Pacifier comforter or cuddle cloth: which first comforter to choose?

The difference at a glance

At first sight the Kidslabel comforters look alike: a soft animal head with a flat body below. The difference lies in their purpose. A pacifier comforter has a ribbon to which you can attach a pacifier. That is practical when your baby uses one and you would rather not keep searching for it. A Cuddle Cloth has no ribbon and is mainly meant for holding, feeling and taking along.

There are two pacifier comforters, the Teddy Bear in Beige and the Teddy Sheep in White, and two Cuddle Cloths, the Bunny in Soft white and the Elephant in Clay. All four are labelled from 0 years and can be washed at a maximum of 30 °C. So you are not choosing between better and worse, but between a function and a character.

• Teddy Bear comforter Beige: full product page
• Teddy Sheep pacifier comforter White: photographs and specifications
• Cuddle Cloth Bunny: photographs and specifications
• Cuddle Cloth Elephant: photographs and specifications

Pacifier comforters: Teddy Bear and Teddy Sheep

Both pacifier comforters measure 27 × 12 cm and are made from 100% recycled polyester in a teddy finish. That gives the surface the curly, soft look you also know from the Kidslabel backpacks and soft toys in teddy fabric. The narrow format makes them light and easy for small hands to hold, and they take up little space in a bag.

The Teddy Bear is a warm beige and pairs nicely with the Teddy Bear soft toy and the Teddy Bear backpack for anyone wanting to give a recognisable set. The Teddy Sheep is white, with small brown accents on its ears and paws. It looks light and suits a nursery in off-white or natural wood. View the detail photographs on the product page to see the ribbon and shape up close.

Cuddle Cloths: Bunny and Elephant

The Cuddle Cloths are slightly larger and flatter. They measure 26 × 20 × 5 cm and are made from 100% polyester. This gives them a wider body that a baby can easily grasp or hold close. They have no pacifier ribbon; they are mainly there to cuddle, carry along and become familiar.

The Bunny comes in Soft white, a gentle off-white with long ears and little feet at the bottom. The Elephant is in Clay, a warm earthy tone with a small trunk and round ears. Both wear a small scarf, as you can see in the product photographs. If you would also like the Bunny or Elephant as a larger soft toy, the collection offers the same animals in a standing format.

Which comforter suits which situation?

Does the baby use a pacifier, or do the parents expect to? Then a pacifier comforter is the most practical choice. The ribbon keeps the pacifier with the comforter, so they stay together in the bag or pram. Always check the instructions for the pacifier itself and the label of the comforter, as every pacifier works slightly differently.

Not sure whether a pacifier will be used, or giving a gift to parents you know less well? Then a Cuddle Cloth is a fitting choice: it works without a pacifier and remains a familiar comforter later on. Look at colour too. White and Soft white suit light rooms, while Beige and Clay add a little more warmth.

Washing and storing: keeping the comforter beautiful

A much-loved comforter goes everywhere and is therefore washed often. All four models have a maximum wash temperature of 30 °C. Always follow the label in the product for further instructions. A laundry bag and a gentle programme help keep the teddy fabric and shape neat. Preferably wash a new comforter before first use.

Many parents deliberately keep two identical comforters at home. When one is in the wash, the other is ready. That prevents a difficult evening when the familiar comforter is missing. For sleep, young babies have their own guidelines; follow the advice of your health visitor or midwife on what belongs in a cot or crib.

A comforter as a newborn gift

A comforter is a small gift with a big effect. It is affordable, light to bring on a maternity visit and often used in the very first weeks. Want to make the gift bigger? Combine a pacifier comforter with baby slippers or a romper, or choose a comforter and a soft toy of the same animal so that the gift forms one calm whole.

Every product page shows the full specifications and all photographs. There you can also see whether a model can be ordered online through our sales partner, or where else it is available. Torn between two models or have a question about size or material? Feel free to contact Kidslabel; we are happy to help you decide.

• A closer look at the Teddy Bear comforter
• Explore the Kidslabel collection
• Ask Kidslabel a product question