Sleep and bottles

[FrostyBear1]

Hello. My little one is now 17 months and his reflux finally stopped around 13 months- now eats well, no vomiting, no pain, generally content.

But, we have two ongoing problems that I wondered if anyone else had experienced, and if they did, any advice would be really welcome!

Firstly he was on similac prescription formula from 5 months due to failure to thrive. I just wondered if anyone else was on this sort of formula and had trouble weaning them off it? I can’t get him to take cows milk at all! I’ve tried mixing in different amounts but he won’t take. He doesn’t seem to want much fluid during the day now apart from sips of water from a 360 cup and what he gets from food, no milk. He never asks for a drink, I have to always offer it until he takes a couple of sips. Anyone else found this?

Secondly the nights are still horrendous- at best wakes once a night for a bottle still (drinks whole 200ml) then back off to sleep, but at worse wakes 3-4 times a night, last night wanted 2 full bottles overnight. He wont take cows milk or water, he just screams and screams until I give a bottle of similac. I know I’m giving in but being back at work and no sleep is really hard to manage

I’m also aware he is nearly 18 months and still taking bottles at night- the health visitor keeps telling me he shouldn’t still be on bottles 😞 makes me feel like I’m failing

Thanks in advance from a very tired mummy

Have you tried 1 oz cows milk 7oz formula? And then let lo adjust from there. Even half an ounce? Then increase overtime.
Then with drinking water, occasionally we have an issue we have a water bottle with straw from pound land. Drinks so much this way.
How many bottles is lo having in day? Do you think perhaps lo is using bottles in night rather then drinking in day? And is getting what they need from the formula?

When do you have time off? I would nightwear personally. Up the calories in the day. Offer water, yes a few nights of crappy sleep for everyone. It's likely habit.

Yes bottles at night are an issue, o believe its to do with milk sititing in los mouth. My lo has a bottle before bed but we brush her teeth and the dentist is fine with this as it's one bottle on 24 hours.

Your not failing. It's called having a peaceful and making your life easier which we are all guilty off. I didn't get rid of day dummy until a few months ago and I didn't think about it as she wanted it. But it is really bad for their teeth and speech.

I think you need to up his milk during the day even if it needs to be in a bottle.

Small bottle after every meal?

Have you tried milk alternatives eg Alrpo soya or oat growing up milks or Oatley barista?

Is he getting enough calcium? 350 mg a day.

Neither of my children would drink much. We played with tea set with real water and encouraged drinking of bath water.

Is he under a paediatric dietitian? As the description if his sickness and failure to thrive sounds like an allergy.