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Parenting

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Original poster

Comfort blanket - good or bad?

31 replies

Sanguine · 05/05/2008 16:13

DS, 5 MO is showing signs of becoming a comfort blanket kind of a chap. He's particularly fond of a crocheted blanket with holes he can stick his fingers through (we don't give him this at night btw, only when he's being supervised). He likes to grab hold of a piece of fabric (my t shirt if necessary) and rub it against his cheek to help him get off to sleep. It's really cute to watch The question is, is it a good thing he's got something that makes him feel relaxed and sleepy, or will it become a headache when he's older/the blanket has to go in the wash/the blanket gets lost/we want to go somewhere and we don't want to trail a grubby and holey blanket with us?

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somersetmum · 05/05/2008 16:18

Good thing, definitely - esp if it stops thumb sucking or dummy use.
You are right, though, about the blanket in the wash or blanket lost scenario dd got quite attached to muslin squares, which was great as we had loads of them, so the situation never arose.

cyanarasamba · 05/05/2008 16:19

DS has a muslin at night/in the car or buggy/if upset. I replace it with a clean one every day or so when it looks grubby.

Solves the problem of only having a unique comforter anyway. Not sure what will happen when he's older though.

I remember reading somewhere that it's good for a baby's mental health to have a way of comforting themselves, and we've certainly found it very useful.

Louise2004 · 05/05/2008 16:20

I had a comfort blanket that simply turned into using the duvet cover instead when my mum "lost" my blanket (in order to get me off it she says, but I think she just didn't want to take it around with us all the time!). I then came off the duvet when I was about 10.

It's probably better than thumb sucking, which isn't too good for teeth development, so I wouldn't worry too much. And it does look soooo cute when they're little!

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LuckySalem · 05/05/2008 16:21

My DD has a winnie the pooh and she loves it, really calms her down so I don't see any problems with them.

MamaG · 05/05/2008 16:23

DS likes to put his fingers through a cotton cellular blanket to get to sleep - any cotton cellular blanket will do. He's 4 and showing no signs of letting go - I don't mind though, it is only for bed

CapricaSix · 05/05/2008 18:54

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

LuckySalem · 05/05/2008 18:56

I used to have a stuffed duck in my bed called dream duck which as long as I was holding him kept away the nightmares, I didn't give him up till I was about 14 but it was all for bedtime so I don't cringe too bad nowadays.

Still have him too, he's been re-patched a few times. lol

scottishmummy · 05/05/2008 19:04

awww wholly positive, bonding with a familiar inanimate object. think about is blokes and cars ladies and - not so different

NaughtyNigella · 05/05/2008 19:06

no no no no no.
burn the thing he likes most.
otherwise before you know it he'll be 10 and unable to go to sleep without it and it will be all grimey and bedraggled and fraying.
it may be cute when he's 5 months but i have learned from foolish experience.

Divvy · 05/05/2008 19:06

I still have mine!

NaughtyNigella · 05/05/2008 19:08

see - if i was that harsh with my own DDs i wouldn't have any issues with them. they'd be clean and good and nice all the time,
but i'm not because i am their mum.

BroccoliSpears · 05/05/2008 19:12

I find my daughter's comfort blanket is really useful. It calms her even when I can't, and it's perfect for getting her to sleep (even when in unfamiliar surroundings, blanket makes sleep possible).

Am lucky though that dd's blanket is a bog standard mothercare cellular. We have about 6 and she has a clean one every night (and knows that there are lots of them).

DANCESwithLordPottingtonSmythe · 05/05/2008 19:12

Personally I really don't like them. DD has a favourite soft toy (rather than blanket) but it has to stay in her bedroom not be trailed around everywhere. He is allowed downstairs when she's poorly though

moominsmummy · 05/05/2008 19:12

ooo yes let him have one - we got DS a piece of fleecy blanket and wash it regularly - he particularly likes it when freshly washed - we also cunningly cut out 3 smaller squares of the blanket which are stashed in changing bag/car for emergencies and so have a plentiful supply

adults carry around photos of those they love - children carry around items whose smell or touch reminds them of home and those they love.

you can gradually start getting them to leave comfort blanket in their bed as they get older

SniffyHock · 05/05/2008 19:21

Another vole for muslins - mine both like them for sleep time but I never let them take them out and about. I have a huge stock so they are always clean.
I also tested breathing with one on your head and it's fine!!

DS's fave has a hole in it which it sounds like your DS would like!

Dottydot · 05/05/2008 19:23

ds2 (4) has his yellow blanket, which is a fleece blanket and shows no signs of growing out of having it to sleep with him. I love it - allows me to think he's still a baby . When he's tired he brings it downstairs and lies on the settee with it - so cute.

He also loves my "soft top" - a very soft pyjama top I've got - bless....!

ladytophamhatt · 05/05/2008 19:32

all 4 of my Dsses have a blanket, with Ds4 I made sure he didn't get attached to any particular one by buying loads of them

I had mine until I was about 25 and 6 months PG with Ds1. My stupid bloody PG hormones took over and I stupidly chucked it away, thinking I was over it!!!!
I feel ill at the thought of it being in a landfill site somewhere

readytoswiggin · 05/05/2008 19:38

My ds has satin ones
When he wqas younger he would spread them over his face satin side down

he has about half a dozen, there are a couple of special faves {he picks the fabric at the shop} but he is used to them having to be in the washing machine, which is the key i think.

Dd1 has a Po, hopefully easily replaced if ever necessary.

Dd2 has got no further than a boob!

Julezboo · 05/05/2008 22:01

Both mine have "blankeys" DS1 like to wrap it round his head to make him have long hair to go to sleep, its a blanket with holes in and satin edges...

DS2 has a taggie and a satin type bubbly blanket which he puts to his cheek to go to sleep...

I still have mine its still on my bed underneat the sheet but its only because it makes the bed nice a comfy

jingleyjen · 05/05/2008 22:03

DS's have always had a mussie Muslin cloth, they have a clean one each day. DS1 (4) only has one in bed now, DS2 has one downstairs during the day but mostly wants it if he is sad about somehting.

SlartyBartFast · 05/05/2008 22:05

ds has one, it is a RAG
i dont mind,
he doesnt mind,
only for when he is really tired, bless...
he is 13 btw

DisplacementActivity · 05/05/2008 22:44

Message withdrawn

SlartyBartFast · 05/05/2008 22:46

i think they choose it themselves, although must admit did encourage it with dd3, who has lost interest now

seeker · 05/05/2008 22:51

Can't understand why it would be anything but a good thing. My dd (12) has just come home from a school trip - her bear and her monkey went too. Ds is happily asleep with his dinosaur and his silk scarf- it makes them feel secure and happy - what's not to like?

DisplacementActivity · 05/05/2008 22:57

Message withdrawn

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