Boycotting dummy but looking for something to suck!

[Loobs]

Hi everyone!

DS is 5 months old, and has taken a dummy since he was tiny. He always needed to comfort suck to sleep. He is formula fed and has been for a while so there was no issue there.

About 4 weeks ago, his first tooth popped through. Since then, he will not take the dummy. I was happy with this at first because I was kinda dreading having to wean him from using it at some point. Getting to sleep wasn't causing any difficulty.

Now though, as he is dropping off to sleep he starts rooting around for something to suck. I tried offering the dummy again but he opens his mouth wide and turns away from it. I've given him a muslin to hold, thinking he would maybe suck that. Nope. He occasionally gets his fingers in there but that's a no too. Ive offered him my clean finger too with no luck.

Getting him to sleep used to be so quick and easy, and now it's a long process with rocking and bouncing and shushing, and he gets distressed.

I'm at my wits end. Any suggestions?

 

[justplay91]

What kind of dummy do you use? I would suggest maybe trying a different type that's shaped completely differently. Maybe that will sort of reset his dummy-aversion?

 

[NickyKB]

Would you be ok with him having a comforter in bed? My youngest has a dog one that he sucks it's ears/tail when he's going to sleep. The ears are about 1cm wide but flat. It needs frequent washing (we have 2) but it does really calm him.

 

[Loobs]

Thanks for the suggestions! I didn't even think to try a different shape of dummy, I'll definitely try that!

I've tried giving him a little comforter, it's a bunny rabbit one with little tags for hands and feet. He did give it a bit of a chew/suck but wasn't keen. I'll try again though!