Dummies: When to Introduce and How to Say Goodbye
Tossing up whether you should give your baby a dummy or not?
Have you heard about the hourly dummy runs OR are you currently doing one right now?
When it comes to dummies, parents often feel stuck between “this is saving me” and “this is driving me mad.” Let’s simplify things.
Should You Introduce a Dummy?
If you’re on the fence, know this: we love dummies as a tool in the early months.
Dummies can help settle your baby when you can’t feed straight away, in the car, or during witching hour chaos. They can also offer comfort when nothing else is working.
That said, we always recommend using the dummy mindfully.
At around 4–6 months, babies begin relying on the dummy to fall asleep, but they’re not yet able to replace it on their own. This often creates the dreaded “dummy run” every couple of hours overnight.
If your baby starts waking frequently, unable to settle unless the dummy is replaced, it might be time to reassess.
How to Ditch the Dummy (Without the Drama)
Once you’ve decided it’s time to remove the dummy, your next steps depend on bub’s age.
- Under 7 Months:
We suggest going cold turkey. It’s the simplest and most effective approach at this stage.
Yes, there will likely be a few tough days as your baby adjusts, and you may need to offer some extra settling. But most babies adapt quickly, and you’ll often notice improved sleep soon after.
- Over 7 Months:
Now’s the time to teach dummy independence!
Try this:
– Place 4–5 dummies in the cot
– Practice "find the dummy" during awake time
– Use verbal cues and gentle guidance at bedtime
Most babies learn to self-replace within a week or two, and this can massively reduce night wakes.
- Toddlers
Once your toddlers day sleep has dropped then we would be looking at removing the dummy using tools like rewards chart, dummy fairy, using it as currency at the shops etc. We want to have a plan in place on how to settle to sleep or resettle overnight without this sleep prop.
💛 Need Help?
Whether you're deciding if the dummy is right for you or ready to ditch it for good, we’re here to support you through the journey.
Our Sleep Guides include gentle settling alternatives, and our 1:1 Consults are perfect for parents wanting personalised guidance.
✨ Because sleep should be simple — and supported.
