Should we get rid of "muzzy"

[purplejelly]

My just 3 year old has a comfort object which is a muslin cloth (dates back to when she was just a few months old). She puts a corner of it in her mouth and sucks it when going to sleep. Things are improving, she used to want it all the time but now it's just at bedtime or when she's really tired.

I am starting to realise that this is just a dummy really, and maybe it's time to get rid of it? Her older DS is 5 and has sucked his thumb since a few months old. I tried to replace this with a dummy when it started but no chance, he would spit it out and it went flying across the room then the thumb went back in! Again he only really does this if really tired or going to sleep.

Anyway, is it fair to get rid of the "muzzy" when my DS will be able to have his thumb still. Am I being mean even thinking of it? I think if either of them had a dummy I would have got rid of it by now, but I don't think the cloth appears as bad, although I'm sure it is. I don't want her to still have it aged 10...

[ByTheWishingWell]

I wouldn't take it off her. If my DD had used a dummy, I would have wanted to get rid of it because of worries about teeth/speech issues, etc., but I don't think a muslin would cause any problems. I would see a muslin or comforter as more like a soft toy that went everywhere. She'll grow out of it in her own time.

[PinkOboe]

Why?

[SophieBarringtonWard]

No don't take it away from her.

My youngest brother had a comfort object. He didn't take it to uni but it still lived in his room at home when he came back! He's the most extroverted & adventurous of us all so did him no harm.

[AmandaTanen]

My dd had a comforter and a dummy, dummy was gone when she was 3, and the comforter is still in her bed, where it stays. She only needs it when she is unwell now but it reminds me that she is still little.

[DramaAlpaca]

Definitely don't take it away from her. It's a transitional comfort object & important that she's allowed to grow out of it in her own time, which she will. It's not a dummy & it won't harm her teeth.

That said, my 17 year old DS still has his muzzy in bed with him every night. It's so tattered at this stage it can't be washed or it would disintegrate completely. DS1, who's 21, still has his somewhere as well.

[purplejelly]

Just scared of teeth going crooked PinkOboe, although I'm hoping it wouldn't affect them like a dummy or thumb can. I'll probably have a word with the dentist next time just to check. If she just held it then I wouldn't be so worried, it's just that she stuffs quite a lot of it in her mouth and sucks it!

I think I would feel very mean removing it, when my older one still has his thumb to comfort himself with and I can't take that away from him. I think it will be staying to be honest. Thanks for all the replies x

[purplejelly]

Thanks Drama, I think our posts crossed. It's reassuring about the teeth, but if it's going to have to last 17 years I am glad we have a few of them!

[DramaAlpaca]

purple, yes, my boys have perfect teeth despite years of determined muzzy sucking. I'd so love to steal DS's ancient muzzy for a wash, but he won't let me .

[giraffescantboogie]

No. Muzzy is harmless.

[MummyPig24]

Keep the muzzy. 4.5 yr old dd still has hers. She had a dummy till 2 and when we got rid of that she would suck and chew her muzzy but she doesn't anymore, just cuddles it.

[merlehaggard]

Yes, keep it. My nearly 4 year old has a blanket I would never consider getting rid of. We v recently got rid of his dummy following his first speech therapy appointment and was surprised how easy it was. I was very pleased he still had his blanket though. My older two had cuddly toys that gradually become less and less important - but still my eldest's made it to uni! Especially as your DD only has hers in bed, I can't see the problem.

[GertrudePerkins]

my nearly 8yo still has her comfort blanket thing

she only uses it at bedtime

can't see why I'd chuck it TBH

[purplejelly]

Muzmuz is staying then, thank you for reassuring me!

[CocktailQueen]

My DS age 7 still loves his muzzy.... Don't take it off your dd!

[WobbilyFang]

Make sure it's washed regularly though. I babysat a child who had worm problems from her muzzy!

[chariotsofire]

Our dentist recommended dd stopped using hers around that age to prevent problems with her teeth. She already was 'bedtime only' and I let her have it to cuddle in bed and then she gave up even that with little bother.