Going to Sleep/nap with the Bottle....

I know this is probably not going to be a popular answer, but both of my kids would chug a bottle and then fall asleep in the car and that is how they would get their nap. We always did some activity in the morning (story time, playground, etc) them I would run an errand (grocery store, etc) and then on the way home, I'd give them a bottle and they would fall asleep and I'd transfer them to their cribs. We did this until they were fully 2 yrs old, so they had all of their teeth. I took the bottles away after we could discuss the merits of really cool sippy cups and agree that bottles would no longer be used. After that, it really was harder to get them down. I would not stress out about it too much unless you think they really do have a problem that you can see (and it sounds like you have pretty good access to his mouth).

My dentist said that in 60 years of practice he has never seen a patient whose teeth were damaged from milk sugars, and that the soft nipples on a bottle (especially the modern kind, and I had to remember he started practice back in the days of thick harder rubber nipples) disrupt forming teeth WAY less than a thumb or pacifier. Babies/toddlers only suck on a nipple or sippy cup for a few minutes while falling asleep but pacifiers and thumbs are in the mouth for hours and hours. So he said, have at, guilt free.

We let our son use a bottle to fall asleep and then a sippy cup until he was 5. He STILL gets a big mug of warm milk before sleep. And just as our dentist said, his teeth are gorgeous. No overbite, malformations, or cavities.

I agree with SH, just use a good toothpaste product that has Xylitol in it. I think that it is good that you sneak the bottle away once he is asleep and brush his teeth too. If you can do that pretty much every night, I'm sure it helps a lot.

Also, you say you don't feel comfortable giving your son water - is this only at night because you're scared he'll get hungry in the middle of the night? Or do you not give him any water, ever? If it is the second, then I think you should start giving him water, during the day, otherwise he may end up a bit dehydrated. My pediatrician said you can also water down the formula a bit if he doesn't like to drink 'just' water...

But don't worry, in time he'll be able to fall asleep without a bottle! Just keep trying once in a while, in case he surprises you, but I would say don't push it too much, at this age :)

You've got to let him CIO and eventually (since he's so young), he will forget that he needed the bottle to fall asleep. You have to break your child of bad habits early in order to make it easier and healthier in the long run.

We gave our kids a bottle of warm water instead of milk. My kids were all good water drinkers, so it wasn't a problem. I realize, not all babies will drink water though. So, good luck.

You could try a pacifier... although that is controversial for some Moms... and you will have to wean him from it one day. My son had a pacifier. My daughter hated it.
But some babies are just more oral.

Next, try "Spiffies" tooth wipes. It is made with Xylitol, and is specifically for babies and toddlers.
It PREVENTS tooth rot and decay. I have been using it with my kids since my son was a baby. The website is: www.spiffies.com
There are other "xylitol" tooth wipes for kids... which I have also tried, but I like the Spiffies brand the best. Sometimes you can find it on Ebay too. And Amazon.com will be carrying it soon too.
I even use it myself sometimes, to clean my teeth on the go. Very handy.

Instead of milk in a bottle, you could transition him to another "routine" and just NOT put the bottle in the crib. Give him something else to hug/knaw at. Like a lovey. My son had and still has his stuffed Cow... which is his "buddy" and it is all worn and loved and chewed and rubbed. But lovingly.

Yes, leaving a bottle of milk or juice with a child as they sleep WILL damage their teeth. And once decay sets in.... as with my cousin as a baby, they had to cap all his front teeth. It is not pleasant to go through this as a young child/baby.

Or you use a sippy cup of water, as a "chaser" after the milk... and rinse your babies teeth with it.

To feed him when he wakes at night... take him OUT of the crib... feed him his bottle.... and then after that put him back IN the crib WITHOUT the bottle.
A baby WILL wake at night, which is normal... because they get plain hungry as they grow and hit developmental changes... and they go through MANY "growth-spurts" along the way (every few weeks or every 3 months)... and they simply need to feed. As you know, for the 1st year of life a baby NEEDS to be fed "on demand."

All the best,
Susan

Talk to your baby's doctor if you are concerned about decay... but I know it can be a big problem. Another thought is to check with your dentist. Even if your baby isn't being seen yet, I'm sure the dentist wouldn't mind answering a couple questions.

I wanted to respond to your water comment though...It is FINE for you to give your baby water. You can start with some water starting when they are 6-7 months. If he is falling asleep with the bottle, water might be a better thing to have in it. If you are concerned that he isn't getting enough calories, feed him fully BEFORE bed. If you are using the bottle to help him go to sleep, it isn't a real "feed" anyway. :)

Take care!

Hi Melinda,

While I have no personal experience with this, my mom mangages a dental practice (and is also a dental assistant) and she tells me the most awful stories of babies and toddlers coming in with stumps for teeth because the juice (particularly) and milk ate away at their teeth. She said the number of very young children getting capped teeth is phenomenal! Consequently, I was a big fan of pacifiers and/or a sippy cup of water when they were older.

Good luck.

at 10 months he SHOULD be drinking water throughout the day, esp if he is getting food...their bodies need the water in their system to help digest food. you can give it in either a bottle or sippy cup.

For sleep, I agree with the pacifier suggestion--the sucking is soothing.

Whatever change you make, it will take several nights for him to get used to it, so it will be hard on both of you for a few nights, but try to hang in there for A WEEK to see if he adjusts to the new routine. *and BE CONSISTENT! if you give in here and there, then you send the message that if he cries enough he can get his way.

Good luck. My daughter is also 10 months, and this is a fun age of discovery! Keep your boy busy so he'll be tired at bedtime.

I, too, have an experience like Riley J. My son is 4 1/2 and still goes to bed with a milk sippy. He has perfect teeth. He was breastfed all night as an infant, and has always had some milk at bedtime. He has never sucked a paci or kept a bottle all night, though. His dentist also agrees that the milk is not the problem, but rather juice, and sodas, as well as a bottle as a paci. He also states that it is largely genetic. If your personal dental history is poor or the father's is, you may want to see a pediatric dentist, but if you both have strong teeth, he may be just fine for some time to come. Don't worry about water, though!! Water will not hurt him at this age, and he should start to get used to water as his primary beverage. It is the healthiest beverage on the market! My 4 year old will only drink milk and water. He doesn't favor juice or soda. It is just what he is used to.