How to go about the "Dummy Fairy"?

Question

I want to take away my daughter's dummy (pacifier) away this week. She is starting to get too drooly for it and I have already managed to take away her bottle so now the only comfort she has left is her dummy. I don't know how hard it is going to be on her and I am not sure how to go about it. Somebody mentioned the "dummy fairy" like the tooth fairy but comes and takes away the dummy and leaves a present. How do I do this? Should I keep the dummy in the pantry in case of emergencies or her refusing to go to sleep? What if she wont sleep?

Answer 1

I've heard of  people tying the "dummy" to a tree at night and then the fairy leaves small presents tied to the tree when she takes the "dummy". Also I read about one mom who had the child leave the "dummy" out on a table over night with a note describing a toy the child wanted and that if the child could sleep through the night w/o the "dummy" the "dummy fairy" would take the "dummy" and leave the toy in it's place.I would think that keeping a "dummy" for emergencies would only set you back once you start trying to break your daughter of the habit. Just be really sure you are ready to deal with the crying that may arise before you try taking the "dummy".Good Luck!

Answer 2

Do the dummie fairy.Just throw the dummie away though,if you keep it,and then give it to her;she'll know the dummie fairy's not real.

Answer 3

do the dummy fairy thing. and explain it to her when she wakes up wondering where it is. but once you take it away you cant give it back or she will know you have it and want it every single time. its hard.. but you can do it.. theres hard things to do in life.. but you just have to do it. trying giving her a sippy cup at night.

Answer 4

the dummy fairy does sound like a good idea, especially leaving a present behind from the dummy fairy, i have heard of another way, which is making getting rid of the dummy a big sort of ceremony thing, and what you do is bury the dummy and let the child help, and you can put plants/flowers on top etc, and whenever the child wants the dummy, they go to the little garden you have made together and water flowers etc,

Answer 5

I don't know about the "Dummy Fairy" - sounds clever & a way to get the heat off of you.  I would recommend though that when removing a comfort item or security item such as the pacifier, it's helpful to introduce something else that can serve as a transitional object until confidence builds & your child can cope without the  pacifier. This could be a special stuffed animal or whatever comforts her.  If you get rid of it - get rid of it completely. Otherwise, it's more damaging.  Dr Sears recommends a gradual approach.  Here's what he has to say with a link to follow:

However, for every child there comes a time to pull the plug. The trouble with using a pacifier as a sleep-aid is that their overuse can result in an overbite – the upper teeth protruding far in front of the lower teeth. To see if it's time for a binky ban, rub your finger along your son's teeth as he sleeps to check for too-prominent top teeth. If you detect the beginnings of an overbite, it's time to wean him off this particular bedtime habit.

The best methods for all types of weaning are gradual and involve substitutes. At first, continue letting him drift off to sleep with his pacifier. But one he's deep in dreamland, ease it out of his mouth. If he has a strong sleep-pacifier association, however, he may need something to help him back to sleep when he wakes in the middle of the night. Introduce some alternative non-oral "pacifiers," like a cuddly teddy bear or favorite blanket. In time, the stuffed animal should replace the pacifier as your child's bedtime companion of choice.

Remember, pacifier means "peacemaker." Artificial pacifiers should be in addition to, not a substitute for, parental nurturing. A person should always be at the other end of a comforting tool. You are your baby's pacifier in falling asleep; the other pacifiers are an extra help.

http://askdrsears.com/html/10/t104600.as...