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Parenting

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Original poster

Help Me Be Strong

74 replies

Tee2072 · 22/01/2012 07:50

My DH and I have decided that our 2.7 year old is to not have bottles during the day. Yesterday wasn't too bad but this morning he is screaming that he wants his milk, which is here, just in a sippy cup. He's now standing here sobbing about it.

I.Will.Not.Give.In!!!

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

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lagrandissima · 22/01/2012 07:52

Don't. Bottles are terrible for their teeth. I think the current advice is to get them off bottles around a year.

By nearly 3, I'd be giving a sippy cup if we were out and about, and an open topped glass/beaker at the table (only a third full). Keep chilled if he spills it (he will), but let him do 'cheers' and clink glasses with the grown ups, and he'll love it.

dukeofpork · 22/01/2012 07:56

Maybe you could actually throw the bottles away so you are not tempted to give in.

And have a big packet of chocolate buttons sitting on the table for the end of the day.

MrsWembley · 22/01/2012 08:03

YY to getting him off bottles and keep strong. He will drink it if he's thirsty,

I remember Supernanny doing this. Can't remember her strategies though, but you could google and see if there's any hints and tips?

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Original poster

Tee2072 · 22/01/2012 08:03

Well, we aren't making him give up his before bed bottle, so I won't be throwing them away, just the morning and mid afternoon ones. Well, he's pretty much given up his mid afternoon milk anyway, so it's not an issue.

And I know all the arguments as to why he shouldn't have one. I'm not looking for those.

But thanks for them anyway, I guess.

And he does drink out of an open beaker during the day. It's just his morning milk that he drinks while snuggling on the sofa that is an issue.

OP posts:

lagrandissima · 22/01/2012 08:34

Why don't you have a 'bottle burning' ceremony or some such event - get him to bin /burn them and then go and buy a nice sippy cup - he can choose - something with cow hide design or spiderman etc. Tell him that a sports bottle would be more 'grown up' than a 'baby bottle' etc. I think it you let him have a bottle at bedtime the inconsistency may confuse him. I understand your fear of letting go of part of the routine that helps him settle at night, but if he knows he can hold out for a bottle at the end of the day, it might send conflicting messages to him.

CharlotteBronteSaurus · 22/01/2012 08:38

i think this might be a bit harder for you all if you keep the bedtime bottle, as it will be a bit confusing, and you will have the upset again when it's time for the bedtime bottle to go.

I've just got rid of dd2's bottles. She took squash and water from a cup, but had bottles for milk. She was really narky about it for the first two days, but had forgotten all about them by the third.

Original poster

Tee2072 · 22/01/2012 08:40

Well, I don't agree. And neither do most of the other moms I talk to. I know several much older children who don't have bottle during the day but have one at night.

Milk is not a necessity. It's just something he like to drink. He eats plenty of other calcium based products.

And really, the lack of support, which is what I asked for, is ridiculous. All I really wanted was 'be strong' 'you can do it'. Not a lecture on how I was doing it wrong.

OP posts:

CogitoErgoSometimes · 22/01/2012 08:58

If you don't want opinions on your methods, don't post on an internet forum.

CharlotteBronteSaurus · 22/01/2012 08:59

woooah, steady on. no-one's given you any grief, just made a couple of suggestions that might actual make things easier. and don't panic, we can't come into your house and MAKE you do it our way, you know.

parttimedomesticgoddess · 22/01/2012 09:02

Why not try a straw in an open beaker? May make it much more attractive. Good luck, it's horribly intense sometimes when they're that age and really want something that you no longer want them to have x

Original poster

Tee2072 · 22/01/2012 09:02

You're right, it is completely my fault. I should know better than to expect people on MN to just be supportive of someone else's parenting choices rather than giving them a lecture about how they are doing it wrong. I've been here over 3 years, you'd think I'd know this by now.

Oh well, thanks anyway. Have a nice Sunday all.

OP posts:

pinkyp · 22/01/2012 09:03

I think u should get rid off all bottles, poor dc will get confused that they can have it before bed but not now ? I'd scream too

pinkyp · 22/01/2012 09:05

People are offering you great advice on here to try and help you and your child. It's up to u if you take it, jeez

ragged · 22/01/2012 09:06

Crikey, bit testy Tee.

Original poster

Tee2072 · 22/01/2012 09:09

The point is that I wasn't asking for advice, but support. And telling me I am doing it wrong, i.e. a way different to the way you would do it? Is not supportive!

OP posts:

Fo0ffyShmo0ffer · 22/01/2012 09:09

I know how difficult it can be. Some children can take or leave it and some just love the snuggling and routine of the breakfast bottle and supper bottle. DS was the former, DD the latter. I completely understand how you feel we felt so cruel when we cut out the morning bottle. She didn't cry just kept plaintively asking for it.
What helped for us was to take her to buy one of those character cups with a straw. The ones you can get at Poundstretcher. Made a huge fuss of what it was for. I know sucking through a straw isn't the same as sucking at a bottle AND she didn't take to it immediately but eventually she loved it.
It does feel cruel I can completely empathise, she continued with her supper bottle until turning three.
Keep going with it. He'll come round to it eventually I'm sure. Don't worry.

Ineedadollar · 22/01/2012 09:12

They're suggestions, Tee! And all made very politely! Good luck anyhow

Original poster

Tee2072 · 22/01/2012 09:14

But I wasn't looking for suggestions!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If I was looking for suggestions, I would have said 'can anyone suggest how I can get my son to stop using a bottle'.

That is not what I said.

For example, I am about to start another thread asking for suggestions on what to do because his nappy keeps leaking in his sleep. I am tired of washing sheets!

OP posts:

NorksAreMessy · 22/01/2012 09:18

To get support from others, we need to support others and to elicit their sympathy, to make them feel warmly about us and want to help us.

HTH

HandMini · 22/01/2012 09:20

Tee, good luck. Giving up any "crutch" which baby loves is difficult, be that bottles, dummy sucking, rocking to sleep. I think most mothers experience having to help their child "give up" something, so hopefully you will get empathy from most. When LO is screaming for bottle, just take it one minute at a time...you will not give in, you will not give in, you will not give in.

ragged · 22/01/2012 09:21

You've been on here for ages Tee, you have to know that we read everything with a critical mind. Or if you didn't know that before, Know It Now.

RockstockAndTwoOpenBottles · 22/01/2012 09:21

Oh FFS, why is it that when people ask for some support, others feel it necessary to say 'no no you're doing it wrong, do it like this'

I am fairly certain that the OP says 'Help me be strong' not 'I know I'm doing it all wrong please come and TELL me what to do' Her DS is 2½ FFS and the bottle is a comfort thing for him. They want to keep it for him at night time as that is what settles him.

Tee I think (as hard as it is for the first couple or three days) that you'll have to ride this bit. Taking him to choose a sports type beaker that's specially for his morning/afternoon milk (if he really wants the milk) may well help.

It's crap isn't it? DD3 (she's almost 3) has a dummy. I hate dummies with a passion and always have done - none of my older three had them. I want her to stop with it, but at the same time I cba with the week of grief either... However, DD1 is 18. Drives. Drinks. Parties. Off to University in October. AND STILL SUCKS HER FUCKING THUMB. At least I can lob the dummy when I'm ready. I couldn't chop the thumb off although I may have inadvertently tried by shutting the door accidently on it once upon a time

SulkySullenDame · 22/01/2012 09:22

Good luck. I'm sure he will have forgotten all about the bottle in a few days!

HandMini · 22/01/2012 09:23

PS, as for the nappy leaking, I haven't found a way of stopping it, but I use 'draw sheets' which are a narrow strip of flat sheet, under baby's body, over the fitted sheet and tucked tightly under mattress. Theory is that when baby leaks you can pull off the draw sheet and wash that, much easier than removing while fitted sheet. Works 50% of the time if you get there quickly enough.

Purplehonesty · 22/01/2012 09:23

Er get bigger nappies or toilet train him?! And maybe have a word with yourself

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