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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask if your baby ever swallowed their comfort blankets

34 replies

amoobaa · 02/11/2021 21:23

I never had one myself... but a friend kept mentioning how it was a total game changer for getting her daughter settled at night time/ helping her self soothe.

Our son is only 8 months... so I had been avoiding putting anything, including a comfort blanket, in his cot... until just recently (I read that it’s ok from 6 months).

At first it just distracted him. But recently he’s liked it and used it to help
Him settle. So I put it in there until he was asleep then fished it out.

I’ve been a bit more relaxed the last few nights and left it in the cot with him.

We’ve been keeping a close eye and it’s a very thin lightweight one.

He usually rolls over on to him tummy (or side) to sleep, so I'm already a bit nervous about SIDS risk.

But he’s very strong, he can roll both ways and lift his head up well.

I’m a first time mum... and extra anxious as my sister died in her cot at 3 months old.

But back to the blanket. I noticed he likes these really thin, lightweight ones. As a young baby he used to suck on them if I let him. He would hold them, suck his thumb through them... so it would be all wrapped round his little thumb... One time I got a fright when I was pottering about (he was in his little bouncy/ reclined seat thing) and he started gagging and I realised he’d sucked the corner of the cloth right into his mouth - when I pulled it out I was shocked by how much I was pulling out. Like it was down his throat. I was so careful about it after that as it seemed like a choking hazard. He was so little that he couldn’t have pulled it out without help.

I’d never left him alone with them after that and had forgotten all about it.

However... fast forward to just now, he woke up crying (a cry I’ve never heard him do before, can only describe it as very sad and quiet, a tone I’ve not heard before)

I went in and he was on him tummy, I quickly realised his face was in a puddle of vomit. I scooped him up and he coughed a little, then as he leant against me he threw up again... it was like he emptied the entire contents of his stomach.

Whilst cleaning up and changing him... we noticed his comfort blanket... one corner was drenched in saliva. Just like when he sucked loads of it into his mouth when he was little.

Anyone experienced this?

I’m scared he’s sucking it down his throat and causing himself to be sick. It seems like a huge choking hazard to me.

I feel a bit shaken, thinking about what might have happened if he hadn’t vomited it up or pulled it out... if that IS what happened. He could have suffocated.

Obviously we’ve not put it back into the cot with him.

Just wondering if anyone else has experienced this? I googled and found nothing apart from suffocation risks from blankets over faces etc- not about actually sucking and swallowing part of the blanket.

Of course it could have been a million other things... too much food (he ate so much today, and a real variety), or a little bug etc... it’s just when I saw the corner of the blanket I realised it was exactly like the time I’d pulled it out of his mouth. He gets a good 10cm of cloth into his mouth.

We offered him fluids as he’d thrown up so much and he’s fast asleep again. But I’m wide awake and feeling shaken.

Anyone else have a baby who insisted on sucking their blanket to the point that it posed a choking risk?

OP posts:
Original poster
amoobaa · 07/11/2021 22:52

I should probably summarise...

Anyone have a baby who sucked in their comfort blanket, to the point that it was a choking hazard?

Is it totally normal? Or are we all alone here? Confused

OP posts:
JazzyBBG · 07/11/2021 22:54

No but weirdly my youngest has started doing this from around age 4 occasionally. Does sound worrying. Dummy?

FlowerTink · 07/11/2021 22:58

No experience with my DC with this, but I would give something like a dummy to help settle instead, as it takes away the worry for you.

Spottybluepyjamas · 07/11/2021 23:03

I think it'll be fine - especially at 8 months. However, it sounds like you're pretty anxious (not a dig, I can 100% empathise) so for your own peace of mind, and for you to be able to relax/have a good night's sleep) I would try to replace with something you're not going to stress over - maybe a dummy

Avarua · 07/11/2021 23:03

Anyone else have a baby who insisted on sucking their blanket to the point that it posed a choking risk

My DD as a baby! She would shove her blankr y in her mouth. We would just sneak in and remove it after she'd fallen asleep at night. It was a comfort thing.

I wouldn't worry. You do sound anxious. I understand your reasons but your son will be fine.

Original poster
amoobaa · 07/11/2021 23:06

Hmm... I’m going to bet mine probably won’t outgrow it then!

OP posts:
Original poster
amoobaa · 07/11/2021 23:07

Thank you Smile it’s hit and miss with the dummy, but I’ll keep trying Grin

OP posts:
Original poster
amoobaa · 07/11/2021 23:09

You are absolutely correct, I am feeling very anxious. I had no idea I’d be like this... I feel like I’ve become more anxious the older I’ve got. I used to be the complete opposite! Blush

OP posts:
Original poster
amoobaa · 07/11/2021 23:12

Thank you Smile I think that’s the best plan... I’ll keep sneaking in and removing it.

It’s like some kind of crystal maze challenge... trying to retrieve the comfort blanket without waking him, ha!!

And yes... I am totally anxious. I’m working on it. I know it’ll do nobody any good.

I think it’s because my sister died in her cot.

mat leave ending soonish and I’m just a bit emotional atm.

Thank you everyone Smile

OP posts:
Hollywolly1 · 07/11/2021 23:14

I think you are right to worry,a mother knows best and naybe try a soother

Wilkolampshade · 07/11/2021 23:15

DD2 did a similar thing (long time ago!) between about 9 months and 2/3 years... tbh we were quite grateful for her finding a way of self soothing as DD1 didn't give is a nights sleep till she was four....FOUR!!!!
It didn't worry me at the time...but I was probably a little more relaxed than yourself about the whole thing.
You must do what you're comfortable with though. Letting them settle with it then sneaking it away might be a reasonable compromise?

PippaPug · 07/11/2021 23:16

My eldest son has sucked a corner of his comforter since 4.5 months old (looking at photos!) and he used to fall asleep with it on his face if I let him!
He wouldn't stuff it into his mouth though - but it's a jellycat toy so the material may be thicker.

Maybe take it away for the time being and replace with a dummy? If he likes the sucking feeling

gah2teenagers · 07/11/2021 23:19

Can you try a teddy instead. Both mine loved a teddy to cuddle at that age.

Original poster
amoobaa · 07/11/2021 23:28

@Hollywolly1

I think you are right to worry,a mother knows best and naybe try a soother
Thank you, it’s so hard to trust my instincts sometimes (because I know I’m over anxious at the moment and don’t want that to create problems)

But it’s a good reminder to trust my gut.

OP posts:
Original poster
amoobaa · 07/11/2021 23:30

@Wilkolampshade

DD2 did a similar thing (long time ago!) between about 9 months and 2/3 years... tbh we were quite grateful for her finding a way of self soothing as DD1 didn't give is a nights sleep till she was four....FOUR!!!! It didn't worry me at the time...but I was probably a little more relaxed than yourself about the whole thing. You must do what you're comfortable with though. Letting them settle with it then sneaking it away might be a reasonable compromise?
Eek!! Four!! I salute you Grin it’s bloody tough isn’t it. Sleep deprivation is brutal.

Yes... definitely going to do the sneaky away thing.

OP posts:
Original poster
amoobaa · 07/11/2021 23:31

@PippaPug

My eldest son has sucked a corner of his comforter since 4.5 months old (looking at photos!) and he used to fall asleep with it on his face if I let him! He wouldn't stuff it into his mouth though - but it's a jellycat toy so the material may be thicker.

Maybe take it away for the time being and replace with a dummy? If he likes the sucking feeling

He isn’t too keen on the dummy... Perhaps thicker material is the way to go... thank you Smile
OP posts:
Original poster
amoobaa · 07/11/2021 23:32

@gah2teenagers

Can you try a teddy instead. Both mine loved a teddy to cuddle at that age.
Yes... excellent idea. I’ll try this tomorrow... thank you Smile
OP posts:
Magicmagician · 07/11/2021 23:33

My dd used to suck on the ears of a jelly cat bunny - so the comfort is there but a lot less material can go down their throat. Might something like that work?

Magicmagician · 07/11/2021 23:34

Ah I see I’m saying the same as pp - slow typing Grin

TerribleCustomerCervix · 07/11/2021 23:35

Might be worth persevering with the dummy.

There’s nothing that makes my toes shrivel more than when I accidentally brush my hand against a soft toy or blanket which one of my delightful children has thoughtfully chewed, and then it’s dried all crunchy Envy < not envy

Original poster
amoobaa · 07/11/2021 23:40

@Magicmagician

My dd used to suck on the ears of a jelly cat bunny - so the comfort is there but a lot less material can go down their throat. Might something like that work?
I think we might have been given that jelly cat bunny! Will try tempting him with it tomorrow. Might be perfect...
OP posts:
Theoneandonlyjrae · 07/11/2021 23:40

As a baby my son used the corner of his blanket to soothe himself and suck instead of a dummy, he never made himself sick from it though. He still has the same blanket now at 8 yrs old (he won't give it up) although he has stopped sucking it.

Dddccc · 07/11/2021 23:41

My ds had a knitted blanket he would do this with had it from 4 months till the blanket fairy replaced it with a Teddy he was 3 honestly he is 9 and still sleeps though the night 12 hour min the blanket was the only one he like though and it had holes in but his mouth was always stuffed

Original poster
amoobaa · 07/11/2021 23:43

@TerribleCustomerCervix

Might be worth persevering with the dummy.

There’s nothing that makes my toes shrivel more than when I accidentally brush my hand against a soft toy or blanket which one of my delightful children has thoughtfully chewed, and then it’s dried all crunchy Envy < not envy

Ha!! Yup. I’m starting to learn about everything being covered in saliva at all times. Earlier I was sitting on the sofa and suddenly realised my own shoulder was covered... when he’d managed to latch on whilst I was trying to settle him for a nap.

I do think I need to make sure he isn’t thirsty too... as he’s reluctant to drink water. I’ll keep offering water alongside his milk and solids... and various comfort items.

OP posts:
RandomRoulette · 07/11/2021 23:44

Yes. A friend's son did it and they noticed in time but the experience sounded very scary. Like you said, they were pulling what seemed like a lot of fabric out of his throat as he was choking on it. He was strong enough to pull it out but just seemed to have frozen apart from the choking.