comforters - some advice/experiences please

[noolia]

This is all terribly pfb ish I'm afraid, but I have some questions about comforters.

DD is 1 and has very much relied on bf for comfort till, but she only has a bf before bed now and we are trying to get her to bed earlier. For the last two nights she has fallen asleep holding a blankie thing - normally she just chucks stuff out of her cot. But she seemed to enjoy twiddling the ears on the blankie (makes a change from my nipples).

So, is this a sign that this may become her 'thing'. I have no idea where it came from - was a (cheap) pressie. Can't find it on the internet and so I'm wondering if this is the only thing she loves what will happen if it falls apart / gets lost?

Should I go and buy 2 similar blankies so that she can get attatched to one and I have a spare?
See, I said it was pfb ish !

No it's a really good idea. If she gets attached to an item, it pays to have a spare (or two) for when one's in the wash or left behind somewhere or you can't find it and it's bedtime.

I'd definately try and buy a replacement (or two) if possible, I've five children (my youngest d3 is only 4 months) and they've all had a 'blankie' for a comforter, chosen by themselves. How about taking a photo of the blankie and putting it on your profile for other mumsnetters to see, we might be able to find a spare for you?

DS1 still has his 'ellie' and we've been through several of them in the last 3 years!! he chews them in his sleep lol
Ds2 now has a 'ghost' and we've got two already in preperation!
it pays to have two even just so you can wash one while they are in bed.
Dont keep one as a spare though, use both in rotation! otherwise one will get worn and tatty and if lost the child will not like the one that still looks brand new as much!!

I agree, if DD had become attached to anything I'd have bought the entire supply. Unfortunately she never did which has meant shes not great at self settling. One thing I've heard is that it's a good idea to keep it cleanish so that a) you don't have a manky blanky and b) you can keep swapping it for one of the others.

Great idea to have a spare or two!!

Having gone through a few difficult nights when dc1 lost their favourite comforter, made sure that dc2 has several "bunnies".
Makes it easier when it comes to washing them as well!!

my dd aged 2.5 has a muslin that she holds when she is sucking her thumb. i have 12 of them! she gets a clean one everyday at bedtime.

Yes we had 3 though have now lost one, wish we hadn't as even with 2 it is quite hard to keep them both clean when he has one in bed and takes one to nursery.
It's definitely a good idea to wash them often, it also means that DCs are used to them smelling of laundry rather than manky, and won't get upset when you do wash them.

If your little one likes ears, I'd get her a Sleepytot Comforter because you can put other things on it like a teether or dummy and they have lovely satin ears. Definitely worth getting two of whatever you get. And make sure it's machine washable!