Want to stop breast feeding – advice needed!
Hi Nanny Fi,
I am trying to give up breast-feeding my daughter, and I’m not succeeding!
I am hoping that you will know just what to do!
My daughter is still feeding three times a day (after breakfast, after lunch and before bed). She eats a lot in the day (breakfast,lunch, dinner and snacks) and she sleeps 7-7 then about 130-230 in the afternoons and sometimes 20 mins in the morning about 9.30am.
I have tried cutting out the middle feed. This works about 3/7 days a week if we are out and there are other things going on. If we are in the house it just doesn’t happen.
I can make her miss the morning feed no problem if we go out and otherwise with a bit of fuss but nothing major. If she is left in the evening when I am not there she will refuse anything she is given and go to bed with no milk.
Is it best to just go cold turkey on her?
She will take water from a cup, but will not take bottles whether they have formula/cows/expressed milk. I have tried a variety of bottles and cups and teats and it makes no difference.
I look forward to your advice.
Mummy B
Hello Mummy B!
This is a very common problem and one of the reasons I go against all that rubbish about not mixing breast-feeding and bottle feeding at the same time.
It is true that newborn babies can get confused with teat/nipple change, but once breast-feeding is established, bottle feeding is ideal to run alongside breast feeding to give you the occasional break.
This information is of no use to you now your baby is older, but may help other readers!
Your baby likes breast because it’s all she’s ever had, she only want’s breast, and the only way to go against her is yes, no breast. At your daughters age she will not accept the bottle while the breast is still on offer.
At this stage I would suggest formula (Aptamil is closet to breast milk) in the bottle, and try for a couple of days. During this time try your best not to offer her the breast as this will only confuse her and make getting off the breast harder.
Express your milk and store it while doing this to avoid mastitis, gradually reducing the express each day.
This is a long winded way of doing it but going ‘cold turkey’ (not expressing and letting your milk dry up quickly) will hurt and can cause inflammation which can lead to mastitis.
Weaning you daughter off the breast is going to be tough, and you need to be firm. Try a quick flowing teat, hold her close to you like breast feeding and hold it in her mouth, rocking her, singing, making it a nice experience.
Some babies take to bottle straight away, others rebel until they realise nothing else is coming. Again, its more your strength than hers, but if you’re really stressed you’ve got your milk store to fall back on and you can carry on feeding until your feeling strong enough to try again.
I wouldn’t recommend giving up and trying again but its quite hard and you need to be mind strong and want to give up totally.
Good luck & let me know how it goes.
Fi
My son is getting bullied at such a young age, is this normal?
Hi Nanny Fi,
What’s your experience of dealing with spitefulness in little girls (specifically a 4 year old). My sons cousin has started intentionally excluding him from playing with her and her friends whereas they used to be good mates. It is done in a subtle but quite nasty way. My son being a boy doesn’t know what to make of it all.
As you know boys are simple and straightforward creatures! Not sure how to deal with it with her or her mum, or whether this is just how girls are? I remember lots of this going on with girls when I was little.
I am thinking of starting him in a lovely pre-school to get him a bit more confident in dealing with these situations.
Mummy E
Hi Mummy E!
Unfortunately this is just part and parcel of growing up, normal behaviour in both girls and boys of this age, and sadly your son will need, with your help, to learn how to deal it.
Sadly some parents really don’t help the situation by letting their children bully and exclude others from play, so all you can do really is explain to him that some children are a little mean and unkind and to just play with someone else an to tell a grown up if someone is being unkind. If you think the mother will listen, talk to her about your concerns and work together to achieve a balance.
Children can be awful little monkeys around this age, often forming groups of who’s’ in and out’. I have often comforted a tearful child when picking them up from Nursery when they were ‘not allowed’ to play with a group of friends. I sit them down and explain that some children sadly are like this and its nothing they have done to attract this attention, that they are very special, and that the children are loosing out not being their friend.
I always make sure they have plenty of friends over for play dates and teas after school, often inviting the ones who were mean, as when they were on their own without their parents, or without the ‘back up’ of their other friends, they behaved so much better.
Get some books out of the library about sharing, talk to your son about friendship, maybe mention how sometimes he doesn’t like to share with his brother or friends and that this is can be the same at school.
I’d like to say kids grow out of this behaviour, but sadly they don’t, and lots of children are excluded in play. Its sad, but something that if you tackle head on and arm your son with facts, love and confidence, he’ll have no worries dealing with it.
Hope I’ve helped!
Fi
Trouble sleeping at 18 weeks pregnant! Help!
Hi Fi,
I’m 18 weeks pregnant and am having a problem sleeping.
Have you any ideas that can help?
I can’t have anything with any smells because I suffer with migraines.
It’s driving me mad! I need to get some sleep, please help!
Hi Lisa,
I’m afraid it’s very common in the first 4 months of pregnancy then gives way only to return in the final two months due to discomfort!
Try a warm bubble bath and avoid watching TV afterwards.
Once in bed, do some deep breathing. With each breath imagine each part of you is getting heavier and heavier, really focus on this until you feel sleepy.
Ensure you are not dehydrated during the day and avoid caffeine.
Try and get some exercise in the afternoon and encourage your partner to massage your feet after your bath!
Good luck!
Fi
My son won’t eat!
Hi Nanny Fi!
My son wont eat anything other than plain pasta! I really have tried everything, but he just wont budge! He’s Four and rather stubborn.
It’s getting embarrassing when we go out to eat or he gets invited for tea dates.
Please help!
Mummy J
Hi Mummy J,
First of all, please don’t worry, this is so common in young children and a battle that over time, with lots of encouragement and praise, can be won! I have this same worry from parents over and over again, so you’re not alone in your fight against mealtimes!
All children go through a battle of wills, and it is hard to not give into their demands, however, you need to be really strong and take control of the situation.
Pasta is a great start ( I’ve dealt with some some children who would only eat yoghurt before!)
With pasta you can introduce other foods in with it (if your son has no allergies) such as cheese, tomato sauces, pesto, grated veg (great way of disguising veggies!)
Encourage your son to cook with you, prepare the meal together and talk about the smells and colours and shapes of the food.
Make a reward chart ( I’m a huge fan of reward charts) to help him try new things. Move him up the chart for positive behaviour, and down for negative. If he tries something new, you could move him up two places.
If your son refuses to try new foods that you have gradually introduced into his pasta, and leaves his meal, don’t offer anything in replacement.
As a parent you’re bound to worry if he’s going to starve, but on the whole, children don’t do this, and will give in and try eventually.
Remember positivity is the key. Don’t make idol threats or bribe him with some other sweet food, this will just make him focus on the treat and dig his heels in even more to achieve it without trying his food!
Good luck,
Let me know how you get on!
Fi
Nanny worries! Can you help?
Dear Nanny Fi,
My nanny of six months quit last week with no notice, leaving me and my children shell shocked!
I decided to employ a young nanny I interviewed today but with a trial of 2 months built into the contract, so we have the option of looking around if we feel we need to. She seemed happy with that because it also gives her time to see if she likes us. I’m so worried it will all go wrong again!
She was really nice, a bit quiet, but her references said she is ‘much more bubbly when you get to know her but shy at interview’ which is good as I thought that might be the case.
Sadly, my sons keep asking when the old nanny is coming back.
It is so hard for them and makes me want to cry!
Any advice gratefully received!
Stressed Mummy!
Hi,
I’m sorry to hear you’ve had a difficult time with finding the right nanny, and how hard it has been on your sons loosing their old one.
Try not to worry about your new nanny, I know lots of nannies who are reserved in front of their bosses, then loony, happy, fun girls with the children once they are not being watched.
Some of us have no cares about running around pretending to be pirates in a public place; Others keep it for private! (I walk down the street chatting away to my baby daughter Betsy and to my dog Indie too – it’s a wonder I’ve not been carted off!)
The idea of a trial is great. Make sure you have it in writing so you are both covered legally should anything go wrong.
You say her references said good things, I’m hoping you have double checked them by calling the previous employers?
Helping your boys to cope with missing their old nanny is hard. It’s such a shame and very unprofessional that she wouldn’t say goodbye and left without notice.
I would say she has a broken car and can’t get to work to be their nanny anymore but sends lots of love and kisses. It’s so much easier to tell a little lie don’t you think? Children need to be protected, and little fibs sometimes help them through difficult times such as these.
I really hope it all works out for you.
Let me know how it goes!
Fi
Potty training advice needed!
Dear Nanny Fi,
Potty training time is among us!
I’ve been putting if off a while until the weather is warmer.
My daughter has been weeing on the potty for some months already (not all the time, usually just after a bath), so I’m just going to take the nappy off and see what happens I think.
She says when she needs a wee or poo, before she does it, and she is aware of it happening.
So words of wisdom will be much appreciated!
Mum B
Hello!
You’re totally on the right track, if she’s now aware of her bodily functions, youre onto a winner!
Well done on getting her used to the potty early after her bath.
Try after every meal and before any outing or activity too when she’s in pants.
DO NOT use pull ups, not only they are a waste of money, they give a false sense of security.
Buy pretty or character pants, make a huge deal of it ‘big girl pants’ and talk about how pretty and lovely they are and how it would be a little sad to wee or poop them.
At bedtime, start reffering to nappies as ‘goodnight pants’ or ‘nappies’ don’t call them baby nappies as you might find she’ll be reluctant to wear a nappy again after the big girl pants.
Night training takes longer and is usually when they’re a bit older (controlling the bladder during sleep is extremely hard for toddlers.)
Make a huge fuss every time a wee or poo is done on the potty.
I would’ve suggested straight to toilet on a special potty seat (pictured) as when you have successfully potty trained you then have to toilet train, as some children have a fear of the loo and insist on the potty for months and months. (it’s also easier when out and about!)
Good luck!
Fi
Newborn worries! Can you help?
Hi Fi,
I have a three week old baby who is brilliant and on a three hourly routine but cries from about seven until the dream feed at half ten/elevenish.
She doesn’t really pull her legs up in pain or posset etc so we can’t figure out what is wrong.
We have a two and a half year old and we demand fed etc, this time we read books and are on a routine! BUT, none of the books really offer a solution to evening crying. Gina says she’d be horrified if any of her babies cries; baby whisperer says it is just a period of wakefullness and rachel wadilove says it’ll stop after 6 weeks…..will it? What can we try?
I am not eating garlic or kiwi etc (I am breastfeeding), we are very strict on the feeding schedule (7, 10, 1, 4, although some evening we cluster the 7 in to a 6 and an 8).
What do you think?
Thank you for any tips.
Mummy T
Hi Mummy T,
Firstly congrats on your new arrival, and even more congrats on the routine- that’s good work so early!
I have a couple of suggestions and if they dont work we can try something else.
*Hunger
Evening feeds are usually the feeds when baby eats most, do you find this with the 7 feed? If the answer is yes, it may be that baby is hungrier and needs a little more feed at this time.
You say you are solely breastfeeding? If you are happy to, I would suggest perhaps a formula feed at this time as it may be that she is not getting enough from you at the end of the day.
If you dont want to mix feed (I know midwives and HV’s dont really recommend it) then I would try and leave her on the breast as long as possible at the 7pm feed.
*Overtired
When she has had her 7pm feed do you put her to bed?
If not, this too could be the problem.
Your baby needs her sleep (and lots of it) and often parents think that rocking and pacing the room is a good way of settling, when in fact it can make it worse.
Try popping her into her crib/cot, swaddled and the lights off, half an hour after her feed when she has been winded and changed and you’re sure she has eaten enough and is comfortable.
Follow the control crying techniques on our blog
*Reflux
It might be silent reflux (like painful indigestion) which my baby (now 7 months) suffered with for the first three months. Her times of suffering though was usually after her 10pm feed.
The most helpful thing for this is to pop books under the head-end feet of the crib/cot to elevate it slightly, and to not put baby down until 30 mins after a feed.
(Make sure baby has at least three good burps after her feeds too.)
I wish you all the best, it’s really exhausting dealing with a crying baby, so I really hope I’ve helped.
Please don’t hesitate to contact me should you need to. I’m happy to help.
Regards,
Fi
My baby won’t sleep through the night! Help!
Dear Nanny Fi,
My 7 month old has never really slept through, but has always been a fairly good sleeper at night (usually one wake up where she would feed quickly and settle for the rest of the night).
A few weeks after I started weaning her I started to cut out those night feeds, and after a few nights’ battle she did actually sleep for 10 hours straight – result! She did this a couple of times, so I know she can do it.
But, in the last week or so it feels as though we’ve taken 3 giant steps backwards. She has been waking at 10, 1.30 and 3.30 every night – and will NOT be placated by anything other than feeding.
Sometimes even that doesn’t do the trick – it just seems that she wants to be awake. A few of the nights she appeared to be in discomfort like she was constipated, but the day after she appeared to have no trouble filling her nappies!
Couple of facts that might be pertinent and give you an overview of our situation: she is small, always has been, and hasn’t yet doubled her birth weight (but have chatted with HV and everything fine).
I have always, since about 5 weeks anyway, been vigilant about putting her down in her cot whilst awake so she is more than capable of falling asleep on her own.
Sometimes admittedly she’ll fall asleep on the breast at the 7pm feed, but I’d say at least 50% of the time she falls asleep in her cot.
She is not a fan of daytime naps! She varies between 2 and 3 naps a day, and rarely sleeps longer than 40 minutes for each of those.
I have never been able to get her into a routine with regard to the times of these naps.
Food-wise, she takes 3 meals a day plus 3 milk feeds, so I give her an early morning milk, then breakfast. Lunch at noon, then a milk feed at around 2.30 or 3pm, then tea at 5ish. Last milk at 6.45 before bed at 7pm.
I breastfeed…varied attempts at giving her a cup or bottle not hugely successful, but I am happy to continue BF especially as HV has suggested I drop the 3pm feed (which would mean I am only feeding twice a day).
That said, I did try dropping that feed and this is when the sleeplessness started, so I have reinstated it (thought this might be causing the constipation) but to no effect yet!
This last week has taken its toll and I am exhausted! Any hints you might have that I can try would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks!
Mum N.
Hi Mum N!
I really hope I can help as I have helped so many in the past, but each case is different, each child is different, so the advice I give you can either take all of it and stick to it, or take what you want to and adapt it- whichever you feel you’re comfortable with.
Bare in mind there have been hundreds of mums with excactly the same concerns and problems with you and I’m proud to say I’ve helped all of them achieve a happy, healthy routine and fab sleepers through the night.
My daughter (and all of my previous charges) were put into a four hour routine from birth – sounds harsh? No, not really.
Health visitors and midwives tell new mothers to feed on demand, the NCT is a huge fan of this leaving poor mothers never knowing when to start a routine if baby has always been fed on demand.
The children I have looked after in the past, and my own daughter (now 8 months) have all picked up the four-hour pattern after only two days of life, showing that it works, they’re not distressed, and they thrive.
Betsy (my little girl) went from a low birth weight, bottom of the centile baby, to the top in only two months! Routine is the key.
When a baby feeds four hourly, it takes lots on board, is satisfied, and digests the food longer and feels fuller until the next feed.
Babies that feed on demand (eating little and often) are hungrier quicker, even when they really need to be sleeping, and therefor get stressed, upset, sometimes dont feed as they’re too tired, and a routine is unlikely to form.
At this age your baby should be easily put into a routine which will ensure happiness for you both, a healthy appetite and ensure good strong development.
Some parents think that if a baby doesn’t sleep during the day that they will be more tired at night and thus sleep longer and better- no! this is wrong, infact the total opposite happens.
Babies that dont have regular naps during the day are grouchy, grumbly and overtired, therefore waking lots in the night.
Here is a basic routine for you to have a go at:
On waking:
7am- milk and baby breakfast (solids)
9.30am milk and baby breakfast
10am nap for half an hour (leave in cot, in darkened room)
*if she is adament she will not sleep you must still try, as after a few days she’ll get to know the routine and eventually sleep. (You can use the control crying technique here if youre comfortable to do
so.)
10.30am- wake up and play. Lots of stimulation such as a walk to the park, free play on the floor with lots of chatting and interaction etc.
12pm milk and lunch (solids)
12.30pm nap time for 1.5-2 hours (at least)
Afternoon activity such as walking, playing, singing, music etc. Again lots of stimulation.
4pm milk and solids (here is where you can cut the milk eventually as at 7 months a baby only needs 600mls of milk a day, however, if youre daughter needs to gain weight I would advise giving milk.
4.30pm activity- yes more stimulation! lots of play, chatting, walking or if youre too busy ensure she is surrounded by toys or a baby gym.
5.30pm bathtime.
At bathtime ensure there is lots of singing,noise,splashing and activity.
6pm pyjamas, cuddles and bottle/breast in her room
6.30pm bedtime!
Again let her fall to sleep naturally, and if she is cross use the control crying technique if you feel comfortable to do so.
On waking in the night it is important you DO NOT feed her as this will become habit and she will wake at the same times each night demanding (because she thinks she needs to) feed!
Also avoid picking her up.
Simply go in after she has cried for a few minutes (its important not to go right away to a crying baby as they often settle themselves back to sleep) pop your hand on her tummy and stroke it saying ‘shhhhhhhhh, sleepy time.’ then leave the room (the volume may increase here, or she may just feel comforted.)
Again here, use the control crying technique (i’ve linked it below) and be strong!
It’s up to you to let her know its bedtime, its sleep time, and only you can do this. She doesn’t understand- she takes her lead from you, so you need to be strong.
It is really hard at first, but if youre strong, stick to the routines as best you can youll see an improvement at best in five days, at most two weeks depending on how ridgedly you stick to it.
Its tiring, exhausting, emotionally draining but if you want a better life for both of you in the long run- itll be worth the effort.
My daughter (and previous cherges) sleep throught the night (Betsy from five weeks) and are happy, healthy, thriving children.
Betsy sleeps 630pm-8am
She has a half hour morning nap and a 2-3 hour afternoon nap
I really hope I’ve helped and given you some hope?!
If you have any questions or concerns at anytime dont hesitate to contact me again- I’m happy to help.
Good luck!
Fi
My toddler screams at night!
Hello,
My 14 month daughter is a bedtime screamer!
We were really lucky as a baby she slept through the night at 6 weeks old but that all stopped at 10 months old after a hospital admission and we have been struggling since January.
H either goes to be bed quietly without a squeak then will wake screaming and crying only to settle with us in our bed, not the best idea but it means we all sleep, or H wont sleep in her bed so she nods off lying on me and when i put her to bed she sits up and screams and she can scream.
We have been reduced to a tough love idea and letting her scream it out, but I hate this and I struggle to leave her but eventually she is exhusted and sleeps until she wakes screaming.
We have a bedside light but nothing seems to help, maybe you can.
H’s Mum
Hi!
I’m sorry to hear about your problem with your toddler, but am pleased to say I think I can help.
It’s great that H knows how to sleep through (you mentioned she used to) as this means it’ll be easier to achieve in the long run.
Around your daughters age, children tend to try all sorts of things to test their parents, and although its hard, it’s important to remain firm and in control (which it sounds like youre doing.)
I’m glad you are a fan of the control crying technique, however before I suggest you use it fully, I need to know a few things.
Please answer the following honestly (no one is here to judge, I’m just here to help!)
1.what is your daughters daily routine
2. Does your daughter B feed or bottle?
3. Is she a good eater?
4. What is your daughters bedtime routine?
5. What activities she you do during the day?
6. Does she attend nursery/childminder or stays home with you (ie do you work?)
7. What was her hospital admission for and how long was she in for?
8. Where is she in her development (is she at the right stage?)
9. Does she have any medical conditions I should be aware of?
10. Is she an only child? if not, what are the ages of your other children?
let me know as much as you can, and I’ll get back to you.
The Answers….
1..what is your daughters daily routine?
It depends on the days i am at work, if I am working H goes to nursery, awake and out by quarter to seven, nursery and home by quarter to seven. If I am home, up at the same time, breakfast, play, a nap, lunch, play, dinner, my husband comes home, play time with daddy, bath, cereal before bed, a bottle and then bed
2. Does your daughter B feed or bottle?
Bottle
3. Is she a good eater?
No problems with food, loves to eat
4. What is your daughters bedtime routine?
Bedtime tea at half six-ish, followed by a bottle of bed time milk, calm time with bill and I then bed between half seven and eight
5. What activities she you do during the day?
H goes to nursery, one nap mid morning and lots of activity.
6. Does she attend nursery/childminder or stays home with you (ie do you work?)
I work, paediatric nurse 3 days a week H goes to nursery
7. What was her hospital admission for and how long was she in for?
Bronch 2 nights but had been unwell since October, everyone told me no its not bronch and it was, pesky wrong diagnosis.
8. Where is she in her development (is she at the right stage?)
At the right stage
9. Does she have any medical conditions I should be aware of?
Asthmatic has night time medication
10. Is she an only child? if not, what are the ages of your other children?
The only one
Hi!
Thanks for the answers.
From what you tell me, she’s in a well balanced routine and eats well- this is one of the most common problems of sleep problems, so we can rule this out.
Night asthma can cause a lot of discomfort and upset in the night ( i’ve had two previous charges with this condition which they outgrew thankfully.)
I would suggest the following:
1.Tilted cot (Head end) to help with breathing and avoiding mucus settling on the chest.
2. Bedtime routines as normal, but chatting about bedtime- including books about bedtime and how night time is for sleeping. (She’s young, but getting into good habit ushc as talking about things and reading books together about them is essential)
3. ***Use the control crying technique- but (big but here!) Dont leave her crying for more than five minutes at a time to begin with.
Go in after five minutes, pop her down in her cot if she’s standing, and simply say ‘shhhhhh, bedtime’. Dont get into a conversation with her about anything (it’s very tempting to talk to calm her but
just repeat….shhhhh…it’s bedtime) Leave the room after approx ten-twenty secs of saying shhh and settling her, then DO NOT return for another five minutes.
This might mean a sitting session outside her bedroom door, but its essential to keep repeating the actions and words. (A good book comes in handy!)
Leaving her to cry it out until she exhausted will only work short term- she’ll soon be awake again in the middle of the night. Its essential to get her to fall asleep by herself, so she can learn to settle
herself again on waking in the night. (Most babies wake during the night, like adults, but simply go back to sleep.
***Of course if you think (some days) she is in distress due to her asthma or illness then don’t use the control crying on these days.
4. night Lights dont help- babies/toddlers need the dark to aid sleep (blackout blinds too if you have them?) If she wakes and can see- it’s more of a reason to gewt up. If its dark, her mind says
‘night time’ and she’ll (eventually) learn to go back to sleep. so dont use a night light.
5. both parents need to use the same techniique, the same words, the same time limits. If you use different techniques, it’ll only confuse her.
6. Dont pick her up! This will send out a clear message of which she’ll gewt used to (Oh, I get it, I cry, they come, pick me up, take me out! Yay!)
7. Ensure her room is well ventilated, cosy, and a place you’d like to sleep in too. not too many cuddly toys in her cot, and room to move. dress her in weather appropriate clothes (just a vest and gro
bag in the summer etc)
I totally understand how hard it is to hear your child cry, but remember she’s crying because she’s tired and she’s asking you for reassurance- you need to reassure that its sleep time- shes tired, go
back to sleep!
sleep training is stressful, noisy and tiring, but if you stay strong, positive and work at it using the techniques- it’ll work.
These techniques have been used on hundreds of my previous charges & clients and my own daughter- they worked every time!
Any problems or questions, dont hesitate to contact me again!
Fi
Too young to toilet train?
Hi!
We have a 2 year old (2 in July) and had no intention of potty training him at all until next spring time, but the little super star that he is, has shown us he is ready. (He has a big 4 year old brother which may be why he’s keen on using the toilet).
He has been dry in the night most nights and going for a wee when he wakes up, and throughout the day asks for a wee but still doesn’t tell us about poos until he is doing them!
We’ve stuck with nappies to just get him used to sitting on the toilet (which he loves) but we think that we should now be moving on to pants.
This morning he asked to wear pants after having his first morning wee so we thought it wouldn’t hurt to give it a try – (didn’t really want to knock his confidence by saying no to pants).
He’s done well and hasn’t had an accident yet (but hasn’t done a poo yet today) however, he does tend to ‘dribble’ quite a bit during his actual wees. Is this normal? Are we doing it all too soon? Hope you can help if you are not too busy!!
K
Hi K,
I hope I can help!
Firstly, very well done on encouraging little man to go into pants – even if he’s not totally ready, its totally the right thing to do if he asks to give it a try.
Saying no will knock his confidence and he may not ask again- so well done taking the plunge!
Poo is definatley the hardest thing to master, and I would say here, the key is to buy some rather splendid pants (something he really isnt going to want to ruin!)
With pull-ups and nappies, children dont mind soiling or wetting them as they get thrown away. However, with pants, if you explain to him that they are super special and that they will ruin if he poops them, it’ll
really remind him to try and make it to the toilet.
Remember he’s only young, and accidents are bound to happen. At this age I’d say an average of one-two a day is normal for the first week. Any more than this – he’s not ready.
As for the dribbling- this is normal with little boys. Try and encourage him to totally finish his wee, and to give his little boy bits a little shake! Also encourage him to dab with a bit of toilet paper.
He’ll soon get the hang of it, especially if you make it routine and say ‘give a little shake and a little dab, then we wash our hands!’
I’ve toilet trained lots of boys, so I understand your concerns. Did you know boys are actually harder to train than girls?!
If you have any probs at all, please dont hesitate to get in touch- I’m happy to help.
All the best, and very well done on the work so far!
Fi