obviously.
Try finding something else that comforts him to have in bed besides the sippy cup: a stuffed animal, blanket, etc. If he wakes up crying, go to his crib and touch his face, then stand there so he can see you, but do not pick him up. Eventually he will become used to being safe and watched over that he will not wake up anymore.
Also, are you sure he is eating enough before bedtime so that he does not wake up hungry?
2007-10-30 06:55:26 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Water in a sippy cup is no problem. But if you're using juice or milk then you have to worry about their teeth. If you give him a sippy cup of water then he will maybe be able to find it on his own and not wake you up every night.
2007-10-30 06:55:17 · answer #5 · answered by meltzie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you fill it with water, even if he does want the cup, it won't wreak havoc on his teeth.
Fill it with water. If he throws a fit because he wants milk or juice, tell him repeatedly that that's what your offering, and he can have milk or juice in the morning.
For every night he gets water instead of juice or milk, he'll understand a little more that you aren't kidding, and will eventually "get" that he only gets water.
I wouldn't completely refuse him something to drink. He's little, but a lot of people wake up to get a drink, even adults. As long as it's not got sugar in it (including the sugar from juice or milk), it should be just fine.
2007-10-30 07:17:22 · answer #6 · answered by CrazyChick 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If he has water, they won't decay. Make sure there's nothing but water in the cup. At the same time, he won't learn to potty train at night if he's used to having the cup. Take it away and let him cry at night--you know why he's crying and you also know that he doesn't actually need anything. It'll take a couple of nights but he'll be fine.
2007-10-30 07:16:34 · answer #7 · answered by Sit'nTeach'nNanny 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
One of the best ways is to find other ways to soothe him. Like rocking him, playing some soft music, giving him a comfort toy, etc.. He will cry at first, so be strong and don't give in! Until you get him totally weaned from the sippie cup, use just water in the cup at night time. Good luck!
2007-10-30 06:57:19 · answer #8 · answered by Aumatra 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Give him water and not juice. If he's only getting water, I don't really see a problem with having a cup next to his be if he wakes up in the middle of the night. He should naturally grow out of this as he gets older.
2007-10-30 06:55:29 · answer #9 · answered by Justin H 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take it from him than if he crys.. give him 5 across the eyes for being a baby.. and tell him his daddy dont use sippy cups when he goes to bed...LMAO @ my answer..
you know im playin boo.. but you can take the cup and deal with the crying for a few nights until he realize that its not going to happen.
2007-10-30 08:23:30 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋