Toddler comfort items

[FeckOffCupofBatBlood]

My 2.10 year old DD has never had a comfort item such as a dummy, blanket or special cuddly, this was her choice, I tried her with the first two neither of which she was bothered about and she has loads of toys which she has favoured equally until recently. Within the last few days she has shown a definite preference for one teddy, holding it constantly, taking to bed, wanting to take it out of the house etc. It's not a problem as far as I'm concerned, in fact I'm glad she has something that will bring comfort when she's ill or in an unfamiliar place, I'm just a bit surprised it has started now. All her little friends seem to have had their blanket/cuddly since birth, has anyone else's toddler chosen their own one when they have been old enough?

My friends little girl has recently shown preference for a little dog toy I bought her before she was born and had never really paid attention to before! She now has to take it everywhere to bed, out in car - her constant companion really!
I think this must just be a stage they go through - she's a very similar age to your daughter, only a couple of months difference.

Ds was completely uninterested. He's 2.5 now and about 3 months ago starting developing an interest in comfort items. He experimented for a bit (there was the period with the toy plane, and another period when he would not sleep without his ball?!) but he's settled down with three soft toys he alternates now when we go out and that he must have at night. I find it a relief as it is great to see him getting comfort from something besides me!

Mine (2.5) has always had 1. She won't sleep without it...as well as a dummy. I would say he's picked up on what his peers are doing at that age. When my DD started showing strong attachments I did a bit of research. Turns out it occurs usually from around 10 months as part of the whole becoming independent but still needing the comfort and security of a familiar object. Made sense to me. Totally harmless....but can be a nightmare if I forget it at nap times!

DD is 17 months and rejected everything until my parents bought her a stuffed hippo and it was love at first sight. I have no idea what it is about him but he has to be in bed with her, whereas hitherto she wouldn't have anything in her cot. So far we're getting away with restricting him to bedtime which is just as well because he came from Prague and I don't think I can get a spare easily!