Removing comfort items from 2 1/2 yr old

02JoJo I was a dedicated thumb sucker until 8 yrs old. My mother became so desparate she eventually resorted to bribery in the form of money and it worked most effectively.

I read a study that said kids suck their dummies for a shorter duration than their thumb and taking the dummy away too soon can lead to thumb sucking which is equally bad for their speech and teeth.

The dummy did cause Dylan to speak less so we got rid of it during the day. Neil being the great (not in this case) dad decided to take it away while mom was away and after he had just started a new school. Not ideal, but Dylan handled it well.

I know that he loves his night dummy though and it's almost like a drug. His eyes roll back and he sighs when he starts to suck it so it really is an addiction. One that I don't plan on taking away quite yet.

I am really confused about why moms feel that comfort objects needed to be taken away so early? I am sincere in my question, not sarcastic.

Every now and again a topic pops up with moms wanting to take away a dummy, bottle in the day, soft toy, blanket etc. I can understand if the child can't function without these objects to a point where it interferes with the family routine, but if this is not the case, why would you want to take it away?

I can also understand that prolonged sucking during the day on a dummy is not good for speech development, but surely during nighttime it is aceptable?

At what age do you decide to take it away and why?

I am really confused about this, please don't think I am trying to stir!!

i also say don't force it. I forced C to give up his bottles and Dummy and it was a very hectic time and i still don't think he's quite recovered from it emotionally. A doedoe blankey is better than a dummy for public use at least.

i like the idea of leaving it in the bed but that didn't work for C it was all or nothing with him

RM my son does that, he is very embarrest about it and tries to hide it from us. He would never do it in the presence of guests or while we are out. He also rubs his index finger against his nose.

I am mostly concerned about his teeth! They have really taken a hammaring with all the sucking!

02JoJo wrote: Sorry to hog your thread but any one know if I should stop my older son from stop sucking his thumb, if I actually could, or shall I just leave him, surely he won't still be sucking his thumb when he reaches adult hood?!?!? But with the way things are going now I sometimes wonder if he will ever stop, after all he is almost 7!

My daughter who is 25 months sucks her thumb.
My other two did not.
I forgot that I used to suck my thumb when I was a child - totally forgot.

I did it into my 6 - 9 year range, I can't recall why or when I stopped.

I used to remember lying on the couch hiding under a blanket - which was a decoy, and then I had a red tartan blanket which was my "linus" blanket and while I sucked my thumb I used to use the corner and rub it against the side of my nose.

My daughter does the EXACT same thing, she rubs her "doggie's" ear against the side of her nose when she sucks her thumb.

MY OPINION is that the older they get the more difficult it gets. I took Leandi's (18 months old) night dummy away about 2 weeks ago. The only trouble we had was getting her to fall asleep, coz she associated sleep time with her "yum yum" but after a couple of nights she was FINE!!! Even on the first night, when she fell asleep, she didnt wake up for it once during the night. (which was my biggest fear, that she would start waking through the night again)

I was sooo scared to do it, and was afraid that it would be traumatic for her and and and. But she was wonderfull!!! I think it made all the difference when she saw that the dog took the dummy, i explained that the dog was still a baby and needed it, and now that she was a bit bigger, she doesnt anymore.

1st Rule!!!! Mommy has to be ready to take it away, no matter what method you choose, if your not sure within yourself, your child will feel your uncertainty!!
2nd Rule!!! Daddy has to be TOTALLY on board! You cant do this alone if you are two parents.

Good Luck