Dummy weaning at 6 months (not for sleep/naps)

[Bethymum]

I have no issue with use for naps/sleeping but I’m concerned my baby is using it too much during the day and wanting it more and more. He moans quite a lot even when I’ve ticked off the usual list of what could be wrong but I don’t want his speech being affected by less babbling etc but equally it feels mean to not give him something that soothes him at a fairly young age. Any advice? He also likes putting it in and out his mouth but doesn’t enjoy teethers in the same way.

He's 6 months. Take it off him, done. And you should absolutely consider taking it off him for sleep too in the next few months.

It's bad for teeth and it will be 100 times harder when he's 1 or older.

My son never had a dummy, I don't see the need.

Just only give it for sleeps. He will complain about it for a couple of days and then when he realises that won't work, he will give up.
You could also try distracting him with other things so he is too busy to remember he is missing the dummy.

Just carry on with what you're doing. Offer only at naptime (or when really upset/unwell). He'll get used to not having it in the daytime soon enough.

Judgemental much?!? For the record, my daughter never had a dummy SHE didn't need one. My son on the other hand was NICU baby and a dummy was recommended by them. Every baby is different and flippant remarks like 'I dont see the need' make mothers who make different choices feel judged/bad especially if (as in my case) that thing is something that wasn't necessarily their first choice.

OP if you are worried you can just take it away if its just given fot comfort. At 6 months they adapt very quickly and you can give a toy/comforter to encourage self soothing.

Some children don't need them, it's nothing to do with being a good or bad parent.
Dummy was a complete life saver for one of mine, the other didn't need one.

At some point you would try to limit it to bedtime but I would wait until he is a bit older.

This is not a newborn, I'm not judging and I didn't say I was a better parent. Even the NHS recommends getting rid after 6 months.

I genuinely think it will be easier to get rid now than in another 6-12 months time when they have better memory, a lot more willpower, going to nursery and getting their molars. At 6 months, you take it away, they'll whine and forget in 2 days. Good luck taking a dummy from a toddler.

I got rid of my DS’s when he was 7 months, I took him out and about more and he stopped asking for it within a couple of days.

When I had my babies they said dummies reduced the risk of SIDs + I grew up sucking my fingers / 2 sisters sucking their thumbs and I had to forcibly stop myself from sucking my fingers when I was around 11 it was a terrible time 🤣 ( I was the only one who didn't need braces )

I let my DD have a dummy, my plan was to take it away when she was around a year old, but when she was 8 months old she got her first tooth and popped a favourite dummy, she wouldn't take any other dummy so she stopped using them of her own accord really

Just take it away. They really don’t need it when they are awake. Just cuddle him or feed him or go for a walk or get him to sleep. There might be a couple days of whinging, but you just have to push through.