Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Taken dummy off 3yo... Now awake

17 replies

kleew1 · 27/07/2020 04:12

What do you do? Did the whole dummy fairy thing. She went to sleep last night with a 30 minute fight but still went to sleep... Now wide awake and we're watching netflix.

Currently away so sharing a room so she has me closer than usual.

What do you do? Help!

OP posts:
Daisychainsandglitter · 27/07/2020 05:36

No advice but watching with interest. We're going to do the dummy fairy in September when DD2's cousin is born. She is absolutely dummy obsessed.
How did the rest of your night go? Did she settle in the end?

stellabelle · 27/07/2020 05:36

I'd treat it as a normal wakeful night. Don't mention the dummy - the fairies have taken it so it isn't coming back ! Soldier on - you don't want to relent at this stage . She'll be fine and so will you.

lopdedop · 27/07/2020 06:20

I'm quite sure watching TV isn't conducive to a child getting a good night's sleep.
Turn it off and soothe your child. Sing, read, reassure. It's a big change, and a few unsettled nights are to be expected.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

3 year olds Babies & sleep Children's sleep
JaJaDingDong · 27/07/2020 06:35

Well stop watching Netflix in the middle of the night with her for a start!

A firm "go back to sleep DC" and a big and a kiss every time she wakes up.
It might take a couple of nights, but be consistent.

mamma2016 · 27/07/2020 06:38

We had three unsettled nights and then it was forgotten. Keep going!

Redraptor · 27/07/2020 06:56

How did the rest of your night go op? I should just take a few nights before the dummies are forgotten but as others have said please dont use the tv

Redraptor · 27/07/2020 06:57

Keep it boring so it's not worth the wake up

Original poster
kleew1 · 27/07/2020 08:36

I appreciate all the comments re tv. But she's always been quite a bad sleeper... And very strong minded so when I don't let her watch TV during the night she stays up so much longer and it doesn't stop her getting up. But I completely get it. So rather than being up an hour she'd be up 3. I also read sing soothe etc...

So we went back to bed around 4.40 after having a 'snack' of bread and butter as she was 'so hungry and it would make her all better'. She was lying in bed with me crying etc saying she didn't want to sleep she wasn't tired throwing her comforter away (no big bond with it but had it since day 1) but didn't actually ask for her dummy.

Eventually I just kept talking to her and telling her stories then tickling her back and she went to sleep and is still sleeping now.

I do think this will be it for a while but all in all id say a successful night.

OP posts:
Original poster
kleew1 · 27/07/2020 08:43

Oh and @Daisychainsandglitter we got a dummy book about a little girl who gives her dummies to the fairies. Although I read somewhere not to say its for the babies as they resent them then!

We took her on a woodland walk to leave them for the fairies to use for boats and umbrellas and doors...

OP posts:
JaJaDingDong · 27/07/2020 19:25

I wouldn't be letting any child if mine watch tv in the middle of the night, nor would I be feeding them snacks.
A firm "go back to sleep", hug and a kiss, and back to bed yourself.

Todaywewilldobetter · 27/07/2020 19:28

Don't turn on the tv. It's a reason to be awake!

Twizbe · 27/07/2020 19:31

I had amazing success with my son and a sticker chart.

If he spent the whole night in his bed he got a sticker and if he got all the stickers he got a treat.

Worked on night 1! Before that he was always getting up for something or wanting to come into our bed

JamesTKirkcompatible · 27/07/2020 19:41

I think breaking the tv/food habit might be harder than the dummy. I'm sure you've done your best so far and I totally get it, but I reckon you will need to do sleep training appropriate to a 3 year old. I would even stop being in the room, just do loads of supportive coming in and out, sticker chart etc. It will be 5 horrible days but I think you do need to help your child sleep. Assuming there isn't anything else going on in your lives and your child is NT of course.

Russell19 · 28/07/2020 12:36

I wouldn't have chosen a time away from home to remove the dummy but keep with it, you'll get there!

Original poster
kleew1 · 28/07/2020 21:58

Update: we came home yesterday, lots of crying last night for the dummy but she went down with my oh in the room and then settled herself a couple of times until 5.20 when I went through but wouldn't let her out her room explaining it was night time. She then slept to just after 8...

Today we went shopping and I got her a unicorn mummy and baby to keep her company at night as she's done so good etc (£42 in bear factory sob sob).

Tonight, had supper and a book etc. Told me she loved dummies and me... Put her to bed sang etc then left the room she cried a few times for me but more shouts of 'mummy I like you a lot where are you' and she's down... No dummies.

OP posts:
Original poster
kleew1 · 28/07/2020 22:00

I chose the time away as it was her bday weekend, big deal made of finding fairy woods and we were in a room with 2 double beds so could comfort if need be... Actually think it worked out better.

OP posts:
Todaywewilldobetter · 29/07/2020 14:01

Aaw! "Mummy I like you a lot" is too cute! Bless!

New posts on this thread. Refresh page