How to stop toddler using a dummy.

[Dinoswearunderpants]

This has likely been asked so many times but I'm wondering what age and how did you stop.

My DS has one when he sleeps. He doesn't have it when he's awake. He'll be 2 in April.

He also has a comforter toy which he sleeps with. Last night he went off to bed without the dummy but woke during the night unsettled and I ended up giving him the dummy (we all need sleep!).

I wonder if I'm doing it too soon? Any ideas please. I don't think it's causing him any issues so may be he can keep it for a while longer.

I think DS was about 20 months when I ditched his dummy. Like you, he only had it for sleep at the end but I think now's as good a time as any to pull the plug completely. It's one or two days of disturbed sleep and then he'll be over it. Whenever you decide is the right time, you've got to stick to it otherwise you'll confuse him

Good luck!

Mines 2.5 and we have just done it. We talked to him about it for a couple days then it went. He’s been fine couple of unsettled nights. He told us they have gone to other babies so have played along.

Do it at nap times first you will have more energy. If he goes to bed without it carry that on but don't feel bad at night waking until he sleeps in the day without.

We went cold turkey - around 20 months I think?? Basically bigged up his feeling that he was a big boy and able to do new things, said it’s time to say bye bye and we waved it off into the bin then away with the bin men (he had an obsession with the bin men at the time!). There were some tears at sleep time but nothing major, and we just reassured him at sleep times that he’s a big boy and it’s okay shh pat etc. I think the calmer you are about it and the more reassuring of their feelings - that it’s okay for them to feel anxious/sad/a bit lost without it/to miss it - the easier it is. Maybe try to coincide with getting a fun new nightlight or cuddly toy or something to give them an alternative but non-teeth-damaging comfort for the anxiety.

Btw I think you can’t really tell if it’s causing issues - teeth position can be affected even while the teeth are still in the gums.