My granddaughter is 18 months old and still wakes up at night for a bottle. She cries till she gets it. She should be done with this shouldn't she?
By Connie
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I don't think there is any "should" to raising your kids. If she wakes up and cries for a bottle, she needs comfort or she is hungry. Try to determine which it is - although I suppose it could be both. If she just needs comforting, maybe a rock and a cuddle or a visit in the night and rubbing her back or something will work. If she is hungry, maybe she needs a snack or a bottle before bedtime to make it through the night.
As a grandmother, you should be aware that this will not go on forever. Kids don't wake up and cry for a bottle when they are 12. She will grow out of this, and maybe it is an easy fix. What I absolutely wouldn't do is let her cry and cry and cry and not comfort and feed her in the night, so that she learns that the middle of the night is a scarey and unhappy time and you can't rely on anyone to comfort you!
louel53 is absolutely right! Sorry, but this question makes my hear ache. Each child/grandchild is unique and so are their circumstances and needs. Please remember that.
I would maybe gradually switch the baby to water (over a period of weeks mix water in, more and more water to less and less of the current thing). That will stop tooth decay.
Beyond that let the baby have a bottle as long as it needs it. She is 18 months not years, the world average for weaning is four years old.
I am concerned about you. What else do you feel the need to criticize? Is this your place? It is stressful enough to be a parent without Grandma being judgmental. If the child is safe and loved, then do nothing but support which is your role.
There is nothing wrong with an eighteen month old baby getting a bottle, if teeth are a concern water it down over a period of weeks to just water. Love and support the baby's parents, they love their baby and need your love.
I don't believe in taking the night bottle from a child. I never took it from my son but I did change it to water only. If he woke up, it was there for comfort but there wasn't any type of sugar in it.
I'm delighted seeing so many concerned and compassionate responses to the inquiry. Life is going to be hard enough! How insightful to suggest that the little one be offered all the comfort available to help the journey be a bit less daunting. Give her the opportunity to outgrow the bottle as her own inner-knowing will let her know when the time is right.
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