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Parenting

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Original poster

Help! Dummy - how to wean off an addict?

4 replies

sellotape12 · 02/10/2023 21:43

Parents whose kids were very attached to their dummy or soother - how did you wean off it and when? My son is 21 months old and now only has it for bedtime. But he loves it so much that when we ask for it in the morning “it’s for bedtimes!” he has a full on tantrum. If he sees one in another baby’s mouth he gets upset etc. (Part of me doesnt want to phase it out as it’s so effective but I feel like the only mum I know whose pre-2 year old still has one 😐)
What techniques did you use to get the dummy out of your lives? DS only has a few words and mostly still signs so not sure how much he understands. Very keen to hear from people who had a similar addiction issue!

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NoliteTeBastardesCarborundorum · 02/10/2023 21:55

I was googling this last night as my DD, who is already 2, is also addicted, and not just at sleep times. At her nursery and round here it's fairly common to see toddlers with dummies. I'm trying to work towards a bedtime only strategy so I'm incredibly envious of you- when we get there planning to do the dummy fairy and exchange them for a present when she's closer to 3.

A lot of things between 2 and 3 seemed like insurmountable challenges with my (non dummy addict) DS - transitioning cot to bed, ditching bottle, potty training, dropping nap- and were all relatively uneventful once you're past it so I'm hoping it will be the same!

Soontobe60 · 02/10/2023 22:00

I found being brutal effective - With one the Easter Bunny swapped it for an Easter egg when she was 18 months, with the other, father Christmas had it at a similar age. They all went in the bin, and DDs were relatively unscathed. Short, sharp shock is best rather than prolonging the agony by reducing the times they have one.

Gloriousgardener11 · 02/10/2023 22:04

Yes I agree, just get rid of it and don’t ever return.
They will soon get over it.

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toottootpipip · 02/10/2023 22:26

With my DS we were firm at aged 2 that it was only for nap times, bed time and when he was in the car. Aged 3 we arranged with nursery for him to take his dummies in for the baby room and that was that. We bought him a new little teddy. He wouldn't have been ready for that at 2. His teeth are perfectly straight (he's now 12). His language came very quickly at about 2.5yo.

With my DD she was speaking full sentences at 2 and announced on her 2nd birthday that she was giving her dummies to the babies at nursery and that was that. We gave her a new doll that she picked out to take to bed instead. Again lovely teeth 🦷 she's now 8.

So based on my experience I would say don't rush to get rid of it until he can understand and have enough words that you can talk about it with him. Stick to your guns on whatever rules you make (we only broke ours when they was ill and needed daytime comfort).

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