What's a good age for babies to be weaned
off dummies/pacifiers?
My mum told me a few months ago that I
shouldn't give Jenny her dummy during the
day, but it's only recently that I've
started taking it off her. I think 18
months is a good age to wean her off it,
& I try to limit it to bedtime,
naptime, when she's in the car & when
she's not feeling well.
But my grandma just came round & told
me off for hiding the dummy. Apparently
I'm too strict because Jenny isn't old
enough to understand that it's just for
certain times of the day. She started
crying when I wouldn't give it to her, so
I distracted her with a book & she was
soon smiling again.. so it's not exactly
hard to take her mind off it.
It annoys me when I get told how to raise
my daughter. I know my grandma didn't mean
anything nasty by it, but she makes me
feel like a stupid child sometimes. When
Jenny was very little she'd comment on how
I was holding her wrong or feeding her
wrong & then she'd sigh & say
"you've got so much to learn". Yes, I'm a
young mother, but I try & do the best
for my daughter & always have done.
Sorry, I'm just in a bit of a bad mood
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Ingi
Supporter
Joined: 09 Mar 2006 Posts: 8788 Location: Grinning like a Cheshire Cat,
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Posted: 05-06-08 09:27am
Grandmothers always feel that way. In
fact, grandmothers always seem to feel you
should be babying the baby more, if you've
ever noticed. This may have something to
do with their memories and not truly
remembering what life with a baby is
really like. Maybe you could
gently remind grandma that you are the mom
now. She has the experience of having done
it, but you ARE DOING it now.
I agree with taking it away in the day
time. She doesn't need it for comfort,
does she? It will be easier if you start
transitioning to just bed/nap times. I
always made the bed and put my daughter's
binky on her pillow. There were times
she'd sneak it out, but I made her lay
down IN HER BED when she wanted to use it.
Kids aren't dumb they learn quickly that
their paci if for bedtime or quiet time.
Joined: 23 Oct 2006 Posts: 3775 Location: South East, England
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Posted: 05-06-08 15:39pm
grandma'sare great arn't they!? It's
always easier to take adummy away before
6monhs apparently.If she'shappy without it
during the day then just give it to her at
bedtime. My neicewas weaned off hers at
10months and my sister used to go in at
night and taket when she was asleep
because she'd spit it out then hide it
until bedthenext day then just tried
onenight without it and Faith was fine.
Rowan is put away all day while she is in
daycare. I still give it to her at home
and in the car, and let her keep it as
much as she wants when she is sick. She
has it for naps and bedtime too... I keep
thinking about taking it away but I
haven't yet. I plan on taking it away all
the time during the day in the next couple
of months, but I think it will be around
for sleeping with for a while still.
Joined: 03 Jan 2007 Posts: 2009 Location: Illinois, USA
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Posted: 05-09-08 10:59am
I really have no advice to give here other
than, if you feel it's the right time to
take it away from her, then do it. Don't
listen to what anyone else has to say, you
are the mother and Jenny always looks very
happy in the photos you post, so I would
say you are doing a fine job.
Jenny's been a bit unwell lately because
of her teeth bothering her so she's had
the dummy during the day for some of the
time.. but for the second time now she's
gone to bed without it & not cried or
made a fuss. I think we're making
progress!
& yes, my grandma does insist that
Jenny is still a little baby who needs
support when walking & a dummy
permanently in her mouth.. her reasoning
was "well you see much older children with
dummies"
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Ingi
Supporter
Joined: 09 Mar 2006 Posts: 8788 Location: Grinning like a Cheshire Cat,
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Posted: 05-12-08 16:27pm
Zanny, you and Jenny do what works best
for her. She will let you know when she
needs it (like with her teething) and when
she can do without it.
HOORAY! for her going a few nights without
it. That is big progress.
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Becky
Especially EHEALTHy
Joined: 01 Jan 2006 Posts: 6224 Location: London, England
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Posted: 05-16-08 04:46am
i tried to wean Layla off it various times
with no joy but when i tried again a few
months back she let it go with no
problems.
i think it's when they are ready but if
you really need her to be then make up the
'dummy fairy' story lol
Maybe you could
gently remind grandma that you are the mom
now. She has the experience of having done
it, but you ARE DOING it now.
