Dummy keeps falling out and waking dd!

[Micheleviolin]

Help! My dd is 4 1/2 months old and the only way she can get herself to sleep for daytime naps at home is with the dummy. The problem with this is that it falls out and wakes her up - it could be after 10, 20 or 30 mins if I'm lucky. I now sit next to her cot at the ready to push the dummy back in for her to get a good nap!! Her nights aren't great either as she always needs settling, so feel at my wits end with the whole sleep thing!! Should I start controlled crying and if so where do I start? Thanks x

Ahh, she's only tiny :) Please don't do controlled crying - even those who recommend it say to wait until after 6 months.

To be honest, I'd continue as you are, and/or try to encourage naps without the dummy. My twins both use a dummy, but will go to sleep without it (particularly whilst out in the buggy). Maybe you could try taking her for a walk without the dummy?

If she needs the dummy, then just keep going. By the time my DD was 6 months she could find the dummy in her cot and put it back in herself without really rousing. It really won't last forever.

Thank you! I really don't want to do controlled crying, I'm just getting so confused with what is the best way to approach sleep issues. Some people say wait till 6 months as things change so much by then and others say do it now as by 6 months it will only be worse and harder to sort out!
I go for walks aswell as she will go to sleep without the dummy no probs if we are out, but I guess I'm just really aware of the fact I have to 'do something' to get her to sleep and don't want that to become a problem!

Try letting her settle herself with the dummy but gently try and remove it after a few minutes. If she clearly wants it back put it back, but if not leave it out. That way she may get used to the sensation of sleeping without it in during the day and be able to transfer that to nights. Probably she's waking as she cycles through periods of light sleep and she needs to get used to getting through them without the dummy in if you feel it's a problem.

I really don't think it will be more difficult to resolve in a few months. They do change so much, and there is no guessing what they'll like or need then!

My twins are 15 months. DD still likes to sleep with her dummy, bit can normally find it herself if she loses it in the night. DS has recently started to turn his head away from an offered dummy and often spits it out in his sleep and doesn't worry about it. Different children changing in different ways

Can you ask DH to do early nights? If you eat before he comes home, or together if he's home early enough, then he is in duty til midnight while you get to be early (like 7pm early. It won't help if you only go to bed at 10pm!). He can do the settling while you sleep, then still get to bed at midnight, which isn't all that late even with work the next day. I think you'll feel better if you can get a couple of 7pm to midnight uninterrupted sleeps.

It's worth a try, right?