Melody,

sorry for the late reply don't get on bb as much as I would like anymore.

Yep Ari was a sucker right from the word go! So a dummy was literally a nipple saver in the early days. We did use it as a sleep signal too as with a 5yo with special needs as a brother that's about the only routine she has :-)

We have been using the pantly pull off too and that's what worked with DS took about 2 wks of really sticking to it for it to work. As soon as the sucking slowed and he was dozing off inbetween sucking I would count to 7-10 - if I could get to 7 or 8 then I knew I could try PPO, if he rooted on he would go again and I would wait until he settled.

i think it also helps that we have them both in a bed (DS was in a single bed and Ari is in a cot with one side off and a bed rail. IThis means i can lie down beside them in bed so that they are going to sleep in their bed and waking up. I've noticed since we took the sides off Ari's bed she is now able to semi wake, look around and put herself back to sleep, where as before she would wake up and go - hold on this wasn't where I ws before and start crying. Does that make sence?