I agree, do whatever makes your life easier! DD1 had a dummy from a young age and self weaned around 2-2.5 yrs. She only used it for sleeps or if she was extremely unsettled.

DD2 (16 months) has had one since day 2 as I learnt early they are great for settling babies and can help save your nipples if, like DD2, your baby has a really strong suck! She still uses her dummy for sleep but rarely any other time. She usually throws it if you offer it to her in the pram or car, she seems to associate it with her cot only now.

I know some kids have trouble weaning but many don't and just do it on their own. If you're going to wean your child before they're ready then my advice is to wait until they're old enough to understand. You can explain what's happening and maybe exchange the dummy for a new toy or leave it for Santa, etc.

Babies naturally suck and take comfort from doing so which is why dummies often work so well. They eventually work out how to retrieve them themselves too which can be a godsend if you can wait it out to then. And as for resettling, like LadyLove said, babies can struggle with this with or without dummies, their sleep cycles are only 45 minutes initially and they learn to resettle into another sleep cycle with time, they all do it at different stages regardless of sleep aids and comforters.

So do what's right for you, the option that'll give you both the most rest and least stress. Good luck!