When to say goodbye to the dummy

My older daughter gave up the dummy at around the 3 year mark, my two year old still uses it for naps and sleeping at night, or when she is very upset.

I feel that you should take his lead on this, if he is crying and asking for it, no need to deprive him. He won't go to high school with a dummy

We have gently encouraged my older daughter older from about a month or two before she turned 3 that the dummy is for babies, is a bit gross and as she is a big girl, she does not really need it, but at no point did we refuse her it or take it away. One night before bedtime she just said the dummy is "gagga" and she does not want it anymore. She never asked for it again.

Hope it goes smoothly for you

Hi Joanne,
My daughter was very attached to her dummy. And although my mum did tell me for some time to take it away, I didn't feel it necessary until she was almost 3.
I think a lot depends on you and the child; how independent he is, how much comfort does he get from the dummy, and also what is happening in his life. If there are too many changes, it might not be a good idea.
When taking the dummy away, I first made a rule that it could only be used at naps and bedtime. And once she was fast asleep, I'd take it out of her mouth. I'd leave it near her so if she woke again, it was there.
The process went pretty well.

Hope that helps, and you find a way that works for you.


Sent from my iPhone using Moomie Forum

Hi Mommies,

I have a question. My son is almost 2. Yesterday when I fetched him at daycare his dummy was lost and we couldn't find it. Me and hubby decided that it might be a good idea to use this as an excuse to take away all of the dummies.

But I am so sorry for my little boy he asks for it and when told he can't have it cries a lot. He had no trouble sleeping without it last night but this morning it was the first thing he asked for.

Do you think I should rather let him have it a while longer or should we just tough it out now?