BLANKET SUCKING

BLANKET SUCKING

       Some children develop the habit of sucking, picking, or pressing a corner of the blanket against their face as they go to sleep every night. Generally, such children become attached to some particular blanket and insist upon using it long after it is presentable in appearance. They will not accept a new one and, despite their parents’

protests, will go to sleep only if they have their desired object. Although all of this gets to be terribly annoying for the parents, such a practice has no far-reaching consequences for the child, although it may take as long as eight or ten years, he eventually gets over it. Nor is his adult life impaired in any way as a result.

       Although it is not actually clear how a particular child comes upon such a habit, we do have a general explanation of it It is common enough for children to face the isolation and darkness of bedtime with some anxiety. The child who is scolded often or pressed beyond his capacity might easily be even more fearful at this time. Typically enough, the child combats his own fears by investing familiar objects around him with the feelings we have about our friends. It’s nice to see them. We feel comfortable with them. They understand us. We feel less subject to attack when we’re with them. The child may find such comfort in having a stuffed animal share his crib with him. His blanket or some trivial object may serve the same purpose. When the child sucks or picks the blanket, it is as though he were reassuring himself that his friend is with him. It’s like asking him from time to time. By sucking his blanket, our child is therefore telling us that he is somewhat uneasy or afraid of bedtime and that he finds relief by doing something.

       The most important thing to do about it not to make a fuss. He’ll get over it by himself. If you insist upon something more positive than this, the following may be recommended:

 1. Encourage his growth generally by rewarding all of his more grown-up behaviour.

 2. Spend a little more time putting him to bed, That is, sit and talk with him a little longer than you generally do.

 3. If he prefers it, leave a small light in his room.

 4. Let him know that you have every confidence that sooner or later he will give his blanket up, but don’t disapprove of its use too strongly.

 5. Make no effort whatever to bribe him away from the use of his blanket or his tendency to pick on it or suck it.

       Some children will such their thumb; Others will continue to show residues of baby talk; and still others will suck their blanket. All of these habits show the reluctance Children have to accept the next phase of their development even though they are  anxious to be grown up.