Comfort objects: More trouble than they're worth?

Comfort objects and dummies can be a massive cause for debate amongst parents and can often be a topic that causes friction in families.

My daughter has never taken to a particular toy and has never liked a dummy, her comfort object is ME! Most of the time I think this is just lovely and I am happy to be the centre of her universe, but there are times when I think it would be nice if she could soothe herself with a cuddly friend! I would love to see something bring her comfort especially when I am not with her.

I was recently witness to just how important a comfort toy can be when on a weekend away with another mum. She received a phone call from her children’s grandparents, and as she listened to the call her face fell. I immediately thought the worst - something must be seriously wrong with one of her children was my assumption from the horror on her face.

“I feel sick” she said! She soon divulged that ‘Monkey' was missing, and some of our child-free friends laughed at this. “It’s just a toy” they mocked, but it was clear from my friend's face that it was much more than this!

This reminded me that a comfort object is not fool proof tool to keep your child happy. When you misplace or lose your child’s most precious item it can feel like the end of the world! How will they sleep? How will they be comforted? A comfort object becomes like a member of your family and you can end up really needing them to maintain your child’s happiness.

However, they won't need a comfort object forever. I understand that a dummy can cause dental issues so there is more of an urgency to wean children off these, but I don’t see the problem with a child having a soft toy or blankie that brings them happiness and soothes them.

I think children should be able to wean themselves naturally when they decide they are too grown up to be cuddling ‘Monkey’. I think we should let children be children. If an object brings them comfort, taking it away before they are ready could be really distressing.

My daughter is becoming more and more independent, she is very confident but also very affectionate and loves to cuddle or 'duddle' as she calls it!

I love that I can give her comfort especially when she is teething or hurts herself. A kiss and a cuddle makes it all better.

Cuddles and stories before bedtime. My daughter quite likes this 'wabbit' and often chooses to bring it out with us but she isn't any more attached to it then any other toy, she tends to go through phases of favouring a toy.

Always time for cuddles even when I am drying my hair!

My nephew Otis already seems quite attached to his monkey!

Recently when staying in a hotel Blythe fell asleep on me and I didn't have the heart to move her for a good few hours! I love how much comfort being close to me brings her.

My friend's gorgeous little boy with his precious monkey! Thank goodness they found him!

See some much loved cuddly toys, whose years as beloved teddies have left them threadbare, and sometimes missing a limb, but still bursting with character:

Much Loved by Mark Nixon, £10.68. Published by Abrams Image.

Mallory x

Find Mallory on Instagram, @mallorybourn, and follow her personal blog, bournsisters.com.

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