What's the problem with props?

[fhdl34]

I've read a few threads on here either saying that people shouldn't use props to get their babies to sleep or that they want to get rid of them. I was wondering why and what constitutes a prop? DD is 21wks, has always breastfed to sleep but whilst we were on holiday last week I noticed she fell asleep twice using a muslin either to suck on or just hold. My DM commented that this would become a blankie if I wasn't careful and DH seemed a bit concerned too. I, OTOH, was pleased that she'd naturally found another way to get herself to sleep, particularly as it's now scorching hot and she really doesn't want to be cuddled up to me feeding, getting all hot and sweaty. I just was trying to feed her to sleep as she was tired but she didn't like it so popped her in her cot and gave her a muslin and she's gone off in less than 5 minutes. Is this really so bad? I actually thought it'd be better for her to cuddle a muslin than 1 particular toy because I have loads DD of muslins whereas a toy can be lost and possibly be hard to replace. So am I making some huge parenting error?

I think props such as muslins, cuddly toys and to a certain extent dummies are actually beneficial. They replace the need for a human prop. If your DD needed you to get back to sleep, eventually there will probably come a time where you are up and down all night every night just to get her back to sleep.

My godson used muslins as his prop, just out of chance, like your DD, and they worked really well (we called them 'Finks'). He used them well up until after starting school, but they don't cause the dental issues long term dummy use can cause and are quite 'normal' items so the child doesn't really outgrow them.

My DD (same age as yours) snuggles into he rcuddly mouse toy to get to sleep, and I tried to get her used to a Muslin instead, but she never took to it.

Seriously, don't worry. Babies like little comforts, a Muslin is portable and washable and as you say, you have a plentiful supply of them.

A muslin? Thats brilliant.

My DS has a dummy at nap time but not at bed time. He seemed to spit it out at bedtime.

But i am very aware that we'll have to go cold turkey at some stage .

Props are great as long as you are prepared for the battle of taking it away. However a muslin is a lot less offensive than the big old bad dummy!

Muslins are brilliant - we have a dozen of them so ds1 always has a lovely clean one and it doesn't matter if one or two are in the wash. I was always more than happy to let him carry it for his first few days at nursery and other new activities.
Anything else is a nightmare! I've just had to rush over to Mothercare at 7:30pm because ds3 had misplaced his bunny and was hysterical refusing to go to bed despite being desperately overtired. Ds2 is even worse because his prop is a French comforter that is out of production - it's not allowed to leave his bed!

If you try and keep them as a bedtime item only then they are a great prompt to help your baby wind down for a sleep - it's like a lightbulb moment for mine when I close the blinds and give them the comforter. I have no idea how other babies/toddlers go to sleep without them!

naturalbaby I have a french comforter which DD uses just as a toy, it says super doudou on in and is pastel in colours with a rabbit's head at the top. Friends bought it for us when she was born, I wonder if it's the same one.
She went to sleep with the muslin again today, I'm trying to get her to sleep at least once a day with it (I do still like to BF to sleep most of the time) but DH put her down for the first time in ages using it. I would never have thought to encourage it but I will if we have anymore!

No problem, my 11 and 14 yo still have their cuddly toys, I took my bear to Uni.
Where he was replaced with my equally furry DH.

The only thing I'd say is if they have a cuddly to sleep with it does not go out of in the pushchair.

Holidays and long car journeys, but not nursery, playgroup or out and about. They get grubby and or lost.

I don't see a problem at all.
We were encouraged to give our DC a small "prop" when they were in neo natal care.

They both still have them - they have offered comfort, reassurance and familiarity for both my DC when they have encountered new or stressful situations in and out of the home .

I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks they're bad, I wonder why some people seem to stress themselves out with getting rid of or avoiding them?

Ours is a bunny that says doudou on it. We managed to get a couple of spares that are like new but he won't have anything to do with them now, they're not the 'real' bunny!