Why use a comforter?
They can be a very useful sleep association, which tells your baby it is sleep time. Babies can easily find a blankie and use it to resettle themselves during the night...therefore helping your child sleep through the night.
A comfort blankie can really help settle your older baby or toddler both at bedtime and other times when she is upset. There are times your little one has an extra need for a comfort item, such as during sickness, the arrival of a new sibling, times away from home and in child-care.
As babies go through phases of separation anxiety (usually around 9-12 months and again at about 2 years), having a comforter can be especially helpful.
If you are starting sleep training with babies over 7 months, we highly recommend you include the introduction of a comforter in your plan. It will make sleep training much easier, particularly if you are weaning your baby off a strong sleep association such as feeding, cuddling or rocking to sleep.