5 year old still has dummy

[user1498912461]

I'm ashamed to say that my 5 year old DS (almost 6 year old) still has a dummy. I have tried for years to wean him off to no avail. DH sees no problem with him still having a dummy and mil frequently turns up with brand new packets of dummies for DS. DH has said for ages that he will speak to mil but it's always the "wrong moment". Last time she turned up with packs of new dummies for DS I took them off him and hid them. Mil seemed genuinely surprised and said that her children still had dummies at the age of 8! I am very worried about his teeth but DH said him having a dummy until he was 8 did his teeth no harm. I am now made out to be the "bad guy". We have a 11 month old who also has dummies.

Yes comfort is a benefit hence I said "very few" rather than "no benefit" but that isn't comparable with extended breastfeeding.

Bottle for an 8 year old ?!!! 😭😂 This made me laugh so much as I secretly has my own bottle, which my mum will fill with hot chocolate, till I was 6.

I was all "my children.will not be having dummies" until I had children. Three weeks in I buckled when my brother said "oh for God's sake, just give your baby a dummy!". It was the best thing I ever did.

I was sparing with it (bedtimes, tiredness and upsets). Weaned off at 2 and 9 months.
My second child wouldn't touch a dummy as was addicted to boob instead 😆

@notgivingin789

Not an 8yo with a bottle a nearly 11yo who is due to start secondary in 12 months

Honestly, I wouldn't care. Why is this important (genuine question, not being aggressive)? My kids are 6 and 7 and s7ck fingers/thumb. That's probably much worse for their teeth. But if it brings them comfort, why not? With a lot of these sorts of things, I ask myself 'Will they still be doing it when they're 18?' If I think the answer is No, who cares. Having said That, my ex used to suck his thumb 😜

not read the thread, but my DD2 had one til she was 5, not ready to give it up. we got the book 'the last noo noo' by Jill Murphy and that did the trick!

but that isn't comparable with extended breastfeeding

Why on earth not

The dummy fairy visited my DS over the summer holidays as I didn't want him starting reception still having his dummy. He was fine giving it up to the fairy but his sleeping had been a nightmare since as he's constantly overtired and gets upset sometimes saying 'I wish the dummy fairy would bring my dummies back '

I do feel bad

aw lets! fwiw my DD2 (the one mentioned above) is now 1st year at uni and still loves her 'dundy' (an old muslin) - she took it with her and it is no doubt hidden, but it's there if comfort is rqd!

but that isn't comparable with extended breastfeeding

Why on earth not

Good question

Dd2s dummy sucking had a much more positive effect on MY health, than dd1s constant nursing

but that isn't comparable with extended breastfeeding

Why on earth not

Because yes a dummy is a great way to soothe, comfort and help a baby to sleep but extended breastfeeding is giving the child antibodies to infections, tailored milk, mothers lower risk of osteoporosis, breast and cervical cancer just to name a few.

Im by all means not bashing having a dummy or championing extended breastfeeding but the two are completely different.

Too old for a dummy unless he has some issues. I just made up a story and got rid of them; both kids missed the dummies for a couple of days and then forgot about it.

I think the longer you leave it the more attached they get to it and the more difficult is to get rid of it.

One of mine still used a dummy in the privacy of home and when tired until nearly 6. Gave it up then of own accord. Teeth fine and lovely.

Other one sucked thumb from a small baby. Was still sucking after learning to drive! Teeth were slightly affected.

Thumbs are much worse than dummies IMO. How many kids in school uniform do you see with dummies?

My DD is 4 in 3 months and sucks her thumb. She has from the moment she was born! (Probably before!). Her top two teeth come out a little. Nice and white etc but prominent! Any tips anyone for this one!

lozzylizzy
My granddaughter sucked her thumb from birth until she was 8...after that she did it less often. Her teeth were affected so she had to have a brace fitted. People try all sorts of things but it's far more difficult to stop than a dummy. My daughter decided to ignore it and not say anything to her when she did it, but would try to distract her with doing something. When I was a child people would put something that tasted bitter on a child's thumbs...not sure how successful that was.