Weaning off a dummy - Pantley technique

[Mafiti]

I'm trying to wean 4.5 mo DD off her dummy as she has started waking every hour needing it to be popped back in her mouth. I'm trying the Pantley technique as described in the No Cry Sleep Solution. If you've used this technique successfully, I'd love to hear from you!

There are a few details I'm a bit fuzzy on. For a start, I have yet to find a way of removing the dummy gently. DD has a vice-like grip on it at all times so we always end up in a tug of war which invariably ends with her waking and fussing so she gets the dummy back. The only time it loosens is when she's actually asleep and I'm presuming that's too late! Any tips on how to get the dummy out gently?

Applying pressure to her chin is tricky - she moves her head immediately that I take the dummy out. Again, any tips? And how long are you keeping the pressure under the chin before letting go?

And the million dollar question... How long did it take to work??? I've only been doing it for two nights and know I need to be in it for the long haul, but I'm kinda hoping the long haul means...a week? Two?

Positive experiences would be very much appreciated.

DS was really addicted, the dentist said it would be fine as long as he didn't have it after he was 3. On his 3rd birthday we made him go cold turkey.

DD1 was a thumb sucker, she stopped when we went away and I had left teddy at home. Then she found a dummy at 18 months and was hooked. We took it away on her 3rd birthday, she went back to h thumb and we we still trying to del with that.

DD2 would never take a dummy or suck her thumb!

Interesting, mikkii. I don't have any moral objections to her having a dummy but I can't hack waking up every hour to replace it when it has fallen out. For the moment she's still in our room so not so bad, but I defo can't do it once she's in her own room, hence wanting to try the Pantley technique.

Never heard of any technique, I just removed it from the three of my five kids who had one, when I felt the time was right...they are all ok now :)

If you want to help her find it herself I thoroughly recommend the sleepy tot from Jo Jo maman and a dummy on each paw. My dd could find it herself at 5 mo and plug herself back in. It's brilliant! It stays in her cot as she only has it to sleep now at 20mo. I'm hoping to remove the dummies soon and just leave her with her toy. We took ds1's away at around 2 1/2 in return for a fire engine. One night of crying and never looked back.

We tried at 4.5 months, it was awful and I gave up. I say 'I' gave up because I caved first, DH was minutes behind me. It's called the 'no cry technique' but it wasn't like that for us. LO was waking up for his dummy every 30 minutes at one point, it was hell on earth and prompted us to try and get rid of the dummy; however, it's now passed (almost). He's 6 months and it's reduced to about 2/3 times a night, we're actually woken more by his rolling around and struggling to get comfy! TBH if the technique isn't working then give up for now, if it's not the dummy causing night disruptions then it'll be something else. I like the sleepy tot idea, I haven't seen that before but I'll be giving it a try!

Hum, this thread isn't turning into the positive, encouraging experience I was hoping for. ;-)

DD has now come down with a cold so that's made things interesting. As she's poorly, I don't want to deprive her of the only thing that actually makes her go to sleep (shushing, patting, hand holding, nothing works). But she has a blocked nose so can't breathe well with the dummy in. :-S oh well, we'll maybe start the Pantley Pull Out again once she's better. It's not upsetting for her, just robs me of precious sleep. I'm not low enough to try going cold turkey yet.

If there is anyone out there for whom this has worked, do feel free to pipe up any time. :-)

My LO was like this for about 6 weeks. I was up every hour with the dummy. Tried weaning him off it and it was too stressful and then he just stopped waking by himself and now pretty much sleeps through (except feed and the odd few off nights) I think it's a phase but probably not great advice sorry. Just hang in there if getting rid isn't working x

I'd second Sleepytot - LO had his at about 5 months and he straight away was able to find it at night and plug himself back in. Sleep was much improved (until now at 9 months with 4am wake ups!).
Maybe it's wrong that he still has a dummy at 9 months but I sucked my thumb until I was about 5/6 and my teeth are perfectly straight. He only has it at night or if major distressed and I think the dummy fairy will make a visit whe he's a bit older

I did it for my dd who used the breast as a dummy, it took 2 months

Little finger in corner of mouth to break suction then remove, first when asleep then it gets easier and easier

Sleepytot is great and I really like that it is machine washable and quick drying, as DD is as happy to chomp on it as the dummies it contains...

Oops, didn't see these latest replies. Thanks dorisday, I'm so glad to finally found someone who has actually done this. I might try and persevere then. I'm just so tired as I now haven't slept for more than an hour at a time for three weeks. I'm getting really frustrated with DD which just makes me feel awful, cos it's not her fault. A combination if persevering with the pantley thing and the phase passing will hopefully work soon!