danni, good for you not wanting a dummy. I didn't want Nina to have a dummy either. But one night my mum gave her one when she was unsettled, and DH saw how it soothed her and he kept giving it. Now she won't settle without it! She loves it so much that as soon as she sees it she HAS to have it and plays and talks to it. A bit like your niece I suppose.

Sorry, I know you want stories from people who haven't used a dummy, but I reckon if you can go without it, go for it. I'll be working on getting rid of Nina's in the next couple of weeks.