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Parenting

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Original poster

Introducing a dummy at 9 months

17 replies

PumpingPamela · 28/04/2021 13:27

Would this be madness?

Baby is 9 months next week and sleep has been TERRIBLE since 4 months - has to be rocked or fed to sleep for all naps and nighttime (wails and stands up immediately if I put her in the cot awake, no matter how drowsy she was before), naps last no longer than 30 minutes unless she is literally attached to my boob, takes ages to fall asleep, wakes 5+ times a night). We've followed all the gentle sleep advice (white noise, pitch black room, great routine, use Huckleberry for nap gaps) and I'm getting desperate. Would a dummy help? DP thinks it's a bad idea as it's just introducing a new sleep prop but then he's not the one up and down all night every night.

Any other ideas? I'd rather not do hardcore sleep training.

Thanks

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FTENGINEERM · 28/04/2021 13:29

I was ready to say what’s the point until I read your post.

Yeah give a dummy, a sleep prop isn’t a problem if it’s something they can be in charge of themselves; them waking and putting the dummy back themselves in is much easier than you carrying on as you are.

Phiphi123 · 28/04/2021 13:36

We introduced a dummy at 6months after 2months of horrendous sleep following the dreaded sleep regression that eventually crept into day time naps too...I was manic with lack of sleep and the hourly wake ups and honestly the dummy solved it all. He sleeps through again now apart from the occasional wake up for a bottle and we can put him down to nap with his dummy hurray! He is a much happier baby for getting more sleep and I am a happier, more relaxed mummy for more sleep. My only regret so far is that we didn’t give him one sooner. You don’t get a medal for raising your baby without using a dummy so if it helps- go for it!

LakeShoreD · 28/04/2021 14:09

I don’t know what the chances are of her taking it at 9 months old but I definitely think it’s worth a shot. I wouldn’t worry about it being a sleep prop because you can throw a bunch of glow in the dark ones in the cot and she should be able to replace it herself which is definitely preferable to you having to get up to settle her.

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Cindersrellie · 28/04/2021 14:15

Dummy for sleep saved my sanity! DD slept amazingly well, we would scatter a load in the cot so she could always find one if she woke up in the night and put herself back to sleep with it. You can be 'strict' with them having it for sleep only. Go for it!

Tomatobear · 28/04/2021 14:24

Oh God, mine is exactly the same. I'm considering the same thing, getting pretty desperate!

iminthegarden · 28/04/2021 17:02

Do it! Sounds like my DS, sadly she didn't take the dummy and struggled to get her to take a bottle too!

legalseagull · 28/04/2021 17:05

On the other side of this my now 2yr old wakes up screaming if the dummy has fell out. His 3gr old sister got jealous of his and despite the 'dummy fairy' coming, she's now back on it. Getting rid of the dam things is causing mayhem

Ihaveoflate · 28/04/2021 19:34

I actually reintroduced a dummy at 9 months having taken it away a few months before. She dropped it at 18 months cold turkey without any issue. I'm a big fan of the dummy as a sleep aid - do it!

user648482729 · 28/04/2021 21:07

We introduced a dummy at 8 months with DD as she was waking for hours in the night and it really helped

Original poster

PumpingPamela · 29/04/2021 00:39

That seems to be a pretty strong consensus (although I do take your point @legalseagull). I've ordered some to arrive tomorrow so 🤞🤞🤞Any tips on how to introduce one??

Thanks!

OP posts:

lboogy · 29/04/2021 00:48

I introduced it was 9 months since D.C. kept waking up at 5am. The dummy provided comfort from 5am until 7am. However dd now won't sleep w/o the dummy and she's nearly 2yrs 8 months. She only has it at night but weaning is proving difficult

Original poster

PumpingPamela · 30/04/2021 09:29

@lboogy do you mind saying how you did it please? I just tried and she sucked it a tiny bit, then took it out and started chewing the handle

OP posts:

lboogy · 30/04/2021 10:15

@PumpingPamela - some babies aren't ready or don't like it. I tried at 4m and she wasn't interested but at 9 months I introduced it and she rejected it at first but I left it in the cot. I used the glow in the dark ones and she gravities for it somehow . Maybe try different ones?

Aprilshowersandhail · 30/04/2021 10:16

At 9 months after bf several times a night I sent dh in to settle ds...
Third night ds slept through... 7-7..
Ime it's YOU that's the prop!

Somethingvague · 30/04/2021 10:21

I wouldn't bother. It could just become another problem. I've always ended up having to take them away when they get woken up for all night if they can't find them or they fall out. The problem is the sleep association with the boob - send husband in to comfort or rock her for a few nights (although she won't like it because it's not what she's used to).

Original poster

PumpingPamela · 30/04/2021 10:26

Her dad is disabled so can't, sadly

OP posts:

lovelsa · 30/04/2021 10:32

What's the worst that could happen - she rejects it and you are no worse off? I'd say if it might help with better sleep, give it a shot.

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