My son was pacifier junky, up until we took it away at 2 1/2 years old. At about 4 months, he would wake up in the middle of the night crying and so I gave him pacifier. But then he spat it out and would cry again. I got up so many times at night I went crazy. I was grumpy, I was miserable. I was fighting the idea of co-sleeping at the time because everyone my husband and I have ever mentioned it gave the impression that it was the worst thing in the world to do. But finally, to save my sanity, we gave in and co-slept. It solved so many problems! If my son wanted the pacifier, I put it in his mouth and I went back to sleep - no getting up whatsoever for me!  

Now I know co-sleeping is not the answer for everyone.  But that said, I couldn't take the pacifier away from my son. I witheld it one day during the day and it was a whole day full of non-stop crying. 

I think there is nothing wrong with trying to take away the pacifier and see how your son responds. If it doesn't end well, be open to give it back to him and let him wean at his own time.  It may be better to take away the pacifier when it's only used at bedtime.

Enjoy your baby. Babies are so small for so short.

We had the same problem with our son about the same age, waking up throughout the night and wanting his dummy, particularly around 4 am. We went cold turkey, and it only took one morning of crying. However we gave it back to him not long after because we had to take a plane overseas and we wanted to keep it calm. He still gets his dummy for his sleeps but he knows now how to find it plus it is attached to his sleeper.

With a 5 month old the only way to do it would be cold turkey. Good luck....I hope it works for you.

Amanda xxx

We were cruel with our girls in this area.  We just took it away and never gave it back.  They screamed and carried on for a week or so, but no more dummy hunts!  Yippeee! lol.

Unfortunately, they also gave up bottles and afternoon sleeps.

 Hello, all the advice i have on my way of removing of the purcifier i have put into this advice page. linked here http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/8661/The-Way-I-Got-Rid-Of-My-Sons-Purcifier-My-Little-Story/

I was pretty lucky when i removed my sons. Some people take years to get rid of it.

Hope these tips work for you.