I think we've finally cracked it.. Parker is 18 months and we've ditched the bottles! We've made the transition from milk in bottles to beakers. And I couldn't be happier.

Now don't get me wrong. I absolutely loved using our Dr Brown's bottles. They helped with Parker's colic when he was little, and once we stopped sterilising at one (when we transitioned to cows milk), it was simply a case of washing them up.

But Parker had become attached. He associated bottles with going to sleep - something we didn't want to continue. I was sick of having milk covered sheets where he would leave the bottles to drip. And honestly I was totally done with bottles - especially as the Dr Brown's ones have a lot of parts.

I feared it would be a hard process, especially as he was still having two bottles a day. But honestly it's not been that bad at all. And now a week later, we've dropped the morning bottle and he's happy taking his bedtime milk in a beaker.

So how did we do it?

I bought Parker a new beaker - one with a cow print so he knew it was for milk (this isn't really necessary I know, but I thought it was cool). Then before diving straight in with a morning / bedtime bottle I tested it out at nap time. A tip I've always found with big changes is to get them when they're already sleepy (not overtired though), as then they're more likely to give into sleep anyway.

Then from that nap, we never looked back. There were a few moans where he threw the beaker and moaned for 'nunck' (that's P for milk). But we never backed down! It only took a couple of days for him to not even bother with his morning milk.

I'm so thankful we had it easy, as I know it's not always the case - we struggled for a loooong time with our first. So I thought it would be interesting to ask some of my fellow bloggers how they made the switch...

We literally did it cold turkey after my son threw up his bottle of milk due to coughing. He was around 18 months and had gulped down a full 200mls or so. After that I was like right, no more and just gave him his sippy cup. We had about 3 nights of whinging and then he got used to his cup - so my tip - go with the whinging, persevere! - Emma @ Me and B Make Tea

We always gave our eldest beakers for drinks so bottles were only for milk. Then when she was old enough to understand we explained that she was a big girl now so no longer needed a bottle. Bedtime was the worst, but after a few days she was ok! - Amy @  The Smallest of Things

We started the transition by switching to a sippy cup with a silicone spout first, so it wasn't too different to a bottle. After a while, and by trying lots of different cups for their water, we managed to move to a normal sippy cup for their bedtime milk - Gemma @ Two Little Misters

We only used bottles for milk, when water was introduced he had a cup. Then we got him a similar cup for the milk and just swapped the bottle for the cup. He cried for a bit but then drank it. Jo @ Pickle and Pocket

We introduced sippy cups with water when we started weaning, so they were used to them. Bottles only used for evening milk but not to go to sleep with. We tried to make sure the sippy cups were as close to free flow as possible though. Silicone spouts always went down well. He has the munchkin 360 degrees spoutless cup now. Helen @ Talking Mums

And Fran from Whinge Whinge Wine 'Just took it away!' - That's my kind of approach!

How did you make the switch?

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The Siblings Project | February 2017

This month hasn't been great for getting photos. Between the rubbish weather, Parker's teething and Indie being at preschool most of the week, there's been hardly any chances to get these two together! These photos were quickly snapped on my phone, during our visit to Pooh Corner at Ashdown Forest.

I love all the mismatched colours and their happy little faces in these photos though. February has been grey and miserable, so I love that their clothes add that well needed pop of colour. They really show just how similar my little pair are in size now too. Parker has always been a tall boy, and Indie a short little thing - so now they're practically the same height!

This month has seen Parker turn 18 months old, we had a lovely day out at Scotney Castle, and even more snow! Our weekends are full of ballet, swimming, running around getting things done and then trying to squeeze in something fun for the little ones.

Most of the time they play so wonderfully now - unless it's a toy Indie has particularly grown attached to.. then Parker is in trouble if he goes near! If either is upset the other will comfort them which is so lovely to watch. And the second they see each other after a long time (mornings, after preschool, etc) they give each other the biiiiiigest cuddles and kisses.

They really are little peas in a pod these days. Having a small age gap is tough, I won't lie. But I feel like we're really feeling the benefits of it now.

Parker's 18 Month Update

18 months... wow! It only feels like yesterday we were celebrating his first birthday, and now we're well into the madness of toddlerhood. This month has passed a lot slower than the rest. Recovering from Christmas, and settling into our new routine - one that has bought quite a few changes for Parker.

Now Indie's at preschool three days a week, I get to spend a lot more quality time with our beautiful boy. Being a younger brother and having a small age gap, he's never really had that one-on-one time before. 

He was quite unsure at first. He couldn't understand where Indie had gone and still didn't feel safe to play with her toys. He clung to me pretty much all day... either relishing in having mummy all to himself, or because he wasn't happy being all alone.

It's been a few weeks now and we've finally got into our groove. He waves Indie off at preschool (after charming all the ladies with his cheeky grins), and happily runs home to play. We get out as many toys as possible, watch endless Peppa and he loves to sit at Indie's table instead of in his highchair for lunch.

It's so lovely for the both of us, especially now he's starting to properly play a little more. He loves to stack cups, build towers and push his cars along. He still adores books and will bring you them throughout the day for you to read. Peppa, Teletubbies and Ben and Holly are his current favourite shows to watch too.

His understanding and knowledge is still expanding daily. The biggest development being in regards to nappies - he's now telling us when he's pooping, and runs to get a nappy to change him. There are no plans for potty training anytime soon, but it's a definite step in the right direction!

Unfortunately this month has been overshadowed by sickness and teething. We've popped some canines, had a viral infection and now his very first snotty cold. It's been a tough month of tantrums, food refusal and no sleep. Despite that though, I've loved spending every day with my little bean.

He's completely full of it. Always doing naughty things to make us laugh - stealing Indie's toys and running away giggling for example. Running up to you for snuggles and kisses. Dancing away anytime music plays (his favourite is the Sex and the City theme tune...). He wins absolutely everyone over whenever they meet him, and I can completely understand why.

It's been such a wonderful 18 months with our beautiful boy. He may be a pain in my bum a lot of the time and we're still having sleep problems, but I wouldn't change him one bit.

My cheeky little Parker boy.

Indiana's 18 Month Update

Our baby girl is a whole year and a half today and I still cannot believe it! I've been looking on Timehop and seeing how much she's grown in just a year is crazy - she was such a baldy last year and had only just started eating solids haha. Her hair is SO wild and curly now, I'm finding it hard to control haha and you wouldn't think she used to make such a mess with food.

I haven't a clue what she weighs, I'm really not too bothered with it now, as long as I know she's eating and growing I think she's ok haha. Talking of eating this girl is pretty much a dustbin - she can eat for Britain! She's going through a lazy stage of wanting to be fed which is strange considering we did BLW, but I think this is down to her learning how to get her own way! She's very much against veg, pasta, and any meal that doesn't contain meat; however she'll happily eat any fruit, any meat and her favourite meal is still chilli con carne - this girl loves spice!

She's been for her second visit to the dentist this month which she behaved like a star at. The dentist said her teeth looked perfect and very clean. I was shocked by the last bit as she hates us brushing them haha. She's been teething pretty much all month with her 4 canines coming through - the two bottom ones have broken through giving her a total of 14 teeth!

Indie love to chat and roll play and is really independent. Whenever we collect her from nursery she's in the home corner or playing with the baby dolls. She puts her baby in her highchair at home and asks for a spoon and bowl to feed her. She'll also brush her teeth, give her kisses and generally take her wherever she goes! If a baby is crying at nursery she'll go over to comfort them which is so sweet. She loves to build towers and creates some impressive ones that end up taller than her! She still doesn't really share. Everything is 'mine' at the moment even if we're trying to play with her haha.

New words this month include: mine, balloon, ball, apple, please, bowl, doggy, quack quack, bath, more, kiss, nose, dirty, tower and probably lots more! She's saying sentences such as 'ta daddy' and 'no mummy, mine!' and is getting very clever at using the right words in context. She's starting to count too (although obviously not in the right order haha, she's mastered two and three though).

She's got great understanding too. When she's hungry she takes you to the kitchen, gets a bowl and then (for breakfast for example) gets out the cereal. If she cries she will head straight to where we hide her dummies. If we say shall we change your nappy she points to her nappy and either runs away haha or gets a clean one.

She's such a little character now and is definitely the queen of this house! The tantrums are unbelievable but the way she demands a kiss (which she has learnt to give closed mouthed with the actual kissing sound haha), and gives you her cheeky smile makes it all worth it!