Dummies - Help Please

[Smurfette]

HI, I'm sure this has been done many times before but I really need help in weaning Olivia off the dummy. It is keeping us awake all night and I really need sleep.
It was CHN that made this suggestion which makes sense, but when I asked how to do this, her only reply was " Do you think it will be difficult?" Well of course I do otherwise she wouldn't have it. Then she said she will probably play in her cot for a while then drift off. Well, if that was the case, why is she still waking up :banghead: Oh this is bit of a vent as well.
Does anyone pleassssse have any constructive advice for me?

[the_queen]

:hugs: It's hard.
You could introduce a new "comforter" at the same time you take the dummy away, and maybe she'll attach to the new comforter and forget about the dummy. Of course, she probably won't forget about the dummy... You will be in for a difficult few nights until she gets used to going to sleep without dummy.
Sorry I couldn't be more help. The first few nights will be hard but it does get easier. :fingerscrossed: Good luck!

[nicoleE]

I am not sure what you have tried so far or how old your child is but i will certainly be giving the ol 'cold turkey' a stern try with my kids. You will probably have a few nights of crying but they will eventually get used to it. Explain that dummies are for babies and that they are a big kid now. Perhaps go with them and have them see you 'give' the dummy to a friends young baby (so they know that it is definatly gone and there are no more). I saw a show on foxtel once where they burried the kids dummy out in the yard and the child helped. Not sure what that was all about though!

If it is a comfort thing that is keeping her (and you) awake through the night and not the tantrum of not having a dummy then I agree with finding another comfort for her, but you dont want to introduce another one that you wont be happy with her possibly carrying around for the next couple of years! (i.e a blankie). I used to have a teddy bear with a heart beat inside (heart to heard bear) when I was young and I remember that relaxing me, perhaps think along the sensory lines, in winter, a nice warm wheat/heat bag or something...?? However she needs to learn to put herself back to sleep when she wakes up so minimal involvement from you through the night is a must. Sorry just throwing ideas your way now. I dont currently have children (we are trying soon) but have worked in child care for a few years.

I remember mum telling me that they cut the top off of my dummy and left it behind the tv where the cat used to sleep, I was told that the cat ate it.

My friends mum threw hers out the car window while they were driving along.... a bit drastic I think, how traumatised would the kid have been! lol

[Rosa]

I have exactly the same problem with my dd who is 9 months. After being woken 4-5 times a night we have decided enough is enough, we're going to do the old cold turkey. She already has a secruity blanket and we'll leave that with her, but the dummy has got to go!!!!
My eldest had a dummy till about 2 or 3 and gave it up without a fuss to the dummy fairies for other babies and left her a little gift in return. I don't remember her having the same wakeful nights though that Lu Lu has. She was in our bed though and Lu's in a cot could be the difference.
Anyway I wish you all the best and I'm sitting glued to this thread for someone to supply a magic cure for dummy addiction.:fingerscrossed:

[nicoleE]

Just an idea....

WOuld continously coating the dummy in a flavour that baby dislikes help to turn them off it?

DOnt ask me what (obviously nothing harmful), Perhaps a simple something they dislike, like vegemite.... um, lemon juice... something that is undetectable in view though or baby will soon be looking on the dummy before putting it in their mouth!

[Rosa]

Nicole a great idea! I may just give it a try. Will let you know how I get on.

[Smurfette]

That is a good idea. I tried going cold turkey with her today and she just screamed and screamed, so I gave it back to her and she was so distraught I had to rock her to sleep. Back to square one.