Comforter or "Lovey" recommendations...

[Melody7]

I've been reading about using a "lovey" in Elizabeth Pantley's "No cry sleep solution". She mentions the Snoedel, however I can't find where to buy one here in Australia. Ideally, I'd like to buy something made from organic material.

Does anyone have any recommendations? Do you think a "lovey" is a good idea? (I'm not wanting to use a dummy, but am looking for solutions rather than have my DS attached to my boobie all night )

[monnie]

My little boy has a little lamb as a lovey.

It's the brand Nici, style "Jolly Mah" lying down sheep...and it's very soft and very cute...don't think it's organic though!

[fionas]

fluffy blanky that I used to wrap DD in. I put her in her cot, she rolls over, finds fluffy blanky and rubs it against her face. She also seems to prefer flanelette sheets instead of cotton sheets as they're a bit warmer on her face when she first goes to bed.

[Lucy]

Olivia has a "Cancer Council" little brown teddy bear.

Charlie has a soft pink daisy with long legs.

Lexie has an well used and well loved bunny wrap.

They have all "chosen" these from when they were little babies. Other favourites come and go, but these 3 things are essential to them!

[*Ali*]

My DD has a sheepskin flat bear, it has been great and she takes it everywhere with her.

[Nai]

DD has a "blankie" with a stuffed bear head - yes it sounds weird and freaky but is really quite cute. I don't think it matters what you have as long as you get 2!!! That way if one is lost/in the wash/vomitted on etc. your little one has a replacement to go to sleep with.

[Rouge]

I think comforters are great ideas Its been a god send with both my kids. Seth has a blanket that he fiddles with the corners on till he falls asleep and Paris has a Brown Teddy AKA Baby Bear.

I really do believe comforters help children to develop their own ways of going to sleep than if they don't have one at all.

[Melody7]

Yes, I'm beginning to think one could be a good idea. Keptin-Jr make a few called Cozzy&Zmooz and Toddles. Just wondering whether a "lovey" would be an adequate substitute for the boob! (not too sure about that one!.....)

[Lucy]

The boob replacement thing.......there may be something in it for some babies:

Olivia developed her attachement to the little brown teddy shortly after weaning.
Charlie sucked his thumb for around 6 weeks after weaning, then fell in love with the pink daisy, and dropped the thumb.
Lexie's blankie is an old wrap that I always had on my shoulder whilst bf'ing her.....which she got clingy with just after she weaned.......

[summers_mum]

Not sure that a lovey would replace the boob, but in my 6 month old's case, it certainly can be used when she calls out to me at night. I used to feed her each time she called, but recently worked out that all she needs is her little "ducky blankie" (made by Playgro) close to her. She likes to have the satin trim where she can feel it on her face, and will settle back to sleep pretty soon after. She wacks it around (hilarious to watch) when trying to get to sleep and it ends up over her head where she can't reach it sometimes - that's why she calls out to me - to fetch it!.

[Melody7]

Hi Summers_Mum, when did you introduce that blankie to your DD? My DS is 6mths now and I'm hoping that I can find something that he can use, like your DD does, when he wakes in the night.

[Willow]

Great thread, have been wondering this too. DD still has her 'blankie' which is just an old muslin wrap we used when she was a baby.

I was thinking of using one of the muslin wraps my mum made for DS which he is too big for now, going to cut it in half so we have two.

I'd much rather he have this than a dummy (he currently has a dummy on and off but I really want to get rid of it!)

Gosh, if only these little people would sleep hey??

[Melody7]

Hi Willow, I have been contemplating a dummy (not a big dummy fan I must say), however you seem to think a comforter would be a better solution?

[*Belle*]

Julia never had a dummy but has a soft toy lamb she has to sleep with every night and cuddles when shes feeling upset or just wants to cuddle called "lamiee"

[Willow]

Melody - I just think that in certain cases, a dummy can create a whole new set of sleep issues. And we didn't have an easy time weaning DD off hers either (it wasn't too bad but I'd prefer not to have to repeat the experience either!), so it's kind of put me off. But then I wonder would she have been such a great sleeper without it?? It's a hard one. DS isn't overly keen on it anyway so I figure it's just better to get rid of it if we can.

Reading your other thread though about DS comfort sucking, you might actually find it useful if you want him to learn how to sleep without being on the breast - they definitely have their place.

[summers_mum]

Hi Melody7

Summer was around 4 or 5 months when I first introduced her blankie (I think at 6 months you should still be able to introduce something with just as much ease). She never took a dummy, and was starting to wake every 3 hours or so during the night. I took the idea from the "no cry sleep solution" book by elizabeth pantley (she has lots of great little ideas that you can use either separately or as part of a greater plan).

The book suggests that when you introduce it, you can keep it between you and bub during breastfeeds - Summer now strokes it while she feeds. An hour or so before bedtime, I'd put the blankie down my shirt to absorb some 'mummy smells' (I only did this for the first week or so). During her bedtime routine, blankie sits between her and daddy whilst he reads her a bedtime story.

When the lights go out and I leave the room, I leave blankie (which is a soft fleecy fabric with satin trim) on her shoulder with the satin bit touching her face. She's then got something to hold with a familiar smell if she wakes. In the mornings we play with 'duckie blankie' and say "thank you for sleeping with me". She took to her duckie blankie almost right away and has grown quite attached to it.

Here's an NZ link that was posted on this site once before which I also found useful: Comfort Blankies solve baby sleep problems - The Sleep Store, New Zealand