What is a "lovey"?
Image from here
Basically, a lovey is some sort of stuffed animal or blanket that acts as a security object. Even if your child is in an unfamiliar place, they feel comforted by the presence of their "lovey."
I'll never . . .
I'm a little embarrassed to admit how much I used to judge parents. I must have said "When I'm a parent, I'll never . . ." at least a million times (in my head, of course!). And then, of course, I found myself doing the exact same thing I was sure I'd never do. The lovey is a prime example. I never wanted Kate to have one because I didn't want it to be a big issue if it ever got lost, or damaged and I didn't want to go through the hassle of "detaching" Kate from it.
Giving In
But several months after saying "I'll never," Kate went through a stage of screaming every time I put her down for a nap or bed. I found myself desperate. And, on a whim, I grabbed her little bunny, put it in the crib, and asked, "Kate, do you want to go night-night with bunny?" All of the sudden Kate was wriggling out of my arms, trying to get in her crib. And it was so nice.
Besides that, I found that she slept a lot better in her pack 'n play when we weren't at home if she had her blanky (yes, now we have two loveys!) and bunny.
Sigh
So, here I am, breaking the rules I set for myself because they make Kate happy for now. And that's what motherhood is often about - surviving the now.
Any thoughts on giving your child a lovey?
Side note: The book also recommends having a duplicate lovey - you know, just in case you lose one, as with my fear.
My N already has one, and her name is Big Pea. I don't know how it started either, it just happened.
ReplyDeleteI really like "What to expect the first year" too. I have a little lovey for Julianna but I am not sure if I need to introduce it - so far she is pretty satisfied with any toy I give her- but I know the day is coming where the Lovey will need to make it's entrance into our lives :)
ReplyDeleteI don't think we've ever intentionally created a specific "lovey", but I think it's a great idea to have two for Kate. Then she's not as likely to be attached to just one. It's a sad thing, but I am having a hard time remembering what Sam & Rachel did as babies in that regard :( Sara just has to have a nice soft blanket tucked in around her for nap/bedtime. BUT, when it's a specific, darling blanket that was given to me several years ago as a baby shower gift, you can just see her face light up or her body relax.
ReplyDeleteI find that I am always doing the things I swore I would never do! My father in law always says "If your not training them they are training you" and it seems that I am a well trained mom for the most part :)
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