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Behaviour/development

Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

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Original poster

Help weaning 2yr old off teddy that he sucks to sleep...

39 replies

Milliemuffin · 18/06/2009 11:03

We have 3 of the same teddy so he has a clean one every night but as he's nearly 2 I think it's time we weaned him off it but that's the only way he can get to sleep is to suck on the teddy's hand. Is it the same as weaning off a dummy? How should I do it? He's always slept with it so it's going to be so hard, he doesn't know how to sleep without it. any help would be much appreciated xx

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

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Tortington · 18/06/2009 11:04

aww he's only 2 leave him with teddy

lulalullabye · 18/06/2009 11:09

I second don't do it. Apparantly it is good for them to have a comforter, so let him carry on, poor ted .

GeckoLovingHornedThing · 18/06/2009 11:11

Its good for his developement t have a comfort object

there is no need to wean him off it at all

please leave him with it

Original poster

Milliemuffin · 18/06/2009 11:11

But surely the longer I leave it the harder it'll be?

OP posts:

chevre · 18/06/2009 11:11

dd (5) still sleeps with her revolting teddy rammed up against her nose. why would you stop?

MatNanPlus · 18/06/2009 11:12

Why do you think he needs to stop having teddy?

I would let it continue, if you really want to stop it them don;t wash the teddy as he may stop himself if it tastes/smells different.

2 is so young.

GeckoLovingHornedThing · 18/06/2009 11:13

you dont ever have to do it
just leave it to him
there is no problem with it

there will come a time when he just gradually comes away from it himself and he will have it sitting on a shelf in his room to be fondly remembered forever

seru=ioulsy just leave it to him

Original poster

Milliemuffin · 18/06/2009 11:13

Can't be very hygienic sucking a teddy every night?

OP posts:

Cadelaide · 18/06/2009 11:15

Don't think it will necessarily be harder if you leave it till later.

DS weaned himself off his dummy at 5 without any problems at all.

GeckoLovingHornedThing · 18/06/2009 11:16

but you say he has a clean one every night
nothing wrong with even a not clean one every night
will build up his immunity well

GeckoLovingHornedThing · 18/06/2009 11:17

and I bet he only actually sucks it to go to sleep or when he rouses in the night
its not all night

leave the porr kid alone
hes tiny and self soothing
very good for him

Merrylegs · 18/06/2009 11:17

What do you think is wrong with him sleeping with the teddy?

Is it the sucking of it?

Do you think it will ruin his teeth?

Does he only suck it at night? If so, his teeth will most likely be fine.

I think you should leave it, TBH. He will stop when he wants to.

If he's still doing it at 9, come back and tell us.

saintmaybe · 18/06/2009 11:18

Hygienic?

have you seen the state of their hands at that age?

Leave him with it.

Original poster

Milliemuffin · 18/06/2009 11:22

I just thought it was unhygienic (the sucking) and thought 2 was a good age as in the sooner the better but i'm guessing i was wrong. He only sucks it when he sleeps (including day time nap) or when he's upset as it's often the only way to settle him. I wouldn't take it away from him as a comforter but thought I should maybe teach him to sleep without it but if you all disagree then ok.

thanks for your comments, am glad i asked as was really worrying about it xx

OP posts:

Original poster

Milliemuffin · 18/06/2009 11:29

I'm a first time mum and don't know any other children that suck anything other than a dummy so just wanted some advice, now i feel bad for even considering it, just didn't know what to do for the best.

OP posts:

Stigaloid · 18/06/2009 11:33

Aww don't feel bad but wouldn't worry about it. My son is similar with his teddy although has stoped sucking it now (it was sooo gross for a while there though - picking up damp teddy - yuck!) so he will eventually outgrow the need as and when i am sure. And don't worry too much about the hygene aspect - if your son is anything like mine then he probably has his finger rammed up his nose half the time or likes to collect rocks or sticks and then suck his hands - some germs are good for them and you can't stop them being yucky.

Am sure he will let you know when yo say good bye to teddy in his own time

GeckoLovingHornedThing · 18/06/2009 11:35

dont feel bad at all
you were worried and you came for advice
He will be fine with it for as long as he wants it
the hygeine thing isn't an issue at all

PortBlacksandResident · 18/06/2009 11:38

DS2 (6) loves to give his old teddy a cuddle when he first gets home from school .

LadyGlencoraPalliser · 18/06/2009 11:38

My mum threw away my comfort teddy on hygiene grounds when I was four - I am 45 now and still reproach her about it from time to time.
Really, I don't understand why anyone would want to deprive a child of their cuddly.

fucksticks · 18/06/2009 11:38

Awww glad you are leaving him with his teddy.
My nearly 4 year old still sucks his teddy every night to sleep.

giraffesCantRunA10k · 18/06/2009 11:39

Leave him with it definetly, if hes ever ill as well it will be a godsend!

pranma · 18/06/2009 14:00

Please leave him alone with it.He doesnt ever have to give it up unless he chooses surely.My d-i-l still has her comfort Ted by he bed and she is 39!!!!!

Original poster

Milliemuffin · 18/06/2009 15:22

It's not about him having a comforter, what kind of mum do you all think I am! It's the fact he sucks it and can't fall asleep without sucking it which is my issue but as for taking away his comforter, it's 2 different issues and I could never do that, I do love my son!
I just thought it was worth while seeing if I could teach him to fall asleep without it ie. take away his 'need' for it, so that he knows he CAN sleep without it for occasions when we go out, forget it, whatever. I just wanted to know if it was possible but I guess not.

OP posts:

panicpants · 18/06/2009 15:27

Ds is like this with his teddy (henry) and he is 3.10, but I have noticed over the last few weeks, that henry is sometimes replaced by another one of his cuddly toys in bed...so your ds will do it himself naturally.

And don't worry..your only trying to do your best for him

TheCrackFox · 18/06/2009 15:47

Awww, leave him to it - it sounds beyond cute.

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