Giving Children Security Blankets Encourages Good Sleep Habits

As a new mother, I knew in my heart how very lucky I was. My first born was not only a healthy, happy baby boy, but he turned out to be an "easy" baby, too. He had a calm, cheerful little disposition. He rarely cried. Oh sure, I'd like to believe it was all my doing; that Matthew was so very content due to my Exceptional Mothering Skills.

As a pediatric nurse who sometimes "floated" over to the nursery of our local hospital, I knew I was knowledgeable about babies and children. But being a first time mother is a whole other ball game! I was fraught with the same worries & fears that any new mother might have, in spite of my training with children. Added to the anxiety of being at home with a new baby, those early sleep deprived weeks could make any new mom feel as though she's functioning in a fog. It's too bad that those precious first weeks with a newborn can't be enjoyed and appreciated more fully, more wakefully!

So, when Baby finally sleeps through the night and Mom can get six to eight hours of uninterrupted sleep, it's a welcome relief; a cause for celebration! That is, if she still wasn't so darn tired! I do have a tip to share with all the other new mothers out there, something that I unconsciously encouraged. It's an easy concept I learned a long time ago, in Psych 101. But, to have seen it in action was still quite an education.

New babies need to feel secure to develop good sleeping habits. I won't even go into what we should already know; the need for a full tummy, to be kept warm, clean, dry & comfortable. But what really kept my new baby so very content, was the feeling of security that he got from his "mommy's helper," or my replacement, if you will; however temporary it may have been needed.

It was the soft, fuzzy, yellow blanket with satin trim, the blanket which came to be known as "Sleepie." Whenever I'd settle Matthew down for a nap or for the night, covered with this blanket, I'd always sing him the same tune, "go sleepie-sleep, sleepie sleep..." Translated in new mother language, "Oh, please go to sleep! I need to take a nap myself!" But oh, how he would love to be cuddled in his fuzzy blanket while I rocked him, or when I lay him in his comfortable crib. No wonder he called that blanket Sleepie as soon as he could talk! Nap time and sleep time was such a cozy time for him!

That yellow blanket was Matthew's constant companion up to the ages of 4 or 5 and even beyond, though he eventually kept it hidden away under his bed or in the closet. Maybe out of everyone's sight as Matthew got older, but always never too far from his reach.

I stumbled across Sleepie for the last time in an old toy box, and was given permission by teenage Matthew, to send Sleepie on to a Better Place (the trash.)This poor blanket had become so well used, washed and loved, it was but a ragged shadow of its' former glorious self. Yes, Sleepie had served Matthew well!

This is the story of how Sleepie came to be Matthews' security blanket.
Not only would I have put that yellow blanket in Matthew's crib from the first day that he first came home from the hospital, I would also swaddle him in a small pinning blanket, as I used to wrap the babies in the hospital nursery. You see, we "nursery nurses" would firmly wrap the tiny newborn infants in these small, blue bordered white cotton blankets after bathing them.

The way we did it was like this; we'd lie the newborn on the blanket diagonally with baby's head at one corner, bringing up the bottom corner over the feet to the tummy, wrap one side across their body, then finish up by firmly wrapping the other side across. Securely swaddled, and with a full belly after being fed, the newborns were then placed on their sides to prevent any aspiration of formula into the lungs, if they spit up. Wrapped like this, the new babies would drift right off to sleep.

Swaddling gave them a feeling of security much like the coziness of mothers' womb, and helped calm and quiet them. Oh, that was key, because if you ever stood in a closed nursery, full of newborns crying all at the same time, you'd know what I mean!

It wasn't long before Matthew slept contentedly all through the night, from ten or eleven PM until his six AM feeding. As a matter of fact, he was barely ONE MONTH old when that happened! When people would ask,"So, is the baby sleeping through the night yet?" always with a little smirk which meant, "Thank God, those days of sleepless nights are over for me!" I would answer smugly, "Well yes, as a matter of fact HE IS!"

So I got my reputation of being a Wonderful Mother, One who Knew all the Answers. Actually, I believed my own press, as I was confident in my ability to provide my child with all the nurturing he needed, both physically as well as emotionally. I felt I knew what was needed not only because of my experience as a pediatric and nursery nurse, but intuitively as well. And as the weeks became months, the yellow blanket was always by Matthews' side. He had other blankets, but none of them could ever compare to the soft, gentle, security of his fuzzy, yellow blankie.

Until the day, when Matthew was about 6 months old that is, and I put him to bed without that yellow blanket.

It was a busy day, and I was doing laundry late into the evening. At Matthew's usual bedtime, his bedding and blankets were still in the wash, so I put him to bed with another blanket and comforter, minus his old friend Sleepie. Well, that night was one I had never experienced before. It took forever to get Matthew to sleep, with extended rocking, singing, and patting of his bottom. He finally fell asleep, but it wasn't long before he was awake again, crying inconsolably.

What was wrong? I got out the thermometer and took his temperature, I listened for congestion, I changed his diaper, I rocked him, and I walked the floor with him, until he would finally fall asleep again. For maybe 30 minutes.

This scenario was repeated throughout the night, and when morning finally came, it found not only one exhausted mom but one exhausted six month old too. It was only after taking the yellow blanket from the dryer that morning and putting it into the crib with Matthew for a much needed nap, did it become clear. No sooner was the beloved Sleepie back again, clutched in Matthew's little hands and pressed to his little cheek, did I realize what the previous nights' problem was.

Matthew had developed a strong attachment to his blanket and just couldn't sleep without it! Sleepie was Mommy, Warmth, Comfort & Security all in one, whenever Matthew had to be separated from me. Thank goodness that Matthew had formed this bond! It made the transition from daytime to nighttime, awake time to nap time so much easier. It didn't take the place of my love, but extended it to those times when I just couldn't be there.

Until that sleepless, tear filled night occurred, I didn't realize how strongly attached Matthew had become to his Sleepie! At Matthew's next well baby check-up, I relayed the story of the sleepless night to his pediatrician. I was startled when Dr. K congratulated me, saying that I had gotten Matthew into a very good habit by giving him a special blanket. It allowed Matthew to transfer his need for security from me to his blanket at those times when I couldn't be with him, such as bedtime.

Having a security blanket was a wonderful comfort for Matthew; one that helped him become more autonomous as he went from the baby years, to the "terrible-twos," to a young child starting school for the first time. New moms, encourage a "Lovey," a "Blankie", a Sleepie! Giving your baby a soft, warm, fuzzy blanket may not only help ensure that everyone in the house gets their required rest, but can also aid your child's adjustment as he travels from one stage of growth to the next!