I know everyone is saying I should just let this be with all else going on but I feel the need to be rid of the bottles, kwim? Its one less thing to grab when we leave, 1 less thing to wash, 1 less thing to deal with in the long run (and hes hiding bottles under things and we dont realize till theres a stench)

Anyhow, Caleb went down for his nap without a bottle today. I gave him choc nesquik for breakfast, then gave him another 6 oz around 930am. at 1045 I put him down (he was telling me BABA). He went right down, realized he didnt have a bottle, screamed bloody murder for 15 minutes (he calmed down after 5 but Derek went in to turn the music back on) and finally passed out.

I went in at 1145 and his cup was EMPTY and he was asleep. unfortunately he only slept for about 55 min b/c we had to get Jordan.

Then the little con artist that he be totally had me convinced he was tired around 430, i put him down with a bottle (taking 1 away at a time). 10 min later hes yelling GAH-GAH UPPPPPPPP GAH-GAH UPPPPPP so hubby goes in and the little stinker is wide awake! he just wanted a bottle.

and then he went to bed with 2 oz of water in a bottle he passed out in the car so i think we got a freebie on that one

anyhow, i dunno i just wanted to say thanks. you really do word things just right and it gave me that extra push I needed to get the ball rolling. (my mom HATES bottles so its yet another reason i want them gone before she temp- moves in).

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You are on your way! Your house should be bottle free by Friday if you stick to your guns.

No more bottles for naps today.....just do the nighttime one and that's it.

We'll check back in with you and make sure you are only doing daytime sippy cups!

You can endure the tears. It's not milk you are depriving him of. He'll get that concept very soon!

I disagree with a 15 month old needing suck. That goes for pacifiers and sucking on bottles. I know, kinda controversial to say that, but they can learn to soothe with other props, so to speak IMO. Cuddling with mom or dad and sucking on a sippy is a start.

WTG, mama and Caleb!

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Stacey (38)
DH Steve (38)
DS Chase 2-13-07

Great job Jillian!!!

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Angela
Wife to
Michael 5.12.01
Mom to
Lexxie 9.17.01
Nicky 2.9.07

you said it first so I am going to agree I believe most kids a react by how they were taught. You offer a paci all the time, they will want to suck, you put them to be with a bottle, they will rely on it, same goes for those who put to bed awake without a paci. Others rock to sleep, the child relies on the "routine" so to speak b/c its what they know. I also believe we use manners our kids will pick up the habit, if we curse, kids will curse. Its just how the world turns.

None of my boys ever had a paci. If they wanted to suck I nursed or gave a bottle, BUT they also didnt want to nurse/suck all the time. Jordan sucked his thumb till he was around 18 mos old. I kept getting told (take a guess by who) that it was b/c I never gave a paci. We broke the habit in 3-4 days. Everytime he sucked on it we did a finger hook and "popped" it out of his mouth. It quickly became a game to him and next thing you know hes off the thumb. Derek didnt suck his thumb at all and Caleb started at around 11 mos old but its very rare and he really only sucks it out of boredom in the van we've noticed. Never at home, never in bed, just in the van so we try to have something to occupy him.

I think for Caleb its just b/c the bottle at bed is what he knows, its how we did it with all our kids, its not about the need to suck. Ive always been told its a horrible habit, unhealthy teeth, etc etc BUT my kids have never had cavities, their teeth are healthy and they all took a bottle to bed. Jordan now takes a drink to bed and Derek takes a sippy. J gets 16 oz, D gets 6-8 (we're trying to keep him dry all night). Its maybe 1/8 apple juice, the rest is water. My kids are just weird and wont drink straight water. I take a 20 oz bottle of water to bed and DH takes a 30 oz cup of ice water, we wont deprive our kids b/c we do believe they are thirsty. Derek often forgets to drink all day b/c hes so busy and at night he makes up for it.

whew, sorry! just goes to show how different we all really are.

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Way to go, Jillian! You're doing awesome girl! You're right, that is just one less thing you have to deal with so I can see why you want to get it done.

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