My children’s favourite sleep association is…

Their comforter/teddy 🧸

These are also one of my favourite sleep associations and I often recommend parents introduce one if they haven’t already and they are trying to work on independent sleep.

Why?
Because little ones often like to play with their hands or rub their face when they are trying to settle to sleep, you may find if they have a dummy they take this out and start to play with it. Also, if you have slept with the comforter/worn it before hand it will smell of you, again helping them to master the skill of self settling.

It is also easy for them to find in the night if they wake, but it doesn’t tend to cause little ones to wake frequently if they have lost it, which can be an issue with a dummy.

Emotional support ❤️

Comforters can be much more than just a sleep aid and some children become really attached to their special teddy, meaning they can be super useful if your child is feeling anxious about something new such as starting school, or being away from mum/dad as they get older.

My little boy gets so much comfort from his Elephant who is called ‘Rar’ or ‘Rara’ because when he was little he thought he was a dinosaur so called him ‘Rarrrrr’ (cute I know).

At one point Rar came EVERYWHERE with us, how we haven’t lost him yet I don’t know. He now takes him to bed every night and to school if he’s having a difficult day and is worried about going, meaning Rar is there for a hug and reasurrance should he need it.

He actually started off with a different comforter and as he got older took a particular liking to Rar and so essentially chose him himself. We even bought a spare Rar just incase, but he knows the difference and will tell me ‘I don’t like that Rar’ should I try and palm him off with the non original Rar.

Elsie also loves her comforter and it 100% helps her to fall asleep, but she hasn’t yet become attached to a particular one and so I have multiple in the cot/pram/at grandparents so there is always one to hand when needed and she transitions between them easily.

What I am trying to say is sometimes little ones will become hooked on one particular comforter and sometimes when they are younger they can switch it up, they may also not take to one straight away but with time most children do find them a helpful tool for sleep/comfort in general.

How to introduce a comforter:

🧸When they are young choose one that is breathable and around the size of a napkin.

❤️Sleep with it at night or put it down your top for a few days to make it smell like you before introducing it, this can help them to accept it and your scent will bring them comfort

🌙Introduce it at bedtime and keep it in the cot as a bedtime prop when they are young.

🖐Place it in their hand so they can bring it to their face or over their shoulder so they can smell it and grab hold of it if they want.

💫Don’t rush it, if they don’t take to the comforter straight away stick with it, as with anything sleep related consistency is key and it can take a while for them to associate the comforter with sleep.

🚨 Keep it safe- the Lullaby trust now advise comforters should not be used under 12months of age (previously 6months). If you want to introduce a comforter at a younger age to help your little one settle be sure to remove it once they are asleep until 12months of age.

I hope you found this email helpful 🤍

If you are in need of some extra support with your little ones sleep, I would LOVE to help you…

I offer a range of consultations to take a deep dive into your unique sleep situation, with varying support options depending on your individual needs and level of hand holding you would like throughout the process.

OR

If you are more of a go it alone kind of person and feel confident in implementing changes to your little ones sleep once you have the information and knowledge you need, then the instant download sleep plans are PERFECT for you, allowing you to get started straight away and go at your own pace.

If you’d like to chat more about the support available book a FREE 15minute intro call and let’s get started 💥

Lots of Love

Jade x