Known around the world as many different things comforter, lovey, binkie to name just a few. A small toy that provides your child with comfort and security. 

WHAT ARE THEY?

They can truly be anything - in most cases however they are little blankets, fluffy bunnies or even elephants that your child uses to comfort them. And this does not only relate to their sleep space, some children can become extremely attached to theirs in a variety of situations other than just their sleep space.

WHEN CAN YOU INTRODUCE ONE?

Annoyingly, the recommendations here do vary depending on the country that you are in. In Australia, we follow Red Nose Australia who recommend it is safe to introduce one from around 7-10 months of age, the American Academy of Pediatrics however recommend nothing in the cot for the first 12 months of life.

SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS

There are several safety considerations when it comes to deciding what is the best comforter for your little ones:

• No button eyes or similar that can pose a choking risk
• No button or other style battery
• Loose sections including ties, ribbons
• Breathable fabric
• As per Red Nose Australia, no bigger than 30cm x 30cm

HOW DO YOU INTRODUCE A COMFORTER?

With some children, they just form an attachment themselves while some, may need a little bit more warming up. It is not uncommon for infants not to be overly phased by a comforter until closer to 12 months of age. There are some easy ways to start introducing them:

• Wear it for a few hours so it collects your smell - we know babies are driven by their senses.
• If you are breastfeeding, pop a little bit of breast milk on it (as per above, all about that scent!).
• Start to introduce it during sleep (both naps and overnight) to start creating that positive sleep association. 
• Include the comforter as part of your nap and wind down routine.
• Place it between you and your baby during feeding times to create that positive sleep association.

This is just a small glimpse into the many areas we cover off in the 3-12 Month Sleep Guide! 

Struggling with this period of sleep? We can help!

• For small tweaks to routine, have a look at our Quick Chat - 15min  option
• For parents struggling with several things such as catnapping, frequent night waking, early morning rising or things that simply no longer work, have a look at our Phone + One Week Support option.
• Not sure what is right for you? Get on the phone to one of our experienced consultants with our FREE 15min Discovery Call