• Replies 5 replies
  • Subscribers 67 subscribers
  • Views 2815 views
  • Users 0 members are here
Options
Related
Hints and tips
  • To quote someone's message, first select/highlight the relevant text, and then use the Quote button that appears
  • To "mention" someone, type @ followed by the start of the forum name, and choose from the list; that person will get a notification of being mentioned

Help with bottle and ASD 3 year old

NAS50751

Hi I’m new here. I have a 3 yr old boy not diagnosed yet but clear he maybe on the spectrum. He’s always loved his bottle and now uses it (with juice in) as his ‘go to’ to switch off for a bit. It has a newborn teet on it as he loves the sucking. And I don’t want him downing tonnes too fast. 

My problem with this isn’t the bottle as such it’s the fact he’s still in nappies, constantly drenched with the juice , god knows when I’ll start potty training as he’s oblivious still to all that. 

I’ve tried dummy, hates them.  He loves the liquid coming out I feel. I’ve tried empty bottle and he went crazy. 

Anyone got any suggestions on weaning without distress? Should I leave it for now? Change to a certain teat/bottle? He’s 3 years and two months. Goes to preschool every PM and never asks for drinks there. 

note: he can drink from other cups fine, and does at preschool. It’s just a comfort albeit a huge one. 

  • in reply to NAS50776

    You speak so much sense. Thank you. Made me feel very emotional. I am so proud of him and he’s a little genius in so many ways! Preschool love him and are very supportive . Lots of help and guidance. I’m going to take him to that party :-)

  • in reply to NAS50751

    Be proud of him, he is unique and you will see that he will develop such special qualities that other children will not come near to. Avoiding parties....I did that for a while whilst I was getting my head around things but realised that I needed to hold my head up high and be strong for him, it sort of empowers me now. It will be good to get to know his peers and their families for when he starts school. Little children are very accepting of others, they just get on with it without question....it is us adults that have all the hang ups but thankfully society is changing.

    Have you spoken to the senco at pre-school, are they supportive?

    Ask this group anything as its good to talk xx

  • in reply to NAS50776

    Thank you for this. I’m new to all the ASD at the moment and you are so right about the comparisons of other kids - avoiding party invites etc even crossing my mind just to not gain anymore attention on him than he needs x

  • My son still has a dummy at 6 years old (gradually reduced it just at bedtime or times of stress). He had a bottle for some 4 years and needed it (!) as it sounds like your little one does too. My son has Autism with sensory needs which is why sucking and chewing is self-soothing for him and this should not be taken away but perhaps redirected over a long time. We were lucky as he would take a dummy but as you have tried this could I suggest a chew toy. If you search on the internet for Autism/chew the search will bring up all sorts but if you look on Amazon they do a number of safe chew necklaces/bracelets etc which might be worth trying as well as the bottle at first. You might find this works or not but worth a try.  Re nappies this is a long process and in my opinion can only really be done when child is ready, rushing or pushing makes an immediate barrier. We tried all sorts of things but patience was the thing that worked most! Wait until the Summer and leave him running around the garden without a nappy on and put down a potty, if he even sits on it for a second praise him (go to town on the praise!!) and then he will gradually get the idea until the first wee comes. Speak to your pre-school as they will be experienced in this and don't worry a good school should be able to support a child in nappies. Dont feel alone in this or pressurised to conform as I do know how you feel. The worst thing is standing in the pre-school queue listening to other parents singing the praises of their children. Our little people will have great advanced skills in other things, going for a wee on a toilet is not important to them right now so why push it! xxx

  • No he doesn’t, he isn’t thirsty he just loves sucking the bottle like that’s his comfort thing .. he can’t speak yet and still one words so instruction is quite hard - hence toilet training being off the radar at the moment. He doesn’t even realise he’s weeing