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| Photo credit: Carlos Porto |
The dummies are going!
Even before Mini Cheddar was born I vowed I would never give her a dummy. I didn't like them.
However, it's strange how feelings change when your child is actually born and using you as a human dummy for comfort. I breastfed Mini Cheddar from the word go and within 3 weeks I was exhausted. I was feeding on demand but I soon came to realise that a lot of the time she just wanted me for comfort.
My health visitor came to visit around that time and found me in a bit of a state. She persuaded to me try Mini Cheddar with a dummy. My husband got one and we tried her with it, she was happy.
I, however, sobbed my heart out.
Some children just need comforting more than others so I was told there was no shame in using a dummy and when I realised that it was the best for both of us, I soon came to love that rubbery little thing!
We have kept her dummy just for bedtime and naps and the only other time she may ask for it is when she's really upset. As someone who grew up sucking her thumb until a late age and spending countless hours at the orthodontist (having my cemented braces tightened) as a result (probably) I'm actually glad now that Mini Cheddar ended up with a dummy.
However, I want to try and phase it out now she's turned 2 years old (in March). Is it best to phase it out? Or does the elusive 'Dummy Fairy' work best? Or should I leave her a little bit longer as it's only at sleep time?
I'm after your tips... thank you.
9 comments:
Good luck with that ! I tried dummy fairy when my little boy was 3 - I lasted 2 nights then couldn't cope with screaming so gave in. Then tried again when he was 4 - he understood more then and was happy(ish) to give it up! Each child is different - fingers crossed for you xx
mummyontheedge1
Giving up comforters with my three was easier once they were toilet trained for some reason. Maybe something to do with communication/self control. I'd advise a short sharp shock over gradual removal. A few tears will be inevitable, but life is easier once the dependency on 'props' has passed.
I know exactly how it feels to be a human dummy, my younest son spent a year with my boob in his gob, as much as I loved nursing him, the sense of personal freedom when I stopped was overwhelming!
you know, i'm big on taking the pediatrician's advice when it comes to stuff like this. so i'd see what they recommend.
My guy was a thumb sucker. When he turned 4 and it was becoming a problem - not just doign it at bedtime- we got this stuff called Malvala stop and put it on his thumb. He literally stopped sucking his thumb in a day. We couldn't believe it.
good luck to you and mini cheddar on this one.
My little girl was 2 and a half when the dummy fairy came. Like Mini Cheddar, she just had them at nap and bedtime. I explained to her that she was a big girl now and that the dummy fairies were going to come and collect her dummies to take them to the new little babies who needed them. I told her if she was brave maybe the dummy fairies might leave her a little present. So we collected them up in a sparkly bag, opened the window (so the fairies could fly in of course!) and put the bag in her cot. When we went up later, the dummy fairies had left her a cuddly toy and a CD player with a Charlie and Lola CD. We had no tears and these 'aids' replaced the dummy brilliantly and have become part of her bedtime routine. Unfortunately they take up a bit more room than a dummy when we travel! Best of luck! x
She is still very young and as it's only at sleep times I would say it wouldn't matter to carry on for a while longer. However, if you do want to give it a go, we found getting them to make their own decisions to give it up rather than be taking it away is easier. How?
If your daughter is used to a particular shaped dummy, for example a cherry teat, switch it for a dummy with a different style of teat. We found this trick worked with most of our children as they are used to a particular shape of teat, you aren't taking away their dummy but the dummy they have isn't what they're used to, so they end up saying "Thanks, but no thanks".
Jack has one only at nap time & bed time and I'm happy with that for now, I think he's too young to understand the dummy fairy thing at the moment so if he hasn't given it up himself by the time he's 3 that may be the time. With my daughter it was quite easy as she was going to stay at nanny's and we couldn't find one so she couldn't have one...it was as easy as that. Good luck whatever you decide...you know mini cheddar best
x
My little girls a thumb sucker, as I was. It's going to be tough getting her to stop as the thumb fairy's a bit too mafia! However, I have a friend who swears by leaving the dummy out for santa so he can take it to a younger boy or girl. The presents that year are a kind of swap. Good luck! x
That last comment was me by the way! Forot to put my name . . . duh!
my mum always had a saying that has ALWAYS worked for me - that when you decide to do it - and decide with all your heart then it will happen - I know that sounds vague but what she means is dont go back - make your mind up - tell MC whats happening and why and have a final ceremonial dumping - or giving to another baby (to obviously dump) and then push it forward - dont go back - I swear its true - set your mind to the task and just go forward - dont look back
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