You may have seen my previous post on my attempt to ditch Lambs dummy. If you didn’t, then you can read it here.
As mentioned in my previous post the universe took control of the situation and gave me no choice but to ditch Lambs dummy.
It’s now been over a week since we ditched the dummy and I am so, so, so happy to say we are completely dummy free!
Lamb has mentioned his dummy literally 3 or 4 times over the past week, but not at bedtime when you would most expect it. He actually asked for it during the day with a little smile on his face knowing he was being cheeky. He’s such a monkey!
I’d love this post to be super informative on how to help your little one ditch their dummy, but it’s really down to you and your child.
I’m going to share a few tips on how I got Lamb to ‘let it go’ and hope to give you a little inspiration if you’re ready to ditch the dummy.
- Be prepared. If I’m honest I think I was attached to Lambs dummy too. It was the one thing that was keeping him as my baby. I relied on it during tantrums. I relied on it for long journeys. I relied on it to keep him quiet. But that’s wrong. He’s not a baby, he’s almost 3, and we always said we wanted it gone by the age of 3. Having said that, it really is important that you’re prepared for the challenge ahead when ditching the dummy. You need to be ready for the challenge.
- Build up to it. I’m not one for going cold turkey with Lamb. He’s quite sensitive and doesn’t like change. We started talking about him being a big boy and giving his dummies to babies who need them last year. We kept telling him if he left his dummies for Father Christmas on Christmas Eve he would take them and replace them with treats on the tree. He totally bought this and loved the concept. Turns out we completely forgot to do it, hence why he was still using a dummy this year! However, when it came to ditching the dummy last week he actually remembered what I said about Father Christmas and kept telling people Santa had taken his dummies for the babies. So, I think it’s really important to talk about being without a dummy. Find a way of getting your little one to understand they don’t need it anymore.
- Don’t look back. Once you decide to go for it then stick to the plan. If you give in then you’ll lack control with your little one. We all know how controlling our kids can be – any sign of weakness and they know we will crack! Trust me I’ve had 2 years dealing with an extremely fussy eater who had won me over for a packet of crisps many times!
- Throw them away! Luckily for us Lamb found ditching his dummy pretty easy – which was a huge shock to us, trust me. He went from having it during the day and the night (he didn’t just have it at bedtime like a lot of toddlers), to it being gone for good. You might have more of a challenge than us and be tempted to give in to to demands when your little one is pouring their heart out for what comforts them the most. If you don’t have a dummy in the house, then you can’t give in!
- Praise them. Every time Lamb sees someone new I get him to tell them why he’s such a big boy. He goes on to tell them he’s doesn’t have a dummy anymore and Santa gave them to the babies who need them. Doing this puts a smile on his face when he’s praised for being a big boy. Encouragement is key.
I hope you’ve found these tips useful. I honestly can’t believe how easy it was for us to ditch the dummy. He’s always been so attached to it, we thought it would be the most difficult part of parenting! But it goes to show, with a little encouragement and persistence it can be done!
Good luck if you’re starting your dummy ditch journey!
Ax
Fritha Strickland says
well done! We did this for Wilf at two but I don’t think I did a very good job as I ended up making some elaborate story about care bears taking it away and leaving a care bear in its place, he then started to hate care bears! haha! x
Helen at Casa Costello says
Brilliant job – Well done. Isn’t it such a relief when you finally ditch it? I found an old dummy of our youngest’s in a cup at the back of the cupboard last week -Couldn’t quite bare to throw it away!
Pamela | Life With Munchers says
Well done!! I find tip 3…stick to your guns works for most things. x
Fiona jk42 says
I shall send my daughter a link to this post. I did not use a dummy with either my son or daughter, but my baby granddaughter uses one, and seems to be very attached to it. My daughter is now talking about getting rid of the dummy, but is hesitant as she doesn’t want to have to deal with a screaming baby who wants their dummy, and I cannot really offer any advice.
Maybe it’s best to leave it a while longer until my granddaughter can understand a bit more – she’s only 10 months old.
After all, a dummy is better than thumb sucking or sucking on a filthy old toy. The daughter of one of my acquaintances had a bear which she used to chew. The mother was hardly ever able to prise it away from her daughter to wash it, so it was a really repellent object, sodden with saliva & with most of its arms and legs chewed off, and I’m sure very unhygienic!
[I have entered the Oxo tots competition]
Ali says
Great tips. I think the anticipation of ditching the dummy is worse than it actually is normally though!
Cardiff Mummy Says - Cathryn says
Ah, that’s great news! Well done to Lamb and to you too. My children never had dummies but lots of my friends’ children / nieces and nephews etc did and I know what a struggle it was to get rid of them. I know a couple of them would echo your advice about throwing them away, so that the temptation is no longer there. x
Gemma @ A Gem's Life says
Fab tips and well done! I think it is one of those things that you dread doing but it works out easier than you could have imagined. I remember it being a lot easier than I thought it would!
Gemma xx
Ky says
That’s great! These are some great tips. Clem never took to a dummy which I’m kinda happy about as I was dreading having to get rid of it. x
Leanne Cornelius says
Great post! We were actually talking about dummy ditching yesterday, apparently Santa took mine when I was a little girl. My friend told her daughter that the Easter Bunny took her’s, a few weeks later she had a break down and said the bunny could have all the chocolate back (even though she’d already eaten it!) because she wanted her dummy!
Well done on being strong.
#Love2Blog