How to stop sucking lovey

[momtonb&ab]

and back to the dr. or dentist telling him - it is more impactful if it comes from someone outside the home - or an older cousin or something - when they hear that the 'big' kids just snuggle their lovies, that might help. 

[anna*]

The problem with getting a Dr or Dentist to tell him is just logistical. We have a big GP practice, never know which Dr we're going to see so can't prep/prime him/her with a message. And the dentist is a good trek to get there if we're not going for a check up (which isn't due for another 9 months). We don't have any older cousins who we see regularly - might try with an uncle? I think maybe tampering with Robert's feet in some way could work.

[Sarah - Enfys' Mum]

Enfys has a stuffed cow for her lovey and she does the same thing; she sucks on the hooves and they were disgusting.  What happened was, she sucked and sucked until she sucked a hole in Daisy's foot.  Just a little hole but the beans were coming out.  So I stitched up Daisy's hoof, which was triangular, but tucked it inside itself so there's really not much to suck anymore.  Worked a treat She can still carry Daisy around but can't get a grip on her feet anymore.  I feel mean, but poor Daisy was in a hell of a state!!

[ikesmummy]

I have to admit that hayden at over 5 still has his dadins (muslin) and also sometimes still sucks them but we have mire than 2 and they are mainly for when he is ill or OT. He gave his dummies to a shop attendant to pay for a present on his third birthday but I have never wanted to get rid if hisdadins.

[anna*]

Ladies, thank you for all the support and ideas. Stan's best buddy has just left nursery, so Robert is going to stick around for a while at least. The pressure is off on the laundry because nursery FOUND the third Robert, who I had given up for lost, so now we have 3 and not 2, and that helps. The other thing I have been doing is going in once Stan is asleep, and taking the lovey out of his mouth. He doesn't generally put him back in again. Which means that the lovey is getting less gross (it is mostly dry by morning), and he's not spending all night sucking on it. It's good - every time he wakes/stirs in the night he goes back to sleep without sucking, so I'm pleased about that.

[anna*]

Well here is a very late update!!

Stan knows I 'dont like' him to bite and chew Robert - he remembers me trying to persuade him not to suck on his feet at bedtime (failed attempt at weaning it) and also if it is story time I do nag at him not to bite Robert - because then Robert will be broken, and there will be no more Robert! So I totally dropped nagging about sucking, took to heart the idea that it's his lovey to use how he wants to; but do remind him not to bite/chew him, just because he DOES get destroyed by that.

The last 3 nights, Stan has come in the morning and presented a bone dry Robert! Off his own back he has decided he is a big boy now and he tells me he doesn't put Robert in his mouth, he just does this (demonstrates stroking the rabbit's ears across his eyes) instead and that's all.

So there you go. I expect we'll relapse and progress, relapse and progress, as these things go, but I'm really pleased that Stan's decided to do this for himself.

[<Catherine>]

Go Stan!

[rach321]

Great news - as a washer of stinky soggy blankies, its nice to know that there is hope!

[Shiv52]

Wow Anna!  he is an amazing boy!  You planted the seed and he took it on board in his own time!  Well done!

Now if you could come over here and talk to Maeve about her dummy with such great progress that would be FAB!!

[~Sara~]

Way to go, Stan!