How to cut out middle of the night bottle? - Infant Care (up to 18 months old) Message Board

newbmom · 12-01-2008, 09:09 AM

Hi all,

I was wondering if anyone had any tips for weaning my son off the "middle of the night bottle". He gets this bottle when he wakes up at 1-2am. He usually drinks his bottle or some of it and then falls right back to sleep. Right now he is just over 1 year-old and has gone/ will go for a week or two sleeping through the night. Right now he is teething too so I think that has something to do with the waking and we also give Humphrey's, teethers etc when we feel it is his teeth bothering him.
I have read and the Dr. said to start putting some water in his bottle; 6 oz formula, 1 oz water for a few days to a week then 5 oz formula and 2oz water until the bottle is all water. I guess the idea is for him to go "ugh I am not waking up for water". But will this still work if he wakes up every other night? I am thinking it will just take longer? I don't want to let him cry it out. He sometimes wakes up cries and then goes right back to sleep within 5 minutes. Bottles are given when he keeps crying despite all other tries at soothing. He goes to bed between 7:30 and 8pm, with the earlier bedtime the ultimate goal.
Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks,
Benji's Mom

LauraLu · 12-01-2008, 09:46 AM

If you think it's definitely teeth that are bothering him, have you tried giving motrin before laying him down? My daughter always gets a good rest when we give her this while she's teething.
You may think that this sounds mean, but I think it's time to banish the bottle for good. He's going to look at it as a crutch, when it's meant to be a tool for drinking. I say do away with it for good. He will cry and cry for probably a good 2-3 nights, but he will forget about it! Does your little one take a sippy cup? If he takes a sippy cup during the day, then this should be smoother for you. It will be VERY hard to do because no one wants to listen to their baby cry. It's horrible and I hate it! However, you will do him a world of good in the long run and save his teeth.

newbmom · 12-01-2008, 05:57 PM

Hi LauraLu,

Yes, we give him Tylenol or Motrin before he goes to bed. He seems to not get sippy cups yet. Some of the ones he has gotten as presents seem very hard to get liquid from. I am trying to get him to drink from a regular open cup and skip the sippy cups if I can. I need to be more consistent in giving him the regular cup.
If I decide to make him go "cold turkey" how long should we let him cry? Is there a maximum time limit? then its too long? The cry it out method seems so mean. But we will try it if all else fails.

Thank you for your suggestions

.

LauraLu · 12-01-2008, 06:14 PM

Hi newbmom ~
It's funny that you mentioned you were trying to give him cups without a lid because we tried that at dinner tonight...oh my goodness, what a mess! lol. She had water everywhere!

If you decide to go cold turkey, I think you should just do it! That's what we did over the Thanksgiving holiday with our daughter's pacifier. Even though she only took it at night, I didn't want her to be one of those kids who still needed a paci at 3 or 4 to go to bed...she cried for 45 minutes! I cried too. It was heartbreaking to say the least. It was all I could do not to run to her. However, I also realized that I was doing her a favor in the long run. And you know what? She hasn't cried since without one!

If you know that all of your son's needs are being met, then he doesn't need a bottle when waking. If you think you can "stomach the crying" then do it. I know it sounds mean, but I'm a firm believer in a good night's rest for both parties! The first few nights will be very rough because giving a bottle will be SO easy...resist the urge! He'll eventually learn that waking up does not equal food.
Please don't think I'm some horrible mom...I just really believe that this will make for healthier sleep habits. I'm sure some may disagree but I just don't see the need for bottles in the middle of the night after a certain age.
GOOD LUCK!!!

kitchener12 · 12-03-2008, 10:50 AM

Funny my LO cannot figure out sippy cup either she mostly ends up choking (!) not good! She can slurp great froma cup but its super messy!!

I found a good filling supper and warm milk can help a good night sleep.
He does know if he cries enough he will get a bottle, they are so smart, I give my LO a 6oz bottle in her room then lay her down she usually stand up and cries for about 10 mins then usually settles if she start gagging I will get her up but only for another 10 -15 mins or so then back to bed. Sometimes she is just not ready to settle but she usually cries for a while most nights...bleagh

If he is actually teething it doesn't hurt to give a little baby tylenol at bedtime, he will feel better and sleep and so will you...I know you don't want to give drugs to LO's but occasionally is ok I think if it to make them more comfortable.