9:58 p.m. Tonight I’ve decided to try and break the B-man of his bottle. He’s not taking it well. I let him stay up a bit later thinking it would tire him a bit more and help him fall asleep faster. So far, not the case. It has been about 30 minutes since I put him down and he is still calling for me. I have had to go in and check on him three or four times. It is heart breaking. He is old enough to understand, but you can tell he is devastated.
10:29 p.m. The B-man has now taken to crying and calling out my name. It is followed with pitiful whimpers. I’ve stopped in two more times… A few minutes ago he faked me out by saying he had a poopy diaper. It ended up being a trick to buy more time.
I thought this would be easier than it is…..
10:45 p.m. I gave in. He started crying really hard. I brought him out into the living room for a few minutes, but alas, it was a trick again. The first thing the cutie says to me? “Knock, knock mommy” I almost fell over laughing. I know this must be so hard for him. I calmed him down and put him back in his bed around 11 p.m. He called for me (without crying) a few more times and I reassured him that everything was OK.
11:30 p.m. He’s been quiet now for about 10 minutes. I am still nervous and a little hesitant to go to bed. I am trying to type as quietly as I can.
I think I’ll try to head off to bed.
See you all tomorrow. Keep your fingers crossed!
Final update… It went well. He slept until 7:00 a.m. this morning.
Next step… Nap time!!
good luck! My kids were never addicted to the bottle like some kids, but we did have pacifiers.
Sam was easy to give his up — we just took it away at 13 months along with the bottle and he was fine. He definately benefitted from lessons we learned with his older brother.
Josh was 3 when he gave up his pacifier. We had to tell him the Easter Bunny was going to take it and leave him a basket and then he decided to throw it away on his own. It was painful for about 2 days. Then he was used to it. But sadly, the naps went bye bye then too!
Good luck! You can do it! Just stay strong!
Glad to hear, hopefully it goes a little better tonight! Good luck!
Good for you!
Just remember, as heartbreaking as it is, they are smart little buggers. They know how to manipulate to get you to let them “stay up”.
So when you are feeling guilty remember that when he doesn’t have the bottle exuse, it will be “i need a drink” or “rub my back” or “lay with me”, etc.