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How old is too old for a dummy?

79 replies

Shattered · 22/07/2002 00:52

My ds has just turned two. He's been very good in most ways, he's always been a good sleeper and he weaned himself off the bottle when he was about 14 months. He doesn't have any other comforters except for his dummy, which I only give to him for his daytime sleep. Initially, I was hoping he would no longer be using it by the time he turned one, but he still loves having it for his nap so I keep letting it go. The trouble is that when he was very sick a few weeks ago, I let him lie on the couch with a blanket and his dummy because it seemed to comfort him, and now that he's better he's been wanting it again when he gets tired in the late afternoon. DH and I think it's best if he only has the dummy for his naps so we haven't been giving it to him, and now of course ds doesn't like this very much. I guess he'll get over it soon but I'm just wondering what others think about an appropriate age for giving up the dummy. Is he too old to still have it or do you think I should let it go for a bit longer? My MIL told me once that she hates seeing toddlers with a dummy in their mouths so I feel a bit uncomfortable with the fact that he still uses it. What do you think?

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
CAM · 02/04/2003 08:21

Your dd sounds exactly like mine, and yes, the thumb sucking has never got in the way of talking here either!I remember sucking my thumb until I was eight and then decided myself that I was far too grownup and gave it up instantly and for ever.
I assume my dd may do something similar.

lisalisa · 02/04/2003 15:42

Message withdrawn

bettylou · 02/04/2003 15:55

I agree with the others who've said it's no big deal and best to be led by the child's needs. My first ds had a dummy and then dropped it when he turned 2 and had a bad case of hand, foot and mouth and it was too painful to suck. At age 7 he still likes his blanky in bed, though.

My second ds has always been extremely oral. When he was a baby all his toys went in his mouth, and even now I often find him chewing on the corner of a book, and he's started biting his nails. At the age of 5 he still has his dummy in bed (he'll probably start smoking when he's 12!)

My third ds (age 3) wasn't interested in a dummy, but found his thumb and has stuck with that (along with 'silky label' on his muslin 'clothy'.

Whatever gets you through the night!

JJ · 03/04/2003 10:27

Eulalia, my friend's second child arrived around the time her daughter gave up breastfeeding. I'm not sure how she did it, although I think she just explained to her that it was time to be done breastfeeding. Next time I talk to her, I'll ask. I've just now given in to my son's demand to breastfeed... guess the weaning is off for the moment. Sigh.

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