Help giving up sucky sleep teddy

[Crappyatnames]

DD is 3.5 and has a teddy that she sucks to fall asleep. I have been trying to wean her off sucking it, but she finds him in her sleep. I really don't want to take it away completely as he is such a comfort for her. Other than cutting his arms off, what else should I do? I took her dummy away at 6 months old, she then turned to the teddy as a replacement....The main reason that I want her to stop the sucking is to self soothe to sleep as in 4 weeks time she is due to have tonsils out and mr teddy is very unhygenic ! Help...!

Can you just put teddy in the washing machine?

Most likely it will be the one thing she looks for when sore post op. Give teddy a wash. Dd still has hers at 17!

It gets washed daily and still reeks! She has it in her mouth most of the night like a wet blanket, no stuffing left. I took him away one night recently , and she woke crying for teddy 5 times and I caved at 3am

I know she will look for it post op but I have 4 weeks to wean her off? Or is that insane? I was told the op could be a year away, just got the letter today. Im worried about infection

Think it would be hard to get rid. My daughter who is also about 3.5 has a blanket that she sucks the corners of at night and also a couple of comforters she sometimes uses as well. I also have to wash every day or every other day if not as they are just soggy and smelly.
Have you used the dettol liquid for washing machines before? It gets rid of germs etc so could help. If you are washing every day then it shouldn't be too bad for infection if clean at the start of the night I guess.
My daughter likes to cuddle up to her blanket and other bits in bed and I think she wouldn't feel as secure and comfy with nothing.

Why would you do this?
Your DD will stop when she is ready.

I still regret the loss of my teddy taken away because "you are to old now" and I am 56.
DD still has her first cuddly blanket in bed with her. Now almost all replacement and she is a very capable and confident 18 year old.

Let her keep it! She's only little. My son is nearly 6 and has his sucky bunny. I rinse the ear every morning and was it in the washing machine once a week. It's his bit of comfort at bedtime and I won't take it away until he's ready.

Yeah I would say why do you need to wean her too?

My reasons to want to wean were:
Teddy most likely carries germs that I was worried would cause infection post op (as advised by doctor)
She is developing a lisp

Turns out she didnt want teddy as he was getting soggy/bloody. 6 weeks post op she now has him back because he soothes her. Im not cruel, i was worried about her health. I have an anxiety disorder. Was just looking for some advice.

This situation will measure you what is the most important or what matters the most is it health or the wants.

Let your DD decide when she wants to give up her Teddy. It would have been cruel to take away Teddy even if there was a good reason.

Try washing Teddy with white vinegar in the rinse part of the cycle.
If you haven't already, may I suggest you seek help for your anxiety.

PaulMorel - haven't a clue what you meant there

Wash teddy with antibacterial detergent . Don't take him away ! it's terrible to force children to give up their comfort toys. You mention that you have an anxiety disorder - don't create anxiety in your DD when it isn't necessary.