Dummies - advice needed!

[xmasstocking]

I sometimes use a dummy to help my 18-week old son to get to sleep - both for naps and at night. He never has the dummy any other time and he doesn't need it every nap or night - he can get himself to sleep - but other times he won't sleep without it.

My problem is that although he 'sleeps through' from 7pmish to 7amish he does wake up once or twice a night, usually about 5ish, and starts whinging and I have to put his dummy in otherwise he doesn't go back to sleep. Putting his dummy in works everytime (although it sometimes takes a couple of goes becasue he spits it out before he is fully asleep). At the moment, it is fine as he is in a crib at the bottom of our bed so I can just crawl to the bottom of our bed, put the dummy and go back to bed - however, thinking ahead, we want to move him to his own nursery asap but as it is at the moment, I will be going back and forwards across the landing 2 or 3 times a night which I don't really want to do.

Has anyone any advice, experience etc which could help me settle him without his dummy - problem is he settles instantly with it so hardly disturbs our sleep so it it definitely the easier option.

Sorry for the long post. TIA for any help.

Oh Fizz sending big hugs....know how you feel it's rotten have to go DD is fussing, speak soon x

Well it looks like we are all jinxed on this thread - DS woke 4 times last night for his dummy which is a record - although for the first time, he went upstairs in his crib at 7 and stayed there all evening - maybe the 2 are related??

Kate - sounds like you have got good advice from Jam. My DS has now got to the stage where he is too busy to eat and fusses and messes all the time - end up following his mouth round with the bottle - can't do that with a boob eh?

Well folks nearly bedtime for DD - wish me luck with the "how many times can I spit my dummy out and make you come a runnin' game"

Dd a pain again last night all night. Why why why? Am seriously thinking about jetisoning the dummy now.

Fizz - how many times were you up? Mine was 3 - at 2.30am, 5am and 6am - but he did sleep until after 7 so I still think it is worth it - if you didn't use a dummy, how much longer would you be awake trying to settle her?? That is what I am thinking - in fact I think I have answered my own OP

Dp was on night duty last night, but I still woke up every time. Dummy lost at 9.45 10.30, 12.10, 1.55, 2.30, 4.00. Heard crying at 4.00, then slept until about 8.00am.

She is of course knackered,( as are we all). Have just put her down with NO dummy, and she is currently chewing her fists. Cannot face any more nights like the last few.

Am now going onto Google with the search "weaning a baby off a dummy". As we all need some sleep. Dd is currently cooing in a very sweet fashion, but am determined not to
give in. [resolute emoticon]

10 mins of slightly louder than normal grizzling, and she went to sleep without it!!!

I sat by her patting her etc, but she just fell asleep. Feel like traitorous and evil mother, but I just need some sleep.[sleeping emoticon]zzzzzzzz

Support please.... dd woke up after 20 mins and cried for 2 hours non stop (she never cries like that)
It has now unsettled her all day, it is 2.15pm and she has had 20 mins sleep all day, the day has escended into chaos, and dummy is now firmly wedged into dd's mouth.

Complete failure

Jam 77 - thank you so much for advice re fussing when feeding. Have tried a new forumla feed and, touch wood, it's worked a treat. Can't thank you enough! Does, of course, seem to have caused a bit of constipation but that'll sort itself out soon enough.

Take her for a walk in the pram.

Fizz - {{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}} - I can imagine how difficult it must be for you. Don't think you have failed, just that it didn't work this time and think positive for the next time you try it. I wish I had some advice for you but I don't - just sending lots of positive thoughts.

19 weeks is still v young thought if you leave it, you aren't going to get your sleep back?

This being a mother thing is so hard isn't it? You try and do the right thing and it sometimes isn't!

Kate - so pleased changing her milk worked for you too!!!
Fizz - how is the dummy debate going? I managed one night going down with no dummy but the next night I gave it to DD almost as soon as she started to fuss as (selfish as it sounds) I needed a few hours in the evening to have a glass of wine and chill out......am I the most lazy and selfish mum ???