Toddler demanding dummy

[PregnantAndEngaged]

My 18 month old only usually has his dummy at night and nap time but lately he had a bout of illnesses from a cold, then soon after he had hand, foot and mouth disease and then a few days later he got a tummy bug and he got quite clingy t his dummy and blanket. He's better now but teething. I let him have his blanket sometimes if he needs comfort as can't see the harm but don't want him having his mouth plugged all day or even have the day. But he screams "dummy!! Dummy!! Dummy!!!" And throws himself around tantruming. DH sometimes gives in which doesn't help saying "oh but he's in pain with his teeth".

Anyway I'd like to perhaps get rid of the dummy but don't know if he's too young for that and I don't want to traumatise the poor lad

Don't get rid of it now when he's teething and using it for comfort. Let him have it when he wants. Once the tooth is through and he's less bothered about it, then you can phase it out before the next bout of teething. He sounds like he's been through a lot don't take his comfort items away from him when he's still struggling.

And giving him his comfort when he's tantrumming and in pain isn't 'giving in'. It's being kind. He's not an opponent, you need to be on his side.

Batteries is right. Let him have his dummy and blanket - and reconsider dummy in the spring when you can do all sorts of outside stuff as a distraction from Where's My Dummy.