Giving up dummy

[chocolatefudgecake157]

Looking for advice please. DS is 2.4months and we gave up his dummy 2 weeks ago (we poked holes and cut the end off gradually until he stopped asking for it).

He'd been an excellent sleeper at night with at least a 3 hour nap in the day. We decided to get rid of the dummy because he was wanting it ALL day plus he is behind with his speech for his age (lots of babbling but very few words).

Since getting rid, his sleep and behaviour has gone completely haywire. It takes forever to settle him at night. As for his daytime sleeps he downright refuses to nap. I run up and down the stairs multiple times because he's screaming/demanding me to be in the room with him. I've just spent over 45 mins trying to get him to sleep until I gave up because he was screaming so much. It's been such a shock to the system because he was such a good sleeper before and we have a routine that went like clockwork.

He's very tired and grouchy all afternoon and then we have the same headache at bedtime. Refusing to get in the bath, screaming when I eventually force him in and then doing anything he can to avoid going to bed. The whole process is exhausting me and him.

DS2 is only 4 months so time and patience is in short supply. Being with them all day without a break is getting me down. His daytime naps used to be my saviour, I'd catch my breath, spend time with DS2 and then we'd have a happy afternoon together. Now I'm constantly snapping at him and not enjoying spending time with him at all. He's not starting preschool until January (induction starts in September for a few weeks). I'm not sure how I can handle the next few months.

We've tried offering teddies/comforters etc but it's not working.

I'm sorely tempted to reintroduce the dummy to ensure he gets the right amount of sleep plus it did give him so much comfort. At my wits end

Any advice would be greatly appreciated

I'd give the dummy back and just restrict it to bedtimes. Maybe buy a special 'dummy tub' for by the bed that they can live in?

Thanks so much for your advice. I've been thinking that's what I should do and just needed someone to tell me to do it! He used to just have it for nap and bedtimes only but increasingly wanted it all day, probably a reaction to DS2 arriving. I like the dummy tub idea

I'm quite a big dummy fan. Both of mine still have them at almost 2 and 3.5. We went shopping specifically for their dummy tubs and they each chose their own. It does seem to make leaving them in their rooms easier. Have you spoken to anyone about his speech? My ds was very late to talk and is still under the SALT team. They asked if he had a dummy but said it's fine as long as it's just for sleep.

He had his 27 month check recently and they didn't seem too worried, they will call us in 4 months to check his progress. I'm not too worried as my niece was the same and then didn't stop talking. It is frustrating when you see all his friends nattering away. How old was your son if you don't mind me asking?

I agree about reintroducing the dummy just at bedtime. Had you previously tried gradually reducing the dummy use over a few weeks before going cold turkey? Good luck!

I took him to a SALT drop I just before he turned 2 where they basically said to leave it 4 months too. When he had his 2.5 year review he went for a hearing test and a proper assessment with the SALtherapist. He's gone every 3 months since. He started talking at 2.10-11 months and has improved loads since then (he's 3.7 now) but is still a bit unclear so we're still under the SALT team. Yes it was very, very frustrating hearing even child around us starting to chat and being g told not to worry!

I would also give it back but as others say keep it in the bedroom. The important thing with a dummy and speech is that you don't let him talk with it in his mouth (however it is only for bed then this isn't a problem). My DD gave hers up just before she turned 3. We started talking to her about getting too big for it and then she gave it to is and said she didn't want it anymore (the talking was over a period of a few weeks), we were planning on the dummy fairy thing but didn't need it. Good luck.

My DS is 2 Yrs 4 months and has his dummy for naps and sleep time. We plan to get rid by xmas when his understanding is better ( dummy fairy ) his speech is fine, dentist said to get rid when back teeth come through as this can then impact on bite etc. his haven't come through yet but are on their way I'd imagine

Give it back, bedtimes only. He sounds over tired which is why his behaviour is deteriorating.