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dummy nightmare

8 replies

happygilmore · 03/01/2011 10:26

My 7.5 month old DD has a dummy for naps and sleeps, however it's all started to go a bit wrong recently. She used to wake up in the night and come in our bed, however that isn't helping at all now so she's back in her own cot. She doesn't seem too bothered by that, but her dummy keeps falling out and it's waking her up, ALL NIGHT LONG. I don't think I had 1 hours sleep in a row until 5am last night, I am beyond exhausted.

She often takes the dummy out herself whilst going to sleep to play with, but cannot grasp that she can put it back in. Extra dummies in her cot don't work, she just cries for us to put it back in. I've ordered dummy clips but have a feeling they'll be the same too.

Please if anyone has any advice on what to do, please let me know. We've considered going cold turkey on the dummy, don't want to, but really have no idea what else to do.

I should add I have a long term health condition that makes the terrible sleep so difficult to deal with, DH is exhausted too from working full-time and doing so much because I'm ill :(

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aStarWithHerOwnWays · 03/01/2011 10:29

If it's that bad, I would probably get rid of it now tbh. Much easier when she's this age than when she's older (can you tell I still haven't had the balls to remove my 2yo's night time dummy yet?) It will be a nightmare for a little while but long term the benefits will be worth it. Apparently.

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happygilmore · 03/01/2011 10:34

Oh god it's bringing me out in hives thinking about it :(

I don't blame you at all for not taking your 2yr old's dummy away, if they're happy it sounds fine to me.

I just don't know what we can offer as comfort instead of the dummy?

It's like we're doing CC by default :(

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Serendippy · 03/01/2011 21:49

Cold turkey, I'm afraid. You don't need to leave her to cry though, just be prepared for a good few nights of having to rock her, sing to her and generally feel really really guilty until she forgets it ever existed. Mind you, sounds like you are used to the lack of sleep so shouldn't be a problem. Once she has forgotten about the dummy (and make sure you search the house and get rid of every last one, including any spares at grandma's etc) you can re-introduce a bedtime routine. Good luck!

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crispface · 03/01/2011 21:55

Avent dummies are amazing. their handles rattle and if you put 8 or so in the cot, your child will hear them and reach for them - also in the day practice by giving her a dummy and letting her figure out how to put it in herself.

my dd could easily do her own dmmies at night at about 8/9 months, so you dont have long to wait.

she is now 3.4 and still has them, but that's because I dont actually have any problems with them, provided they are just for sleep (in toddlers anyway)

:)

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PinkIceQueen · 03/01/2011 22:44

Dummy clips are good I had this problem (i'd forgotten til now) I had a dummy in every corner of the cot lol, with bumpers so they couldn't fall out! Good luck, this phase does pass, honest!

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ZuzuandZara · 03/01/2011 22:48

Someone recommended to us this wubbanub the dummy has a soft toy attached so should be easier for baby to find at night.
Our DTs haven't managed to use them yet but the person who recommended them said they worked from very young age.
I bought from ebay but they didn't come from America, if you try one I'm sure you can buy more locally!
Good luck

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JuneBugJr · 03/01/2011 23:22

We had exactly the same problem. Until we used a 'Sleepytot'. Its a soft comforter that has velcro paws that you can attach dummies to. Makes the dummies easier to find in the cot, as its bigger. After introducing it, and taking it everywhere for a few days, we never had a sleepless night since, apart from illness.

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happygilmore · 04/01/2011 08:50

Thanks for all your replies, only just seen them this morning.

Well we went cold turkey - and it worked!! Amazing. She didn't even cry

Took 20 mins to settle her at night, which is about what it's been taking anyway recently, and she work up twice for milk in the night. Had to be cuddled for longer, which is fine of course, but went off fine. I've given her a comforter which seems to be helping a bit too. It's a huge improvement on the night before!!!

Having said that she's currently whinging for it whilst trying to get her to nap now, but this is HUGE progress. Probably should have done it before to be honest, but didn't dare!