2.5 year old sleep worse since dummy stopped, should we reintroduce?

[Hannnn]

Hi, I need some advice.

My 2.5 Yr old has has a dummy since birth, now this was only for sleep, and from 6 months old it has been for nap and bedtime only. We made the decision 2 weeks ago to get rid of it and since then sleep has been hell!

Previously she was a really good sleeper, asleep by 6.30 until 6.30/7ish and no day time naps. Since the dummy went however, she is going to sleep around 7.30 (with a lot of tears), waking up crying about 3 times a night and then is up for the day at 5! Every time she starts crying out, one of us has to go into to her and try and resettle her with cuddles, which can take around 30 mins+.

We worked her up towards the dummys going, spoke about how the dummy fairy's were going to take them, used a star jar as a reward, and at the weekend the fairy's took the dummy and left her a teddy. She has a bunny that shes really attached to, so hoped that would help with the transition too.

I really don't know what to do. Im at the point of giving her a dummy back so we can all get sleep. Ive noticed the lack of sleep is really starting to effect her now, at the weekend she couldn't even make a decision on a toy in a shop as her head couldn't process what was going on.

Has anyone had any luck with giving the dummy back and removing it at a later date, or any other tips so we can all get some sleep?

I’d personally not - you’ve done all that work and youll have to do it again, plus I do think it would be confusing for her. It usually takes a few weeks to settle after making a change so hopefully it will. The clocks also change this weekend so let that settle to!

Honestly no I wouldn't reintroduce it and I think you've probably made too much of a big deal about it so she's finding it all overwhelming.

I would stop mentioning it and just continue to settle her without the dummy as you have been doing. It can take some time to break the habit but she will get there soon enough.

My DD was similar after stopping breastfeeding at same age. I would persevere. It’s because their comfort has been taken away so it takes a while for them to adjust. You’re doing the right thing resettling her and persisting, she can’t have a dummy forever. I agree with PP don’t ever mention the dummy, if she does be bright and breezy and she’ll forget about it in a few weeks. This too will pass!

sadly though 5am is a pretty normal wake up time for a lot of toddlers!