Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Parenting

For free parenting resources please check out the Early Years Alliance's Family Corner.

Flip

1 2

Original poster

comfort teddy at 23 months

29 replies

lovelytimeforbiscuits · 09/08/2019 09:12

My DS is 23 months, and has been a good sleeper until recently, he usually goes down at 7pm and would drop straight off with no comforter .. the last couple of weeks he has been struggling to do that. So last night, I grabbed one of his favourite bunny teddys, and popped it in his cot with him, he took it straight off me snuggled it and said ' ahhhhh'and was asleep within 2 minutes. This morning when he woke at 7am, I got him up and he was clutching onto his Bunny. I don't want him to become dependent on it , so late on,.

Do you think this is ok ? Wonder why it has helped him settle? Do any of your DC's have comfort teddies/blankets?, I never ever had one!

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

OnlyFoolsnMothers · 09/08/2019 09:14

My LO has never needed or wanted a comforter but equally i would not bat an eyelid if she did. 23 months is very little, if he wants one at 15 maybe ask questions but absolutely fine imo.

Pineapplefish · 09/08/2019 09:15

My DD is 11 and still sleeps with hers! I can't see the problem OP if it soothes and comforts him?

PotolBabu · 09/08/2019 09:16

I have a pillow I have had since I was 4. I don’t understand what the problem with sleeping with a teddy is. How is it a bad thing??

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

1 year olds Babies & sleep Children's sleep Families

Bluebelltulip · 09/08/2019 09:17

I would try and encourage a mix of toys so that one doesn't become essential. It's nice for them to have something to cuddle.

TooMinty · 09/08/2019 09:18

Why don't you want him to have a comfort teddy? My DS is nearly 7 and sleeps with a panda, I think it's cute. Just buy another one the same if you're worried about losing it and him not sleeping. Or swap round which toy he cuddles each night so he doesn't have one favourite (although he might decide differently!)

RicStar · 09/08/2019 09:21

My ds started this at about the same age he is 5 now and still sleeps with teddy - he has other toys on holiday/ at granny's etc so it seems fine to me.

thinkingaboutthinking19 · 09/08/2019 09:22

I don't see the problem. If it gives him the comfort he needs to sleep then that can only be a good thing.

What I would say though is that we try as much as possible to make sure our daughter leaves her little bunnies in her cot so that she isn't relying on them for comfort during the day. Only nap and sleep times.

She occasionally takes them out of the cot to play with but when we go downstairs they go back in the cot and she is happy knowing where they are.

aquarianaura · 09/08/2019 09:25

I'm 23 YEARS and still have my teddy on my bed! It's such a non issue I don't understand why some people think it's a bad thing. At 23 months your baby just likes to cuddle, it feels nice, it feels safe. That can't possibly be bad.

I've just been through an incredibly difficult and traumatic situation and my teddy comforted me so I was able to deal with it better and be there for people who need me.

On the other hand, I know people whose comfort things were taken away from them and they still can't deal with hard situations and have trouble sleeping and are always looking for unhealthy external comfort cos they were given this weird complex about teddies and blankets 🤷🏻‍♀️

Heratnumber7 · 09/08/2019 09:27

I still have my childhood comfort teddy. I'm nearly 60. He sits in the bedside cabinet next to me. He has no eyes and very little hair, but I love him!

Heratnumber7 · 09/08/2019 09:28

Reading that back, that could also describe DH

Robs20 · 09/08/2019 09:31

I’m 29 and still have my teddy! He sleeps in my bed. We are away this weekend and DH asked last night where he is! The only issue with being attached to one particular toy is if you lose it. My teddy had a 6 month holiday at the dentist when I was 7...which was very upsetting!

ShutTheFridgeUp · 09/08/2019 09:36

My sister still sleeps with a comfort blanket and she's nearly 40!
I don't see an issue with tiny children having something to comfort them at any time.

Squashpocket · 09/08/2019 09:39

I think attachment to stuffed toys is supposed to be good for their emotional development, so perhaps you could see it as a good thing? It's nice that they have something to soothe them that has no downsides (unlike bottles or dummies which are bad for teeth in the long term). Embrace it I'd say.

Original poster

lovelytimeforbiscuits · 09/08/2019 10:30

I never said I didn't want him to have it, or that it was a bad thing, I just wanted to hear others perspectices really - thank you for the replies, It is very cute to see him with it

OP posts:

Original poster

lovelytimeforbiscuits · 09/08/2019 10:31

perspectives**

OP posts:

bakingcupcakes · 09/08/2019 10:39

My son started sleeping with his monkey when I started trying to leave him awake at bedtime rather than staying with him until he was asleep. He was about 3 I think. He's now nearly 5 and when I check on him before bed he usually has hold of his monkey. I think it's fine. I still have my childhood bear sitting on the table next to my bed.

georgialondon · 09/08/2019 10:43

From 18 months onwards is the average age for this to start so it's totally normal. If she gets comfort from it then why worry.

StarlingsInSummer · 09/08/2019 10:45

DS has a comfort teddy. Why on earth not?! DH and I both had when we were little. Either forbid it from being taken out of the house, ever, or buy some spares.

BertrandRussell · 09/08/2019 10:46

“don't want him to become dependent on it , so late on,. ”

Can you explain why- or is it just a feeling?

RowingMermaid · 09/08/2019 10:48

Ds2 is 13 years old and we have to squish his bedtime bear into his hand luggage as he goes on holiday with us every time.

He and his other male friends all shared their bed time buddies on a facetime chat. He is crazy smart, top of all sets and very independent but he loves that bear.

The only thing was he never took it out with him, sleeping only or cuddling inside as the idea of losing it is too heartbreaking. Hence hand luggage!

MrsEricBana · 09/08/2019 10:48

Eh? Of course let him sleep with the teddy. My kids who are much much older still have their special teddy in their bed each night (and I might too)

RowingMermaid · 09/08/2019 10:49

Meant to say, put your child to bed tonight without the toy, see how they go.

lorisparkle · 09/08/2019 10:51

We tried to encourage a comfort teddy but none of our ds would take one until ds2 got completely attached to 'doggy'. It went everywhere with him which was cute but scary and dh spent hours on eBay finding a 'spare' ( it had originally been ds1's so was nearly 4 years old!) He is now 11 and still loves 'doggy'!

I would buy a spare and enjoy the cuteness whilst it lasts!

Herocomplex · 09/08/2019 10:51

Children find a great deal of comfort from special toys, you might want to read about ‘transitional objects’ for the significance of them.
Some children use other methods of soothing themselves though. I’m glad he has got a thing he likes so much.

Simkin · 09/08/2019 10:56

I think, based on no expertise at all, that it's emotionally very helpful at this age. He's developing strategies to make himself feel OK without you cuddling him.

Flip

1 2