Security
Blankets & Comfort Objects
Dummies, bottles, teddy bears, old blankets, and bits of clothing,
usually with pet names, bring a little bit of security when facing the
big world.
Ignore other people's comments. Tutting grannies
and your own worries about your child's image are the problems. Forget
what other people think. You can't go out without your lipstick on so
why can't your toddler take a comfort blanket out too? Blanket in hand,
dummy in the mouth, a small person can face the world.
Tiny
anxieties
Toddlers are just learning about life. Their fears may seem irrational
to you but they're real. You know you can't fall down the toilet, but
they don't. Fear of losing you, all sorts of terrible monsters lurking
in the dark and strangers all make little children cling to things they
know and love. You're not always there, so a comforter is a substitute.
Dummies
Some children like their bottle when tired or cranky, others suck dummies
and some suck their thumbs. Even in the womb, some babies suck their thumbs.
Under the age of 2, don't worry about it at all. Between 2-4, you can
try to weaning your toddler off it by 'losing' it occasionally or gradually
limiting its use to bedtimes and other periods of the day, when your child
is tired and fretful.
If
you're faced with resistance, don't make a fuss - the more you fuss the
longer it is likely to last. As long as your child gives up the dummy
before the second teeth come through, there will be no long-term dental
ill-effects.
However
tempted you are to put that dummy in the bin, hold back. You might just
need it to help you out of a tight spot one day. It will help your toddler
settle in a new room, in hospital or if you suddenly have to go away.
By the time your child reaches 6 you may begin to wonder if the attachment
will go on for life but even the most die-hard dummy-suckers will have
kicked the habit by the age of 8.
Bottles
Bedtime bottles can be bad for the teeth.
Never put juice or milk in a bedtime bottle. If you are worried, try to
wean them onto water. Think carefully if this is the only way your child
will drink milk, as they will need another source of calcium. Sucking
sugary drinks from a bedtime bottle can cause serious - and painful -
damage to your toddler's developing teeth.
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