Removing Dummy

[BroomAdventures]

3yo DS has become very attached to his dummy. From he was 12 months he’s only had it for naps and bed time but recently he’s wanted it during the day (for context he doesn’t get it but he asks for it). It’s a fight to get it off him in the morning when he gets up. In his letter from Santa we said that in exchange for his dummy’s he’d get presents but he said he doesn’t want toys or presents, just dummy’s.

Do I just bite the bullet and send him to bed with none? I already know it’s going to cause a melt down. He doesn’t have any other comforter, never took to a teddy or blanket but I really want his dummy’s gone. He’s developed an open bite which really bothers me. He’s also at an age where I feel he doesn’t need a dummy.

I’m all for this taking the dummy away but at this point I would wait until after Christmas day as they tend to be all hyped up anyway and another week won’t make a difference.

My daughter was obsessed with her dummy and wanted it all the time. Just before she turned three the dummy fairy came and took all her dummies. The dummy fairy kindly left a nice toy in return. I'm not going to lie, the first night was tough. Took her ages to sleep then she woke at 1am crying for her dummies. I just sat with her and stroked her hair until she slept. The second night was bad but not as bad. I think after a few days she was absolutely fine.
About a month later she suddenly remembered the dummy and asked for it a couple of times but I could easily distract her.
I think cold turkey is the only way. It'll be tough for a few days but then he'll be ok.

We got rid of the dummy recently. We posted them to Santa. It was horrific for the first 2 days (I regretted getting rid and if I could have turned back I'd have let her keep it till she was 25). We acknowledge that she was sad, missed the dummies etc. But just comforted her as best we could. After a couple of nights she was mostly fine, a bit more difficult at bedtime but nothing major. After a month she was totally fine.

As PP said I would wait now till the new year as no need to risk ruining your Christmas. Give him a couple of days warning (I would say the dummy fairy needs them for the babies who don't have dummies or something like that) then get them all out of the house so he knows there's no option about it.

Thanks everyone. Maybe we’ll do it at New Year instead, don’t fancy no sleep at Christmas. Fingers crossed it goes okay, I’m expecting a few bad nights but hopefully that will all it will be

Put it on the tree Xmas Eve and father Xmas will take it away

We have the same with our 2.5 year old. Lately has been asking for it a lot more.

We plan on trying in the new year. Christmas is such a wonderful time and I think it's just not great timing with their excitement and plans and everything else to have the tears

I wouldn't do it at Christmas. The first couple of nights can be tough!

Can you stick it out a bit till warmer weather? I found them very helpful when mine had a string of colds. Ditched them on 4th birthday and very little fuss as they had basically grown out of them.

While it's not great they are asking for them a lot, could it be a sign of generally needing a bit of comfort and familiarity? Mine only had them for sleep but apparently asked for them at preschool when they first started, and often wanted them when ill.

Have to admit two months on I'm glad they don't have them anymore. Equally I'm glad we waited until it was an easy time. The first two nights they took forever to fall asleep, and they woke in the night for over a week.

Do you know any babies? It's good to say you're giving it to so and so baby as they are too big now and the baby needs it, how kind and grown up etc. Mine didn't play up after a couple of nights, and if the teeth are affected it's really time to give it up. It's one of those things that ends up not being a big deal at all.