by Patricia Young

Created on: February 21, 2009

If asked this question sometime ago I would tell you no that babies should not have a security blanket. My two boys who are now five and seven never had one and didn't really need one I thought. Now that I had my daughter who is now eight months old my view on the security blanket has completely changed.

When my daughter came home from the hospital we had her wrapped in a fleece pink blanket to keep her warm. We also used this blanket when we went to my husbands grandparents for the weekend so she could have something to sleep on that was soft. She slept through the night when using this blanket at only two months old. I thought that perhaps this was just a coincidence. The next night that we stayed there again she slept through the night. When we went home and she slept in her own bed again it all changed she went back to her normal routine of waking up several times through the night.

She didn't sleep through the night and during the day she would wake to the slightest of noises. Not a good combination for a mother of three, if you ask me. It was suggested to me by my husbands grandma to try letting her sleep with that blanket and see what happens. So during the day when she would take her naps I would lay her in the blanket, where I can watch her closly. It worked she slept so soundly nothing could really wake her up. I was amazed how a blanket could do that. Then we started using it with her in her bed when she got about four months old, she slept through the night. Now whereever she goes, if she is staying for a long period of time, we take that blanket.

We also take it with us when we go on car rides it makes the rides. Our daughter does not like car rides or her car seat for that matter so we started to take the blanket with us. Doing so makes the trips less stressful for her and the driver. So now we take the blanket with us when we go anywhere.

You have to be wondering how does this thing stay clean when it is being used all the time. I wait until she wakes up and then throw it in the wash. She doesn't necessarily need it when she is a wake. I make sure though that it is clean come time for nap or bed time.

You can argue that kids just don't need it just put them on a schedule. Well I have to ask you what about the your peace of mind? Wouldnt you rather have a calm baby or a screaming baby cus they dont have the capability to do the schedule thing? I choose to have peace and a clam and happy baby.

I do believe that every kid is different. In the case of my two boys they didnt need that security blanket. Then came my daughter and she needs one as well as we do. Some kids need that extra security wether it be a toy or a blanket.

Learn more about this author, Patricia Young.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.