Assuming you sit with her on your knee and give the bottle whilst cuddling in her room. You would continue to do this but just gradually wean the bottle. Take 2 bottles up with you, 1 with milk 1oz less than you usually offer, the other with water as a back up. Give the milk bottle as usual and do your normal cuddle and into bed (don't worry about teeth right now the bottle will be gone within 2 weeks and as you've gone this far with brushing before the milk then 2 wks isn't going to make much difference). I doubt there will be any fussing but if there is offer the water. Then some 'rules' (guides for you) which apply not just to the first night but every night:
- if the bottle is drained offer the same amount for another night then reduce by 1oz again
- if the bottle is not drained note how much she took, this is the amount you offer the next night (never increase)
- continue to sit and cuddle for your usual amount of time even though the bottle takes less time unless she indicates she'd like to get into bed.
When you reach 1oz do it 1 night, the following night take only the bottle of water. Offer the bottle of water. If she chugs away at the water you could if you wanted break the association with sucking for soothing although there would be less pressure as by then her teeth would be cleaned and she would only be taking water. Mine barely took any actually and he was a lot younger, it all went so much easier than I imagined.
There's a thread here where I describe it in a bit more detail and you can follow Happy's BT bottle wean as she used the same method:
morning bottle still needed?Personally I wouldn't bother to introduce a story if she isn't showing an interest in it, the cuddles before bed are what she is used to and cuddles are great! There is no rule to have BT stories or at what age they should begin. My DS has stories before going up for his bath and another story in the bath but after bath it is wee, pjs, sip of water if he wants it, into his room, music on, cuddle and 1 song, into bed, kiss, sleep. I leave a sippy cup of water for him in his room in case he needs it in the night too.
hope this helps some.
