To think granddaughter is too old for a dummy

For me, I think hanging onto baby/toddler habits is infantilizing (is that a word?) A child, and why would you want to?

No, the OP can only give a few helpful tips about how to stop it if asked.
From the big river place, other outlets are available.
Preferably, you could make one for a few pence as it will be going in the bin anyway!
www.amazon.co.uk/Personalised-design-Drawstring-weaning-Supplied/dp/B00FPQ4O6Uhttps://www.amazon.co.uk/Personalised-design-Drawstring-weaning-Supplied/dp/B00FPQ4O6U?tag=gransnetforum-21

Callistemon

I thought you were going to tell us you still had a dummy Gonegirl!

Luckygirl just google problems with dummies and you will find several reaons why a 5 year old shouldn't have a dummy.

But you can say that about anything luckygirl I guess there’s no harm in wearing a nappy but you wouldn’t want your five year old wearing one would you If she’s old enough to go to school surely she’s old enough not to walk round with a dummy in her mouth I think night time use is a bit different if the child is really anxious but much better to learn to manage that anxiety themselves, but the poster did say she used it in the daytime. so is she at nursery play school or starting big school?
Kids with dummies in their mouths don’t talk clearly, they may cause dental problems, and they will get teased and called baby if other children see them it’s a habit and the sooner broken the better
What I do agree with is, there is nothing the poster can or should do unless asked to help

And my son has still got one thumb longer than the other one. Gave up his dummy at around two months. Preferred his thumb.

Ok. I'm going to be honest (and prepare for the shock horror)

My fourteen year old grandson occasionally gets caught out sucking his thumb.

Always refused a dummy as a baby. Just preferred his thumb. Orthodontist says he could have a brace if he really wanted one, but his teeth are fine really.

Habut (sp) - habit!

I think there are several reasons to encourage a five year old to give up a dummy.
1 It inhibits speech
2 The child is of school age and could be bullied if others see her sucking a dummy or find out about it
3 The longer the child is used to constantly sucking the harder it will be to give up the habut.
4 if a child still needs this comfort rather than it being just a habit, I would be wondering why.

I wonder if any studies have shown a correlation between years of dummy sucking and taking up the comfort of sucking on cigarettes in later life?

They are not very attractive or hygienic are they Luckygirl add that to the fact that Speech Therapists blame them for poor speech are good enough reasons for me to think the sooner the child can dispense with them, the better.

Of-course in their favour, they pacify a miserable child and they probably stop the child becoming a thumb sucker which, as had been said, is harder to wean from.

I do wonder how the dummy is still of interest to a 5 yr old.
Has she read Shirley Hughes' "Alfie Gives a Hand" ? It's not about a dummy but about giving up a comfort blanket.

I find this thread intriguing. Shock, horror - child enjoys dummy at age of 5!

There is no logical reason to stop a child gaining comfort from a dummy - no reason at all. But most posters are simply pronouncing that it is "too old" without, as far as I can see, any good reason at all!

A dummy at night is just fine - it does no-one any harm.

Although orthodontic dummies are bettter that ordinary ones they can still cause teeth problems. There is also evidence that children who use a dummy during the day have delayed speech because they simply don't get to talk. The dummy should be ditched asap.

Neither of mine had a dummy, although I remember MIL proudly telling me that she'd got DS1 to take one (that she had bought) by dipping it in jam,

DS2 was a thumb sucker, which as an ex dental nurse worried me, but he just stopped at around 12 months.

But in answer to the OP, yes, I do think 5 is too old, especially if it is used during the day, rather than just at bedtime.

My eldest daughter was attached until she was about three years old. A trip to the pediatrician solved the issue for once and for all. He knelt down to her eye level and told her point blank that she was now too old for such nonsense. He then asked her if she really wanted her teeth to grow out of her mouth like a Walrus. When she nodded 'no', he asked her to put it in the trash where "it belonged". She complied without saying a peep. End of story.

I agree, five is way too old for a dummy.
I never gave my children one, the GC may have had one when they were tiny babies but I do not recall seeing them with one during the day.
Mothers afraid of causing a tantrum ? Goes with the job ?

I am sure there will be ways of stopping her enjoying her dummy at night - that is not in question.

For me the question is - why would you want to?

Tonks Now is the best time to get the dummy off her,she is not at school so she can have her attention focused on other things that interest her.
I would cross my fingers and tell her that the dummy is needed for new babies now she is a big girl and when you have taken it from her do not mention it again unless she mentions it.
You may be plesently surprised and she gives it up freely.

* I m afraid I think 5 is way to old to be sucking a dummy* - why?

Surely she’s at school ? I m afraid I think 5 is way to old to be sucking a dummy and it’s not at all good for the teeth one grandson hung on to his until he was three then we put it in an envelope to give to a ‘a baby’ and he posted it in the pillar box

Surely that decision is up to the parents - nothing to do with grandparents. I'd stay right out of this , OP.

She'll give it up eventually and a dummy is so much better than a thumb. A thumb is always there and can still be sucked in times of stress even as a teenager. My eldest was born in 1980 and orthordontically correct dummies were widely available back then so I'm sure they still are. My grandson has one but he's barely 6 months. My eldest gave his night time dummy up around 5 but it was only used till he nodded off. My youngest never had one both have perfect teeth. It's not your problem so step away and butt out.

Firstly - it is not up to us a GPs to comment on our AC's child-rearing decisions - unless of course the child is being abused.

Secondly - the design of dummies has changed since we were parents with the aim of making them tooth safe.

Thirdly - blanket statements that it is "wrong" are inappropriate, unless backed up by proper evidence of harm - and not just a desire to control.

I think it is a non-issue and to be ignored. Why make your DD feel uncomfortable and criticised about her choices? Just leave them all be to bring up their children as they see fit.

If this child feels the need to have her dummy at night, then why should she not? - or a teddy or anything else that helps her to feel secure. Just leave her be! What do you think is wrong with it? What is there to worry about?

I simply would not ever dream of interfering with their choices!!

One had a dummy which was tied to a tree in the garden and was collected by the fairies for
new babies!! Aged 3/4?
The other (9) still sucks her thumb and her teeth will definitely need treatment.
Unfortunately there are no fairies queuing up to collect well-sucked thumbs!

I think the child's mother wants to dispense with the dummy too joannapiano My youngest daughter had a dummy and was reluctant to part with it. We compromised by using it at night only then she gradually didn't bother with it. Some good ideas on here for getting rid of dummies.