How to get rid of the dummy?!?!

[tiredviolet]

Any hints or tips to get that rid of the dummy that rules our life?
DS is 18 months and has started nursery and is sharing it around with the other children. So any stories or experiences would be appreciated!
Thank you!!!

[FatRedCrayon]

Dummy lives in the cot (or bed, now DS is nearly 3). He got used to that rule fairly early on. So, dummies are only for sleep times. Would that work for you, to gradually phase it out during the day?

(It's not going to work for DD who never took to dummies and prefers to suck her fingers. Hopefully she won’t share them around nursery though!)

[SellMySoulForSomeSleep]

We used a book called "bea gives up her dummy" bribery and praise. There is a boy and girl one. Although my DD was nearly 3


www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/0992616743/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1510188719&sr=8-2&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=bea%20gives%20up%20her%20dummy&dpPl=1&dpID=41Y1hgzWXEL&ref=plSrch&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

[llangennith]

Dummy only when in bed. DD3 had her dummies till she’s was 6 but so what? She’s 41 now and a fully functioning adult

[SeaToSki]

Poke a hole in the end, it changes the ‘suck’ factor and makes them feel different.

[ThisNameNow]

Easy... go cold turkey. I was stunned how quickly my D.C. got over not having a dummy. It literally took a couple of days. They were around a year and a half. Round them all up no throw them away and that's it.
🤷🏻‍♀️ A drawn out removal is more confusing for the child and I think it makes it worse.

[OkPedro]

With my dd when she was 2 she wasn't allowed have it other than nap time and bedtime. Each morning she would put it under her pillow. She slept from 1 till 3 so had it then and bedtime at 8.
We finally got rid when she was 3, she gave it to the soother fairy who left buzz light year as a reward. It wasn't easy she did miss it for awhile.
Can you ask the nursery not to give it unless its nap time?

[OldGuard]

I’ve read that you either do it before 6 months or after 4 years - don’t know why tho

I’m our case we got rid of it at 6 months and he popped his thumb in !!!! When he turned 5 he asked for us to bandage his thumb every night so he could break the habit - four weeks and he was done (I think it was the dentist saying if he did t stop sucking his thumb he’s had severe teeth issues)

My point is .... I don’t find anything wrong with the comfort some kids derive from it and in our experience they chose themselves when to stop

[roboticmom]

Ha ha, with my daughter I was terrified she would bite through the dummy as I started to notice tooth marks on it. So I told her it was unsafe to have it any more. She was 2 and totally understood and didn't put up a fuss. She is a very logical person but also stubborn so it could have gone either way! My son was sick and couldn't suck and breathe at the same time so I took it away then since he wasn't using it anyway. He was under a year though so maybe easier.

[AnonEvent]

We also used the 'dummies in bed only' tactic (she's 13 months old, I don't know when we plan to remove the dummy at sleep-time).

[Me264]

Tell nursery not to let her have it apart from her nap, I'm surprised they allow it, my DS's nursery is very anti-dummy for anything other than sleep because it inhibits speech.

DS is 20 months and has his for nap and bedtime only, I do want to get rid soon though, maybe when he turns 2.

[Ifartrainbowsandglitter]

Chuck it in the bin and say no dummy. Cold turkey works best in my opinion

[SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius]

For us, the first step was making dummies for bedtime/nap time only, and then, when we thought they were old enough to understand, we took them to a toy shop, and let them swap the dummies for a toy (you need the shop assistant’s assistance, and someone to pay for the toy when the child isn’t watching).

[Anasnake]

Get Father Christmas to take it away

[SprogletsMum]

Dip them in nail biting stuff ime they never want one again.

[Passthecake30]

We left dd's out for Santas baby reindeers. She was excited on Boxing Day, but was very subdued at bedtime for a couple of days following. I felt so awful at the time..

[NamesNamesAndMoreNames]

Father Christmas took ours away too just before DS'S 2nd birthday.

It was remarkably easy. We left it outside one night and Father Christmas swapped it for a few shiny wrapped chocolates (roses!) In a special little jewelry bag.

From 18months onwards he only had it for sleep in his cot though. Never in the day.

[tiredviolet]

Brilliant thank you everyone! Plan is to leave it in the cot like you all said then at Christmas reindeer need it. Phase out and a swift exchange for yumminess!