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Original poster

3 year old suddenly attached to soft toy

12 replies

Galaxygirl93 · 02/08/2021 08:45

Hi

I am posting this in chat to get opinions from parents with children over my toddlers age who have gone through this :-)

My 3 and a half year old has suddenly developed an attachment to a soft toy, he has never been attached to a soft toy before, although does go through phases of being attached to certain toys, playing with them all day every day, then just not.

Only, it is different this Time as it is a soft toy he insists on it going to nursery with him and going to sleep with it. We have already let him once, therefore it has become normal for a few days.

I suppose there is no problem with soft toys, lots of children have them, but I don't want him to become suddenly dependant on it, ie can't go to sleep or nursery without it.

Has anyone else's child done this, and if so what was the right approach for you? Ie nip it in the bud early (he has took it to nursery x2 times) or let it run its course naturally and eventually your child stopped carrying it everywhere?

Thank you

OP posts:
Clawdy · 02/08/2021 08:57

I would let him have the toy whenever he needs it, but I'd try and buy another identical one to put away, in case he loses the first one.

startrek90 · 02/08/2021 08:58

My son did this too. He still has his favourite teddies at nearly 5. Honestly I think you should leave him be. My boy hasn't struggled with sleep or anything. It helped my son feel more secure and having an object that could transition from home to kindergarten and make really helped him handle transition ls better and helped him feel more secure.

If you try and force him to give up the teddy then you risk making him feel more insecure and making stuff worse. I think it's best if you just ignore it and allow it to shake itself out.

My nearly 5 year old just has his teddies on his bed, sometimes he brings it with him if he's feeling particularly anxious but most of the time he leaves it at home.

3 is still very little so don't worry too much. My 7 year old still has his special teddy that lives on his bed, he's not unusual at all and neither is your son.

Original poster
Galaxygirl93 · 02/08/2021 09:07

I will find a spare today! Thank god for amazon prime
Luckily it's a fairly generic winnie the pooh although it is an old toy from when I was little, so not too sure I will find an exact replacement! I will try my best :-)

OP posts:

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

3 year olds Behaviour & development Families
ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 02/08/2021 09:28

My ds 27 still has his ‘doggy’ on his bookcase.

Dd15 still has her rabbits

Original poster
Galaxygirl93 · 02/08/2021 16:52

OK thanks all for your experiences.

All the googling seems to point to something more sinister going on as to why he's suddenly attached to it ie scared of going to nursery or a big change, none of which to my knowledge are applicable, so I'm hoping it's just a phase :-)

OP posts:
FavouriteMug · 02/08/2021 16:54

I always thought that this was a very normal and positive developmental milestone- at the very least absolutely nothing to worry about - def get several replacements though x

Original poster
Galaxygirl93 · 02/08/2021 16:57

Replacement on its way tomorrow, thank god for amazon prime :-)

I feel a bit silly now for over emphasising but he is my only so no one else to compare to, all friends/family have no experiences of this and I am an over analyser myself so worry needlessly

OP posts:
HalloHello · 02/08/2021 17:20

No one else you know has had a child attached to a certain toy?? That's crazy.

My 3 year old has a selection of soft toys and dolls that she is very attached too. Changes weekly which one is the favourite that she'll take everywhere. Never had anything (except my boobs 🤣) before 2.

Grace58 · 02/08/2021 17:28

Around the same age my DD became quite attached to a few of her cuddly toys, I think it’s a fairly standard thing. I’d suggest you stop it going to nursery though in case it gets lost, I let special toys come in the car but never out and about!

mathanxiety · 02/08/2021 17:32

Buy several of the exact same toy.

Having a lovey is perfectly normal and does zero harm.

I am wondering why you are so anxious about this?

JaffaRaf · 02/08/2021 17:33

Totally normal, I let both mine be as attached to their teddy as they want at home, but it doesn’t go to nursery or out and about (too afraid to loose them!). DS still sleeps with his teddy and he’s almost 7, he never really leaves the bedroom now though.

ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 02/08/2021 17:46

Just be wary of them finding the replacements…

Dd discovered hers. On top of the 2 she was attached to, we then had to keep control of the 4 extra ones.

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