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A dog-eared blankie, a hand-me-down Big Bird — many babies find comfort and love from one special inanimate object. She may always want this comfort object with her or may look for her special blankie or stuffie only at naptime, bedtime, or when she hurts herself. My little sister's stuffed doggie was so dear to her that she learned to say its name, "Didi," before she learned any other word. You know how nice it feels at the end of a long day to climb between your favorite flannel sheets, pull up the comforter, and bury your head in the pillow? The sense of peace and well-being that comes from a familiar ritual in familiar surroundings is how a baby feels when she hugs her special stuffie. Everything about the comfort item is familiar — its musty smell, its satin trim that is just right to rub between two fingers, its color and feel. Having a security blanket, like thumb sucking, is a way for a baby to find confidence and comfort by herself. Although some parents may worry that these items foster dependent behavior, the opposite is probably closer to the truth; a baby who has a special attachment to a special stuffie or blankie is finding a way to make the world outside of her parents' protection a less overwhelming place. Comfort objects are especially common among young babies who spend long hours in daycare. Having something familiar and unchanging to snuggle against helps them while they are away from home. No matter how dirty or ragged a baby's comfort object might seem to you, resist the temptation to wash it or replace it with a new one. A baby loves its unique smell and tatteredness. The comfort object also absorbs the baby's own scent, making it familiar territory. That's part of what makes it so special. Adapted with permission from "Why Babies Do That: Baffling Baby Behavior Explained," by Jennifer Margulis, published by Willow Creek Press. 2005 by Jennifer Margulis. All rights reserved.
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