A transitional object, or comfort object, is a blanket, soft toy or similar item a child becomes attached to and uses for comfort, especially at bedtime and during separations. Such attachments are healthy and often begin towards the end of the first year.
Key takeaways
- Soft objects should not be in the cot before 12 months.
- Many children give up their comfort object on their own over time.
- Having an identical spare can avoid distress if one is lost.
What you can do
- Let your child choose their own comfort object.
- Use it to ease bedtime, childcare drop-off and travel.
