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Sleep

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Original poster

Going cold turkey without milk before bed tonight please give me some suggestions of how to make it easier?

13 replies

bramblina · 12/01/2007 16:40

Ds was breastfed till 13m and I stupidly introduced a bottle of cm before bed- he has now grown dependant on this and is taking so much he is being sick. Tonight I have decided to go cold turkey which I know is going to be a nightmare and I wonder if anyone can give me some suggestions of a better way of doing it?
Normally we would sit in his room and he'd drink a full bottle then go down, drowsy, but he has become more difficult to settle recently. With all the palava of Christmas etc and a terrible cold and cutting 4 teeth he has also become clingy and it's not getting any better. Should I read him a story in the sitting room with a cup of milk? Or do that in the bedroom? I don't know if I'm better to change the routine completely for a distraction or just alter it slightly.
He is 17m and dh is away so it's down to me. Please help! Sorry this is long.

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feetheart · 12/01/2007 16:43

I'd wait for Dh to come back. Moral support might be needed!

Cashncarry · 12/01/2007 16:44

I did this a couple of months ago after DD's 2nd bday - she'd had a bout of gastro so I'd cut out milk anyway. I did have any problems tbh - I give her a cup of milk downstairs then it's upstairs, change nappy, brush teeth and a bottle (Avent with one of those non-spill spouts) of water while I read a story.

Works really well for me - particularly happy that she's not having milk after brushing her teeth. She does drink slightly less milk now i've taken the bottle away but I try to top her up with more cheese, yogurt etc.

feetheart · 12/01/2007 16:45

Could you reduce the amount you give him slowly?
DD is nearly 4 and still has a little milk in a cup before bed, DS is 14 mths and still downs a full bottle most nights.

Cashncarry · 12/01/2007 16:48

Did not have any problems - sorry

thelittleElf · 12/01/2007 16:48

Personally i would let him have a CUP of milk in the lounge, snuggle up with him while he drinks it. Then do the normal bedtime routine, eg story, teeth etc. Don't change the routine dramatically, or this could just send him into a tailspin. If he asks for more milk, offer water only. It will be tricky to break this habit, but stick to your guns, be strong and try to remember that he isn't coming to any harm.
xx

Mumpbump · 12/01/2007 16:50

I agree - try reducing it gradually. If you cut back 1oz (or even 1/2 oz) at a time, he probably won't even notice. It'll take longer, but I would have thought would be less stressful for all concern.

Original poster

bramblina · 12/01/2007 17:24

I'm afraid that won't work as if he finishes his bottle and wants more we have always given him it. Stupid, I know. My hindsight is 20/20.
Cashncarry I hope dor a result like yours but I know I won't get one as ds is so willful. Plus atm clingy so I've probably picked a bad time for it. But have to do it.
Anyone else got ideas?

OP posts:

NAB3 · 12/01/2007 17:37

My 19month old has his milk with his tea.

piglit · 12/01/2007 17:54

My 27 month old ds still has milk and stories before doing his teeth and going to bed. Come to think of it, I still have a cup of milk before I go to bed and I'm 38.

twickersmum · 12/01/2007 18:28

why do you want to cut it out totally?
isn't the problem that he a) has too much and b) has it in bed after brushing teeth.

So why not just have it downstairs and distract him with a story or something or water if he asks for more?

my dd's are 15m and nearly 3, both have milk downstairs before going up to bed.

Original poster

bramblina · 12/01/2007 21:10

He was in bed asleep at 7.10pm. He was pretty tired which helped. I gave him a cup of milk on my knee with a story and his shal (which he adores and only normally is allowed in bed) and took him through. I had to go in to him once and he calmed down and got very dozy on my knee so I put him in his bed. I gues the next few days will tell more. Thanks all anyway.

OP posts:

Mumpbump · 15/01/2007 15:18

How's it going, bramblina?

Fireflyfairy2 · 15/01/2007 15:23

My little guy is 2 & I stopped giving him his milk on Friday. He had a bout if vomiting & general illnes & didn't want the milk, so I didn't offer him it on Fri & he didn't ask for it... I think he may have went off it during his illness. Is it just the bottle you want him off, or do you want to cut down his milk? I wanted to cut down ds's milk as he was drinking it & not eating his dinner or breakfasts. I have found that since the middle of the week he hasn't been as bad at eating his food.

Plus I put him in a bed at the same time, so all change for him!!

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