Took the Bottle Away

N.,

The milk sitting on her teeth all night is VERY bad for them. If you want to continue giving her the milk in the livingroom before going to bed, I would add brushing teeth right after and just before sleeping as a regular part of your routine. Other than that, it sounds like you're doing great. Don't be afraid of change :o). You're right, kids get used to things Much more quickly than we do and it's actually pretty hard to make that big of a mistake.

L.

I'd keep the same routine that you're doing but you must start brushing her teeth after the milk if you do not do this already. You can always gradually move the milk further away from bedtime as time goes on. Good luck.

I'd keep your routine the same, but eliminate the milk as she lays down as it will promote tooth decay. (Your pediatrician can give you all the details on how, I don't really remember. Something about it staying in her mouth?) Sounds like the transition was a dream. Yay!!!

Also, I love the comment in your description about your hubby. It's nice to see a happily married couple. But, psssttt...I think MY hubby is the best ever! LOL

:-) :-) :-)

It sounds like you had a vary good routine with her when you were keeping it to not in her room. I would not break the good habits you have to compromise for learning something new just treat the cup usage like you did the bottle an keep it out of the bedroom. As far as when to give her the cup in the evening I would say the same time you used to give her the bottle why change the routine she knows,the more familiar it seems the easier it may be to learn.An the fired up an ready to play again thing, I think she will follow your lead as long as she knows that the routine has not changed then it should go well. Good luck! An remember don't sweat the small stuff!:)

As your kid gets older her routine will change. Just like she needs to get used to it so do you. If she sees that your uncomforatable how will she ever adjust?

to be honest I think what ever you are doing isn't right or wrong. I feel the same way you do about change. Sometimes you just have to give yourself that little extra shove. You know deep down what is best for you and your little girl. With kids it just takes time. Sounds to me like you are doing just fine with what works for you. I had the problem with getting my little boy out of his swing into his bed to sleep at night. Kids like routine too but we all have to deal with it eventually. They or (we) are upset for a little while and then we are over it!! AND all of a sudden you forget what the problem ever was. Hope this helps!!!

I agree that she has had a big change in getting rid of the bottles, and you should keep things the same for a while. Definitely keep the bottle out of the bedroom. Brush the teeth after a bottle of milk if it is just before bed, but don't let her carry the sippy cup around in her teeth. This can turn into a habit that causes orthodontic problems. I try to keep my kids cups at the table. They can drink it a the table and when they get down it goes away. In between meals give water. A lot of tooth problems are caused by kids sipping on drinks all day. There is no right and wrong, they are your kids and you get to make the decisions. Some things are easier to deal with at 13mos then they are at 3years or even 16 years. Take the cues from your daughter if she is happy, then you should try to be happy about the change too... it means you did a good job. Congrats Mom.