Dummy............when is to old.

[breeze]

My 3.25 year old son still has a dummy at night, i had my friends child to stay over last night and she was suprised that my son still has it at night. My son is an excellant sleeper unually 13/14 hours a night, he is very attached to his dummies and feel that he isn't ready to do without it yet. Is he too old, advice please and also tip on when i do finally decide to get rid best possible ways please.

What's it to your friend? If he sleeps well, then the dummy is great, obviously! I just don't see the harm. He will eventually give it up due to peer pressure, I'm sure. I don't suppose there are any adults who need a dummy to sleep!

There's another thread very similar to this one and if you look there you'll see that I've recently got rid of my dd's dummy (she's 2 yrs 11mnths). BUT, she also has a comfort blanket which she still uses at night and I have no intention of removing (even if its still there when she gets to her late teens). I comtimplated leaving her with it (the dummy) just at night but it never worked for us - if she knew it was around she had to have it. I like the idea that children have whatever comforters they need. But, I couldn't stand the way she would talk with it in her mouth and drool would run down her face etc etc.

I also don't think its anyone else's business to comment on what is harmless but comforts your child! If he's happy and you are happy - the that's all that matters!

Agree with everything everyone else has said. My dd has just turned three and since the new year she has just had her dummy at night. And until she's ready I'll let her continue. My ds was about 3 and a half when he out of the blue just told me he didn't want his dummy any more (he only had it at night too) and that was that. If your son is getting comfort from it then that's all that matters.

My ds had a dummy until he was 4. And I mean exactly 4. On his fourth birthday, he decided he would give up. After me dropping a few gentle hints that he was getting to be a big boy now and big boys don't need dummies etc, he said that he'd give up when he was 4. I thought - well I'll believe that when I see it, because I really thought he needed it to get to sleep. And I didn't pressure him at all, because he only had it in bed and I didn't see the harm in it.

But he gave it up just like that. After the first couple of nights, I encouraged him to keep going by offering him a reward at the end of the week - some small toy he'd had his eye on in the ELC - but TBH I don't think he really needed the bribe. He was just ready to give up, much to my astonishment.

Thanks for all your replied, my ds really is attached to them, i never see it as a problem, but it was the way my friend reacted that made me think, as usual you have put my mind at rest. thanks a lot

Breeze

I have wondered the same thing myself. My dd is 17 months and has her dummy, like your ds at night / when she is sleeping only. Occasionally if she has bad teeth problems she asks for it during the day but never normally. I agree they will give it up when they are ready and will be embarrassed anyway so don't worry. I am sure when he's ready he'll give it up.

Some people's attitude to dummies really gets on my nerves. Im suprised she felt it her place to comment !