Dummy help

[R1versmum]

Hi,

My baby is nearly 4 months old and for the last couple of weeks is having to have her dummy replaced every 10 minutes through naps and at nightime. She doesnt have a dummy during the day.

Sometimes the dummy falls out but a lot of the time she is pushing it out then cries to have it put back in. If i dont put it back she cries and cries. Ive tried rocking her, car ride etc instead but nothing works she wont sleep just cries without it.

Needless to say we are both exhausted.

Just wondered if anyone has any suggestions? Thanks x

Sounds like the dummy isn't working/needed. It might feel difficult but I would get rid of it now, it will be easier now than later on. Does she have a good routine, she probably needs a nap every 2 hours of wake time or maybe even 1.5 hours, if you get her naps and bedtime right then she should sleep without dummy? Good luck. I used a dummy for sleep with both of mine but only from about 1month -4/6month, after that I think it's just that they are use to it not that it is necessary. Good luck!

@birdglasspen she has a fairly decent routine but usually only naps for 45 mins, occassionally will do 90 mins but very rarely. I do think that getting rid of the dummy is probably best but i am too scared! Did you just go cold turkey? Was the process difficult?

I wouldn't get rid if the dummy. Dummies are ace and a godsend for getting baby to sleep without any crying.

For daytime naps, try naps in something that moves. I'd recommend a bouncer but a pushchair (pushed back and forth on the spot indoors) would work too.

As for dummy- it's purpose is SOLEY for the purpose of going to sleep initially. Once asleep it will come out, it's meant to. When we go to sleep our muscles relax and that includes mouth/ jaw muscles. Baby gets the comfort by sucking then once asleep stops sucking, mouth relaxes, dummy comes out.

If your baby is/waking frequently that's a seperate issue. Not staying asleep is more likely due to something like over tiredness, hunger or reflux pain. Not dummy use. The dummy will just make going back to sleep easier, it won't remove the reason for asking up.

So start with extra movement for daytime naps. Dummy in and rhythmic movement. Look to have baby in something that moves, rather than rocking in arms then putting down. Because going to sleep and staying where they went to sleep is important.

Allow for dummy sucks to drop off and let dummy drop. Keep movement going to settle into a deeper sleep without dummy. Then if stirring awake restart movement to lull back to sleep.