So how DO you wean a toddler off a dummy?

[Hayls]

My dd is almost 3 and still has a dummy at night. She uses it to fall asleep but it falls out soon after and I think she only puts it back in when she wakes up in the morning. I now think it is time to get rid of it though as her teeth are starting to protrude slightly but she's having none of it. We tried posting them all off to the little babies who needed them and swapping them for Christmas presents but she got really upset and we gave in .

She doresn't have it during the day but sometimes asks for it if she's tired. INcidentally, she CAN fall asleep withot it as if she ever naps at nursery she doesn't have it and does it at home or in the car soemtimes.

I'd really appreciate any tips or advice on how best to handle it. Do we just go cold turkey and put up with the upset caused? It's her 3rd birhtday in a couple of weeks so I thought about coinciding with that but don't want to ruin her birthday!

When my youngest son turned 3 last year we simply told him that '3 year-olds don't use dummies'. He made a fuss for two nights and then that was it, he'd forgotten. If it was up to him he would still have one but it really has not been a big issue. Be firm, be clear, say why, then don't get drawn into any further discussion. And don't give in to whingeing - you'll pay for it dearly as your daughter grows up!

I just threw my DD's dummy in the bin one night when she was asleep (she was 3). She didn't even notice.

We have very kind bin men, they let my DS when he was 3 to throw it in the bin lorry and then press the button afterwards. They earnt their xmas tip, DS didn't miss dummies, and now has a fasination with bin lorries. (The bin men still let him press the button,if we see them on our way to school)