When and how did you stop the dummy at one?

10 replies

FlowerPuffGirly · 14/04/2026 11:37

My one year old has had a dummy since he was about 4 months old and only uses it for naps and bedtime - I’m not sure when we should give this up! The NHS says give up before one for speech development and teeth, but will these be affected if we’re only giving the dummy during sleep times? He sleeps very well for naps and nighttime with his dummy and I’m terrified that if I take it away, it will completely ruin his sleep.

When and how did you get rid of the dummy? I’m especially looking for tips for 1 year olds because he doesn’t understand “giving dummy to dummy fairy” etc tips that I’ve seen online as he’s too young.

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Blueuggboots · 14/04/2026 11:39

My parents were looking after my son when he was about 14 months old. My dad forgot to give him the dummy and couldn’t understand why he cried a bit longer than usual. Just didn’t give it back after that…..

Roundaboot · 14/04/2026 11:48

My DS only ever dummies for naps and bedtime and so I let it go way past 1 year. I can't actually remember when he dropped the dummy..possibly around 2 and a half? By then, we could do the whole dummy fairy thing, and he had a good routine with plenty of other sleep cues in place so it really wasn't a big issue.
He's now 18 with perfect teeth and his speech has always been fine too...a bit too annoyingly chatty at times!

In your position, I really wouldn't worry about it yet. If the dummy means he sleeps well, then crack on. You could try putting him to sleep without it when he gets to 1 year old and see what happens but honestly, I think the guidance about teeth and speech is really aimed at babies who use dummies constantly, but if you're just using it as a sleep aid, and doing all the good stuff about to encourage speech development etc then it shouldn't be an issue.

Shallotsaresmallonions · 14/04/2026 11:58

The "rule" I've heard is to take it away before 6 months, or wait until they understand something like the dummy fairy.

If it's only used for sleep, then I think it's probably okay. It's when they have it in their mouth 24/7, that it's a problem.

frenchnoodle · 02/08/2026 20:33

My eldest had a Dummy at night until he was about 7, possibly older, I don't know for sure as he sort of phased out himself. It was restricted to night, and while his second teeth were coming through at age 5 we would remove it after he fell asleep.

LBFseBrom · 02/08/2026 20:36

Mine had a dummy for sleep and at odd other times up until about two. His speech was far from delayed l

He had a cold and found it difficult to breathe with the dummy in so threw it - it went behind the radiator and there it stayed. He was quite unbothered.

caringcarer · 02/08/2026 20:44

None of mine had a dummy and all slept just fine. I think it's best not to start things then you don't have to stress about reversing it.

SweetBaklava · 02/08/2026 20:47

My DD’s nursery stopped giving her the dummy for nap times when she was a year old, so at the point I just decided not to buy anymore of them… all good! Then DS came along, different nursery as we had moved house so we were a bit longer getting him off then. He was almost 2 yrs old. I used the same strategy again - stopped buying them and when they were all gone, told him he didn’t need them anymore as he was a ‘big boy’ now… he huffed and puffed a bit but got over it. We were quite strict from the beginning and only ever allowed them at bedtimes and nap times.

IggyAce · 02/08/2026 20:49

My DCs only had a dummy for naps and bedtime at 1 I stopped giving it at bedtime and only gave it at nap time. By age 2 both had out grow naps and dummy was gone.

Didimum · 02/08/2026 21:14

My twins had dummies for sleep only and that lasted til about 2yrs old. One got an injury on their lip/gum (unrelated to dummy use) and we wrote a letter from the ‘doctor’ saying he has to sleep without a dummy now but he would receive a present in the morning, and for 2 mornings after that, if he did. He happily went without and his twin wanted in on the present action too and threw her dummy across the room. That was the last of the dummies.

ImpatientlyWaitingForSummer · 02/08/2026 21:46

Reading with interest because my boy aged 2y 7m still has his dummy (solely for nighttime as no daytime naps anymore), and tbh I thought he’ll still be ok for a while! His speech and language is anything but delayed and he had a dentist appointment recently who said his teeth are perfect and aligned completely normally. Side note: he also told the dentist to “have a lovely day” as he was leaving which I thought was the cutest thing ever 😭😂

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