Pillows and Blankets

She 10 months old, there is nothing else for her to do except throw a tantrum because she is frustrated...she can't talk to you and tell you what she really wants yet.

Sure give her that pillow and blanket (if its your pillow it probably smells like you and she just wants to have you around all the time).

If you take away something she likes or something that is unsafe for her to be playing with, entice her with a different toy or activity.

Just think, how do you want to remember the way you put your child to sleep at night-with her screaming or with her comforted by this pillow and blanket.

We all have security issues, even as infants. This is her security blanket/pillow!

If you feel unsafe with the pillow in the crib at night, take it from her AFTER SHE FALLS ASLEEP!!!

It is perfectly normal and healthy, so let her have them! Tanturms are something you will be dealing with for years to come. Try to avoid them more than ingnore them. I have found that telling my son well in advance that he is going to take a nap or turn the TV off and then having him help me with the process really helps (although she is too young for that now). I have never really ignored him, I have always helped him through it by being there, rubbing his back and distracting him with something else that I know he will love. I can't stand to let him cry it out for bedtime or tantrums so for his 28 months here, I never have. He wants to be held when he is going through them and I think it would be mean to walk away from him. You find what works for you when it comes to these situations because every child is so different.

From my experience with kids who latch on to something like pillow, blanket, baby dolls or anything it is perfectly normal. Plus I have had a speech therapist and doctor tell me that it is perfectly normal and ok for them to do this. About the temper tantrums, those are normal too. It may be hard for you to do this but your best defense against temper tantrums is to just walk away from her when she is doing it. It is her way of getting attention and trying to get her way. Keep an eye on her from a distance to make sure she doesn't hurt herself but don't acknowledge her fits or she will keep doing them. Good luck.

My son sleeps with a blanket every night. He carries it around the house with him during the day, but I draw the line on taking it with us on outings. I've been told that it's perfectly fine. On the tantrums issue... both of mine have tried them. The only thing that helps (nothing is fool-proof even after 2 1/2 years) is to say "When you calm down, we'll discuss it". For my youngest (15 months), I just put him in a safe place (usually the floor) and stop looking at him. When he sees that he's not getting any attention (positive or negative) from the tantrum, he stops. It may take a while, but he always gets over it and starts playing again.

I would agree that most kids will have SOMETHING that they really like and dont want to o without. As far as the getting what she wants though she is only 10 months old but if you give into this now then this is what she will learn and be used to.Then later on it will be even HARDER a habbit to break.You dont want this. I always tell my son that if he throws a fit that it'll just make it worse and that he will lose (whatever it is) for even longer.You cant really expect a 10 month old to understand EVERYTHING you say to her but she will learn with repetativeness. I would set my boy in his room on his bed if throwing a tantrum.If he would try to get up I would put him back in without saying anything to him after the 1st time (when you settle down you can come back out).After a while of back and forth he would stop and settle down.Once settled down I would talk to him about what happend....Again only 10 months old, but try ad she will learn. Children (at any age) understand a lot more I think than what is given credit to them.With that repetativness they will learn to settle down and use their words better.Always mking sure to use good manners too is a good way to get them to calm down to get something. Because they know even on a good day they cant have it without asking nicely.I still have to remind my son at times of this but if WE as parents do it then they will be more likely to do it as well.

It's all normal. 2 of my 4 had their favorite "blankie" for years. And no other blanket would substitute. They get stained and end up looking like an old rag, but they still love them.
One other thing to consider... when they're in the womb, they're surrounded by softness and warmth. They come out and we stick them in these cribs with only a sheet on a hard mattress and expect them to be comfortable? If she likes to sleep on the pillow, I don't blame her one bit... I like my pillow too! I can't tell you how many pictures of my young children I have that you can see that blankie in. Goes everywhere.
If you can find a duplicate of her favorite one, definitely get a spare. My 2 year old will fuss the entire time his is getting washed and dried. Or he'll sit by the laundry room the whole time waiting to hold it again.

My son has a blanket he loves too. I have not made too big a deal with it because from what I understand this behavior is normal. Now he is becoming less attached just on his own. I think at 10 months there is not too much you should do for tantrums because she is so young and just learning how to express herself and interact with the world. Good luck with your little one.