[tahnee]

I have 2 young kids under 2 and I just can't seem to put them in a proper routine my 23 month old son is so energetic won't sleep with out a bottle won't drink just water I feel like I am sometimes not feeding him enough good food I feel like I have no idea what I am doing I have no help my partner works nights and sleeps days so I am trying to do everything on my own can you please give me some tips to help me before it gets out of hands

[rachel37]

Hello, I have a four year old son and he was a nightmare for the first three years of his life i.e would not sleep, would not eat or drink properly. Then I got to potty training him and he wasn't doing to well with that either. My husband is in the army, so therefor away a lot. I just bit the bullet in the end and done it all in one go. I refused to give him juice and "kids food" and only gave him water and healthy food and made him sleep in his own bed. I persisted with it for about a month and he was potty trained day and night by his third birthday and everything else seemed to slot in to place. He now refuses to eat and drink bad things and he loves his own bed. All I can say is you have to try to get them into a strict routine at first and then it should get easier for you. Hope that helps xxxx p.s it's easier said than done xxx

[Alty]

Tell your son that you are giving his bottles to the babies, he isn't one anymore and shouldn't be drinking from a bottle. Just so you aren't tempted to give him one, throw them all out. Start with sippy cups, but not in bed, only before bed while sitting at the kitchen table. This is going to be hard, some kids adjust right away, some don't, stand firm, it's worth it in the end.

As for sleeping in his own bed, is he still in a crib or in a big boy bed? When you go to put him down for the night, read a book, tuck him in and sit with him for a while. Don't talk to him, don't touch him, nothing, Good night and then sit, preferably on the floor. If he gets out of bed, pick him up, put him back in bed and return to your seat on the floor, say nothing. Keep repeating this, sooner or later he'll give up, realizing that you are not going to give in and you aren't going to talk to him. This may take time also, my son lasted 6 hours the first night I tried this, I was ready to bring him to my bed and give up, but I didn't, thank god. The second night he laster 2 hours, the third night he didn't even try to get out of bed, he just gave me a kiss good night and went to sleep. Consistency and perseverance is the key.

Good Luck.