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Behaviour/development

Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

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Original poster

Worrying about comfort blankets!!!!

31 replies

bradpittismyboyfriend · 08/10/2007 21:35

MY DS1 aged 4.4 loves his blankey who goes to bed with him every night. He cannot sleep without it and recently when we went on holiday and forgot it!!!! he couldn't sleep for the entire week. A friend of mine suggested I put it away on his fourth birthday but I didn't have the heart to do it. Any suggestions on how i could make blankey disappear without DS completely freaking out!

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

lomondgal · 08/10/2007 21:37

Will watch this with interest as I am in exactly the same situation! DD is 4 in Dec. comfortblankets.co.uk has a lot to answer for lol

ArmadilloDaMan · 08/10/2007 21:37

I wouldn't get rid of it unless absolutely necessary - unless there is a real problem with it he'll grow out of it when he is ready.

CountTo10 · 08/10/2007 21:39

I'd leave it until he's ready to do it in his own time to be honest. I don't believe there's any realy harm in them having one and when they feel able to rely on themselves without the blankie they will.

Toothyboy · 08/10/2007 21:41

D1 (4.5) has a blanket. He sleeps with it and goes straight to it if he's upset or tired in the day. I don't think it's a problem. Let him keep it - he'll grow out of it in his own time!

My mum is very fond of telling how she cut a small square of my comfort blanket and sewed it into my skirt pocket when I started school!

seeker · 08/10/2007 21:41

Why would you want to get rid of it? My dd is 11 and she is at this moment sound asleep cuddling her bear, and ds ditto with his blue silk scarf. They are a huge source of security and comfort - long may they reign, I say!

Toothyboy · 08/10/2007 21:42

ds1, that is!

BettyBatShapedSpaghetti · 08/10/2007 21:43

Yo could always leave it out for Father Christmas in return for some presents?

lomondgal · 08/10/2007 21:50

Aww that's sweet toothyboy! So no one thinks 4 is too old? She would be heartbroken if I got rid of it, she even gets upset when it is in the wash and takes it back wet.
The father christmas thing wouldn't work as she would just want it back once she opened the presents.

I have friends who don't think I should let her keep it which is probably why I think it is a problem.

Sorry don't mean to hijack this thread BPIMB! I was thinking of posting about it myself.

Posey · 08/10/2007 21:54

He'll freak out. Don't do it. There is absolutely no reason to get rid.

seeker · 08/10/2007 22:00

Why do they say 4's too old, lemondgal? As I said,tell that to my very sophisticated, mature 11 year old and her teddy! And my tough football playing ds and his Loshie!

ArmadilloDaMan · 08/10/2007 22:01

There are positives to comfort blankets.

Children who sleep with them tend to be better settling in new places (ime), because they have something familiar.

Comfort items can also make children more confident according to Dr Tanya.

ArmadilloDaMan · 08/10/2007 22:02

that shoudl be settling to sleep in new places.

MaryBleedinShelley · 08/10/2007 22:02

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

HalfMumHalfBiscuit · 08/10/2007 22:03

So funny. Was just wondering if DS aged 14months was getting too attached to his taggy blanket. He loves it and goes to bed with it every night. From the comments here I think i'll let him keep it for a few years yet.

Bubble99 · 08/10/2007 22:07

bpimb. You need to come up with some 'blankey has gone on a blankey holiday with his blankey friends' type stories.

DS3 (2.5) has blankey, bunty and wabbit. I think it's lovely.

lomondgal · 08/10/2007 22:14

Seeker don't know why, I think they just see it as babyish to be honest. She does settle no problem with it (even when on holiday) but if we don't have it with us she can get moody/upset if she's tired.

Lilliput · 08/10/2007 22:16

What's the big deal, why shouldn't he have his blanket at the age of 4? Taking it away would in my opinion be a bit cruel, what harm is it doing?

JossStick · 08/10/2007 22:16

Why Oh Why Oh Why would you want to get rid of it!

DS1 still takes three teddies to bed.
DS2 has a teddy he can't be without under any circumstances - he's even one of the family with rellies saying hi to him every time DS visits with him.
My DSs are 6 and 4.

I took my teddy to Uni and so did DH. My Sis had a blankie as a child she still has now - and believe me she has a very responsible job.

Chill about it all. Find the Santa thing a bit strange - don't you think it would make Santa seem a bit evil tbh?

P.S. Sod friends and other peoples opinions (obviously that includes mine) - just do what you feel happy with.

seeker · 08/10/2007 22:18

I am already established as one of the oldest mumsnetters. My bear now lives in retirement with my mother and I have a cuddle every Monday when I visit him -(and my mother of course)

leo1978 · 08/10/2007 22:31

Nooooooo - don;t make it disappear! I loved my blankey soooooo much. I wouldn't let my mum wash it as it had a special smell. I eventually got rid when I was about 11! I still find the smell sometimes on my duvet and lay there smelling it.

Have I revealed too much?

dolally · 08/10/2007 22:34

no, 4 far too young. Let him grow out of it naturally, which he will around 7 or 8 (or maybe 27 or 28)

ThePhantomToiletFlusher · 08/10/2007 22:35

Why do you want to get rid? Is he dragging it everywhere or is it only for bed time?

My boy is nearly 7 and still loves his "cow". I don't care how long he wants/needs it for, if it makes him happy then that suits me .

One thing..he is only allowed it at bed time now he's a bit older.

MrsCellarfullofbones · 08/10/2007 22:40

Phantom - I love your name! Can you come and do mine please - DS hardly ever does!!

OK, down to business - my DS gradually gave up his when 5 - but only because he was naturally getting less and less needing of it. I wasn't bothered (was a bedtime comfort only).

HonoriaGlossop · 08/10/2007 23:15

I agree it's one of those things the child should take the lead on. They'll get rid of it when they're ready. And that's as it should be. No point in choosing some random time to get rid of it. Why would you?

SoMuchToBats · 08/10/2007 23:24

4 is much too young to get rid of a comfort item! my ds (aged 6) still has his "snuzzle socks" (although obviously doesn't take them to school).

He also cuddles his favourite teddy in bed every night.

And I still have my teddy, and I'm 45!

But seriously, I had a chat with ds recently about his snuzzle socks. I said "Are you embarassed if your friends from school findout about them?" He said "Well, most of them don't know , but my real friends wouldn't laugh at me anyway". I think that just shows he is mature, snuzzle socks or no!

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