Why
Do Infants Use Soft Objects?
They
help infants to make the emotional transition from dependence to independence.
They give the child emotional and tangible comfort.
They have a calming effect on the child.
They can help an infant learn self-control.
They act as a substitute bridge for the representation of the mother.
(American Academy of Pediatrics,
2001)(Brazelton, 1992)
Pros
of Soft Objects
It
is not a sign of weakness or insecurity.
The object can be helpful in calming the child.
Most children will give the object up when they mature and find other ways
to cope with stress.
A soft object can help a child through a medical exam with less stress.
They provide a bridge to independence.
(American Academy of Pediatrics,
2001)(Brazelton, 1992)(Lehman, et. al, 1995)
Cons
of Soft Objects
Soft
objects may be used by children who are being forced to be independent
too soon.
The object attachment may be a sign that the child is not getting proper
security from parents.
Some cultures do not provide the object because of tribal living.
(American Academy of Pediatrics,
2001)(Brazelton, 1992)
Parents
Thoughts About Soft Objects
Parents
with children who use security blankets do not perceive them as insecure
or difficult to manage; they are often described as, “persistent,
having immediate and intense emotional reactions and enjoying rhythmic
sensory stimulation,” (Lehman, et al., 1996, p. 427).
According to mothers, the majority of children with attachments to objects
had selected a soft cloth such as a blanket, pillow, or diaper. Other
objects used were soft toys and articles of their mother’s clothing, (Lehman
et al., 1996).
In a survey conducted by Lehman et al., the mothers of children with object
attachments did not appear to be anxious about their children’s attachment.
Rather 61% of mothers were pleased, 49% amused, and 21% proud, (Lehman
et al., 1996).
Parent attitudes about soft object attachments are becoming more positive
among educated, middle class parents of children who are, or have been,
attached to objects, (Lehman et al., 1996).
Expert
Thoughts About Soft Objects
According
to current research on the attachment of soft objects, “as estimated 60%
of young, middle class children in Western cultures use security blankets,
pillows, and stuffed toys as soothers or comforters when they are going
to sleep or mildly distressed,” (Lehman et al., 1995, p. 443).
It
is suggested that the attachment to soft objects is very normal and an
important developmental phenomenon, (Lehman et al., 1995).
When children are asked what they like best about their soft object (security
blanket or stuffed toy), many stated they enjoyed the texture and cuddliness
of them, (Lehman et al., 1995).
A
study by Donate et al. (1992), indicated that attachments to blankets and
to mothers originate independently. It is suggested that children
use their attachments to blankets differently depending upon the level
of their attachment to their mothers. Theory suggests that attachments
to objects can occur only when attachment to the primary caretaker is positive;
however, children who have avoidant attachments may use their blanket as
means for shifting attention away from their mother, (Donate et al, 1992).
Winnicott (1971) viewed this as a natural developmental process in the
infant when a child is about 6 months old. The object stands for
the mother, or breast, and represents the infant's journey from a close,
symbiotic relationship with the mother towards an individual, independent
self (a normal developmental goal for most).
Winnicott (1971) suggested that the objects are a way for the child to
calm their anxiety and are particularly important when the child is going
to sleep.
In the study conducted by Arthern and Madill (1999) there was enough statistical
evidence to suggest a relationship (a positive correlation) between children
who slept in their own room from birth to 12 months of age and those who
used a soft object at age 2 to 5 years.
According to Ybarra, Passman & Eisenberg (2000) from the University
of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and the Milwaukee Medical Clinic & Medical College
Wisconsin, security blankets provide a source of comfort for the 3-years-olds
in their study who underwent routine medical procedures (4 total, measuring
the child's weight, height, blood pressure, and heart rate).
In this paper Lehman, et. al. (1992) cited other research studies that
found that children with soft object attachments tend to be breastfed for
a shorter period of time, to sleep apart from their parents, and to have
mothers who encourage independence.
Steier (1999) findings seem to suggest that the role of the mother's personality
(i.e., positive or more constrained) has an influence (direct and/or contextual)
on the child's type or choice of soft transitional attachments.
Breaking
the Habit
Give
the child a small square from the blanket which has been the favorite soft
object.
Allow the child to only have the object at specific times, such as bedtime.
During transition time, have an object that can replace the object while
it is being washed or if it would become lost.
Offer incentives.
Recognize the child's mature behaviors such as toilet training, dressing
self and learning new skills.
Be positive. Scolding and nagging will make the child feel guilty,
and it will not discourage the behavior.
Be careful to not encourage the child to break the habit during a stressful
transition time.
(Brazelton, 1992)
Sites
to Visit for More Info
Transitional
Objects. Check out this site by Dathi's Mental Health Review to learn
more. Http://www.toddlertime.com/transit2.htm
Should I .......Use Transitional Objects? Find out at the Keep Kids
Healthy site. http://www.keepkidshealthy.com/infant/infantquicktips/transitionalobjects.html
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