I am a mother of twosons, 23 & 17, and now babysit my 11 month old Godchild and would like to take the time to offer Leah my advise. I would say talk to her! Tell her about her body needing more nutrition through other foods and tell her body needs sleep instead of drinking water all night. You did talk to her about milk rotting her teeth, why not this too!!!! Children are very smart! I offer this advise not only with this problem, but all of them, that you will be sure to come upon in life!! Remember TALK, TALK, TALK and TALK some more.



Good Luck & God Bless!!!
Kris Smith, Altoona,PA

I would suggest that Leah and her hubby try to get their daughter to drink from either a sippy cup or a cup with a lid and a straw. (It has worked wonderfully with both of my grandchildren, Jonah is 2 1/2 and Rachel is 16 mos.-both off the bottle by 13 mos.) I also urge them to start transitioning their daughter from their bed to her own bed. Have the cup(s) with water on the nightstand and let Sophia help herself to water during the night without waking Mom and Dad. I agree with talking to the child, too because I believe that she will understand. It is difficult, I know, but sometimes you just have to be strong....be the parent! That's why God didn't just put babies here on their own-they need training and guidance. Good luck and May God Bless
Sincerely,
Nancy...a Mom and Grandma

I disagree whole-heartedly with you! Her child gas too much control as is. Too much talk, too little action. I agree that kids are smart, but her kid is smart enough to know that she is in control at that house. I love Leah, but she needs to realize that she isn't giving her child happiness in the long run by giving in, just the simple satisfaction of "winning" again with her mom. She asked the lady who was helping if she wanted to come live at her house. Well, I would take up that challenge for a few days to help her family out. BTW, I don't want you to think that I am without my own "credentials" if you will. I have three children of my own, ages 6, 4, and 9 months, and yes, I AM one of those people who have the bottle gone by their 1st b-day. I also get rid of the sippy by 2. I have done it with day care kids too, so I actually have experience with it as far as older kids who weren't weaned earlier. I would LOVE to take a few days and shake a bit of sense into the household. I know they are smart, but in the words of Dr. Phil, they need a wake-up call!!!!! You can't succed when failure is sitting on the nightstand!

AnywAY! Thus is me!!!

CC

I am a mother of a 24 year old and really got very lucky with weaning him off the bottle. But my advice to Leah and her husband is to just take a bottle away every so often until they're down to none. Taking one a way at a time gives Sophia a chance to get used to just five instead of six a night and then after a week or so four instead of five and so on. Hope this works for you if you decide to give it a try. Good Luck!