We bought DD2 a brand new teddy bear. And gave it to her the first night while on a 4 day trip away.

She had dummy and "ruggy" (flannelette nappy comforter) every time she went to bed and sometimes while awake and sooky too. She was 14 months old at the time.

The ruggy was starting to get grotty and embarrasing and dummy making rashes so it was time for them to go.

First night away just as putting her in to bed she asks for ruggy.... we say ruggy is not here, but wow, look at this cute teddy he wants to cuddle you and sleep in your bed, can you look after him? Making a big fuss of the ted.

So being on hols and being quite tired and distracted by being in another place and another bed and having a new toy all added up to an easy transition.

She became very attached to the ted but gave him up later as she got older. But at least there were no more rashes and a teddy is a bit more decent looking than a grotty rag of nappy when you go in public.

The ted was dark brown and machine washable - very important!

Also important - be sure to completely dispose of every dummy and ruggy in sight, if they get them back it could be harder next time.

Might have to watch them around other innocent by-passing kids in prams with dummies too, we were involved in a walk by dummy snatching one day... very embarrasing...