How to get 14-week-old off the dummy - while running after toddler?

[MyNameIsInigoMontoya]

I think we need to wean our 14-week-old off the dummy - the reason is, she is starting to get dependent on it to fall and stay asleep, BUT she has suddenly become unable to keep it in long enough to fall into deep sleep - either it just plops out of her mouth, or she sticks her fingers in and pulls it out. So she can't settle without lots of replugging, and keeps waking up crying.

With DS we had the same problem, and eventually got him off the dummy using some of the Baby Whisperer methods (shh/pat, and PU/PD when he got a bit older). It wasn't easy but he eventually learned to suck his thumb instead and has been a very good sleeper since then!

Trouble is, as we now have a toddler as well as the baby, I never seem to get 20 minutes to sit with her and help her to sleep without the dummy. It always seems to clash with DS's lunchtime or something so I end up running frantically up and down the stairs while DD screams, and eventually cracking and sticking in the dummy again... So would love to know whether anyone has any other tips for weaning the dummy that might be more manageable with a toddler around! Thank you.

Great age to lose it. I used the baby whisperes tecnique.Dummy gone in 2 nights and sleep improved.

Go for it.It will be quicker than you think.

Just an update to say thanks, we did go for it in the end (after the 3rd terrible night) and to my surprise she is getting the hang of it really quickly! Haven't used the dummy since Tuesday night, and she had a lot of trouble getting to sleep without it yesterday, but this morning went straight down without it for a really good nap. Last night she took a while to get to sleep, but then slept beautifully till about 3 when she came wide awake and sang/gurgled loudly for over an hour (argh!) but after that, she went back to sleep till nearly 7 and had her first ever night without a feed! So she is definitely on the right track, and I think the dummy is history now. Tonight might still be a bit rocky as she is quite overtired, but things should get smoother from now on I hope as she gets better at sleeping without it.

MyNameIs... please please please can you tell me how you went about ditching the dummy? DS2 is 13wks and this last couple of days his sleeping has gone to pot, waking every 45mins wanting the dummy to be replaced - argggh! He's doing well otherwise so I would like to try and get rid of it now whilst he's still little.

Like you I have a toddler to deal with as well, but my Mum is coming to stay the next few days so she will be able to help in the day with DS1. I had come on to MN tonight to get tips for this and saw your post.

Any tips would be gratefully recieved! I am notoriously bad for caving in with these things so need a clear strategy!

TIA

Ditto tips to lose it! DD settles fast with it and I've been removing the dummy once she's asleep. She doesn't ALWAYS need it to go down, but it's often the magic bullet if she's having trouble settling. Losing it no longer seems to be such a bit problem, but even so... I've been on the dummy re-plugging train and it's no fun.

Well sorry to disappoint but we are back on the dummy for now
We thought she was starting to suck her fingers instead, and might be able to get off it - but after a good start she just kept screaming whenever we tried to help her to sleep without it. Then we went on holiday and had to share a holiday house with other people - NOT good when trying to give up dummy! So after 2 really bad nights we caved in and gave it back. The only good news is that she seems to be waking up for it a bit less since then, and also she is starting to suck her thumb properly sometimes during the day so may be better able to give it up at the next attempt.

Now we are back from holiday, but she has just moved up from her moses basket (now too small) to a cot, so I am going to give her a little while to get used to the new bed before trying again. I have been reading Elizabeth Pantley's "No-cry sleep solution" on holiday, so think we are going to try her gentle removal method once she has settled into the new bed though! My only other tip is if you can stand it, wait until they are old enough to be able to suck their thumb/fingers properly, as that makes it much easier.