Comfort Blankets - Are they worth their weight in gold?

Comfort Blankets and Sleep: A Gentle Guide for Parents.

Comfort blankets, or comforters, can play a really special role in your child’s early years. Yes, they can get a bit scruffy and stinky over time, and yes, it can be a mission to sneak them away for a wash. But despite all that, they can be incredibly helpful.

A comforter isn’t just for toddlers and preschoolers who need a bit of reassurance when you’re not there. When used thoughtfully, it can also support your baby to learn how to settle and resettle during the night.

So how does it all work?

Are Comfort Blankets Really That Helpful?

In many ways, they can feel a bit magical. A comforter can become something familiar, predictable, and reassuring for your baby. Over time, it can help them feel safe enough to fall asleep at bedtime and find their way back to sleep between sleep cycles overnight.

That’s not because the blanket itself has special powers, but because of what it represents. It carries your scent, feels familiar in their hands, and becomes part of their sleep routine.

How Does a Comforter Help With Sleep?

Choosing the right type of comforter matters. Something small, soft, and breathable, like a Cuski-style comforter, is ideal. It’s easy for little hands to find in the cot and safe to use, and the fabric is designed to absorb and hold onto your familiar scent.

That familiar smell is incredibly soothing for babies. It reminds them of you, even when you’re not right there.

A simple tip
About an hour before your baby’s nap or bedtime, tuck the comforter inside your top so it picks up your scent. If you’re breastfeeding, you can place it inside your bra to capture that familiar milky smell too. When it’s time for sleep, place it next to your baby’s face. It will be warm, familiar, and comforting.

Over a couple of weeks, many babies start to recognise the comforter as part of their sleep cue. It’s a good idea to buy two and rotate them so they wear and smell the same, just in case one goes missing or needs a wash.

What If My Baby Is Too Young?

Not all comforters are suitable from birth, so always check that what you’ve chosen is breathable and age appropriate.

If your baby is still too young to have it in the cot, you can still prepare it. Sleep with it in your bed for a few nights so it absorbs your scent. During feeds, you can also place it between you and your baby so they start to associate the feel and smell of the fabric with comfort and closeness.

That way, when the time is right to introduce it, it already feels familiar.

When Should You Introduce a Comforter?

A great time to introduce a comforter is when you’re gently establishing a settling routine. As you settle your baby to sleep, place the comforter next to them so they begin to associate it with falling asleep.

Once a baby forms an attachment to their comforter, many find it easier to fall asleep independently and rely a little less on hands-on help from you during the night.

Another really helpful time is around four months, when babies are often transitioning out of a swaddle and into a sleep sack. Their hands are free, which makes it much easier for them to find, hold, and snuggle into their comforter.

Important safety note: For babies under six months, comforters should only be used under close supervision. You can use the comforter during settling time, but once your baby is asleep, it should be removed from the cot. This is to reduce the risk of suffocation and keep your baby’s sleep space as safe as possible.

A Note About Dummies

If your baby uses a dummy, from around six months you can attach it to their comforter. That way, if it falls out overnight, they’re more likely to be able to find it themselves, which can save you from getting up multiple times to replace it.

A Gentle Reminder

Comforters can be a lovely and useful sleep tool, but they’re just one piece of the puzzle. If your child is still finding it hard to settle or waking frequently despite having a comforter, there may be other things going on that are worth looking at.

If you’re unsure, or you’d like some guidance, you’re welcome to get in touch for a chat. Good sleep is important for your little one, and for you too.