The Charles Schultz character, Linus, and his blanket is a well known to most of us. Linus is attached to his blanket and reluctant to let go of it – he drags his blanket around wherever he goes, nibbles on it’s corners or curls up with it when things get tough.
There are a number of different kinds of “loveys” that can be purchased which are appropriate for babies. They are usually small (12″ x 12″ or less), soft, cuddly, and nice to touch.
Around three months of age your baby’s growing alertness and awareness of her surroundings makes her more aware of her separateness. Separation anxiety is right around the corner, and a transitional object or “lovey” can help. Despite myths to the contrary, transitional objects or loveys are not a sign of weakness or insecurity. It is quite the opposite. A lovey can be a helpful tool for your baby to use.
4 suggestions to facilitate the attachment of your baby to her lovey:
- Place the lovey into your baby’s hands whenever she nurses or takes her bottle. There will be an association that develops between the warm feelings your baby experiences as she is held close to you when her tummy fills with milk and the feeling of the lovey as she holds it.
- Take the lovey with you whenever you travel in the car or stroller. Let your baby hold the lovey in her hands.
- Hold the lovey next to the skin on your chest for 30 minutes, so that the lovey picks up your scent. (You will need to do this again whenever the lovey is washed.)
- Do not let your baby use your long hair as her transitional object. This causes all kinds of complications later on.
It is recommended that you make it easy on yourself and purchase three identical loveys. This allows you to rotate loveys for washing and also allows you to have a spare to take to grandma’s house.
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