dummy dilemma, 6 month old

[nicnic01]

hi,
my DD is nearly 6 months. we ended up giving her a dummy at 3 months as we were having huge problems getting her to sleep day or night (tried pick up put down with lots and lots of tears on both side for way too many nights before I gave up).
Now she has a dummy during the day when she is going to sleep except in the car where she falls asleep without it.
At night she has a dummy when she first goes to bed. She still wakes a few times at night, sometimes settles herself but othertimes starts pulling up her sleeping bag to try to suck it, gets frustrated and shouts until I go and give her her dummy. She still has one night feed (bottle) and goes to sleep really well after this without her dummy even if she seems wide awake????
I do plan on getting rid of the dummy completely eventually (and i know it will be tough and that I shouldnt wait too long) but my problem at the moment is that she wont leave her dummy alone. When I give it to her, she plays with it in her hands then cant get it back in her mouth again. if she manages, she pulls it out again and again tries to find something else to suck (hands, sleeping bag, feet, even arches around to try and suck bed sheets). This happens day and night.... (unless she is completely exhausted)
I have got into a bit of a bad habit of holding her hands for a few minutes until she accepts the tiredness and stops the arm flapping, dummy juggling or eye rubbing, all of which wake her up further. I dont mind having to do this to get her calm (She does calm down and I leave the room when she is still awake)but wondered if anyone else has similar problem or advice. Basically, she is very tired but has a mad few minutes of flapping before going to sleep.
I know it would be best to get rid of the dummy completey but I dont have a problem with her having the dummy at this age. If only she wouldnt fight it and go to sleep calmly.

[kezzax]

my little girl had a dummy till nearly two, i dreaded getting rid of it but it only took two days, one was a nightmare but the next was fine and we havent looked back since... but i dont know how you would deal with a baby, if i was you i would wait until she is older, what does it matter if she has a dummy???

[Milsy]

Check the length of time between naps - if it's too long she might just be fighting sleep and would be calmer with less.

Also, if you're going to stick with the dummy, get yourself a Sleepytot - she will be able to get the dummy herself in no time. x

[bippyhippy]

Milsy, thanks for the advice on the Sleepytot Baby Comforter. I was a bit sceptical to be honest but at my wits end so decided to give it a go. IT WORKED IN TWO NIGHTS. I wish I'd known about it ages ago! But thanks. You have saved my sleep and dd is so happy and well rested now too. x

[Milsy]

bippyhippy, that's no problem. I found it so useful - glad it worked for you too.

[janeausten]

Milsy
I was wondering if you could tell me if the sleepytot baby comforter is safe for a 4mth old, apart from the fact that he's not turning over or moving about much (except for flaying arms and trying to get his hands in his mouth), is there any danger a baby could smother themselves with the comforter if the pulled it over their face?
Is it meant for a child over a certain age/developmental phase?
Thanks in advance
JA

[Milsy]

Hi janeausten, just replied to your other thread. It is quite big so I would say it is probably safe for 6 months plus, once baby can handle it themselves.

But I know babies who are rolling around and stuff at five months. I wouldn't leave a baby alone with any comforter, pillow, soft toy etc until I knew they could handle it. Maybe you could call or email Sleepytot to ask what age they recommend?

I remember on the packaging it said it was safe for an "older baby" to have at sleep times. They should probably be more specific.

One thing I would say is that it's worth getting early so you can practice with your baby in the day.

Good luck. The dummy runs are hell!