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Should I wean her off the comforter?

23 replies

Caldey11 · 11/07/2021 22:33

My baby is nearly 8 months old and has largely been a good sleeper. When she was about 5 months old we introduced a comforter to her to help her settle from being awake in her cot at night. Once asleep it was removed and for a fair while if she woke in the night it wasn't automatically given back to her but since she moved into her own room I have been relying on it more when she wakes in the night. She no longer needs night feeds, just something to help her settle between sleep cycles, sometimes she will only be up once, sometimes it can be 5 times, I don't know why every night is different.

Anyway, as a result of giving het the comforter more she has come to rely on it to get her back to sleep and I am often awake a long time waiting for her to be deeply asleep before I can remove it without waking her up. I know it is unsafe to leave anything in the cot until she is 12 months old so am now stuck, not sure whether to wean her off it (which does seem like a shame because she likes it and it does help her) or wait a few more months until she can keep it in the cot (or is it still risky?) I can't seem to find any advice about this as all I've read says introducing a comforter is a good thing. Advice much appreciated.

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dementedpixie · 11/07/2021 22:36

What is the comforter? I'd probably just leave it with her if it's not too large

Hodgeheg92 · 11/07/2021 22:37

I would leave the comforter at that age, she's not tiny anymore and if all other sleep advice is followed then I would think there is almost zero risk from the comforter alone (assuming it is small!)

Hotcuppatea · 11/07/2021 22:38

What is it exactly? A bit of cloth or a soft toy? If so, why do you think you need to remove it? The whole point is that it's a transition object which she can use to soothe herself back to sleep without you.

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Caldey11 · 11/07/2021 22:38

The comforter is a rabbit with a blanket square attached

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 11/07/2021 22:39

Sounds OK to leave with her

Hotcuppatea · 11/07/2021 22:39

Leave it in there. And while you can, go online and order a few more so that when she inevitably loses it in the future, you have some spares.

Caldey11 · 11/07/2021 22:39

I have read in several places that nothing should be left in the cot overnight until the baby is 12 months, to follow SIDS advice. If using a comforter it says to remove it when they are asleep.

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Orangeinmybluelightcup · 11/07/2021 22:42

Ah cute my Dd also had a comforter like this, with a rabbit. To be honest it didn't even occur to me to take it off of her! I struggle to see what might happen, worst case, when they can roll, possibly crawl etc.

Michellexxx · 11/07/2021 22:43

Leave it with her. Both of mine had theirs from 6m.

dementedpixie · 11/07/2021 22:43

I'd maybe not leave a big blanket or a big soft toy but a small item should be OK especially as she's 8 months old

Ajahd · 11/07/2021 22:47

I absolutely get where you are coming from. I introduced a comforter for nap times a few months back. Then he started needing it at night time, and then he started needing it at night!

My son is 9.5 months and this past week I've left his comforter in with him over night. I move it to the other side of the cot when I go to bed and that seems to do the job as if he really needs it, he can get it.

Since birth, he's woke up crying every single morning and nap time without fail. This past week with his comforter he hasn't cried which is so lovely.

I am however terrified of it being in there with him. If he's extremely tired, he likes to fall asleep on his back and pulls the comforter over his face which just terrifies me. He's only done this while falling asleep though and I move it away from his face ASAP. Normally to be met by eyes wide open, staring me down!!

Cloudninenine · 12/07/2021 07:10

Unless it’s huge it will be fine to leave it in the cot. It won’t be a suffocation risk if it’s just a small square.

helpmum2003 · 12/07/2021 07:15

One of mine had a comforter like that from birth, we never removed it. It never occurred to me.
I can't see a risk at 8 months, they're old enough to move it away.

orangejuicer · 12/07/2021 07:17

Sorry OP but I would (and did) follow the guidance.

Lockdownbear · 12/07/2021 07:24

If it works don't change it.
Mines 10 and the comforter is still a thing (been replaced twice). He is purely for bed these days.
But in the past it was small enough to put in nursery bag and it's been stuffed in the front of jackets with nose poking out on climbing frames and stuff. Also fitted in my pockets as required.

Much easier to deal with than a bigger teddy out and about.

Aria2015 · 12/07/2021 07:45

I don't think you should wean her off it. My eldest has one and it's been a god send for settling him when he's upset, anxious about starting nursery etc... he still sleeps with it now and he's 6! I started leaving in the crib overnight from around 7 months as it's not big and I felt comfortable with it. My youngest has one too but she's not as attached (yet!?) but I leave it in with her and she's 9 months. It's a personal choice about whether or not to let your baby have it in the crib, but I personally would let her keep it, even if you ride out your current method of removing it when she's asleep because I think in the long term she (and you!) will benefit from it, plus it brings her comfort which is so important. Also, if you haven't already, make sure you buy a second one in case the first one gets lost! Then a good plan is to rotate them so that they wear out evenly!

Terrazzo · 12/07/2021 07:50

Yeah she's old enough to roll over if necessary and it helps you all get more sleep by the sounds of it. Could use an apnea monitor if worried.

Vicky1989x · 12/07/2021 08:03

My DD has a comforter, well it’s actually a bib which one day I left in her cot by accident and she started snuggling with it so now it’s a comforter! But I was removing it at first as she was 8 months and still not rolling but once she learnt to roll I left it in with her.

As long as your DD can roll both ways and it’s not huge I don’t see the problem with leaving it in.

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 12/07/2021 08:04

Totally fine. My dd (10) still keeps her in her bed. She doesnt cuddle it/take it to friends fir sleepovers, but she likes that it's there

User5827372728 · 12/07/2021 08:33

My 4.5 and 2.5 year olds still still with their comforter, but if you feel it’s unsafe I wouldn’t use one.

T0rt0ise · 12/07/2021 09:51

My son's had a comforter since 5 months and it stays with him. I used to move it away to a corner of the cot but as soon as he could roll and move around I just left it with him and he still has it now (and loves it) at 15 months. It's a jellycat bat.

Caldey11 · 12/07/2021 10:07

Thanks for the advice everyone, she can roll both ways, I don't want to wean her off it really, I think I might just remove it a while longer until she is 9 or 10 months old and see how she is then. Good to know lots of you are also using comforters like this.

OP posts:
BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 12/07/2021 10:09

Just put it in the cot with her and go to sleep. Leave her have it. No need to wean her off it at all - dummy weaning is onlt suggested as it affects the teeth. Why remove a soft toy comforter?

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