Comfort Objects - Toddlers and Security Blankets

Do you remember Linus from the famous Peanuts cartoon by Charles Shultz (the cartoon that introduced us to Snoopy)?  Linus was the kid always dragging around his security blanket and sucking his thumb to soothe himself to the constant disapproval of his older sister and grandmother.

It turns out that about 60% of toddlers use comfort or security objects, so the use of a comfort object is very common and normal.  In fact, many experts believe that a comfort object is a great asset for children and parents. Attachment to a comfort object or “lovie”, usually beginning around 8-12 months, represents a big leap in intellectual and emotional development for a child - they are learning to understand symbols and to "invent" something of their own – the comfort object becomes a symbol of love and comfort that is tangible.  Children who have learned to use comfort objects can find comfort anywhere and can take control of their own comfort. 

Most children choose an item with silky and nubby textures to provide sensory satisfaction.  Toddlers enjoy the tactile stimulation of a soft, fuzzy, or nubby items like stuffed animals, blankets, while many other toddlers enjoy silky textures.  Whatever the choice, it is not uncommon for toddlers to give their comfort objects names and talk to them, carry them around everywhere - much like a true friend. It can help them work through problems or challenges in their everyday life and self-soothe during a situation that they feel is stressful. And as any parent with a child attached to a comfort object will understand, when that object is lost, put in the wash, or left behind, it's like losing one's true friend and many times, it cannot be replaced.

Both of my boys used comfort objects to soothe themselves, in addition to thumb-sucking.  My oldest son liked to hold onto the corner of his terry cloth bib while sucking his thumb.  My youngest son developed a temporary attachment to a particular green stuffed animal, and I promptly ran out and bought extras just to have on hand.  However the stuffed animal phase didn't last long and he eventually settled on a security blanket after encouragement from me (easier to wash!).  In my business, I hear from many parents with children that are attached to security blankets, stuffed animals or even toddler pillows - they carry them everywhere they go. I've also heard stories about special comfort objects getting damaged, lost, or just plain worn out. Sometimes I can help parents replace with the same or similar fabrics.

However, once toddlers are growing up into preschoolers and school aged children, the question becomes what level of attachment is appropriate and how do you handle it? With my older son, my pediatrician and dentist agreed that the terry cloth bib was a trigger for thumb-sucking, and as my son approached age 4-5, we should start weaning him from the security object.  My son and I created a special box and decorated it as a place for the comfort object to “live” in his closet – he could visit if he really needed to but only for short periods.  After a few days it was pretty much “out of sight, out of mind”.  However if the comfort object is not a trigger for a behavior that you are trying to stop such as thumb sucking or pacifier use, rest assured that as your child matures, he/she will develop other ways to self-soothe and deal with stress.  As a parent, you can help teach your growing child alternate techniques for soothing such as listening to music, deep breathing, or exercise.  Also, as children approach school age, most will start to feel the social pressures from their peer group to change these attachments to comfort objects and will adapt to what is “socially acceptable” for their age group.  So don’t stress about attachments to comfort objects – these attachments are normal and helpful in many situations.

I hear from many longtime customers with children who have grown up with BobbleRoos products as comfort objects – from our toddler pillows to our baby or toddler blankets. Many of these kids continue to use our products as they get older - a toddler pillow can easily become a travel pillow, a baby blanket can be turned into a pillowcase, etc.  You can also turn fragments of blankets into pieces for a rag quilt or other keepsake.  Did you have a comfort object as a child?  What about your children today – do they use comfort objects, and if so, is it a blessing or a curse?  Please leave any comments with stories and/or tips for other parents, as well as creative ideas for re purposing comfort objects. Head on over to our Facebook page and leave comments there as well to win a $25 BobbleRoos Gift Certificate!

Personalized BobbleRoos Security Blanket "Bips"

Personalized BobbleRoos Security Blanket "Bips"

Guest Post - Using the Christmas Break to stop thumb sucking

One thing that none of us want to see are our children doing things that could make them embarrassed or feel uncomfortable. As cute as it might be, thumb sucking is one of these key problems and after a certain age it can become quite embarrassing. Thumb sucking is a natural instinct and a go-to comfort blanket for most young children, but if they aren’t given a reason to stop they simply won’t. By the time your child is going to school and nursery, you probably want to avoid this type of problem.

Therefore, using the Christmas period when you will be spending lots of time together and have some spare time yourself can be a great way to do this. There’s plenty of ways to stop thumb sucking, you just need to look into the best way to do it with your child. Here are some good ideas for stopping your child sucking their thumb;

Use An Incentive

Children are very easily swayed if given a good enough reason – and the festive time of year is ideal. Give them a little hint that Santa may not be too keen on children who suck their thumbs and that good children who are able to stop are rewarded for their hard work and maturity. This can spring a child into action and get them doing something else to take away the need. Then, you can reward them with one of their main presents to get them really excited and feel like stopping was more than worth it!

Coach Your Child

You want to try and coach your child into seeing the positives about stopping – and give them a few of the negatives, too. Things like an overbite can be a good way to get started in making them see the difference. You can do this at any time but over the festive period you’ll be able to make sure that you have the time and patience to put into helping your child. To stop thumb sucking you need to patient and work with your child and after a stressful day at work it can be hard to come up with the right way to inspire your child.

Buy A Glovey Huggey

Children love presents – we all do, really! – and giving them a little extra Glovey Huggey provided as a comfortable and cool fashion accessory can be perfect to stop your child from sucking their thumb. This gives you an easy way to introduce the solution without feeling like you are pressuring your child or hitting them too with too much, too soon. Instead, you can make sure that you have an easy to use solution and that you are providing it in inconspicuous circumstances.

Nothing beats being able to deal with your child in a calm and decisive manner – it makes life so much easier when you are able to present a quick and easy solution to help stop thumb sucking – so try any of these suggestions out this year and thumb sucking should be an issue of the past for you both to laugh about in years to come!

12 Days Of Deals in December! Toddler Pillow Set Sale Today Only

Announcing 12 Days of Deals in December and we're kicking it off with our popular Toddler Pillow Sets on sale for $14.99 (reg. $17.50).  This is our lowest price all year!  Our Toddler Pillow sets are perfect for holiday travel - even for adults as a travel pillow.  Don't forget to add a name to the pillow for an extra special personalized gift (personalization extra).

Personalized Toddler Pillow set includes toddler pillow insert plus one pillowcases in your choice of fabrics, personalization extra (but encouraged)!  Sale price good Dec. 8 - one day only!

Stay tuned for more sales during our 12 Days of December promotion.

Preschool Nap Mat Sheets are Here!

July and August are the biggest sales months for our preschool nap mat sheets.  We've been hard at work cutting and sewing to get ready for the rush!  Shop now to get the best selection.  We've restocked many of our popular flannel fabrics like Noah's Ark and Work Zone, as well as a few of our newer fabrics - Jungle Blue and Butterfly Bliss.  Our preschool nap mat sheets are also available in old favorites like Transport Blue, Tiny Stars/Pink, Tiny Stars/Blue, plus we have several organic preschool nap mat sheets available.  Also check out our new fabrics that we are trying out - Ladybugs and Flip Flops.  Just send us an email if you are looking for a particular fabric and we'll let you know the availability. For a more comfortable nap time, make sure to check out our matching toddler pillows and toddler blankets.  Personalization available for preschool/daycare items!

Restocked Preschool Nap Mat Sheets

Personalized Preschool Nap Mat Sheet in Ladybugs fabric, Curlz font, hot pink

Guest Post: HOW TO STOP THUMB SUCKING by Glovey Huggey

Thumb sucking can be a difficult habit to break for some. Some kids end up quitting early on. By early on, I mean within the first few years after they start. For others, it takes them a lot longer. I knew of one guy who didn't stop sucking on his thumb until his early teen years. Even then, it was difficult for him.

WHY SHOULD YOUR KID QUIT

It can be harmful to your kid's health. A child can develop an overbite, if he or she doesn't quit sucking on his thumb. Your kid can develop a speech impediment. Depending on the severity, it can last a long time. Your child might even develop buck teeth. Don't laugh, it does happen. Though sucking the thumb is a natural thing that many kids do, by the time they are between 2 and 4, they should have it stopped.

What if the child has not yet stopped sucking on his or her thumb? There are some things that you can do. Parents never give up hope with this. Below are a list of avenues you can take, to get your child to stop sucking on his thumb.

HOW TO GET YOUR CHILD TO QUIT

You can try the Glovey Huggey. These are gloves made for boys and girls. They are made to help both boys and girls quit the sucking of the thumb. They are new on the market and they work wonders. Many parents have raved about these gloves. You can find them online.

Other things you can do.

1) You can try a rewards system. This is when you reward your child for not sucking on his or her thumb. Be sure to keep a calendar going with this. Mark off the days that he or she didn't suck his thumb. Do the same for the days that they did. If he or she has been good, reward them with a small prize. Be careful with this plan. This plan could backfire and teach the kids the wrong thing. Be sure you know how to implement it properly.

2) You can create small distractions. If you see him or her about to suck his or her thumb, than distract them. Get them involved with something else. Make it fun and worth their while. This way they can forget about the notion of sucking the thumb.