4yo sucks duvet to sleep

[Krpr]

Hi,
My 4yo used comforter blanket as a baby to get to sleep and when he was upset he started to seek these out. Around age 2 we made them a bedtime only item and weaned him off entirely a few months later. However after 6 months of no comfort blanket, he discovered, rather proudly, that he could just suck his duvet. Help. Thought he might grow out of it but he still rams it into his mouth every night, is very resistant to me talking him out of it. He's not stressed out or anything when he goes for it, just tired. Sometimes he will try chew a blanket if we have one out for keeping cosy in winter, but he knows he's not supposed to so he tries to be sly. Again, not stressed, usually just when he has a bit of screen time. I can handle the day time part easily but I'm at a loss as to what I do about his chewing the covers at night....

I have absolutely no advice, but here because my just 5 year old does pretty much the same thing, apart from his nighttime choice can be anything from his blanket to a teddy (he was so desperate once because of our efforts to remove items for him to suck that he took off his pants and used them….!).
I am just hoping it’s something he will grow out of. Ultimately, I sicked my thumb for years & still do occasionally in my 30’s so hope is low 😣

Sounds like he's sensory seeking and it's helping him Calm down. Maybe give him back something he can suck at night? He's only 4. He won't be still sucking the duvet at 34.

I'd have thought he'll just outgrow it.

My daughter is a thumb sucker and I don't try and discourage her (granted, she's younger than 4). Is there any reason in particular you want him to stop sooner rather than later?

Not sure I see the problem. Id have thought it's something that they'd grow out of by themselves. We've currently got one trying to drop the thumb sucking after seeing the dentist.
In terms of easy washing though, something like a flannel night be better.

Why do you feel a need to stop this?

He'll grow out of it in time. I agree provide something washable.

He's self soothing. It's a great skill to have. It will evolve over time. He won't suck the duvet as an adult. Well done on raising a child who is developing his own safe self soothing.

Just worried about his teeth! He's pways been a great self soother but I know comfort blankets etc aren't great for your teeth. He wouldn't let the dentist even have a peek when we went but IAM concerned they're getting a little out of shape. Yeah my boy is 100% the type to end up using his pants instead, so I guess I'll ride it out 🤣

Talk to your dentist about the impact of the fabric on teeth. I am not aware of this aspect - is there some research about fabric and teeth?

One thing to bear in mind is whether all the attention you're giving this is reducing or entrenching the behaviour.

I don't know why you weaned him off his comfort blanket? What was wrong with that? It's really common and normal for children, even up to early teens to have a comfort item (cuddly toy, blanket, hankie). Your dc had basically just replaced that with something else.

I'm pretty sure the issue for teeth is more dummies and thumbs because of the pressure they put on the teeth. Don't think fabric does the same.