[Mose]

DS (18mo) loves his cuddlies - an elephant for the cot, and a monkey for day-care.

He was sucking on them (and his thumb) all the time, and around 14 months we started limiting it to bed times, bringing it out at other times only if we were somewhere strange, he was sick etc. He loves simple phrases so "pop him in the cot" was a hit as a phrase he easily understood and could easily do. So now when he gets up he might hold on to elephant while his nappy is changed, but will voluntarily pop him in the cot before we leave his room. Sometimes we have to prompt him, but he will do it without a melt down.

After that, I think it's a case of "out of sight, out of mind" - so if he can see elephant or monkey and isn't allowed to have them then there is a meltdown, but if he can't see them there are no dramas.

I would try not to worry much about what other people are saying. No doubt if your child didn't have a comfort toy and was grizzly in strange places they would have something to say about that too. There's always someone wanting to tell how they judge your parenting choices!!

[sara's pyjamas]

Why take it away? She 18 months. You have years before she's too old for a comfort toy. My DD is almost 4 and still has her teddy. She takes it everywhere, even daycare. There are many other kids at her daycare who bring their comfort toy. I just don't understand the logic here, maybe she's teething and that's why she chews it. Try getting some teething toys, but I wouldn't take away something that makes her feel secure.

[doubledelight]

Another for the why take it camp. DD is nearly 7 and from about 8 months old Teddy was the love of her life. I used to sneak it from the cot to wash & dry while she napped. Gradually it went from an everywhere to a home toy and now it's strictly bedtime only but she still makes sure she's got him. I envisage one day he'll be consigned to a shelf and then move on to a memory box but I'm sure he'll always have a special place in her heart.

It gives her comfort and security. Absolutely nothing wrong with that.

[doubledelight]

Another for the why take it camp. DD is nearly 7 and from about 8 months old Teddy was the love of her life. I used to sneak it from the cot to wash & dry while she napped. Gradually it went from an everywhere to a home toy and now it's strictly bedtime only but she still makes sure she's got him. I envisage one day he'll be consigned to a shelf and then move on to a memory box but I'm sure he'll always have a special place in her heart.

It gives her comfort and security. Absolutely nothing wrong with that.

[HeartMyBoys]

Nawwwww she looks so cute in the pic with her bunny

[premmie_29weeks]

Ds has his blankie which is a cloth nappy do plenty for roatation. I don't think you need to go cold turkey, I think it's perfectly reasonable for her to have a comfort toy at that age. Maybe start putting some limits on its use, as is only for nighttime sleep and naps. Work slowly and give her lots of positive attention when she manages things without it.

[kelliev]

I think applying the idea of keeping it for bedtimes will be a winner. She will still have her comfort toy for when she needs it but it won't interfere with her speach & you will be washing less bunnies hopefully!!

I had a fabric stuffed bunny as a child. I used to chew/suck it's long ears and I can still to this day (at 33) remember the salty taste of his ears. I have him packed away amongst my special things - he (bunny number 2 - number 1 wore out) now wears a knitted cardigan to keep his stuffing in as he sprung a few holes.

[B.M.C.M.I]

My DD had an obsession similar to your daughters. A few months after she turn two, teddy stopped being dragged around with her. Now she doesn't look twice at it and even offered it up to her baby sister (who had no interest lol).