 | I just broke my 15-month old from the bottle, and I did it cold-turkey. However, he can get himself to sleep on his own (after letting him cry-it-out at 3 months) - we would give him a bottle in the rocking chair, then bring him to bed when that was done and he had pacifiers in the bed. He still uses the pacifier and I let him have a cup while I hold him in the rocker, then we brush teeth and he goes to bed.
Sounds like there are a few things you can try to 'phase-out', although it seems like you realize that the permanent solution will be to get her to go to sleep on her own and to get rid of the bottle entirely. For the fastest (and hardest) way out, I would probably offer only the sippy somewhere other than the bed, then let her cry. How long did you let her cry? Mine cried for 1 hour 9 minutes the first night. It is hard, but whatever you decide, BE CONSISTENT. It breaks my heart when people let their kids cry for an hour, then give up, or do it one or two nights, then give up (all that crying for nothing!). If you can't stand the crying (I imagine it would be harder with an older child, too), maybe these suggestions will help the transition:
* Offer the bottle, but not in the crib. In a rocker, on the sofa, even in your bed. Establish a routine and stick to it.
* Offer only ONE bottle. Mine was drinking 30+ ounces of milk a day, and it only took a day for him to eat A LOT more real foods without the bottle.
* Change to a sippy cup, but still not in the bed. If she will take it and it seems to comfort her, you may try a sippy of plain water in the crib. Avent sippy cups have a soft spout more like a bottle.
* You can try an empty bottle in the crib. Sometmes mine just liked to hold the bottle, but not drink while we rocked.
* If you really want to break everything, get rid of both the bottle and pacifier (otherwise you'll be doing this all over in 6 months or a year).
* Remember, you are getting rid of 'comfort' objects, so try other replacements to ease the transistion - a stuffed toy, a blanket, etc. Let her use these with the bottle for a week or so before taking the bottle away.
* Change the bedtime routine altogether so that the bottle isn't missed so much - maybe watch a video together with the cup or something else she likes. Stick with whatever routine you choose - mine took a week to get used to his new routine.
I personally would do it cold-turkey and let her cry (mine would end up crying just as much from getting over-tired and NEVER could be comforted or sleep well otherwise - he doesn't sleep in the car, in his stroller, in the rocker, ANYWHERE but in his bed), but if you really can't stick with it, don't do it. I think it works best, but don't let her cry for a long time then give up!!
Good luck!
-Kari |
PREVIOUS MESSAGE
PREVIOUS DISCUSSION