This skill emerges from four months of age when the primitive reflexes begin to integrate and little ones can derive pleasure and soothing from their own techniques of calming.

There is no shortage of research on sleep and many a researcher is searching for that holy grail of parenting – the promise of a full night’s sleep. In research released in late 2010, it was found that while most babies wake at night to feed and be settled in the early days, they rapidly begin to sleep for longer stretches until 4 months of age. However, the biggest predictor of a full night sleep is how well and at what age a baby begins to self-sooth. Pediatrics 2010; 126; e1081-7.

So to ensure your baby sleeps through as soon as developmentally appropriate, encourage self-soothing.

Young children often benefit from a transitional object (often referred to as comfort object or security blanket) to help them cope when mom gradually separates for longer periods of time.

The American Academy of Paediatrics says, “Your child may not choose a blanket. He may prefer a soft toy or even the satin trim on Mom’s bathrobe. Chances are, he’ll make his choice between 8 to 12 months of age and keep it for years to come. When he’s tired, it will help him get to sleep. When he’s separated from you, it will reassure him. When he’s frightened or upset, it will comfort him. When he’s in a strange place, it will help him feel at home. These special comforts are called transitional objects, because they help children make the emotional transition from dependence to independence. They work, in part, because they feel good: they’re soft, cuddly, and nice to touch.” – Healthychildren.org from the American Academy of Paediatrics.

This secure bond is a positive sleep association that can help your baby during their partial awakenings. Because the transitional object does not change, it is soothing. Essentially, the object is meeting baby’s need for love and attention even when mom or dad is not actually there.

Sometime between the ages two and five, most kids are ready to say good bye to their security objects, however they may occasionally cling to these during times of stress. Dr. George Askew of Zero to Three points out that a transitional object is often an indicator of a strong parent-child bond. Essentially, the object is meeting baby’s need for love and attention even when mom or dad is not actually there, but do keep an eye out if your little one is always snuggling his Taglet Security Blanket instead of playing with toys or interacting with his peers. If so, try to understand what the underlying cause is such as absenteeism of one of the parents, etc.