How can I gently stop my 11 month old relying on the buggy and a bottle for naps? And the bottle for night sleeps?

[Summersun112]

I have just finished breastfeeding my 11 month old because he kept biting. (I tried everything to get him to stop, but the biting continued and it was sooooooo painful so I stopped.)

He wasn't quite ready to finish breastfeeding, which is heartbreaking for me, but has formed a big attachment to the bottle in place of boob!

Now, for each nap, he needs to be in the buggy with a bottle. We don't even necessarily have to go out, but he won't nap in his cot.

And, during the night, he needs to suck on his bottle every time he wakes from a sleep cycle. (He slept better when breastfed).

How can I gently get him to fall asleep without these crutches? Or is there no gentle way?

I wouldn't worry about him napping in the buggy....is there some reason why you don't want him in it for naps?

With regard to his reliance on the bottle...again...he's very young still. I'd honestly leave him to it at this age.

I'm really thinking of childcare - he starts 3 days a week in two months. I'm not sure if they'll be happy to put him in the buggy for naps? Maybe I should ask them...

OP, guarantee that he will be totally fine with the cot in childcare so don't make changes just for that. Babies are very flexible despite what you have experienced with him. I always found I got to a point when the buggy just wasn't quiet or isolated enough for sleeps so I just put him/her in their cot. You'd be amazed how they accept things if you simply make a decision and stick to it. A little bit of crying will likely happen but I just go in and say 'no, sleepy time' as many times as necessary till they give up and miraculously usually by the next day, they GP in their cot for naps forevermore.

Will he take a dummy?

Thanks karate! That makes me feel so much better. My older DC was a big fan of sleep, so I'm not used to a baby who isn't as much!

tribble - he gave it up on his own at 4 months. To be honest, the dummy was probably part of the reason my older DC was an easy(ish) sleeper (relatively anyway!)

Can't imagine why they wouldn't let him nap in the buggy? You're paying them for a service - just be sure to ask the right questions x