Editing Comfort object (section)

== In child psychology ==
[[File:Objet transitionnel.svg|thumb|250px|Legend: (a) mother, (b) child, (1) illusion, (2) transitional object]]

In human [[childhood development]], the term ''transitional object'' is normally used. It is something, usually a physical object, which takes the place of the [[Maternal bond|mother-child bond]]. Common examples include dolls, [[teddy bear]]s or blankets.

[[Donald Woods Winnicott]] introduced the concepts of ''transitional objects'' and ''transitional experience'' in reference to a particular developmental sequence. With "transition" Winnicott means an intermediate developmental phase between the psychic and external reality. In this "transitional space" we can find the "transitional object".

When the young child begins to separate the "me" from the "not-me" and evolves from complete dependence to a stage of relative independence, it uses transitional objects. Infants see themselves and the mother as a whole. In this phase the mother "brings the world" to the infant without delay which gives it a "moment of illusion", a belief that its own wish creates the object of its desire which brings with it a sense of satisfaction. Winnicott calls this [[Donald Winnicott#Subjective omnipotence|subjective omnipotence]]. Alongside the subjective omnipotence of a child, lies an [[Donald Winnicott#Objective reality|objective reality]], which constitutes the child's awareness of separateness between itself and desired objects. While the subjective omnipotence experience is one in which the child feels that its desires create satisfaction, the objective reality experience is one in which the child independently seeks out objects of desire.{{Citation needed|date=October 2007}}

Later on the child comes to realize that the mother is a separate entity, which tells the child that they have lost something. The child realizes that they are dependent on others, thus losing the idea that they are independent. This realization creates a difficult period and brings [[frustration]] and [[anxiety]] with it. The mother cannot always be there to "bring the world" to the baby, a realization which has a powerful, somewhat painful, but ultimately constructive impact on the child. Through fantasizing about the object of its wishes the child will find comfort. A transitional object can be used in this process. The transitional object is often the first "not me" possession that really belongs to the child. This could be a real object like a blanket or a teddy bear, but other "objects", such as a melody or a word, can fulfill this role as well. This object represents all components of "mothering", and it means that the child itself is able to create what it needs as well. It enables the child to have a fantasized bond with the mother when she gradually separates for increasingly longer periods of time. The transitional object is important at the time of going to sleep and as a defense against anxiety. In a study conducted in Brazil, children who used transitional objects were able to calm down and go to sleep more easily than children who did not use transitional objects.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Vercelli |first1=Ligia de Carvalho Abões |last2=Negrão |first2=Tatiane Peres Alves |date=2019-09-30 |title=Um olhar sobre o período de adaptação de crianças pequenas a um centro de educação infantil e o uso de objetos transicionais |url=https://periodicos.uninove.br/eccos/article/view/13320 |journal=EccoS – Revista Científica |language=pt |issue=50 |pages=13320 |doi=10.5585/eccos.n50.13320 |s2cid=214054742 |issn=1983-9278|doi-access=free }}</ref>

In a later stage of the development, the child no longer needs the transitional object. It is able to make a distinction between "me" and "not-me", keeping inside and outside apart and yet interrelated. This development leads to the use of illusion, symbols and objects later on in life.

[[File:Kid, teddy bear, hobby horse, bed Fortepan 14743.jpg|right|thumb|upright|Some bedtime comfort objects for the typical child in 1943]]

Winnicott related the concept of transitional object to a more general one, transitional phenomena, which he considered to be the basis of science, religion and all of culture. Transitional objects and phenomena, he said, are neither subjective nor objective but partake of both. In ''Mental Space'', Robert Young has provided an exposition of these concepts and has generalized their role into psychic phenomena in adult life.<ref>Young, R. M. (1994). Mental Space. London: Process Press. ch. 8</ref><ref>Young, R. M. (1989). "Transitional phenomena: production and consumption", in B. Richards, ed., Crises of the Self: Further Essays on Psychoanalysis and Politics. London: Free Association Books, pp. 57–72.</ref>

Research with children on this subject was performed at the [[University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee]] by Richard H. Passman and his associates. Among other findings, they showed that security blankets are appropriately named – they actually do give security to those children attached to them. Along with other positive benefits, having a security blanket available can help children adapt to new situations, aid in their learning, and adjust to physicians' and clinical psychologists' evaluations.  Passman's research also points out that there is nothing abnormal about being attached to them.  In the United States, about 60% of children have at least some [[Attachment theory|attachment]] to a security object.
A bedtime toy is often used by children while going to sleep. It is typically a [[plush toy]] or something of that nature that [[child]]ren can cuddle up with while going to sleep. It is sometimes combined with a [[nightlight]].  Bedtime toys are typically of an animal, such as the common [[teddy bear]], or any other creature, such as a mythical creature or fictional character. The toy is often used for physical comfort, and most commonly psychological comfort for children with [[Separation anxiety disorder|separation anxiety]] and [[nyctophobia|a strong fear of the night]].