Dummy

[emma2201]

Hi everyone when did you take dummy of child at night ? My dd is 3 and 2 months old everyone is always saying about her having her dummy so much , she does have it during the day a good bit just depends if shes upset etc and it's getting to me so much like I need to get rid of it completely!! Do I just stop during day and keep it for night time only she is young .

At 3 she’s not that young. I would get rid of it entirely.

Get rid
Say the Easter bunny needs them for the baby bunnies and she is a big girl now and doesn’t need it.
Replace with a new toy.

NHS says only up to 12 months, so time to wean off.

My dd was 4 when the dummy fairy came and exchanged her dummy for a stuffed Minnie Mouse toy.

Ideally get rid asap.

If you can't bring your self to go cold turkey, change the useage to Dummy for sleeps only.

My twins only ever had dummies for sleep only. Took it off both of them at three. Told them they’d get a present in the morning if they went without and they were happy to do so. Done that for three nights and they’d forgotten about dummies for good.

I would find a three year old with a dummy during day time a bit off.

My first I took it off her at 2. My second (he was 3 in October) still has his but absolutely only for night time as he sleeps for 12-14 hours I wouldn’t let him have it in the daytime and I plan to get rid of it in the next couple months. He only has it for sleeping atm because I am being selfish and I know he won’t sleep without it and I’m avoiding it.

Reduce to bedtime only..
Then binned completely in a few weeks.

We went cold turkey at 2 and a half. Lots of praise and a new toy for giving it up. She was having it sometimes during the day and always in the car and at night. A few tears but we stood strong. I recommend a visual way of getting rid, either letting your child put them in the bin or bury them or throw over the wall, whatever you think will work...we often had to remind our one "you have no dodee, remember...."

DD2 had hers at night only from about 18 months and then she just lost interest in it a few months ago at 2.5. We were gearing up to do the dummy fairy but one day she just said ‘I don’t want it’ at bedtime and that was it.

I would definitely discourage daytime use immediately though as could be inhibiting speech and communication and try just overnight if you don’t want to do cold turkey.

My eldest weaned off it in the day time by 2.5

For night time: I had the dummy fairy come at age 3 but he was so sad. He had night terrors and everything at night without it so we gave it back! Gradually got him off it at night by 4.5 with the help of the dummy tree. Quite late but he just wasn't ready before then. To be honest, he wasn't quite ready at 4.5 but I caved to peer pressure (well, grandma pressure! And society pressure!) He's always had great speech and great teeth etc.. so I doubt it would have done him any harm to continue it for a bit longer.

Do what you believe is right.

My youngest wasn't fussed about a dummy really and stopped using it of his own accord about 1.5 maybe 2.

I think some children just really need their dummy. I don't think everyone in society quite understands that and I hate the pressure and judgement that comes with dummy use. It's so strange!

I would start by decreasing during the day. Aim to only give if hurt or for going to sleep. Then you can think about preparing for giving up completely.

DS was only ever allowed it for sleep/naps since age 1, then we did cold turkey at 18 months. It was a rough week but 100% worth it.

Go cold turkey. Easter Bunny has left all these lovely chocolate eggs but has to take the dummies from all the big girls.

Health Visitor told my 2yo DS he was too old for a dummy now and he took her so seriously he threw it in the bin 🤣, job done!

Make a big fuss of sending the dummy to the tooth fairy / Santa* / Easter Bunny etc and replace with a new toy.

*Not just for Christmas

We did the dummy fairy around 2.5, she loved it! My youngest never had one as he just wasn't interested, they're all so different. I would definitely try the fairy route.

Get rid of dummy asap. Never used myself but SIL did with her three - tough couple of days but then forgotten