Breaking news..... L gave up the dummy tonight! Its been looking pretty gross for a while and we held off replacing it as we wanted to wean him off it. After his bath I told him the dummy was sick and that it would have to be thrown out. We had a discussion about it and next thing I know he's putting it in the bin. I kept telling him once it goes in the bin - its gone. I have actually retrieved it from the bin and hidden it just in case he has a melt down. He's gone to sleep without it - so here's hoping its the end of the dummy. Still has his binky (stuffed toy). No plans to get rid of them (yet.....).