Having consistent caregivers is crucial in helping a baby develop strong attachments. A stable network of adults (including infant educarers) with consistent caregiving methods can provide responsive care to help the child form secure attachments.

In the absence of a caregiver, transition objects sometimes help the child alleviate anxiety if the items are associated with the caregiver to whom the child is securely attached.

In one study of children above three years old, researchers examined the use of security blankets during a paediatric examination.

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3. Ybarra, G. J., Passman, R. H., & Eisenberg, C. S. (2000). The Presence of Security Blankets or Mothers (or Both) Affects Distress During Paediatric Examinations; Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 68, 322-330.

Children accompanied by a caregiver during the examination were less distressed than when they had a security blanket with them during the examination. However, these findings are inconclusive as some cultures which have consistent caregivers present did not use comfort objects with children.

A study conducted by Hong & Townes (1976) found that around 50% of American children and approximately 20% of Korean children developed an attachment to a blanket or an equivalent type of primary transitional object. The research concluded that cultural differences in child-rearing practices influence both the incidence of infants’ attachment to inanimate objects and perhaps the choice of attachment objects.

When the child is in secure attachment with the caregiver, a security object is secondary. However, it can prove useful during transition when the child is going to another caregiver before attachment relationship is established.