Should My Baby to Use a Comforter to Sleep?

Article By
Anna
Published On
04 Aug, 2020
Read Time
3 minutes

Most babies and toddlers like to haveĀ something soft and comforting, such as a blanket or toy to help them feel secure as they fall asleep.

WhileĀ youĀ may be embarrassed by their tatty condition or fear what will happen if they get lost, is there any problem with your child using a comfortĀ item?

What is a comfort item?

ComfortĀ items, also known as comfortĀ objectsĀ can be very useful in helping little ones settle and go from waking to sleeping. They can also help babies and toddlers feel more secure whenĀ they'reĀ away from mum and dad.Ā That'sĀ why they're known as transitional objects. They help your child transition from one state to another (e.g. waking to sleeping) and provide feelings of comfort and security whenĀ a baby or toddler isĀ away from familiar people and surroundings.

Because these comforters help your child feel safe,Ā calmĀ and happy, you shouldn't discourage them, no matter how worn and grubby they look. They areĀ actually aĀ sign that your child is developing skills to help them cope with their independence.

When doĀ babies choose a comforter?

Most babies and toddlers will choose their own comfortĀ itemĀ at around 6 months old. They tend to choose something with a soft texture and a familiar smell, such as a favourite toy,Ā comfortĀ blanket or piece of clothing. If your childĀ doesn'tĀ choose something themselves, there's no need to encourage it, but a comfort object may be worth a try if they don't sleep well.

Although babies and toddlers choose their comfortĀ itemĀ early, you may notice that they need it more aged between 18 months and 2Ā Ā½Ā years old.

Choosing a safe comfort object

WhileĀ it'sĀ fine for your little one to use aĀ baby comfort blanket or toyĀ to help them sleep, it's important that it's safe for them to do so.

You should never leaveĀ your babyĀ unattended with anything that has a cord or ribbon attached to it, or any toy with parts that may come off when sucked and chewed (e.gĀ teddy's nose or eyes).

It'sĀ also a good idea to remove theĀ comfort itemĀ fromĀ baby's sleeping area, cot or bedĀ once your baby is asleep.

Is it okay to use a soother to help comfort baby at night?

Whether you call it a soother, dummy, pacifier,Ā comforterĀ or binky, you won't be the first parents to use this comforting item to calm and settle your little one at night.

Sucking is a natural reflex, which babies use to feed and comfort themselves.Ā They may even start sucking their thumb in the womb. While soothers are not an automatic substitute for cuddles, comfort and feeding when your baby is hungry, they are fine for helping them to settle and calm.

If your baby is comforted by sucking, then offering a soother at bedtime can be another tactic to add to cuddling, rocking, singing lullabies and all the other things you do to try and get some sleep.

There are some studies that show that using a soother while your baby sleeps can mean a reduced risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). It's not clear exactly why this is the case and there's no need to give your baby aĀ sootherĀ to prevent cot death, but it may make you feel a little less guilty if you choose to.

A soother at bedtime may also encourage your baby to soothe themselves back to sleep. But equally you may find yourself being summoned when they lose it.

Safety tips when using soothers

  1. Check your soother regularly and throw away at the first sign of wear
  2. Don't dip soothers in anything sweet, including juice
  3. Keep soothers as clean as possible - sterilise them just as you would a bottle teat
  4. Choose BPA free soothers designed for your child's age

Do soothers damage baby's teeth?

Many parents worry about the effect that soothers can have on little one's developing teeth and mouth. Look for dentist approved soothers which are shaped to suit your baby's mouth.

Won'tĀ my baby become too attached to a comfort item or soother?

Parents sometimes worry that their child will becomeĀ so attached to a comforter that they become inconsolable without it. Losing that precious toy orĀ blankyĀ can then become a real source of stress.

If your little one is particularly attached to a comfortĀ item,Ā it'sĀ a good idea to have another one in reserve. Or, ifĀ they'reĀ attached to something larger, like aĀ comfortĀ blanket, you may find you can cut it into smaller pieces to have some spares. Remember to alternate them so each comforter is equally worn and picks up the same kind of smells.

Most children will gradually wean themselves off their comfort object, with it gradually becoming less important as they develop their independence. But you may still find the odd much-lovedĀ blankyĀ in University halls of residence.