6 year old still wants a bottle at night and wears nappies in bed

[Ismene]

Anyone else have this problem? It's driving me mad yet she insists on having a last drink at night out of a bottle and she still wears those night-time pull ups for bed. I don't want to force her to do anything she's not happy with as she was forced to potty train before she was ready due to the nursery she went to and she had major problems with going to the toilet because of that. She is perfectly normal in every other way...do i just wait till she wants to give them up??

[teeboy]

yes.

[darcydark]

I think you know what you have to do, you just don`t really want to. To be able for your child to be dry all night and wear ordinary nightwear you need to get rid of the bottle.
Try finding someone or somewhere you can get your child to leave the bottles, explaining to her as she is a big girl it is time to finish with it. Done carefully and sensibly, it can be done. I have done this over the years with children I have worked with, one even left their bottles and spare nappies out for Santa one Christmas. You just need to think of something your child would like to be nice to and convince them. It really is necessary for yoyr child to move on at 6 years old. Best of Luck.

[annie0000]

Explain to her that she wont be able to go to sleepovers or Brownie camps or anything unless she is dry at night and that other children may make fun of her if they know that she drinks out of a bottle. Isn't it affecting her teeth?

[upsydaisy]

Ismene - I really feel for you, its so hard when your child isn't reaching milestones at the same time as their peers. Do you think the night time pull up is related to the forced potty training in some way? 'i guess you could just put her in knickers one night and suffer the consequences which may put her off the drink. Do you have an understanding health visitor you could talk to? I know netmums website have a drop in clinic on their coffee house chat where HV will answer your questions (they are really understanding and non judgemental) if your own HV is not so approachable.
How about a special treat if she gives up the bottle and pull ups? Very best of luck. xx

[tigwig]

You may just have to be firm over the bottle and let her choose a new cup instead then no going back! If the amount of milk she has is reduced due to it being in a smaller cup rather than a full bottle you will probably find she becomes dryer on a night. However is this is not the case then I wouldn't worry. My own daughter is 5 and is still in pull ups as well. No matter what, she just cannot wake to go to the toilet and numerous health visitors have told me this is nothing to worry about. If your daughter is nearing 7 then the GP may be able to do something to help.
Be honest with yourself though, are you keeping her like a baby because you don't want her to grow up? Only you can change her habits, be strong!