does your LO have a lovey/ security blanket?

[jsh7809]

I'm thinking about designating something as a lovey to help with sleep, as the NCSS recommends. But, then again, it feels odd to pick one FOR her, and if it gets lost, that's a bummer. She's only 5 months, so not ready for soft plushy stuff yet. What do you think? Any advice from veteran moms?

[RaeDyCo]

We always had blankies for DS1 -- no specific blankie in the early days, I would just nurse DS1 and have him hold the blankie (helped me because he started twiddling a bit when nursing and I didn't want that to become an issue).

When he was under 1 year, the blankie was not left in the crib with him but sometime after a year, I started leaving it with him -- he was very mobile, could pull the blanket off his head.

After a year, he started showing a preference for one particular blankie and I promptly went to the store and bought a second one just in case. DS1 is now just over 3 and still has his blankie. It cures all injuries, makes all owies better!

If you do pick a stuffed animal, I really would recommend getting a 2nd of the same because you may not be able to find one if the first one gets lost.

[skfmama]

My son is almost 6 months old, and I'm introducing one and have been for the past month or so. We have one of these (two actually, one has a little hole in the seam so they sent us a replacement - so I have one as a backup) - http://www.novanatural.com/baby/firs...-bunny?whence= . It's a Peppa bonding doll, so it has wool in the head which absorbs scents. It really works - the difference between the old one (which smells like our house/us) and the replacement they just sent us (which smells like wool, I guess) is really there.

Anyway, right now I just have him hold it while he's nursing or while I'm rocking him to sleep. It doesn't really go in the crib with him. He also doesn't really play with it in general - it stays by our nursing chair. I don't think I want it to be something he carries around all the time as he gets older - too easy to lose. Ideally it'll just be something for snuggles and sleeping. It really does help with the crazy arms and hands while nursing.

[akind1]

we have the small angel dear blankie loveys. well, two small and one large one. the small ones are for the car and the big one is for the house. Honestly, he will cuddle with any soft blanket, but the little ones are a lifesaver for the car near nap time.

we love ours! especially since he gave up the paci around 4-5 months. it is hard to tell a 9 month old to suck his thumb (he does, but you can't really offer it the way you would a paci or a boob)

[nola79]

Yes. Dd was born in winter and we used several blankets to keep her warm. She ended up getting attatched to one of them.

[Norasmomma]

Our DD didn't get attached to anything until she was about 2-ish, she got a teddy bear my step-sis and since then that is her buddy. Life would end if "Teddy" were to disappear. I guess she will cuddle with my old bear from childhood, when teddy has been hiding somewhere at bedtime.

[PatioGardener]

a friend gave me these and my little guy loves them! i love the fact that he can lose one or i can wash one and another is in the drawer waiting for him! he is only 4 months old but loves the soft feel. it keeps him calm in his car seat
http://www.angeldear.net/cuddle/thre...ind_cuddle.php

nak

[Knitting Mama]

We have two identical loveys for Cecilia from Tickety Bu. They're so pretty and soft and I love giving them to her. And she does love to chew on them! I hope as she grows older they become as special to her as they are to me. You can see it here in this picture with one of our four cats.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-...1_403380_n.jpg

[Llyra]

I think loveys are awesome, and when mine were babies I tried really hard to help them get attached to something. Well, none of mine ever went for the loveys I picked out-- they each found a comfort object on their own. But they were close to a year old before they developed that attachment. Well, DD1 was about ten months, and she developed an attachment to a stuffed dog my cousin gave her. DS was given his blanket at 12 months, and the love affair was instantaneous-- but I was nightweaning him at the time, so I think the two events are related. DD2 had a little tiny hand-size white bear that my dad gave her, that she used to clutch and mouth. I think she was 10 1/2 months, because it would have been Christmas when he gave it to her, but it took her awhile to really get fond of it.

As far as them getting lost-- yeah. As a veteran of several nightmare-scenario-lost-lovey incidents, I can strongly advise getting a spare, and switching them out every few weeks (to make sure each one wears about the same and smells the same, etc.)

[jsh7809]

Thanks, ladies! Sounds like it's best to wait and see what she likes. I just remembered that my SIL ended up having her lovey object be a sneaker , so you just never know!
C's Mama, that photo is so cute - S does the same thing with her kitty! They are very tolerant cats

[snoopy5386]

Yes, when DD1 started getting grabby during nursing sessions around 6 months, I gave her a specific blanket to hold onto instead (satiny on one side, soft on the other). That blanket is now her beloved "blankie" 4 years later.

[jecombs]

DD (now 3 y.o.) never wanted a "lovey" and, believe me, I tried to encourage her to have one because she has never slept well. DS, on the other hand, is already gravitating toward a certain blanket he likes to chew on. He is only 3 months old! So, I think it all depends on the child. If they really want one, they will show you what it is.

[WriterMom2be]

My ds has a blanket which he affectionately calls his "gaga"-- no idea why. He's had it since birth but never paid attention to it until he was almost 2; now he takes it everywhere and sleeps with it. I think you just have to leave it up to them if they need a lovey.

[dizzysmom]

DD has chosen a blankie that is clearly her favorite, and she likes to carry it around the house and snuggle her face in it during the day. She doesn't need it to sleep, but she does get all excited when she sees that it is coming out of the laundry!

[Quinalla]

At 4 months, I went back to work and DD hadn't picked anything herself as a lovey, so I encouraged her to with her angel dear blanket lovey (small blanket with fabric tabs and a cute animal head on one corner). I had it with us for every breastfeeding session for awhile and while she slept, now just when she is going to nap or go to bed or if she is particularly fussy. It does give her comfort, but she isn't super attached either which is nice. I made sure to buy two extra, one stays at daycare and the other two are for home so I can always have on in the wash or in case I lose one. And yeah, it also helps give her something to hold while nursing to lessen the pinching and grabbing which I can't stand, so I can redirect to the lovey which works very well for DD.

[lookatreestar]

my kids never picked up on anything special. they just want me