Toddler sleep and milk

Welcome Tcofran,

As Gloeiwurmpie said, the milk has got to go, unfortunately as long as you keep offering milk, your little one will wake up for it.

at around 13 months, we realized my daughter was just using the breastfeeding as a soother to get back to sleep rather than needing the milk, so we quite- cold turkey , yes there were 2-3 nights of fighting, because she wanted the milk, but your son is also much older now, so you could also probably explain to him which might make it easier.

I know my Paed said they should really be off all bottles by 2, think it may have even been a bit sooner (milk through a bottle teat is also bad for their teeth- and then just have full cream milk in a sippy cup in the day no night time milk ( as GW said they dont really need it for nutritional reasons past 6 months)

Maybe just explain to your son he is a big boy now and doesn't need a bottle at night, but if he wakes up you will go comfort him or give him water etc, if he has a temper tantrum, just ride it out, we did with my daughter, we sat with her while she had a bit of a cry and offered cuddles and water instead and after a few nights, she was already sleeping so much better. I know a lot of parents who tell their kids they giving the bottles to the bottle fairy and leave them out one night and then next day the child gets a present from the bottle fairy and the bottles are gone.

In terms of the talking, if you are concerned then I would suggest chatting to your Dr, my Paed said that its easier to fix any speech problems when they younger, than leaving it, perhaps he is just taking a bit longer because he is a boy, but your Dr will be able to give you some advice there.

Good luck, let us know how it goes

Thanks for all the info, busy reading up on the articles

Hi Tcofran!

Welcome to moomie.

I am afraid there is only one answer and it isn't going to be a pretty one.

Babies actually need no milk from around 6 months of age during the night and should you continue to give it through the night the only role it has is that of "soothing" as a comfort item like a dummy etc.

You could start by decreasing the milk at night and slightly diluting it with water, however some children notice this and might react very unhappily to this.
If that didn't work sleep training will be the next option. I would suggest you tackle this if both parents are present and can afford a week of very little sleep.
I liked the babysense/toddlersense suggestions for sleep training as it is far more gentle than the "cry it out" method, however there will be tears...

See also Dr. sears

www.parenting.com/article/ask-dr-sears-bye-bye-bottle

www.askdrsears.com/topics/sleep-problems...ves-all-night-nurser

Good morning people..... new here, but have been reading a lot.

My son is 2y 5m old. He does not sleep through at night. He will have at least 4-5 bottles of milk (pharmalat 1st growth) during the night......... also, he is not even close to talking it seems, although a lot of people say not to worry, as boys are a bit slower than girls when it comes to talking.

the milk / sleeping is causing me and my wife sleepless nights in more than one way, so any advice will be greatly appreciated.