15 Months Old Wont Go to Sleep Without Bottle

We had one like this. I offered her two choices. Milk in the cup, or water in the bottle. She picked the water, and I never worried that much about it after that. She could have almost as much water as she wanted, and it was more like a passifier. She gave it up eventually, and water is good for them!

M.

My son was like this at that age. We just switched it gradually to water. It was the bottle that he wanted, not to eat. We heard sucking on am empty bottle a lot. It got to the point that we hardly even put anything in it & he was more than happy. Over time, we switched it to a sippy cup. Then, one night we just didn't give him one. If he asked for it, we got it.

I have a 17 month old who nurses through the night with the same waking patterns that you describe. I get way more sleep now that I co-sleep. I just roll over and nurse him - in your case it would be roll over and give her a bottle. If you are truly exhausted, you should try it; however, it helps to have a large bed.

My 15 month old at the time was the same way and my husband told me to just give her the bottle since he had to work in the morning. Big mistake. Her front teeth started chipping off a little so I freaked out and immediately went cold turkey no bottles. (I had been TRYING to give her water in a bottle) Now I've been taking her to the dentist to fix it (he said we caught it early and not to beat myself up but still!) and regret not being tougher about it because of her teeth, and I knew better. She luckily adapted pretty well and by the 2nd night just went back to sleep and has been fine since. The crying is worth the thought of your child with dental issues before her all her teeth are even in! Good Luck!

She has to learn how to sleep and she doesn't know how without the bottle. Just leaving her to cry is going to tick her off even more. We know how toddlers want what they want lol! And she would have no idea what to do or why you aren't' coming in with the bottle like you always do. It's very confusing and not at all consistent with the routine that she knows. Toddlers thrive on routine. They know it's something they can depend on and trust. To change a routine, especially one as big as a sleep routine, takes time, education on your part about baby sleep and then you can teach your lo how to sleep-without a bottle. Changing a routine and teaching baby a new one takes time.

I highly recommend learning about infant and toddler sleep. Dr. Sears Baby Sleep book has a section on toddlers and I believe the baby whisperer has a toddler book as well. These were life-savers when i was trying to teach my 1st how to sleep. The better you understand infant/toddler sleep the better you will be able to formula a sleep plan, trouble shoot and *teach* baby to sleep.

I'm with Martha. I did what she did... My son still likes to have some water with him. Now... It just sits there. As long as he knows it's there. He doesn't drink it anymore. Just wants it there.

Yikes, I guess you are going to have top let her cry and get used to the idea that she isn't getting a bottle. I'm sorry I don't know what else to tell you.

I know many mommies hate this answer...but I swear it works. Your daughter is making a power struggle move (unconsciously, of course). She knows if she cries enough you will give in. IF you let her cry and DONT GO into her room, she will stop. I promise. I know it sounds mean, to just let her cry, but at this point it is out of habit. She gets plenty of food during the day and as you said, doesnt want the milk, just the comfort of the bottle. I swear, that within 3 nights (day 1 - cried 45 minutes or so, day 2 - 30 minutes, day 3 - 10 minutes) my 10 month old son starting sleeping through the night. I truly thought it was a miracle and thanked my pediatrician for suggesting I do it. It has been 3 months and he only wakes up during the night maybe once a month and goes right back to bed when I come in his room and comfort him/tell him it is still night time etc.

Dont wait too much longer, the older she gets the harder it is (toddlers are very strong willed and the will of a mother hearing her baby cry is not that strong).

I promise, if you dont give in (dont let her see you), make sure she is safe and comfy when you put her down, she will give in to sleep - and you will win the power struggle (it is tough but you can do it!). I would do it on a Thurs/Fri/Sat night so you have the weekend and dont have to get up for work (or your husband) after a night of a crying baby. You will be a much better M./human with a few good nights of sleep.

Good luck!