Hi all,
My nearly 13mo DS has a really bad attachment to the bottle! During the day he walks around with it in his mouth (not drinking, just holding on to it) and then needs it to fall asleep. I've been taking it off him during the day whenever I see he's not actually drinking but then we get the tantrum! I've been distracting with toys/books/something more interesting which is helping some times but any tips on this would be helpful.
The more painful bit is the getting to sleep - I know it's a bad sleep association and that the articles say that you need to remove the association and they should be able to self soothe but HOW? All yesterday when I put him down for his naps I've been letting him drink to make sure he's not thirsty then taking the bottle away and have done the same this morning. He cried on and off for 45 mins for his first nap yesterday and then second one I got him back out of the cot after an hour of trying - I then had to go out so we went for a walk and he fell asleep in the pram of course! (NB - I am going in and checking every 10 mins or so before anyone think I'm leaving him to suffer or anything lol)
I've tried to put a comforting hand on his back (he sleeps on his front) and said 'nap time now darling, sleep well' but he wriggles away, and either sits up and cries or stands up and cries, wanting to be held and/or be given the bottle. I've been just leaving him then reassuring as I leave the room and closing the door and then he's been crying for a good 5mins solid, then peters off but it still took 45 minutes yesterday and a good half hour at least this morning of him wriggling about and chattering and occasionally shouting/crying.
I'm really not a fan of him crying it out/controlled crying - is that what I have to do to break the cycle? Or is there a kinder, less upsetting for all way of tackling this? I've just started reading about gradual retreat - not sure if this would be applicable?!
He is also still waking in the night wanting a bottle - we half heartedly tried giving water instead one night but I was so knackered after that I've been putting off trying again. If we take the bottle away from him in the night he'll then wake mega early but if I leave the bottle with him he'll sleep for ages!
For added info, we haven't given him a dummy - I'm not against it by any means but DH (and his mother of course) have a real thing about not giving him one
All tips gratefully received cos I'd love to sleep through the night one day soon
Thanks
L