There are two things that Adam has/does that can be considered babyish. He still uses a dummy and he still drinks 3 bottles of milk a day.
The dummies will be tackled in about another 6 months when Simon and I think he will be able to understand why he can’t have them or at least be bribed with a toy if he ‘sends his dummies to the babies through Santa’.
The bottles on the other hand…
Milk is the only thing he drinks from a bottle. And only at home. Everything else, and at daycare, he drinks out of a sippy cup or an open beaker. With no problems or issues.
But at home he would rather not have milk than drink it from anything than a bottle. And if you knew my son and his love of milk you would understand just how much he wants that milk in a bottle and not a sippy cup. He just loves snuggling in with Mummy or Daddy and having those bottles. And it is such a source of comfort to him.
This morning we got up and, as agreed with Simon last night, I put his milk in a sippy cup. He sipped not a sip.
And so I am trying to be strong. Intellectually I know he doesn’t need the milk. He eats a wide variety of foods, including plenty of cheese for his dairy. And I know he will drink the milk from the sippy cup eventually as this isn’t the first time we’ve tried this, although not with his morning bottle. I’ve been trying to get him to drink his after lunch milk from a cup for ages.
I also know I don’t want to make him give up his before bed bottle. We both love our pre-sleep cuddle and I would miss it.
So I was strong. And Adam had a crap morning. Tripping over his own feet twice, ending in tears. Once while holding his cup of OJ. So OJ on the floor, crying, cranky baby.
Then Simon got up (Sundays he gets to lie in. I get Saturdays). And I told him about our morning. And he said ‘Give him some milk in a bottle. I bet that will help.” So I did. And it did.
And I will continue to do so. Despite the judgement of others. Despite my own lack of strength in the matter.
I doubt he will drink milk out of a bottle at Uni. But so what if he does???
*Okay, so I don’t actually believe in the Lord referenced in my title, but it sounded good and I do believe in a higher power.
Surprise! Surprise! I agree with Simon. After spending 12 days with you and observing the comfort he takes from snuggling and having the bottle in the morning and before bed I would just let it go for awhile. And I would probably try to get him to give up the afternoon bottle which you sometimes give him first cuz I think that might be the one he loves the least.
I also think he’s made such great progress with sleeping that I wouldn’t push for much more right now.
Love…..Mom
My opinion for what it’s worth:o)
Its kinda the same argument with breastfeeding. They won’t be nursing in college, so what is the harm if it is a comfort?
Also? Ember still had her paci up through a little after age 3 (though we dropped the pumped milk breastmilk bottle at age 2). Her last one disintegrated before her 3rd birthday, and she insisted on keeping it with her at night, waking constantly because she kept dropping it. Finally, we opened up her favorite toy, and let her drop it in, and then sewed it back up again. Now her paci is always with her…just not in her mouth or hand.
Oh, I love the judgement of others! We have the same issues with the ‘bot bots’. My son is 19 months and apparently he should be off them now but whatever. He drinks soya milk as lactose intolerant so I do actually worry about his calcium levels (he has regular blood tests at hospital) and yet yesterday I succumbed to the pressure. I gave him milk in a cup (presented as “Look! Bot Bot in a cup!” and it was swiftly rejected. He still wakes in the night for a bottle although we are trying to knock this on the head. How old is your little one? I say if it gives him comfort and he’s not, you know, 13 or something, then why worry for now?
Ghostwriter, he’s 25 months, nearly 26.
And I’m over it. He gets to keep his bottle!!
Robyn after 7 kids id Say bottle to, Its that snuggle comfort time so precious , my samuels 3 now and no bottle , but still got a dummy i dont think im ready for the horrendous screaming all through the night just for a dummy i really need my sleep more so i can function in the daytime 🙂
Ive been reading your blogs (a tad addictive) in the freshness and open and frank way you write 🙂
Samuel actually lost his bottle one day and as he was old enough it was a great way to explain het Its gone now, he didnt touch milk in his sippy cup for about 6 mths, no upset just didnt drink just lately hes been draining the milk and wanting a refill ………kids 😀