What is a Comfort Object?
A comfort object is a familiar item that children can keep with them as a source of comfort. This includes blankets, stuffed animals, dolls, or any other object that a child associates with a feeling of security or safety.
This type of object can help calm down a child in times of stress or anxiety, and can also bring a sense of familiarity when a child is in a new or strange situation. As children become toddlers and enter a new bedtime routine, these objects can help them adjust to the new changes.
By having something familiar with them in times of need, a child can begin to build their own sense of independence while still having a security item nearby.
The Benefits of Comfort Objects
Comfort objects can be helpful in sleep training for a few reasons. First of all, it allows your child to have a constant source of comfort in an environment that’s new to them. They can rely on their object to provide a reminder of home and all the good things that come with it.
The familiarity of the object also helps children to better understand their bedtime routine and normalize the idea of following a set bedtime. Comfort objects can also help soothe a child in times of distress, so they can more easily relax and go to sleep, rather than being stressed or anxious.
How to Introduce a Comfort Object
When introducing a comfort object during sleep training, it’s important to make sure it’s something that your child likes and is comfortable with. This could mean searching through their toys to find something they feel the strongest connection with or even letting them pick their own object.
The comfort object should also be one that they would feel comfortable taking with them to their bed, such as a stuffed animal or blanket. Once you’ve found a comfort object, make sure that your child is aware of it and knows that it’s their source of comfort when they need it most.
In addition, make sure to explain to your child that the comfort object is not a replacement for you and that you will always be there when they need to talk or for bedtime cuddles.
Tips for Using a Comfort Object in Sleep Training
- Give your child a few minutes with the comfort object before bedtime. This could be reading a book, or cuddling their object.
- Set a good example by using a comfort object yourself. This will show your children that it’s normal and acceptable to have a comfort object.
- Encourage your child to take their object with them when they have to sleep somewhere else. This could be a sleepover at a friend’s house, or a vacation.
- Don’t take away the object when your child misbehaves. This could undermine the security that the object provides them with.
Conclusion
Comfort objects can be a great way to help your child better adjust to their new sleep routine. By introducing a comfort object, you can help your child feel more comfortable in their environment, and less anxious during bedtime. With a few simple steps, you and your child can reap all the benefits of having a comfort object during the sleep training process.