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Expert Q&A
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| By Elizabeth Pantley Child Behavior Expert Better Beginnings, Inc. | ||
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My 3-year-old still requires a bottle at night and at naptime. How can I wean him?
Your baby makes a "sleep association," wherein he "associates" certain things with falling asleep and believes he needs these things to fall asleep. This isn't something you can correct in one night. There are ways to slowly and lovingly help your son create new falling-to-sleep associations.
Before you attempt to make any changes in your little one's sleep routine, make certain that he is comfortable, healthy and well fed. A child who is hungry, cold or has an ear infection, allergies, or any other health problem may find it difficult to fall asleep because of pain or discomfort. Rule out these issues before you embark on your plan for a new falling-asleep plan.
The first step is to develop a routine for the hour before bedtime. This is crucial in cueing and preparing your son for sleep. Include any of the following that you enjoy and that help soothe and quiet your little guy:
- Warm, calm bath
- Massage
- Reading books
- Singing songs
- Playing soft music
- Rocking
The hour before bed should be peaceful. Your routine should be done in rooms with dim lights. Write down your routine, and make it very specific.
You may choose to give him a bottle at the end of your routine, but put smaller amounts of milk in it each night until there are only a few sips. This can help wean him from his sleep-time bottle. When you get to the point when your son usually has a bottle, stay with him and pat or touch him in the way that soothes him. It can help to provide him with a soft, favorite toy to keep him company as he drifts off.
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