Comforters

When I was pregnant with DS I read some research that concluded that babies who are given pacifiers or other means of external comfort are more likely to turn to external sources for comfort as adults i.e. alcohol & drugs. We haven't given our almost 7 mth DS a dummy or comforter of any type. He generally sucks his hands if he is trying to soothe himself.

A friend was visiting the other day with her 13 month old DD and she made a statement that it is healthy for babies of her DD age to have a 'friend' such as a teddy to help sleep & carry around.

Just wondering if anyone is aware of whether this is a good thing or harmful? The data I read referred to 'babies' and I can't recall whether it stated an age group but I generally understand that to be 0 - 1 year.

Curious.

Geez, really? Then I guess I'll have three alcoholics or drug users on my hands one day! Mine all love/d dummies ;)

I'm unable to help you with any research sorry. My DS2 and DD both have muslin "blankies" they cuddle up to in bed. I have found this wonderful when they have to sleep elsewhere (in the car, on holiday's, etc) because it feels familiar and helps them feel secure. I can't see the harm in it, but I haven't read any research about it either. I grew up with a blankie (I still own it, it's in storage though now LOL) and I am not an alcoholic or drug user :).

I guess if your bub has come this far without needing a comforter, then there's no point introducing one now?

Wow bizarre. I too will have alcos on my hands.:rofl: One dummy lover and one Teddy lover. AFAIC babies and kids need comfort full stop. Can't see how a dummy makes any difference than a thumb sucker who is also seeking comfort. It would be interesting to see what other factors played in to the research study.

DD1 was a dummy lover and is still a sheepie lover, DD2 is a thumb sucker and puppy lover, guess i'll have troublesome kids too!!

I read about the research in 'Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering' by Sarah Buckley and am trying to find the research again (I no longer have the book).

I was talking to a friend the other day who works as a Psychologist & her specialty is addictions. I told her about the research & she thought it was interesting as she said that what they try to do with adult addicts is to teach them to look into themselves for the soothing they get from their addiction. I guess this is similar to self-soothing as opposed to dummy soothing.

I am sure for most people having a dummy or comforter doesn't mean they will have any issues but I am cautious as I come from a family with a history of addiction.

If I find the piece of research I will post it.

We've used both, dummy and blankee. DD2 was 8 weeks old when I first gave her her blankie, she could instantly put herself to sleep, otherwise her arms would flap around. At that age its mainly that its something to grasp onto while they are sleeping, as in previous times newborns are carried by their mothers 24/7. Even as a toddler DD1 will ask for her blankie when she is tired, or nervous, or sick.

I'd be bit wary of research that is only presented in one source. I'm pretty sure majority of babies/children used some form of comfortor, so it would be a given that some of those are going to addicts as adults, whether is related? it would have to be some pretty full on research to prove that. Additions are very multi-dimensional and have many factors. I've just a behaviour course and its very fascinating, its thought personality traits that are linked to a person's level of addictive behaviour. So some people will have addictive personalities, but whether these are based on environmental or hereditary factors is too hard for research to prove.

You may find it easier if you use Google Scholar to find your research.

I haven't heard that particular research, but I do remember hearing somewhere that babies who have dummies or a thumbsuckers are more likely to be smokers as adults because they have a subconscious oral fixation :dunno: It kind of makes sense, but really who knows...

In my experience it is good for little ones to have a comfort item of some sort. My DS has little muslin cloths which he has slept with since we stopped wrapping him at around 4 or 5 months. I started giving them to him so he had something to do with his hands and he quickly developed a sleep association with them. When he started CC at 12 months they quickly became his comfort item of choice and he started carrying them around with him when he was there for comfort and then over a few weeks that started at home.

Personally, I don't think it hurts to introduce something, particularly for when they get older and need a little comfort when you're not around.