Baby Comforter Advice

Baby Comforter Advice

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There are so many beautiful baby comforters out there on the market today and I love them all. My favourite,

or course, is the Sleepytot baby comforter because its designed to be totally versatile, reflecting your

babys changing needs as he grows from infant to toddler and beyond!

Why children use comforters

Comforters have a special meaning for infants and young children. Little ones develop a strong attachment to

their baby comforter, and it helps them to feel safe when alone.

The comforter becomes a reminder of the special close times that infants have with their parents, which

creates a sense of security. So when youre not around, the comforter gives them that same feeling of safety

and comfort when the big wide world feels like a scary place.

Children usually have a strong need for their comforter at times of stress or change or separation, such as

bedtime or when in child care, and studies have found that baby comforters help children to cope better when

anxious or concerned. Comforters can also help children to express their emotions. When your baby wakes,

her comforter will help her to feel secure and go back to sleep without calling for you. So you all get a

good nights sleep.

As your child grows older and feels more secure the comforter will be needed less and will gradually no

longer be needed. Allow your child to have control over when this is and he will slowly give it up in his

own time.

At what age should I introduce a baby comforter?

Baby research shows that most little ones get attached to a special toy orcomforterat about 6 months of

age. Before this, you can encourage an attachment to a special item by holding it between you and your baby

when feeding and introducing it in the early days. You may even like to sleep with it before your baby is

born, or just afterwards so that it picks up your scent. If you have a Sleepytot Baby Comforter, you can

attach it to your babys buggy strap when out and about. Put baby teethers and/or baby soothers on the paws

for your baby to play with when youre around to make sure she is safe. This is a great way to encourage

hand/eye co-ordination skills.

From 8-9 months on, the need for the baby comforter may be strong, especially at times when your little one

is not withyou, such as at bedtime. This is a key time in a babys life as they start to understand you can

go away and leave them, that you are not the same person as they are, and separation anxiety begins to set

in. You may now feel ready to leave a comforter with your sleeping baby, so that they are reassured when

they wake.
Research shows that children need their baby comforter most between about 1 and 3 years of age, before they

have learned to feel safe when youre not there. Your child will probably be ready to give up their

comforter by 3 to 4 years of age - at least in the daytime.

When will my little one need a comforter?

Most children rely on their comforter when they are worried, or afraid, or tired. They are usually needed at

times such as bedtime, naptime, or when staying with someone else (such as with a childminder or at nursery).

A comforter, such as the Sleepytot Baby Comforter, should be designed to reduce stimulation and encourage a

calm atmosphere for your sleeping baby.

Baby dummies and soothers

Sucking is a natural activity for babies and many find it calming. Recent research published by the FSID

shows that using a dummy (baby soother or pacifier) when a baby goes to sleep is associated with a reduction

in the risk of cot death.

Occasionally, a child may develop a speech problem as a result of the dummy and this mainly seems to occur if

your child has a dummy in her mouth when she is learning to speak. Try to keep it for sleep times only so

that speech is not impacted. Its important that you dont put honey or anything sweet on your babys dummy

because this could cause damage to her teeth.

Baby comforter helpful hints

When your baby is just a bump, sleep with the baby comforter or place it next to your skin for a few hours

every now and then. This way it will pick up mummy and daddys unique smell, making it all the more special

for baby.
Its possible your little one will become really attached to their chosen comforter. If you see that your

child is choosing a blanket or soft toy to be special, you might consider buying another one so that they can

both wear out at the same pace and can be changed when one needs washing.

Letting go of the baby comforter

Its generally recommended that you let your little one give up his comforter when hes ready to (rather than

when other people think he 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).
If you make a big deal out of it, you may make your little one more worried and needthe comfortermore. When

you notice that your child needs it less, why not put the baby comforter away as often as possible and bring

it out again at sleep times, or when its requested.

About the Author:
The Sleepytot baby comforter is designed to

help with the difficult time in a child"'s life when they give up their baby dummy. I recommend therefore

that if your little one has reached this important milestone when they no longer need a baby dummy, that they

keep their Sleepytot for security and reassurance, until they"'re ready to let it go by themselves. Visit

http://www.sleepytot.com



Article Originally Published On: http://www.articlesnatch.com


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