Security blanket and teddy

[funnyfarm]

My daughter (19 Months) has just in the last 3-4 days become very attached to her blanket and teddy out of her cot. She carries them around all day. I am not worried about this at all, i just find it very strange that this habit has just started to form now at this age. Has anyone else found this with their children?

Janet.

[onabreak]

My daughter is 14mths and for the last 5 months or so has a soft puppy dog that she loves to carry around and will not sleep unless she has him in her hand. She likes to hold on to his tail while she sucks her thumb and puts herself to sleep.

I find it very cute but I dred the day that something happens to her puppy, I am on the look out for another one just incase.

[rynosmum]

Hi Brianasmum,

Here we go again !!;)

Little Ry has just started the same thing since Christmas. He is carrying around a puppy and a little 'baby'. He has never shown any interest in toys like this before.

Tonight though, he had to take to bed the puppy, the baby, a car, a plastic golf club, a football and his 'Dora the Explorer' talking backpack.

I'm sure he's in there somewhere......:D

[Chickadee]

Yes, Chloe latched onto a few security things. Her teddy bear become a favorite at 12 months but didn't become a constant fixture until around 18 months or so. Bear slept with her, ate with her, went to the playground with her, everywhere. At times the list of security items grows to the point where it's hard to find her in the car seat under the bear, blanket, favorite toy, dummy in her mouth, cup, etc. But just this last few weeks (25 months) she's losing interest and we don't have to even take bear along when we go out now, Yay! So it does taper off eventually.

[Peaceangels]

I don't think there is any real pattern as to when they become attached to comforters.
DS1 chose his teddy (see top left) at around 5mths and he will not go to bed without her and cuddles or if he is tired or upset.
DS2 became attached to Zebby (top right) around 18mths and again it is only for bed.

Here is a little excerpt from Robin Barker's book "The Mighty Toddler":
It is common for many toddlers to have a special comforter which they take to bed and carry around with them. An object they can touch, feel and smell links them with their parents even when they are not present.

Not all toddlers use comforter's so it's not a sign that something's wrong if they don't have one. Nor is it a sign of lack of love and attention from you if they do.
Comforters are used in many different ways. They can be played with and slept with or dropped and forgotten and reclaimed when needed.
Why:
* As well as helping toddlers feel secure, security objects are a part of their lives they can control.

*Comforter's are a concrete way of helping toddlers reconcile their urge to be independant with their need for love and security - armed with their blanket or teddy they can face the world.

[funnyfarm]

Things have even stepped up a notch. Tonight she wanted her blanket in the bath with her. Had to distract her and hide it so she forgot about it. Took a bit of work though.

What next???????? I have visions of me bathing blankie every night with daughter. Lucky i have 3 blankies that i can alternate.