Need new bedtime routine for 12+ month old

[Jacksmom77]

I'm just getting ready to change our last bottle (nighttime bottle) to a sippy...and I think our bedtime routine is going to need a little tweaking.  I'm one of those "weak" parents who let him drink his bottle to fall asleep which never interfered with his sleeping during the night. I've tweaked it so he doesnt go to sleep now until after his bottle - he is still awake when I put him in his crib - but my routine just doesnt seem to be as easy as it should.  Do any of you have any good bedtime routines that work?

I'd love to hear them to get ideas. Thanks!

[Missy Lou]

I can't really offer suggestions but if you don't get any replies, I'm going to move you to the Sleeping for Toddlers board.  You may get more help there. 

I'll wait and move this tomorrow (unless another mod does before).

Hope you don't mind.
Melissa

[Jaime]

you could move the bottle about 15 minutes earlier, and then maybe start replacing it with a small snack or changing the bottle to a sippy cup of milk instead.  then, to cuddle with him you could read a story or two before tucking him in for the night.

one idea anyhow!!

[Jacksmom77]

Thanks to you both For some reason this is a transition that I've been dreading for quite some time - but, I think he's going to do just fine...he transitioned to sippys really well, whole milk & other big changes - so hopefully whatever changes we end up with - wont bug him too much

Thanks for your help/advice!

[Lana]

Do you do a bath? If so then you can do the bottle before the bath so that it isnt the last thing you do before bed.

[Jacksmom77]

Sorry, it's been a bit since I've had a chance to check the website...

Yes, a bath is part of our routine...it's normally bath, brush teeth, massage, pjs, 2 books, milk & bed.  So, I'm still toying around with the "when" of the milk & moving some stuff around.  I still havent found one that seems to work smoothly for him.  I'm trying to think of something else I might be  able to add, now that he's getting older, to show its time for bed - some sort of a routine (like saying Night, Night to things as we pass them) but I still havent gotten that nailed down either...owell, it's a work in progress!

Thanks to everyone for your help!