Tips on reducing/ditching the dummy - 21 month old

[MrsWeir1980]

Hi guys,

Im just looking for a bit of advice, my 21 month old son has always had a dummy, we mainly started using it for reflux and he was never really clingy with it (would only use it for naps) but recently since i went back to work he wants it constantly and the meltdowns are a different level if he doesnt get it, he screams to the point he makes himself sick so i give in and give him it. Luckily hes never had it for bedtime so he goes down fine but he now has it in the bath and getting ready as he wont settle without it.
We really need to reduce the amount he has it or get rid completely but im not sure about doing it cold turkey just because of how upset hes getting. Would anyone have any tips they could give me?

It lived under their pillow/in cot. They could only have it in bed. Sometimes they would go for a lay down.

After one day of being cross they were accepting of the new rule!

It really won’t get easier , you need to just remove it and put up with the inevitable tantrums for a couple of days .Whatever he does do not give it back as it will only be harder next time you try as he will know that if you scream loud enough it works and he gets it back .

I believe that when you are 2, Santa takes your dummy away in exchange for the presents. Worked for me!

Does he absolutely need to stop having it now? We waited until my DD was around 26 months and could understand - she only had it for sleep from not in the day from around 17 months but I was still worried it was going to affect her teeth and she wasn’t showing any signs of giving it up on her own.

We waited until she was old enough to understand and then took her to Smyths to choose a new toy from the dummy fairy (who collects dummies from older children and gives them to little babies that need them).

We had about week leading up to it where we talked about it and explained what would happen. She was actually good as gold and went down fine - she’s not had one since.

Would that work? I did try talking to her about it around her second birthday and she had a huge tantrum at the mere THOUGHT of someone taking her dummies so it might be you just need a bit more time. Good luck!

I've just got rid of my sons and he is 2 year 6 months. He was only having it for naps and bed since about 18 months. I left it because I felt I wanted to be able to explain. I just told him a few days before that he was a big boy and big boys don't have dummies. First nap time with out it he was upset for about 30 mins but did settle and then night time he asked but I reminded him the dummy fairy had taken it for the babies (I also brought him a new elephant soft toy as a present). That was 2 weeks ago, he mentions having his dummy but quickly says something like 'I'm a big boy now' after.