A ‘Baby Comforter’ , otherwise known as a blankie, security blanket or soother, is an integral part of the life of many babies and toddlers. This cuddly little friend is often a life saver for many parents, preventing tears, tantrums and sleepless nights. The little blanket often accompanies the family on every outing and becomes just as important to take along as the nappies and wet wipes.

Parents will often give the comforter an affectionate name, giving it personality. ‘Doudou’, ‘BoBo, or ‘Binky’ quickly becomes part of the family and an all important friend for the little one. Much to the delight of parents, the security blanket helps their little one to relax and nod off for a nap leaving them to ‘goo’ over the cute image of their infant cuddling their snuggly little blankie.

Why do Babies Like Comfort Blankets?

A soother is usually very soft and cuddly against the skin which is very comforting for a baby. If they are introduced early on the child can quickly form an attachment with the item which can then offer comfort when Mummy or Daddy are not available, helping them to feel safe and secure.

Studies have shown that babies fall to sleep faster and sleep better when they have a comfort item to which they have become attached.

Popular Gifts For Babies

A comforter is a very popular gift to buy to celebrate the arrival of a  newborn and are often given as a baby shower gift. If you decide this is your choice of gift then there are some important points to consider when making your selection.

Quality Counts

The gift should be super soft and cuddly and made from high quality materials, ideally cotton. A recognised baby brand such as Mary Meyer or Jomanda will give you the peace of mind that all of the necessary testing has been carried out.d be a life saver for the parents if the item goes astray. It could save many sleepless nights and frantic calls to shops to try and find a replacement.

Some Popular Options

Mary Meyer have been making childrens soft toys and baby comforters since 1933 and are one of the leading worldwide brands in the gift market. The Putty Nursery Character Blankets are her best selling range and include a wide variety of animals including a panda, sloth, elephant and rabbit. Putty Plush fabric is amazingly soft and snuggly. Their little bodies are perfect for little hands and they are hard to put down. These wonderful keepsakes are more than a toy – you can feel the love!

Jomanda

Jomanda are fairly new to the baby gift market but already stand out as a premium product with a stunning range of soft toys and baby gifts. Jomanda cuddly comforters are made from the softest plush you will find. These gorgeous, washable gifts are perfect for a newborn baby. The range includes a rather charming Highland Cow Comforter that is a best seller and an irristable Sheep. Each blanket has a double layer of plush making it soft, thick and cuddly and has a snuggly small animal attached.

A Personalised Comforter

If you are looking for a truly unique gift for the little one then a personalised comforter is a great choice! With the babies name, date of birth and weight embroidered on the little blanket, the parents will undoubtedly be impressed by the extra thought you have put in to buying a gift for their precious bundle of joy. A perfect baby shower, christening or birth celebration gift!

If you do choose this option you may want to buy a plain version as well,  so that the embroidered blanket can be put away as a keepsake gift.

How to Introduce the Comforter

The advice regarding soft toy comforters is not to leave them in the cot until the baby is around 6 months. Instead the blankie should be held by the parent during cuddle times so that the baby develops an association with the smell and feel of the blanket with the comfort that is being provided.

Some of our Favourite Comforters

Jomanda Elephant Comforter – Luxuriously soft and cuddly little blanket with the cutest little elephant attached to it.  The blanket can be rolled and folded and tucked inside the toy’s arms. This also acts as a wrist strap allowing the elephant to be attached to the babies wrist.

Mary Meyer Koala Lovey – G’Day from the Land Down Under! This adorable character has a fluffy tummy and brightly coloured trim. Guaranteed to keep baby snuggling.

Peter Rabbit Comforter – From the ever popular Beatrix Potter tales of Peter Rabbit this little blankie is a traditional favourite with everyone. Little ones will love to snuggle up at cuddle time, storytime or bedtime with this beautiful, baby soft Peter Rabbit Comfort Blanket from Rainbow Designs.

Paddington Bear Comforter – Another old favourite that never goes out of fashion is this loveable Paddington comfort blanket. Made from baby soft plush to ensure it is as gentle as can be against baby’s skin. Paddington wears his signature red hat and blue coat with embroidered detailing, and has a cute Paddington pattern on the underside and cute knot detailing on each corner. Suitable from birth this comfort blanket makes a great gift for newborns.

Our Range

We hope you have enjoyed reading our Guide to buying a Baby Comforter. Whether you are looking for a baby boy or girl, whether it is a christening gift or a baby shower gift, these wonderful little keepsakes are sure to be a big hit. To make things even better they come at a small price and are delivered gift wrapped! Whichever little friend you choose, you can be sure they will make a perfect present. Browse our full range of baby comforters here.

Why not also have a look at our blog on choosing the right teddy bear for a baby.