Toddlers who don't have loveys/ blankies etc?

[Anonymous]

My 19 mo old just started playing with stuffed animals last month. He has never had a lovey, but prefers different toys and stuffed animals at different times. I put 2 stuffed animals in his crib one night a few weeks ago, and then regretted it because I actually didn't want him to get attached (because of horror stories from others about losing them, etc). The next morning I found them on the floor outside his crib. Ha - I guess I don't need to worry about that!

I have also wondered why he isn't attached to something (I had a special pillow) - but at the same time, I am glad he isn't, so I don't have to worry about it.

[Anonymous]

My DS never had an attachment to anything in particular, although I always brought 1 stuffed toy for him to sleep with. He was diagnosed at age 2 with ASD.

[Anonymous]

DD had a strong attachment to a stuffed animal starting at around 6 months. At nearly 2, she has lots of animals and toys that she likes but cycles through favorites and doesn't seem to have a particular attachment to any of them. a familiar comfort object is nice to have when you're trying to get them to sleep through the night or to relax in unfamiliar places. otherwise, there's no particular advantage, especially to an older toddler or preschooler.

I am informed that DD may yet circle back to a comfort object. A pediatrician friend told me about her 5-year-old son suddenly bonding to a toy that he wouldn't be without for weeks.

[Anonymous]

My 18 mo *just* started showing an interest in her doll. No lovey or blanket or anything like that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DD had a strong attachment to a stuffed animal starting at around 6 months. At nearly 2, she has lots of animals and toys that she likes but cycles through favorites and doesn't seem to have a particular attachment to any of them. a familiar comfort object is nice to have when you're trying to get them to sleep through the night or to relax in unfamiliar places. otherwise, there's no particular advantage, especially to an older toddler or preschooler.

I am informed that DD may yet circle back to a comfort object. A pediatrician friend told me about her 5-year-old son suddenly bonding to a toy that he wouldn't be without for weeks.

I disagree that there is "no particular advantage, especially to an older toddler or preschooler"...if your child is going through transitions (moving, starting a new school, not feeling well, going to the doctor, or having a hard time adjusting or sleeping, then it absolutely comes in handy. Should the kid be taking it wherever he goes? No, but there is no harm in having one, and frankly it has helped my son a lot when he is having a rough time. I'd rather him have one than not.

[Anonymous]

nope. ds now 4 nothing. dd now 13 months so too early to say. We cosleep and they are at home with nanny, so not a lot of transitioning needed, perhaps that is why.

[Anonymous]

2 of my 3 (now 5 & 7) we're never attached to anything. My 3rd (2.5yrs) is moderately attached to a little bunny.

[Anonymous]

My 18 month old has an attachment to his pacifiers. Even calls them his "momma".

It's not fun.

[Anonymous]

My 5-year-old never got attached to any one thing. She has a lot of dolls and animals, and only recently has she started sleeping with one particular soft doll that she's had since she was a baby. She has a bunch of blankets for daycare/preschool naps and never showed any particular liking for any of them, other than liking that one has princesses on it.

What she does get weirdly attached to: things she finds out in nature. She loves rocks and likes collecting them - I've had to limit her to one per hike. She would bring home random sticks from the playground if I let her. We have to clean out her pockets every day and always find leaves, walnut shells, etc. So she's apparently a hoarder with very specific tastes.

[Anonymous]

My DD is almost 3 and has never had 1 thing that she focused on. She picks a new object of desire every few days or so. Some days she wants a stuffed animal, then she forgets about that and then chooses a doll...then she even has a strange affection for some of the ceramic figurines that we have. In short, I guess every kid is different, so no...not wierd.

[Anonymous]

VARunner wrote:I have 4 children that are all older now (youngest is 8.) None of them had an object that they were strongly attached to. I was grateful. I've heard the horror stories of what happens when a lovey gets lost or accidentally destroyed somehow...

I have two kids and neither of them ever had a lovie. Agree with this PP that you're better off - I'd imagine it's terrible if that item gets lost!!

[Anonymous]

My 15 month old hasn't shown an attachment to anything and we've offered her a couple of stuffed animals. She does like a book when she's riding in the car. It's cute we open her door and she'll be holding this book with this exasperated look like we just interrupted her at the best part.