Teach your baby to self soothe with a comforter or lovey
Sleepypaws - the award winning baby comforter
Studies have found that babies and toddlers without a comforter are significantly less likely to sleep through the night than little ones who use a security object or lovey to self soothe.
When your child forms an attachment to a comforter (such as a blankie or soft toy) she’s able to use it to self soothe, which is essential if she is to learn how to sleep through the night without calling for you.
If you currently rock, cuddle or feed your baby to sleep, you are probably finding that you need to do that several times throughout the night to help your baby go back to sleep after she wakes.
Baby comforters work in the same way as rocking and feeding your baby because they aid her to sleep. The difference is that she can use the comforter independently, without calling for you. During times of stress, change or separation, your baby’s lovey will give her reassurance and comfort. Studies have also found that baby comforters play a major role in helping children to cope when anxious or concerned.
Researchers have proven that baby comforters can be as effective as mum in calming a moderately distressed baby.
A baby comforter will prove to be one of your best purchases if it provides reassurance for your baby and helps her to self soothe at night.
Choosing your baby’s comforter
I recommend choosing your baby’s comforter for her.
Choose an item that has been specially designed and manufactured for infants, and make sure it’s easy to replace. Buttons or loose ribbons stitched onto the toy could be a choking hazard for your baby so choose a comforter designed especially for babies.
Soft material is perfect for stroking but avoid toys with loose pile as your baby coudl breathe it in. Pale colours are also a good idea.
Babies are easily stimulated by bright colours and you want your baby to be soothed by her comforter, not ready to play! Also, make sure it’s machine washable. Your baby’s comforter will definitely get pretty grotty at times!
When should you introduce a baby comforter?
Before giving the comforter to your baby, keep it close to your skin for a few hours or overnight so that it smells of you. From infancy, you can pop the comforter in your baby’s basket or cot so that she can smell or see it nearby.
Make sure the comforter smells like you and just being able to smell and see the comforter will provide security for an infant.
But make sure it’s safely out of the way. The Sleepytot Baby Comforter can be attached to your baby’s cot in the early days and later given to your baby to sleep with when you know it’s safe.
hen your baby starts to form an attachment to her lovey (usually between 6 and 12 months) she will use it to self soothe at night. This is a key time in your baby’s life as she begins to understand you can go away and leave her and separation anxiety can set in. Baby comforters have been shown to make this time much easier for your baby (and you!).
When will your little one need a comforter?
Children seem to need their comforter most between about 1 and 3 years of age, before they have learned to feel safe when you’re not there. When your child is between 3 and 4 she might be ready to give up her comforter in the daytime at least.
Your child will rely on her comforter when she is tired, worried or afraid. They are usually needed at times such as bedtime, naptime, or when staying with someone else, (such as with a childminder or at nursery).
Letting go of the comforter
I recommend that you let your little one give up her comforter when she’s ready to (rather than when other people think she should!). Children tend to let go of their comforter when it loses its special meaning for them and when they feel confident trying new things (usually between 3 and 5 years of age).
Making it into a huge issue may worry your little one and result in her needing the comforter even more. I recommend letting your child have her comforter at night for as long as she needs it, but start to limit it in the day as she gets older.
You can claim a free baby sleep guide and get lots more friendly advice about helping baby sleep at Sleepytot.com .
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