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This is a plea to those with children who have been weaned from the bottle.

Sometimes (most of the time) Aedyn wakes up in the middle of the night and I just give her a bottle to get her to go back to sleep. Sometimes she falls asleep while eating, sometimes not. Even if she doesn't fall asleep, she is quiet when I put her down.

Last night, we stepped up our efforts to try to get rid of the last bottle that she still gets. That little girl screamed bloody murder for over an hour. After the first 15 minutes I went in and checked her diaper and made sure she was otherwise ok. While I was in there she was fine, as soon as I left the howling started again. I let it go longer then I ever have, and finally caved around 1am and gave her a bottle.

Does anyone have any tips or other advice that helped them in this situation? Tonight I'm going to replace the milk in her bottle with water, so at least we won't have to worry about tooth decay. She seems to handle a tippy cup ok during the day, but at night she doesn't want anything to do with it.

Edited, Jun 19th 2006 at 6:38pm EDT by Wint

Like anything in this situation, the first few times are going to be the hardest. Not for her: for you.

If you decide to take the bottle away fully, that's fine. But make the decision and do not waver. Expect screaming for a loooooong time each night for the first few days. Whatever you do, do not give in, even once. If you do you are reinforcing that screaming will eventually give her what she wants. Sorry chap. you're in for a few rough nights. After a few days, she will lessen the time of screaming down until hopefully, by the end of week one or 2, she will realize that crib time means sleeping and not eating.

If you decide to allow her the bottle, you should definitely have water only in it. Otherwise, like you mentioned, you run the risk of tooth decya. Either way, welcome to one of parentings "funnest" parts and get used to it. You will be dealing with this type of battle of the wills for the next 18 years =)

Reminds me of my Dad's stories where they got whiskey on their gums for teething. Tempting for sure.



I had a feeling that was the case. Maybe we'll start this on a Friday night rather than a Monday. I didn't want to give in for that very reason but I am up at 5am, and I had to get some sleep.

The little s[/Aliceblue]hit knows she owns us, after I got done giving her the bottle last night she looked up at me and giggled. It was as if she was saying, "You're my b[Aliceblue]itch".



Thankfully her mother sleeps with earplugs. She knows we're trying to wean Aedyn, but at least she didn't have to hear it :)

Edited, Jun 19th 2006 at 6:47pm EDT by Wint

OK. If you wuss out on the Heroin suggestion (A whole new meaning to "Should you smack your child"), what DSD said.

For one of hours we only had about a week before he got the message that squawking all night wouldn't get him what he wanted.

With the 2nd spawn, he took a couple of months to settle down.

Be strong, young Padawan.

When we weaned Mia from the bottle, I just started taking them away little by little and replacing them with a cup. She resisted a little at first but then she realized that this was the way things were going to be and accepted it. Important to not second-guess once you start.

As for a bottle at night, Mia didn't wake up for feedings at night past 5 months. I'm not sure how old your daughter is, Wint, but I'm sure she's old enough to not need a bottle at night. To her, that bottle is comfort and nothing more. Now, arm yourself with the knowledge that she is fine and doesn't need that bottle at night and you'll have won half the battle. The other half is what to do about the crying that will come from the removal of the bottle. Listening to them cry is heartbreaking, I know, but in my experience letting them cry it out works. And it works in no time. Everyone has their own opinion on the matter, no doubt. I tried every technique there was to avoid letting Mia cry at night. In the end, it took 4 days of crying it out (on both our parts) and Mia was sleeping through the night without a peep. She happily goes into her crib at night and puts herself to sleep. Just don't waffle if you do decide to try it. Giving in only teaches them that screaming works.

Just my 2 cents. Good luck!

Everything that everyone else said. Oh, and wear earplugs. You'll be able to get through the crying jags better if they're muffled.

The hardest for me was not picking them up. So what do I do? I grabbed some pillows, sat on the floor and just put my fingers on the bed and sang for what seemed hours.

It's a tough stage and it's just the setting stage for the epic battle of wills that wages on until one of you moves out of the home (hopefully the kids and not you).

No wire hangers!!

Whoops.

Edited, Jun 19th 2006 at 8:44pm EDT by Debalic

We're doing this with Hannah right this moment. She was sleeping through the night, but then she got sick and was up a lot...set us back a bit. She's better now, but now thinks she can scream every time she wakes up and get cuddles. I *hate* this.

Nexa

Just before my goddaughter's third birthday, her mother spent a large amount of time talking up the fact that on that day, her pacifier was going to go into the trash. So, when talking to her, someone would say "oh, you have a birthday coming up" and she would be excited, tell you she was three, and that she was going to "throw pacie in the trash!" Then, if someone asked her what she was getting for her birthday, she would announce "another pacie."

Change her name from Aedyn before it's too late.

Zactly. The kid is likely screaming at the horror of being named Aedyn. How fortunate you weren't having an off day where you casually named him (her?) Lumpy Fat Sacks or something to that effect. Hey, don't laugh, Hollywood types have been naming their spawn of late with monikers that'll be producing therapist bills in the hundreds of thousands in a matter of a few years. Pilot Inspektor? Bluebell Madonna? Cottage Cheese? Phineas?!? Good lord, these kids are a lock for severe beatings every day out on the playground. Poor little bastards. And I mean that-- most of those kids really are bastards. Illegitimate, conceived out of holy matrimony, goofy a$$ed bastards.

But I digress. As to your problem, what DSD says. That there is good advice. The only thing I'd add is to throw in a whoopin' every now and then to make sure they know you're boss. See? Parenting in two easy steps.

Totem

YOu could have used a comprimise: Plain Jane!