Help with...the dreaded dummy

[MrsJangles]

My DD has had a dummy since she was born practically. She was in NICU for a while and as she was crying all the time it was advised I give her one. I fought against it for a while then gave in because it was a traumatic birth for us both and I wanted her to have some comfort since we were apart from each other (I was unwell after the birth too).

She's 8.5 months old now, and since she was 6 months she only has it at naptime and bedtime. Until recently, she's really only needed it to fall asleep - she never used to wake up for it so it was never a problem.

However, over the last few weeks since she has had a cold, each time she coughs the dummy falls out. Then she cries / screams, and the only way to get her back to sleep is by giving her the dummy back. I'm at my wits end - it's literally every hour (sometimes more) ALL night. I've tried one of those clips in the hopes she can easily find it herself, but not working yet. We're all exhausted from the constant night wakings and interruped sleep.

I'm tempted to just go 'cold turkey' with it, but at the same time it's her only comfort and I don't want to just take that away from her.

Anyone have any experience with this who can offer some advice? WWYD?

Poor you - I don't know what to suggest but it sounds exhausting so thought I'd give you a bump. :)

Sounds like you are doing a brilliant job, and I am sure it won't last though hopefully ceases before you break! Good luck.

Personally I wouldn't get rid of it just yet. We went through a phase with DD when we were going on hourly to replug, but we now put 3 in her cot and she will find one if she needs it. Have u tried the avent glow in the dark ones?

I have become stricter with DDs dummy as she has got older. She is 14mo and her dummies stay in her bed (unless she is ill or a long car journey). My plan is to wait til she is about 2 and let the dummy fairy visit.

I'd also wait till she's older to get rid. Try putting one in each hand when she is asleep and maybe also buy a sleepytot.

I've got/had 3 with a dummy and found it's best or easier to get rid of it well before 6months or wait till they're 2 or 3 and do the dummy fairy. Ds1 didn't get the clip at all, ds2 took a while to work it out and ds3 managed to find his a bit quicker. Don't just put the dummy back, try and get her to hold the strap on the clip and make sure she sees you putting it on so she knows it's there.

2 of my 3 had dummies. I waited till they were older to take away when I could talk to them and do the whole dummy fairy type thing. I tried when they were younger, lived with the sobbing for an afternoon, though 'why' and gave it back to them until the time was right for them.

Not sure what to suggest re the screaming at night. Have you tried replacing with a comforter like a taggie?

Hmmm, thanks for the advice everyone. I suppose it won't do any harm to wait until she is older and I can do the whole dummy fairy thing - it's the whole having to get up every hour most of the night that is the real problem. Perhaps I'll give it a bit more time and wait until her cold has passed - if it continues I may have to reconsider.

I gave it to her in the first place and I suppose it's better to wait until the time is right for her. I can't do crying, so I imagine I would be rubbish at managing several nights of constant crying!

My daughter was the same when she was younger- and when we moved the cot away from the wall it was like hitting the jackpot as all the lost dummies fell out! We bought this www.sleepytot.com/

It was a godsend- it meant we got to sleep as she could find the dummy easily and put it back herself- I buy it as my staple 'newborn present'- every friend gets one!!
Or if you don't want to shell out- cut the loop off of an existing dummy clip (the velcro end) and sew it to the edge of an exiting comforter, then you velcro the dummy in the loop and hey presto easy to find dummies for LO at 2am!
HTH xxxx

*existing!