How to Get Your Toddler to Sleep Without a Bottle

After a long day, the last thing you want to do is try and get your toddler to sleep without a bottle. It takes time and patience, but it can be done! Here are some tips on how to get toddler to sleep without a bottle.

The battle of the bottle is one every mom has been through. Whether it be breastfeeding or not, there are a million ways to get your kids to sleep without a bottle.

What I’ve found works best for our family was creating a bedtime routine that my son loved and we stuck with until he grew out of it. We would start by reading together, then singing songs, followed by rocking in his chair while drinking water from his sippy cup (we had no problem getting him to switch). After about 20 minutes he would be sound asleep!

Not everyone will have the same experience or success rate as us. But hopefully this post can help you find what works best for you and your little ones!

Why a bedtime bottle isn’t a good idea?

Your toddler doesn’t need the bottle at bedtime anymore. Toddlers usually stop asking for a bedtime bottle by 18 months of age or earlier. Some toddlers continue drinking from their bottles after that age because they have learned it makes them feel comfortable and secure at bedtime.

Some children with sleep problems drink milk before going to bed in order to help themselves fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. But there are other ways you can improve your child’s sleep instead of resorting to giving up her nighttime feeding ritual completely.

What Can I Use Instead Of Bottle For Toddler?

You can try offering them a sippy cup with milk or water in instead of using a bottle. You will find that eventually they get used to the idea of having a sippy cup of water or milk rather than a bottle!

Change toddler’s bottle to one without milk, gradually so they don’t get upset

Do it gradually. If you just go cold turkey, there will be some rough nights that will put you both through hell. So, instead of just ditching the bottle completely, gradually wean them off it over time.

Start by giving them less milk at night. You could also have them drink milk from a sippy cup before bed instead of the bottle. Then work your way up to drinking just water.

Plus, as an added bonus, this will help teach toddler that when their thirsty at night time they should reach out for something other than a bottle!

Tips To Help Your Toddler Sleep Without Bottle

Give them something warm before bed: Warm milk is always a good choice because toddlers often like warm foods in general. Whatever you do, try not to give them cold drinks because that will just make toddler more thirsty and keep you up all night.

Put toddler in their crib or bed with their favourite stuffed animal

Toddlers love comfort items. This is a great way for them to feel safe and secure at the end of the day. Provide comfort with their favourite blanket and stuffed animal rather than the bottle!

Read toddler a bedtime story before they fall asleep:

This is another way of giving them something that comforts them at bed time, instead of a bottle. Plus, reading books with your toddler helps reinforce their learning skills in general so it’s never too early or late for that!

Weaning your toddler off the bottle can be tricky. If you follow these tips on how to get a toddler to sleep without a bottle then hopefully things won’t seem quite as daunting anymore. Take care of yourself by taking lots of deep breaths during stressful times and try not worry.

Use dim lights:

This is one of those things that can be tricky because toddlers have really sensitive eyes and don’t like too much light. If you want them to go down for bed with little fuss, it’s important not to use any bright lights. Use blinds on your windows.

You might also find it helpful to make sure there are not distracted by turning off the TV and having all screens around toddler covered up so they aren’t getting anything extra from the outside world.

If you toddler really dislikes the dark use a night light as a source of comfort.

Put toddler in crib or bed before they fall asleep:

This might be one of those things that sounds kind of redundant because you’re putting toddler into their own bed. When it looks like they are about ready to doze off anyway but if not then try reading your child a story while laying down next to them on the floor as opposed to handing them another drink.

Then walk away after finishing up your book, layering blankets over toddler who has already fallen asleep, and go back downstairs (or to bed) yourself.

Final Thoughts

The key is to be patient and persistent. You can’t just tell your toddler that they are too old for a bottle, you have to show them through actions as well. If every time the child asks for water or milk in their cup, provide it without hesitation – even if it’s after bedtime. Eventually they will forget the night bottles and build sleep associations with their sippy cup instead.

Breaking the bottle habit can be more difficult got bottle-fed babies as this is their norm – keep trying though and they will get there.

Weaning Toddler Off Bedtime Milk In Bottles FAQ’s

Why Do Toddlers Get Attached To Their Bottles?

Bottles are a comforting object to toddlers in bed at night.

Toddlers also get attached to their bottles because of the routine . Every day at the same time you give them milk in a bottle. So they just expect it to always be the same. Toddlers do love a routine!

Can Bottle Weaning Prevent Cavities?

To avoid cavities in your baby’s teeth, it is best to wean them away from their bottle at bedtime. Milk and juice provide sugars that can cling to teeth which may ultimately make your child more susceptible to tooth decay. It is also important to brush teeth before bed to remove the sugars.

What Else Can I Try?

If your toddler prefers to suck on the bottle than enjoy any of the milk inside, a dummy or favourite stuffed animal may be enough for them at night. Place several in their bed and show them how to put it themselves.