Giving up the dummy

A dummy soothes a baby, but long-term use can affect the bite and speech development. Giving it up goes more easily when it is planned and suits your child's stage of development. This guide offers both a gradual and a quick approach.

You will need

• A calm time without other big changes
• A cuddly toy or other comfort object
• A joint decision by both parents
• Patience for about 1–2 weeks

Steps

1. Choose the right time

   It is good to start reducing dummy use from about one year of age and to give it up by 2–3 years at the latest. Avoid doing it at the same time as a move, starting daycare or the birth of a sibling.

2. Limit the dummy to sleep times

3. Offer a replacement comfort object

4. Tell your child in advance

5. Remove the dummy all at once

6. Support falling asleep

7. Tell the daycare

8. Praise and follow up

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