Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Parenting

For free parenting resources please check out the Early Years Alliance's Family Corner.

Flip

1 2

Original poster

Dummy removal - 5.5m old

27 replies

Arsebadger · 09/05/2014 09:05

I'm a dummy-hater! But my son had really bad reflux and on advice from herh visitor we gave one to him and it really helped.
He's now 5.5 months, goes to bed at night without it, only uses for daytime naps, so I removed it 6 days ago.
First 3 days were fine but it's getting worse! He's waking up earlier and earlier, and won't go back to sleep (this is when we would use dummy)
It's also hard to get him to sleep during the day.
Am I wrong to remove something that comforts and soothes him due to my own prejudice (just hate seeing older children 'plugged in' with massive dummies - I know, my issue right?) or should I just persevere? He no longer has reflux so I'm not denying him comfort from this.
Any opinions/experiences appreciated please

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

sososotired · 09/05/2014 09:26

We have that with DS 8 months. He had a dummy since birth literally colic from hell! Used it all the time when he was a new born but now he only has it for naps and bed at night. I tried taking it away but then he found his thumb now I'm like you and hate older kids with dummies but thumb is even worse!
So I think if it is only used for sleep it's ok? I don't let him have it in the day and if it offers some comfort it surely can't be harmful?

But maybe try weaning him off? So decreasing his dummy time little by little rather than just taking it away completely?

hotcrosshunny · 09/05/2014 10:23

You can only keep it for sleeps? We have one for dd. She's 2. But she isn't allowed it outside of the house unless napping.

Original poster

Arsebadger · 10/05/2014 15:20

Day 6... Seems to be going better actually!

OP posts:

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Families General parenting

StarGazeyPond · 10/05/2014 16:50

Am I wrong to remove something that comforts and soothes him due to my own prejudice

A thousand yesses.

Original poster

Arsebadger · 10/05/2014 17:36

Star - even if he gets over it in a few days?!?

OP posts:

hotcrosshunny · 10/05/2014 17:55

If it is ok then keep it up.

I would however be wary of thinking his reflux is gone as it might not be been there done that twice

trixymalixy · 10/05/2014 17:59

Agree with Star. I was a dummy hater before I had kids too, but soon changed my mind. I think 5.5 months is really early to remove it.

NoIamAngelaHernandez · 10/05/2014 18:02

I went cold turkey with DTs at 18 months.

They only had them for naps and night time (never outside their cots).

We told them about the dummy fairy, that the babies needed them etc. They gave them up overnight. I put them in the bin and they never looked back. No thumb sucking either.

Original poster

Arsebadger · 10/05/2014 18:24

Hotcross, he isn't screaming, he hasn't been sick for three months, and was weaned slightly early. He shows no distress, the only issue from dummy removal has been not going back to sleep when waking early, and not falling asleep as easily during the day for a nap.
I'm not cruel, if he appeared distressed I would give it back and haven't thrown them out

OP posts:

Original poster

Arsebadger · 11/05/2014 11:17

Interestingly in the week without it, he's now started really burbling and making consonant sounds. It may be coincidence...

OP posts:

fairylightsintheloft · 11/05/2014 16:15

please please don't worry about it at this point. There is a massive difference between a pacifier being used for a baby and a 3-4 year old walking round with one in their mouths permanenty. Mine had them til about 2.5 (only for sleeping at whatever time) and when they were old enough and the dentist said to get rid before they turned three, the dummy fairy came. They were old enough to understand and had no issues getting rid of them in exchange for chocolate coins and some plastic tat.

wheresthelight · 11/05/2014 18:26

Ffs it's a dummy not a bottle of vodka.

If it helps him settle himself then give him the damn dummy. He is 5 months not 5 years!!!

Original poster

Arsebadger · 11/05/2014 19:18

Constructive, wheres.., I already made it clear that he can have it if he gets distressed... Did you see that before your crass comment?

OP posts:

wheresthelight · 11/05/2014 19:20

Yes I read it. And then read the bit where you took it off him for you own vanity issues.

Original poster

Arsebadger · 11/05/2014 19:23

Hardly. He had it to help with reflux. He no longer had reflux. My understanding was that it's better to break habit either young or when they're old enough to be reasoned with

OP posts:

TippiShagpile · 11/05/2014 19:27

You wanted to take it off him and you did so well done.

Not sure why you posted tbh, especially when you have a pop at posters who point out that having a dummy at 5.5 months isn't the end of the world.

stargirl1701 · 11/05/2014 19:32

We did exactly the same OP. DD had silent reflux. We used a dummy for 6 months. We then tied a muslin to the dummy and after 2 weeks we removed the dummy. She still sleeps with the muslin as a comforter but not in her mouth.

I was concerned about speech delay and how a dummy can alter teeth/jaw placement.

Original poster

Arsebadger · 11/05/2014 19:34

Thank you Star that's really helpful,
We have introduced a comforter or muslin and it seems to really help
Tippi, I was interested in other peoples experiences and views as dummy's are contentious apparently, and I want to make the best decisions I can for my son. Comments like Star's are helpful as provide solutions. Comments comparing dummies to vodka are just fatuous

OP posts:

TippiShagpile · 11/05/2014 20:27

I didn't compare dummies to vodka.

I hope it all works out for you.

wheresthelight · 11/05/2014 20:29

No that was me tippi

I was pointing out how ridiculous the op is being but apparently she only wants to hear from people who agree that dummies are the work of the devil

Original poster

Arsebadger · 11/05/2014 20:45

I clearly agree that they are not because they helped my son. If I was led by vanity he wouldn't have had one.

I'm perfectly justified in trying to understand the best time/way to get him to give it up

OP posts:

NannyPeach · 11/05/2014 20:51

I too was a dummy hater, until dc2 had one. He loved it and it was a comfort to him. He gave it up at around 2.5 with no problems and didn't move on to sucking fingers like I had heard some do.

I think 5.5 months was too early and it would be a shame if he starts sucking fingers as an alternative (dc1 still does this at age 10).

NannyPeach · 11/05/2014 20:51

Sorry - should say gave it up at 2.5 yrs

Original poster

Arsebadger · 11/05/2014 20:57

Thanks nanny, that's useful to hear
He isn't sucking fingers as yet; I'd rather he have the dummy back than this
I haven't thrown any of them out and won't do for quite some time

OP posts:

NannyPeach · 11/05/2014 22:16

He may not take a dummy again after some time without it. It's hard to know what the best thing to do is - whatever you do I'm sure it will be fine.

I was very anti dummy with dc1 and I do regret that as I wish she didn't still suck her thumb as her teeth have really suffered. I went the other way with dc2 and realised that dummies are absolutely fine (much to the disgust of extended family!) especially if kept exclusively for sleep times or just in the house etc.

Now on dc3 and I realise these things are only for a short time and they really don't matter in the long run.

Flip

1 2

Swipe left for the next trending thread