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Original poster

Trying to remove dummy from 6 month old, feel awful

16 replies

Babybel77 · 07/03/2022 20:51

Has anyone come out the other side of this? My baby (now 6 months) has had the dummy since about 5 weeks, which really helped with his reflux at the time. It's now causing his sleep to be very disrupted, so we decided it's best to get rid of it. He doesn't really have it much in the day. Last night I managed to get him down from his middle of the night wakes without it, so carried on in the day and let him nap on me or in the pram, not using the dummy. Bed time was not so successful, I did the usual routine and fed to sleep, but the second he came off he looked for the dummy and started crying. I got up and bounced/shhed him but he cried so hard like I was torturing him. After half an hour and trying to feed him to sleep again I gave in and gave it to him, and the whole thing ended with me in tears. I feel so sad to hear him cry like that and also so disheartened that we will have to go through that to take it away.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

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DazzlePaintedBattlePants · 07/03/2022 20:55

You don’t need to take it away! Not worth it at this age. One of mine refused all dummies, the other had a dummy at night time/naps only until 3+. Gave it up overnight, happily, when they were ready. In the meantime it was a godsend.

Captainj1 · 07/03/2022 20:55

No advice if you are adamant you want rid, but both my kids had the dummy until they were 3,3.5. There was a phase between newborn and ‘able to find it and put it back in themselves’ that was a bit tricky, but we used to spread several around the cot and they would eventually learn to find it themselves. Both kids gave up the dummy with no issues when the time was right and never asked for it again. They have beautifully straight teeth.

AuntFlorence · 07/03/2022 21:00

I would get a dummy bunny

Vicky1989x · 07/03/2022 21:11

You don’t need to get rid of it. He’s not waking because of the dummy, the dummy is helping him get back to sleep. He’s waking for other reasons which could be sleep regression, wind (if you’ve just began weaning, can take a few weeks for their tummies to adjust), developmental, hot/cold etc. I wouldn’t take it away IMO.

ChittyBang1987 · 07/03/2022 21:14

I'm a fan of dummies. It's a great way of Los self soothing. Spread lots of dummies around the cot. They do get used to it and search for themselves in end.

Icecreamandapplepie · 07/03/2022 21:15

Please don't take it away from him!

Easterbunnyiswindowshopping · 07/03/2022 21:19

Before long he will be able to pop it back in himself.. Leave a few in the cot...
SIDS recommend the use of a dummy...

CaveMum · 07/03/2022 21:20

Of course get rid of the dummies if you’re unhappy with using them, but don’t do it because you feel you “should”.

If the waking issue is due to the dummy falling out then try a dummy clip. Also if you’re worried about dummy usage use the smallest possible ones you can - my two had 0+ dummies throughout, I have bought them larger ones and then the dummy fairy came to visit when they were about 2 years old.

RandomQuest · 07/03/2022 21:21

Why take it away now? If he can’t already then literally within weeks he’ll be able to replace it himself as long as there are enough in the cot for him to easily find one. Also, it is highly unlikely to be why he’s waking so all you’d be doing is taking away the method that quickly gets him back to sleep.

britneyisfree · 07/03/2022 21:22

@Easterbunnyiswindowshopping

Before long he will be able to pop it back in himself.. Leave a few in the cot... SIDS recommend the use of a dummy...

That's not true. It's recommended for formula fed babies because they don't get to use their sucking reflex as much as breastfed babies.

Often midwife's etc will say it's recommended generally but that is not factually correct.

britneyisfree · 07/03/2022 21:23

Also op, I'm anti dummies if I'm being honest but I wouldn't take it away at this age, seems unfair. Good luck.

Onaloop · 07/03/2022 21:23

Following because I'm finding the answers useful!

AreWeThereYetMummy · 07/03/2022 21:43

Don't take it away! Just my opinion but I think it's a bit cruel. One of mine had his on a bunny dummy (put a dummy on each hand and foot, they attach with Velcro. It's ideal as they can find them in the cot themselves pretty easily.

He gave it up overnight at 3.

Lovethatforyou · 07/03/2022 21:49

My boy had his til nearly 4 😬😳

A year later and he still pines for it sometimes.

However, he did give it up without too much trouble. And his teeth are lovely and his speech is great :)

SunshineCake1 · 07/03/2022 21:50

I took my children dummies away at six months as it is a good time to do it imo and ime. I did the pick up put down routine and it took three nights.

Emsie1987 · 07/03/2022 22:11

I took my sons away at 7 months as it kept falling out in the night and waking him up. To be honest he wasn't that attached to it and would only use it to soothe to sleep. I didn't have any issues taking it away it was like he forgot as soon as he didn't have access to one. Not helpful I know, sorry.

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