"security blanket"

Maggie - posted on 05/18/2011

My daughter has a bunny that she has had since she was 6 months old (she is now 2 1/2). I made sure to get more of the same toy when I realized that she was getting attached to it so that I can wash it. I know that eventually she will out-grow it. Although, if she is anything like my husband she will still have it, sealed in a baggie, when she is in her 30's (lol). I don't think there is anything wrong with it.

Rachael - posted on 02/16/2011

it is NATURAL for children to have a security object, action, ect. it is her way of self soothing. be grateful! Wash the item or buy replicas ( if she is getting hooked on the puppy buy a second one just in case.) It is something she will likely grow out of. If you need/want her to get over it sooner tell her that bunny (or puppy) is sleepy and needs to go to bed. then try having her comfort item ONLY for the bed or long car trips ("we wouldn't want him to get lost!") My son actually started to tuck his Mickey Mouse doll in after he wakes up in the morning. He says "nigh nigh mouse!" and gives him a big kiss than tucks him in and says "shhhhh" while rubbing his back lol It is adorable.
As long as you are comfortable with it I would tell everyone else to mind their own business or just ignore them! =)
Theresa, I am with you on the pacifier thing. Mostly because of my training. Pacifiers cause speech delay and issues and they can harm baby tooth alignment.

Brittany - posted on 10/07/2010

i think it will be something they grow out of.. my boys have been obsessing about toy story and they have a woody doll and a buzz doll.. my oldest carries woody around EVERYWHERE and my youngest carries buzz.. they arent dirty or anything yet but im sure they will be soon... id let her have it for as long as she wants it.. sometimes when she sleeps put it through the wash to clean it a bit. hope it helps.

Theresa - posted on 09/24/2010

You can try to start weening her off it. It can go places with you, but it has to wait in the car for you. Maybe you can bribe her with a treat. "If you're a big girl and leave bunny in the car I'll buy you a treat before we leave the grocery store." Once she's OK with leaving it in the car, then you can start leaving it at home, after that you can start leaving it in bed. See how that goes. Personally I don't have a problem with a little kid having a security item. I just hate when 3 or 4 year olds still have binkis! My daughter still has her blankie that she takes everywhere. She's into walking now at the store and the deal is the blankie has to stay in the cart so it doesn't get so dirty. She either walks without it, or rides with it. I wouldn't worry too much about it. She'll eventually out grow it.

Rachelle - posted on 04/26/2010

LOL thanks for the positive advise. I posted the same question in another group and got some really rude replies saying how disgusting it was and that they would never let their kids get so attached to something :( It was really discouraging. So THANK YOU for being positive :)

Jennifer - posted on 04/23/2010

I don't think it is mean! Anything to keep you sane and your baby happy! I feel your pain! My daughter likes the "ugly" babies! The first baby she picked out was a Halloween stuffed Frankenstein. I have a sense of humor about it and actually think it is adorable. Ugly babies need love too! Good luck with the puppy!

Rachelle - posted on 04/23/2010

Yea I wash the bunny when she falls asleep but it's to the point that it is not helping much and she goes bazerk if she finds it in the dryer. I got her a new red puppy stuffed animal that she is growing quite fond of... I'm thinking of hiding the bunny for awhile to see how she reacts (Is that mean?)

Jennifer - posted on 04/23/2010

My daughter hasn't gone through that yet but I have a few friends that have had to deal with this. Will she let you wash her bunny? The only help I can offer is some Tide and patience. She should outgrow having to have the bunny all the time but she may never outgrow having to keep the bunny. My daughter has my teddy bear from when I was 1.