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Original poster

Taking away a comforter from a 4 year old. Where to start!

30 replies

xxxJess123xxx · 12/03/2023 21:02

Hi all, my son has just turned 4. Never had a dummy but has a muslin cloth since birth

Since about 9 months, he has sucked the muslin to go the sleep. He doesn’t have it in the day anymore but I don’t know where to start with nighttime, he is totally reliant on it

I would let him keep it, but what he does is he shoves loads and loads of the cloth into his mouth (about a 1/3 of the cloth) and it is now pushing his teeth forward. I suppose like a dummy would.

Dentist has also mentioned it needs removing.

How?!!!

Thanks xx

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RunTowardsTheLight · 12/03/2023 21:04

Could you cut it into a much smaller piece? So he can't shove loads of it into his mouth?

ChildminderMum · 12/03/2023 21:04

I'd gradually cut it down smaller so it's not so much he's putting in his mouth.

whoruntheworldgirls · 12/03/2023 21:04

Maybe not ideal but my daughter also had a muslin, i let her choose a jellycat teddy to replace it.

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Original poster
xxxJess123xxx · 12/03/2023 21:40

Omg what a great idea, cutting them down! Why didn’t I think of that.
thank you! Xx

OP posts:
Letstaketotheskies · 12/03/2023 21:42

I would be worried it would become a choking risk of you cut it down.

Smartiepants79 · 12/03/2023 21:43

Let him choose a soft toy and tie it round the toy? Even use it to make a little outfit.
In my experience the comfort is about textures, smell and the ‘fiddleness’ of the comforter.

R0ckets · 12/03/2023 21:44

Tie part of it onto a new soft toy that he has chosen. Or if you are crafty or know someone clever they could make it knot a jumper for the Teddy.

LizzieSiddal · 12/03/2023 21:45

As a pp said do not cut it up, he may well stuff the whole lot on his moth and choke!

LizzieSiddal · 12/03/2023 21:46

*mouth

Fromwetome · 12/03/2023 21:49

Sew it onto a pillow case so he can sleep with it against his skin maybe?

NuffSaidSam · 12/03/2023 21:51

Have you tried explaining to him that he can cuddle it, but can't put it in his mouth anymore otherwise it will have to go away?

Does he keep it in all night? It sounds horrendous! It must have such a dry mouth by the morning.

Original poster
xxxJess123xxx · 12/03/2023 22:02

Ohhh ok, choking hazard. Yes I can see that as he will probably shove the whole lot in

so iv tried explaining let’s try cuddle it and not put it in our mouth because it’s pushing your teeth out like the dentist said etc
I walk out the room and I presume it goes straight in.

iv checked on him and yes, it’s in there all night!

hes a real sensitive boy and I think coke turkey is just going to be horrendous

he’s not really into teddies at all

xx

OP posts:
Original poster
xxxJess123xxx · 12/03/2023 22:02

Cold *

OP posts:
Nimbostratus100 · 12/03/2023 22:04

RunTowardsTheLight · 12/03/2023 21:04

Could you cut it into a much smaller piece? So he can't shove loads of it into his mouth?

That sounds like a recipe for choking

Season0fTheWitch · 12/03/2023 22:06

I think you will have to go cold turkey tbh. Smaller = choking hazard. If he gets a teddy to replace it he'll probably put the bear's arm or leg in his mouth too. You need to stop the habit now, and within a few days he'll have forgotten

Stichintime · 12/03/2023 22:08

Considering the problems it's causing I would bite the bullet and go cold turkey. He will get over it.

Original poster
xxxJess123xxx · 12/03/2023 22:14

Ohhh it’s going to be brutal. Always been a good sleeper! Not going to know what’s hit me! Xx

OP posts:
R0ckets · 12/03/2023 22:18

xxxJess123xxx · 12/03/2023 22:14

Ohhh it’s going to be brutal. Always been a good sleeper! Not going to know what’s hit me! Xx

To be honest if he's not into soft toys then cold turkey is probably the best option. Anything else would just prolong the situation.

He might surprise you and at least he is old enough to know why it's being removed. If he cannot sleep with it without chewing it then sadly it's got to go. His teeth are more important.

Lonecatwithkitten · 12/03/2023 22:21

Trade it for something he really wants just like many of us do with dummies. It has to be something he really, really wants.

LizzieSiddal · 12/03/2023 22:22

It’s not just his teeth though, it’s the fact he’s putting a third of a muslin cloth into his mouth every night. It can’t be healthy for him at all.

Original poster
xxxJess123xxx · 12/03/2023 22:22

Yes I’m really worried about his teeth, hence knowing it’s time to bite the bullet.

im thinking I could maybe try tie one onto the rail of his bed?

OP posts:
KnownByAssociation · 12/03/2023 22:23

Could you not use something similar to the liquid that's tastes horrible thats used to stop people biting their nails on it? If it tastes awful he wont put it in his mouth... Hope you know what i mean!

R0ckets · 12/03/2023 22:24

xxxJess123xxx · 12/03/2023 22:22

Yes I’m really worried about his teeth, hence knowing it’s time to bite the bullet.

im thinking I could maybe try tie one onto the rail of his bed?

Wouldn't he just take it off and chew it? You could maybe put one on a high shelf so he knows it is still in the room with him but to be honest if he's that determined he's going to find a way to get to it so removing it altogether is still likel to be the best solution.

LizzieSiddal · 12/03/2023 22:24

Lonecatwithkitten · Today 22:21
Trade it for something he really wants just like many of us do with dummies. It has to be something he really, really wants.

This is what I did with Dd, she was 3 when we sent her dummy off to the fairy’s and they brought her a toy she really wanted. After the first night she was absolutely fine (which surprised me, was expecting it to take a lot longer)

emmaliz · 12/03/2023 22:27

Mine had dummies far too long. In the end I told them they had to leave it for another child downstairs and it would be swapped with a gift, bit like a tooth fairy scenario. I went for the thing they really wanted. That worked for us, maybe you could try similar? Good luck!