3 years old and still needing a bottle to get to sleep.

[YouAreMySweetestDownfall]

He won't go to sleep without a nighttime bottle. It's the only one he's given unless he wakes in the night then he'll need another to settle and refusal often ends in a massive night time tantrum.

Is it actually bad for their health (teeth get brushed before not after) or is it a developmental thing (or I have a judgy mum thing)!

3's a bit old but will he just grow out of it?

[megletthesecond]

It's really bad for his teeth I'm afraid . Somehow you need to wean him off night time bottles.

[GreenRut]

Have you tried gradually watering it down? I did that with my middle one and it worked. My youngest is just turned 2 and we've successfully done that with the overnight bottle but not attempted it yet with the bed time one. I'm thinking of tying it in to a complete change of bedtime routine so as to remove any association with the bottle iyswim.

[YouAreMySweetestDownfall]

As in tooth decay (not the the teeth being crooked)? The teeth rotting is my concern.

[lornathewizzard]

Just a thought - how is his eating? If he eats well/enough then you can probably rule out hunger and be a bit more tough about tacking it (not sure exactly how, another comfort mechanism maybe), but if he's hungry then you need to concentrate on the food during the day first I would guess.

[YouAreMySweetestDownfall]

He always eats well. It's definitely about comfort.

[Artandco]

It's bad for teeth as milk pooled in teeth overnight.
This is why all babies shouldn't be fed to sleep. Always give last milk feed in living room, then teeth and bed routine seperate

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

Really bad for teeth. Give him water in a bottle and explain why. Ds would've hung on to his bottle until adulthood I think if I hadn't swapped to water.

[YouAreMySweetestDownfall]

Oh shit! Ok that's good to know.

[MozzchopsThirty]

As long as you're not giving juice in it I wouldn't stress too much.
All 3 of mine had bottle to sleep and gave it up when they were ready at about 4.
All have perfectly healthy teeth and visit dentist every 6 months

[MagicMonkeys]

With my son he had the same dependency, I just ended up taking them away fully! 3 nights of upset and then he was over it

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

You're lucky if you get away with no decay. Bottle BEFORE teeth cleaning and water during the night.

[Nobloodynamesleft]

I'm being judgy. You are the adult, you should have tackled this years ago! Just swap to cups. Milk before teeth brush, then refill with water for night time.

[Only1scoop]

Cold turkey it

Just get rid

Really bad for teeth

[CodyKing]

I threw all the bottles out - none in the house they can't have one.

Only woke once and didn't bother again as they knew there were no bottles.

[YouAreMySweetestDownfall]

Years ago! He only turned 3 a few months back.
He's always been a nightmare to get down and I found something that helped.

I am taking on board the teeth decay problem.

Ironically he was a complete bottle refuser for the first year. It was started by his Dad when I went back to work and he needed a way to settle him for nap time.

I know that, that's exactly the time they're meant to stop bottles so I can't get too defensive

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

Years ago

I don't understand the angst over bottles, people still breastfeeding at 2 or 3.

[Nobloodynamesleft]

Yes, I did say years ago. NHS advice is no bottles after 12 months. I did this with ds. Dd was more attached and took longer, but had got her off it by 18 months. I hate seeing older kids with bottles. This is my opinion.

[PlugUgly]

Can't you swap for a dummy if the comfort is needed?

[PlugUgly]

NHS advice changes all the time, go with your instincts

[Andbabymakesthree]

Completely shake up the routine so it becomes less obvious you are removing the bottle.

[Artandco]

Dame - yes mine breastfed at 3. But in living room about 30 mins before bed. Then teeth cleaned before bed. Any milk will rot teeth if left on them overnight every night

[NerrSnerr]

We have established that nobloody is perfect.

My opinion is do what's best for you, whether that's watering down, cold turkey or seeing if he self weans.

[PlanBwastaken]

If it's any help, we do bottle, teeth, bed for DD who is 2.5 - she hates brushing her teeth and struggles like an octopus, but then she's so happy it's over she goes straight down. Maybe try it in that order first?

[Chickpeachick0]

Dame, big difference in oral processes used in breastfeeding and bottle feeding .
After 12 months bottles are not recommended. Early childhood caries is a big problem and this is a cause.
You could try slowly making the teat hole bigger over a few days then cutting the top off .
Good luck !