How do I ditch the dummy?

[suzi2]

DS is 3.7 and still has a dummy. I had hoped he'd ditch it by now but he has no intention of doing so himself. We have, at various points over the last 18 months attempted to get rid of it but he can't sleep without it it would seem and attacks DD (2) for hers instead. He LOVES his dummy, would choose it over anything I think. At 3 he became more careful of it's use and saved it for bedtime as I told him that if anyone saw it they'd take it (yep, I'm mean) but it's now creeping back into everyday life and he's talking with it in which I hate (especially as his speech was a bit behind).

How do I ditch it? I can't bear to drop DDs yet as she's still not a great sleeper (though better with a dummy). How do I get him to go to sleep without one? Previous attempts have seen us giving in after he can't settle after trying for 4 hours.

A good tip I heard recently was to sneakily make small holes in the end so the child stops getting the sucking satisfaction. This was recommended to a friend of mine by her HV. After 2wks of holey dummies her DD just started taking them out as soon as she put them in as she was getting nothing from them.

I think you would need to do it with your DD's dummies as well. She would probably still sleep as long as she had a dummy with her in bed.

I just went cold turkey. DS and DD1 were about 2. First night they didn't sleep til nearly morning. It was horrendous. Next night they asked for it, we said it had gone and they were asleep in 5min. I may let DD2keep hers for longer.

My dd, 21 months, is also very attached to her dummy. i find that by asking her to give it to me so it can go have a little sleep works!! or I simply snatch it out of her mouth when she is distracted by something else!! I have to say though that I am not brave enough to try and get rid of it at night yet. She sleeps a straight 11 hrs with it so not going to stop that. Good luck though and sorry cant be more help

I have tried the holes thing. DS sussed me and tells me those ones are broken and went raking at my mums for some non broken ones. Might need to do it with them all I suppose.

I was thinking that we might 'forget' to take them to centerparcs in a few weeks time but am scared it'll ruin the holiday.

Do it before or after the holiday I'd think? At least you can take a dummy away, I'm sick of constantly telling my 21 month old to take her thumb out of her mouth and short of tying her arms to her side I've no idea how to stop it at night.

With my ds, we lied elaborated with the truth and said that the dummy fairies needed his dummies because there were little babies who didn't have any. We wrapped them all up nicely and left them at the end of his bed one night. Lo and behold, the dummy fairies came and swapped the dummies for a big-boy present. He was over the moon and quite happy with the deal! However, dd is nearly four and whilst she says that she will leave them for the fairies, she's not quite ready and won't part with them!!!! She only has them at bed-time really and as long as she doesn't still have them when she's eighteen then I'm not too fussed right now

helsbels, your DD sounds like DS. He says he wants the dummy fairy to take them and wants a present etc. But when it comes to the crunch he can't do it. He would also rather that babies, puppies, piglets or whatever went without than giving his up for them! He also said he'd prefer to keep his dummy rather than santa come to him...

We conned convinced DCs to trade theirs in for a toy, both times the cashier was nice enough to take the dummy as 'payment' from the DC in question. After that, batten down the hatches and prepare for a week of poor sleeping, crying, yuck! With DD I almost gave up, DH had to physically restrain me from going out at 2am to buy a new one! It quietened down after a week, both times.

Cold turkey does work. But stock up on painkillers (for yourself - headaches!!)

If it's only bed time then why not let him have it? But you have to be very strict about bed time only. My ds had his at bed time til he was 4 - but NEVER at any other time. It gradually got less important and eventually just stopped being used. He still has his cuddly dinosaur and an old silk scarf of my mother's that he's had since tiny babydom though!

Easter bunny took ours (we put it in a basket with a carrot), in exchange for an easter themed jigsaw. Took 2 nights of grumbling but proptly forgot. Didnt suck thumb etc. She was 2 and 3 months

Why can't ehy keep their dummies for bed time?

I don't have a huge problem with bedtime I suppose. But everytime we've decided to be 'strict' about bedtime it's crept back in to other times. If he's ill for example, or falls over and is upset and wants it. Then it ends up coming everywhere. Except in public - he won't let others see it!

I must admit, I don't have a huge problem with dd having hers and she's four at the weekend but she does only have it at bedtime now (and for as long as she can get away with once she is up!). I am a great believer in they do things when they are ready - well dd does anyway!!!

DS has just turned 4 and still has his. Like 1 of the other posters he goes along with the idea of giving it up then changes his mind. He says he 'really really loves' his dummys and doesnt want to give them away to anyone EVER

I am just gonna give up for now and try again later in the year I think