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Original poster

Dentist says we have to wean DD (2) off dummy. But how?!

17 replies

PickledLily · 16/10/2014 21:53

We've talked about the dummy fairy but she is having none of it. She just can't seem to calm down enough without a dummy to then sleep, although she manages at nursery. Any suggestions?

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ihaveadirtydog · 16/10/2014 21:56

If she can sleep without it at nursery then half the battle is done!
We did it one night when ds was vv tired after a party and was just about to drop off in the car-just snuggled him down and he went to sleep without it and he hasn't had one since! Although he does come into our bed now which he never did when he ha a dummy!

LuckyLopez · 16/10/2014 21:57

Just throw them out. Honestly it's never as bad as you think. She's crying now because you're obviously giving in so it works for her. Chuck them out so you don't cave.

Original poster
PickledLily · 16/10/2014 22:12

It's not that we are giving in, we haven't tried yet. It's just that as soon as she plugs her dummy in, she calms down instantly ie stays still! Without it she thrashes around and jumps about the place totally hyperactive and fighting bed/sleep. Trying to get her lying or even sitting in bed is impossible without the dummy. I need some tactics.

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ThinkIveBeenHacked · 16/10/2014 22:14

Does she just have it for sleep? I cant imagine that would cause any real dental issues. DD still has hers for bed (2.10) and it stays on her pillow from when she wakes to bedtime. She doesnt nap anymore so doesnt have it in the day.....Im worried now that I should take it away but I honestly dont think it is problematic.

Original poster
PickledLily · 17/10/2014 06:53

Yes, just for sleep. I was surprised, but the dentist said it was starting to affect her teeth already Sad

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pinkmagic1 · 17/10/2014 07:00

Can you hang on until Christmas and have santa take it in return for presents and maybe introduce a special teddy/cuddly toy at bedtime. We did that with both of ours and it worked a treat, both also 2.

Tylastar · 17/10/2014 07:03

Only tip I have is what dp did for dss which was cut a hole in every dummy so it didn't suck properly. Dss soon got bored of trying to suck on them.

barnet · 17/10/2014 07:09

She will struggle for the first night (it felt like dealing with cold turkey in a drug addict here). So that night is long and tiring for you all.
Do the dummy fairy, make a fun thing of collecting them all up, And for your own sanity make sure you have got rid of every last one. It is you who might want to crack during the cold turkey night.
But then that's it, she's managed to get through the worst.
Good luck!

barnet · 17/10/2014 07:12

Yes cutting a hole in the tip of every one works really well!

Original poster
PickledLily · 17/10/2014 08:36

Christmas sounds like a good idea.

Any tips for calming her down at bedtime? We do all the usual things; bath, story.

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Littlef00t · 17/10/2014 09:41

Does she have any other comforter etc for bedtime? My little dd never took to a dummy but grabs her blanket comforter and puts it over her head at night. Could you introduce something before you deal with the dummy?

Gileswithachainsaw · 17/10/2014 09:47

Just take it away. The first day may be bad but after that it's ok.

Dont do it at Christmas. That's the worst time ever. Too much excitement and family visiting or late nights etc. No hope.

Bin them all and be done with it

Original poster
PickledLily · 17/10/2014 09:54

We've been trying to introduce a comforter for ages, but she's just not interested. Prefers to be stroking picking my arm instead. I have become the comforter Blush

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Goldmandra · 17/10/2014 21:15

My friend followed her dentist's advice and took her DD's dummy away when she was two. She switched to her thumb which she obviously then had access to 24/7. She's nearly 17 now and still sucks it despite having had braces.

If your DD switches to her thumb, consider giving her the dummy back PDQ. At least she can only suck that at night.

findingherfeet · 17/10/2014 21:35

Go for it, my dummy addict (bed time only) would have one in her gob and one in each hand! I was absolutely dreading getting rid but worried about teeth/and it being harder to do as she got older...

We'd talked a lot about the dummy fairy and she'd say 'I don't want her to come tonight!' All the time...

Then one momentous day at 2 1/2 she napped without one, just climbed into bed and slept..,so that night I just went for it. She asked for it at naps and nighttime but wasn't screaming or really unhappy...she understood that she's my big girl and if she sees her baby brothers dummy, she hands it straight to me.

I could not believe how easy it was, she still had her very long nap but did for a while wake an hour or so too early in the morning (disturbed by baby)

Oh and we (or should I say the dummy fairy) bought her a rather fancy bike......!!

SueDunome · 17/10/2014 21:44

Your dentist is right - if you don't get rid of the dummy she will have major problems when her adult teeth come through and have to wear braces for years. Also, treatment for braces is not automatically paid for on the NHS anymore so it will be expensive too if only deemed to be cosmetic.

blacktreaclecat · 18/10/2014 07:06

My DS is 2.4 and still has a dummy and I'm a dentist
I know I need to get rid of the dummies but dreading it. I was thinking I'd put them in a gift bag and take them when we see Santa and get him a really good present in return. Not sure though
Thumb sucking is far worse if that is any consolation
DS will need ortho anyway- H had 3 years of ortho and DS has his jawline.

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