comforting children

What? 18 views and no answer??

Hi Mrs.,

It's a big question!! A little daunting in that way.

I'll take a stab at an (incomplete) answer:

Methods of comfort vary by age, but most of them have to do with physical contact. My daughter is going to be 5 in a month, and I will almost always hug her if she needs comfort. If she's sad, if she's hurt herself, if she's tired and cranky. I still kiss boo-boos, always seems to make her feel better. Often the hugging is in a lap context -- pull her up on my lap, hug, she rests her head on my shoulder, etc. -- and then when she feels better (amount of time varies) she pops out.

Sometimes I recognize based on how she's reacting to the hug/ lap time that something else is going on, like she's hungry, or something, and then I move to meet whatever need that is.

Maybe more narrow/ specific questions?

That's a tricky question. Each baby/child reacts to different things in different manners. Plus, comforting the baby varies depending on WHAT is bothering them.

It could be as simple as holding them, singing/talking to them, offering a pacifier (if they take one), offering a bottle (sounds weird, but sometimes my children would fuss until I offered a bottle, even if they didn't take it), a swing, being outside (my babies favourite), a particular person, a comforting room, a change of scenery, music, to stand up (even if they're an infant), to be held a certain way, a bath, distraction.... The list goes on.

What kind of issues does your child have? What bothers them? And, what have you already tried?

I'd say it was individual choice, feeling safe and secure can be acheived in a number of ways, distractions by a favourite toy, cuddles,
A child needs a comforter when faced with new experiences and when they may feel anxiety for example starting nursery, going to hospital, visiting the dentist,
Its quite common for children to want to bring something from home for that extra security