Weaning your child off the dummy

The dummy… also known as a soother, a "tutu", a "susu", and so many other affectionate nicknames for the thing that has saved us so many times — us exhausted parents, unsure how to soothe a distressed baby or one who simply refuses to sleep, the thing that got us through many a peaceful car journey. In short, the dummy, our (false) friend. Because when the time comes — and more importantly, the age — to part ways with it, it can be quite the clingy companion. Our children love it so much they simply can't do without it. So, are there any solutions to help with weaning your child off the dummy?

Is there a right age to wean a child off their dummy?

The word "weaning" is not chosen lightly, as a child can be genuinely "dependent" on their dummy. The physiological sucking reflex is satisfied by the dummy, and it has an almost instantaneous soothing effect. You will therefore need to exercise patience and use a few tricks to gently ease your child away from it.

The ideal is to gradually remove it around the age of 12 months, when children have a better understanding of things, but some are simply not ready at that stage. It is worth knowing that almost 80% of children still use a dummy at the age of 3. Dummy weaning should ideally be completed between the ages of 3 and 4 at the latest, to avoid any harmful impact on their developing milk teeth.

What solutions are there?

First of all, let's set aside the rather drastic, punitive methods — such as throwing the dummy away overnight without consulting the child, or coating it in something unpleasant so they lose interest. These approaches are far too harsh and inappropriate, and they rarely work.

There are far gentler, more child-friendly solutions. Here are a few tips:

• The dummy tree: Some dentists have a "dummy tree" where your child can ceremonially leave their dummy for good when they are ready, receiving a small reward in return (a medal, a certificate, a balloon…).
• Reading stories about dummies: There are many books that address this topic in a gentle way, with lots of explanations pitched at a child's level of understanding.
• Explaining things: Quite simply, talk to your child. Explain that they are growing up, suggest putting the dummy away when they need to do an activity, leaving it at home before going out, and encourage them to take the initiative by choosing when to put it down — so that they feel like an active participant in the decision.
• Offering a reward: Reward charts can be very useful in this situation.

Above all, stay firm in your decision and do not go back on it. Take the time to explain things to your child, answer their questions, and reassure them — but do not give in.