at my wits end taking away the bottle.... HELP! | ExpatWoman.com
 

at my wits end taking away the bottle.... HELP!

743
Posts
EW GURU
Latest post on 14 October 2012 - 07:39

My son is 2 and I know he should have been off the bottle a long time ago. My first was off at a year. Anyways, now we're trying to take it away and so he's avoiding milk all together since he won't drink it out of any of the cups that he uses for water. Last night my DH caved and gave him a bedtime bottle since DS was screaming hysterically for over an hour and wouldn't calm down.
How do we get over this challenge? And how to get him to use the cups for milk? He's obviously a stubborn little buggar.

2340
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 15 October 2012 - 12:50
ladies thank you so much for your responses. I really needed them today after being told by a family member that I shouldn't give in to him. I'm 5 months prego with #3 and really can't lose a nights sleep because I didn't give him something at bedtime. As long as he's brushing his teeth before he goes to sleep, let him have the bottle. You're right...if him having a bottle is not actually a problem for you, don't worry about it. When you are ready for the end of the bottle, I did two things to 'get rid of it'...like kittycat71, I stopped offering it. He only got a bottle when he asked for it. The number of bottles reduced quickly - within days he only asked for one before bed at night rather than three times a day. After that, I took him shopping to choose a new cup. I stood him in front of all the suitable choices and let him choose whatever he wanted. We made appropriate, but not too full-on, 'big boy' fuss and he happily had the milk in the new cup with a built in straw within a week and he threw the bottle in the bin. He never asked for a bottle again. Whichever way you go, don't stress over it. :)
5452
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 15 October 2012 - 09:37
ladies thank you so much for your responses. I really needed them today after being told by a family member that I shouldn't give in to him. I'm 5 months prego with #3 and really can't lose a nights sleep because I didn't give him something at bedtime. Don't feel bad. I deal with this too from my family members in the USA about my shortcomings as a mother. A lot of times I just feel like getting a good night's sleep is more important than fighting with my child. I know that they will eventually grow out of all the things that they shouldn't be doing now!
463
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 14 October 2012 - 19:32
IMHO, just let him have it until he's ready to stop it. He eventually will. I agree. They are only little for such a short time. Soon he'll be old enough to understand 'leaving it out for Santa/the fairies to take away' etc and that will be that. let them be little. :)
743
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EW GURU
Latest post on 14 October 2012 - 19:29
ladies thank you so much for your responses. I really needed them today after being told by a family member that I shouldn't give in to him. I'm 5 months prego with #3 and really can't lose a nights sleep because I didn't give him something at bedtime.
5452
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 14 October 2012 - 11:12
IMHO, just let him have it until he's ready to stop it. He eventually will.
219
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 14 October 2012 - 10:59
Well, for one thing, don't fret if your DS doesn't drink any milk at all for a while. They don't need it after 2 at all if they are eating properly. Second, sneaky mom that I am, I either water down the milk or add slightly less formula for a few nights and pretty soon they lose interest and find that it tastes better out of a cup!
180
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 14 October 2012 - 10:56
My 1st and 2nd born are quite different from each other. I have just learned to accept that each child is different and it's not fair to compare or expect the same behaviour or quirks. My 2nd is now 3 yrs old and still has a bottle of milk a day. I feel it is a comfort thing, especially since your son wants his milk before bed. I don't think it is a big deal and know many other mums with kids over 2 yrs who do still want a bottle. I personally prefer the attitude that they will wean themselves when they are ready. I don't offer a bottle anymore, but will give one if she asks for it. You could try the boxes of milk with a straw, maybe he will take to that. I really don't think it is worth stressing the child and in turn, the whole family over milk in a bottle versus a cup. If u do force the issue, he may well find some other behaviour to settle himself with that you find just as undesirable.
 
 

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