Ditching the Dummy: A Mum’s Guide (AKA: How I Survived the Dummy Fairy)
If you’ve ever found yourself crawling into your little one’s room at 2am like a ninja, holding a dummy like it’s the most precious object on earth… welcome. You’re among friends.
One of the questions I get asked all the time is:
“Do I have to get rid of the dummy when sleep coaching?”
Short answer: Nope.
Longer answer: Still no - but sometimes dummies are tiny sleep saboteurs who fall out every 37 minutes and summon you like a very tired genie 🧞♀️
If you’re happy replacing the dummy all night - truly, no judgement. I’ve been there. I lived there. I practically rented a room there.
But if you’re ready to break free… let me tell you how I recently ditched the dummy with my own little girl - and lived to tell the tale!
Step 1: Accept That This Will Be Slightly Unhinged
First of all, removing a dummy feels dramatic. It’s like taking away their emotional support water bottle. You will question your life choices. You will Google “dummy fairy stories” at midnight. You will whisper, “What am I doing?” into a cold cup of coffee.
All totally normal.
Step 2: The Dummy Fairy Makes Her Grand Entrance 🧚♀️
We leaned hard into the Dummy Fairy.
Like, Oscar-worthy storytelling.
I told my daughter all about how the Dummy Fairy collects dummies for tiny babies who really need them, and how exciting it was that she was big enough to help.
She was thrilled. I was cautiously optimistic. This is usually where things go wrong.
Step 3: I Took Every Single Dummy… and Hid Them Like Evidence
Once the stories had marinated (parenting term), I picked our “dummy goodbye day.”
Then I did the bravest thing I’ve done since childbirth:
I removed every. single. dummy.
Not one.
Not “just for the car.”
Not “just for bedtime.”
ALL. GONE.
I hid them like I was in witness protection.
Step 4: The First Nights Were… A Journey
Let’s not sugarcoat it.
The first few nights were trickier than usual. There were feelings. Big ones. There was confusion. There was cuddling. There was me whispering motivational quotes to myself at 3am like:
✨ “You are strong.”
✨ “This is temporary.”
✨ “You are not putting the dummy back.”
Comfort, reassurance, consistency - that was the trio carrying me through. No cold turkey parenting vibes, just lots of love and calm responses while she adjusted.
Step 5: One Week Dummy-Free 🎉
And then… something magical happened.
She stopped asking for it.
She stopped waking for it.
She slept.
I slept.
We both emerged as better people.
It’s now been one whole week dummy-free, and honestly? I feel like I deserve a certificate. Or cake. Or both.
So… Do You Have to Ditch the Dummy?
No.
Never.
Absolutely not.
Dummies are a family choice, and if they work for you - amazing. I’ll support you all the way.
But if:
✔ You’re replacing it 10 times a night
✔ You’re tired
✔ You’re ready
Then yes - you can ditch it. And you don’t have to do it alone.
My Top Dummy-Ditching Tips (Because I Love You)
For older babies & toddlers:
Talk about it beforehand
Use a story like the Dummy Fairy
Pick a clear goodbye day
Offer lots of comfort and cuddles
Stay consistent (even when tired and emotional)
For a gradual approach:
Start with naps
Replace the dummy with rocking, shushing, patting
Slowly reduce how often you offer it
Keep nights calm and responsive
Celebrate small wins 🎉
If you want to just remove it:
Pick a start day
Remove all dummies at once
Offer loads of comfort and reassurance
Expect some protest
Be consistent (no “just this once”… even though it’s tempting)
Final Thoughts From a been-there-done-it Mummy
Parenting is basically just making big decisions while severely sleep-deprived and emotionally attached to small rubber objects.
Whether you keep the dummy, gradually fade it, or summon the Dummy Fairy - you’re doing an amazing job.
And if you need support, reassurance, or just someone to tell you that you’re not ruining your little one because you took away a piece of silicone - I’m here. 🤍
Now excuse me while I enjoy my daughter sleeping… and drink a hot coffee to celebrate ☕😌
Danni x