It’s so tough, as they feel it is a part of them. I found that rather than removing all together, I would limit the use of it and then gradually he would choose not to use it, or even look for it. When my son took it out and placed it on the floor and was busy with other things, I would pick it up and put it away. If he saw it, he was likely to pick it up, but if he didn’t see it, he wouldn’t look for it. He then only used it at night time to get to sleep, and then I would take it again, so he didn’t have it when he awoke in the morning (he was such a good sleeper, and would sleep 7+ hours without waking). At first there was some unsettling, but I provided comfort in other ways, and he put it in the bin by himself.

Try negotiation. Work out your childs motivations and come to an agreement with them (if they are old enough) or try weaning so they are less and less reliant. I don’t think there is one thing that works for everyone.

Start by allowing it for bed time only. During teething is not ideal (I found that out) Sometimes you have to resort to using “white lies”. One couple I know told their toddler that the baby bunnies needed it (at Easter time). You could say that only babies have dummies. If it gets a hole in it tell the child it is broken and has to go in the bin. Your toddler may even put it in the bin. I know of a Mum who got rid of the bottle completely that way when the child was 2 – 3 y.o. You will probably have a few nights of disrupted sleep regardless of what method you use. The dummy is a “comfort” for some toddlers as is the bottle. You could also have your toddler come in to you hoping to sleep with you too. Does your toddler have something in bed to cuddle? Some people don’t approve of that but many allow it.