2.5yo DD adores her dummy. Do I need to make her quit it?

[Tulipmonster]

Our DD is confident, happy and speaking well. In the past year though she’s gradually pushed her dummy from something she only uses at nap time to a constant presence. She will happily hand it over at the nursery door but also demands it back as soon as she sees us at the gates and will get upset if it’s not immediately to hand. At the weekends and evenings she uses it constantly and becomes unsettled if she can’t find it.

We’re discussing whether it’s time for her to give her dummy up. We’d been putting it off to potty train her but that’s done now. Part of me feels we should let her decide when she’s ready to go without, but clearly she’s fine without it during the day at nursery, so should we be encouraging her to stop?

Anyone else managed to persuade a similarly fiercely attached toddler to relinquish their treasured dummy?

I have read more recent replies - to PP who left dummy in bed, that's exactly what we did with our DD from about the age of 18m, it wasn't much of a battle. We removed it just recently at 3.5 because we were worried about her teeth - the dentist told me it can affect teeth if used from about the age of 4 onwards. Although so far her teeth are fine, she has regular check ups. Also I was concerned that using it much older might lead to feelings of shame if she started thinking that she ought not really have one if they are for babies/as her peers all start to get rid etc and I was concerned about how that could affect her self-image. Honestly though if she'd been too upset at the idea of getting rid, I may have left it til Easter or the summer (she turns 4 in summer). We did have a few difficult bedtimes (not night 1, which was Xmas Eve - but nights 2, 3 and 4 - they gradually lessened in difficulty). We also had her mention it once or twice in the night on night 2. Other than that it's been fine and she got over it quickly so I don't agree with PP that it is harder the longer you leave it. Last year DD was upset at the mere idea of one day not having the dummies! Whereas this year she agreed she was too big for them and wanted to swap them for Xmas presents.

My second sister n had his till he was 6 😱
We're talking about it now and he said he loved it so much

He had 1 left and I said when it's gone it's gone, he hung onto that thing for at least 2 years.

Any way his teeth are perfectly straight and he was a fantastic sleeper as baby/ toddler etc too

Gradual retreat - naps / bedtime only, remove all dummies from sight so she can’t ‘help herself’, and remove dummy wherever possible - if she’s eating sneak it away, use to negotiate, fav tv show? Ok but give me the dummy etc. spend a month or so building up to dummy fairy (or whatever) so the seed is planted, then get her a new toy which the fairy has bought in exchange. Might be a few days of her asking but get through those and you will be fine :)