OK Jody and Mitch, here's what I did.

I chose to stop giving it to him for his first morning sleep, because maybe night time can be a bit much for the both of you. I put him in his cot and wrapped him like normal, and the poor thing just laid there opening his mouth waiting for the dummy! I gave him a few pats, and then walked out. Then he screamed! (I found that the cries are at first a really angry cry - like 'how dare you take away my dummy!!') So I waited for a little bit...(this can be the hard thing...because I always came to him every time he cried...and as soon as he cried.) You have to work out what length of time is ok.

When I could hear that he was getting himself worked up, I went in and gave him a pat. For the first day, this wouldn't settle him at all, so I would pick him up and give him a cuddle. Do whatever works for the both of you, like when you normally calm them down - just do that. If it is rubbing their tummy, patting their back, or anything that they are familiar with. Cooper loves to be cuddled and I would say to him 'just calm down' over and over again in a really soothing voice, and give him lots of kisses on his face. Then once he did calm down, I would put him in his cot, turn him on his side and pat his bottom (this normally always soothes him) and then walk out. Most of the time he would start crying again, and I would come in and do the same thing. Some people would say leave it longer each time, but Cooper would get more upset each time, so do what you feel is right.

I pretty much just did that every time I put him down for his sleep, and by the second day, he was like a new baby. Last night at bed time, as soon as I laid him in his cot, he was asleep!! He has never done that! I hadn't even wrapped him.

I must stress that this process has worked so far for me personally. I didn't do it for selfish reasons, if anything lately, Cooper has been much happier, so far has slept much better, and goes to sleep much easier. I know also that a happy well rested Mum, is a happy well rested baby. It's only early days, but it seems to be getting better. He woke up in his sleep last night about midnight, and instead of having to rock him back to sleep, I just came in and rubbed his tummy for 10 seconds, and he was alseep again. I hope soon that he can settle himself.

Also - what is really weird is that Cooper has always been a spewy baby. Whenever I picked him up from his cot after his sleep, he would have a spew, and also often during the day, but since I have taken the dummy away, he has barely spewed at all! Has anyone heard of this??

Anyway, I know I have blabbed on, but I just wanted to let you know that it can be done. Cooper is only SOOOO much better for not having the dummy. Whilst it was great for when he was younger, its making life so much better not having it. I just didn't realise what a difference it can make until we don't have it anymore.

All I can say is just keep going once you start, and give them lots of love and cuddles. I do think it is ok to let your baby work out that they can settle themselves - I don't think it is good to let your baby cry to the point of them being so distraught. But they will learn through it that they are able to go to sleep without you always there patting them.

And for us it only took 2 days, others babies may need one day or 5 days, but as I said earlier, I wouldn't recommend giving it back to them once you take it off them, because that will make them very confused.

Good luck and please let me know how you both go!!