nighttime routine - 11mos old, no longer BF

Hey all,
DD has pretty much weaned herself from BF - she is too active and really isn't interested anymore except when she wakes at 4am (and is really sleepy/tired anyway), so we've been changing her nighttime routine a bit and I was hoping for some advice. We used to do dinner, then bath, then dressed for bed then nursed to sleep in the 'good old days'. Lately, we've been doing the same except after bath and dress for bed, she will drink a little bit of bottle, but not that interested and want to play. We've been letting her play to 'blow off steam' and get tired, but i don't know if its the right thing. She doesn't finish a bottle, usually only drinks a couple of oz, then she starts getting tired (not standing as long) so I put her in her crib.

She usually has been crying a bit then falling a sleep. Usually it takes 5-10 min, which i'm hoping will be shorter eventually.

Any advice? I'm a little BF is practically over, but I figure its good timing anyway lol. Thanks so much!

Re: nighttime routine - 11mos old, no longer BF

My DD cut me off at 7 months so I just stopped pumping at 11 months. She is transitioned to whole milk now only in a sippy.

Anyway, our routine is similar to yours. We do bath, dinner and DVD. After that, what I do to help DD wind down is play really soft music (in her room), snuggle in the rocker with her (and her lovie) and read. We probably read 4-5 books, which she sometimes makes me speed read. But after that, it's lights out (night light on), she puts her head on my shoulder for a few seconds and then into the crib she goes. She doesn't cry anymore....she used to but I think she just got used to the routine.

The one problem that we have is when I am not home to do the night routine with her. She doesn't like to do it with anyone else.

Re: nighttime routine - 11mos old, no longer BF

No advise... but cannot believe she is 11 months already.

Re: nighttime routine - 11mos old, no longer BF

Thanks a bunch - I will try reading to her more. Jillian is like yours when we read - we have to speed it up sometimes lol! I'll try making it more soothing for her instead of letting her get ramped up - hopefully it will help! Thanks!

Re: nighttime routine - 11mos old, no longer BF