Do I give back the dummy?

[Toddlerwith1ontheway]

Hi everyone in need of some advice! So I have 2 years and 4 month old lb and currently 6 months pregnant. We decided to take away my lb dummy as didn't want the stress of trying to take it away when the baby could potentially have one and didn't want him to get jealous etc. Basically been trying to tick certain things off the list before baby comes and this was one of them, especially as he's still in a cot atm so figured may be easier to take away whilst not in a bed yet!

Anyway it's been 4 weeks and whilst he used to go to bed no problem he will now have any excuse possible for me not to leave the room, he used to cry but I ended up just leaving him and he seems to have stopped the crying or if he does it's not for too long.
The main issue were having is he's waking very early, this can range from 5-6.30. Now anything after 6 I'm happy with but anything before I just don't think is morning! This morning he woke at 4.30 in a massive tantrum like full on jumping in his cot screaming mummy and bashing his cot so I ended up bringing in my bed (something I won't be doing again)

We've bought a gro clock but he doesn't seem to pay any attention to it, he says goodnight to it but not bothered if the stars are still up and I say it's still night time. I jus don't know what to do? Do I just leave him to full on scream the house down? Do I give the dummy back? Is this even a dummy issue as he hasn't actually asked for it but I do get it's comfort for him. I am slightly anxious giving it back as it's been a month now and what if it doesn't solve the issue and I have to go through this all again!!

I'd be happy for any advice, please be kind with your comments as very emotional with lack of sleep etc, I actually woke up and cried this morning as I'm just so tired! But don't want to give in and give the dummy back if I'll have to go through this all again in a few months time.

Oh poor you, sounds rough.

Personally I think if you're prepared for him to have it til he's 3 or so, I'd give it back! Then he will be older and better able to understand the dummy fairy taking it away etc. And he won't associate it with the new baby arriving by then. You have a lot in your plate and it sounds like this dummy initiative is making life harder not easier.

Good luck!

Give back the dummy. Why do you want him to do without it? If it makes him happier then you’ll be happier.
It helped when he was a baby so I imagine you’ll be giving new baby a dummy? However revolting it sounds now, they will end up sharing dummies
I’d also say leave him to sleep in his cot for as long as he wants. It’s much easier! If you need to get a cheap cot for new baby then do so.

These early years are tiring whatever method you choose.

We took ds's dummy away at around the same age. A week later we gave it back (albeit only at night and not in the day) as he was crying constantly at bedtime and waking in the night (which he hadn't done for a long while). The minute he had it back he stopped crying at bedtime or waking in the night. 8 months later he gave it up himself.

Give it back to him and get yourself some rest and peace.

Thanks for the comments. It's a difficult decision as I feel we I've done a month now so I should stick it out but then you'll do anything for a bit of sleep! Why isn't there a book to tel me what's right!?