Self-Soothing

[Katiee]

Hey,

I'm looking to buy a nice smelling lotion/talc to help soothe myself when I'm feeling anxious or just having a bad day. I have BPD and I struggle with self-soothing.

I'm quite interested in Johnsons bedtime lotion and also the talc - but I know it's for babies, but it just seems calming and soothing to me. I sound quite stupid, don't i?

I was just wondering what you guys use?

[whoknows]

I use lavender oil. I find it really soothing.

[Ballerina123]

I use lavender oil to self sooth.
I find it really hard too. I have bpd traits x

[Katiee]

I'm a bit embarrassed to post this so please don't judge.

I was wondering if anyone has used one when they were older than 3/4 years d? For example, in their teenage years for comfort during distressing periods or even as adults as a way to self-soothe?

I know going back around 8/9 years ago, I used to see a lot of teenagers with them in their mouths. It became a fashion thing I thnk. :/

Also, how does a dummy work? Like how does the 'sucking' motion provide comfort to a baby?

[dust]

I didn't have mine taken until I was 4.

I bought myself a new one at 15.

Not sure why they help.

[Epicene]

I would guess the soothing bit would have something to do with being similar to the sensation of suckling, but rhythmic motions are generally soothing too.

I remember it becoming a bit of a trendy thing too and actually tried it myself when I was about 15. I didn't find it especially soothing, but then again I didn't have one as an infant.

[sherlock holmes]

I had a friend who would suck dummies until she was about 13. Her family had to try hard to get her to stop.

I guess sucking a dummy is soothing as it resembles a breast which goes back to being breastfed (or to an extent bottle fed) as a baby, which is very soothing because you're getting nourishment, warmth and love from your mother. To extend the kind of Freudian approach you could say those who have an oral fixation would suck dummies, or smoke cigarettes, or suck/chew on pens etc.

[Arienette]

I never had a dummy, but I still have my baby blankets and cuddly toys... And I'm 24.

I'm only just considering not having them because I managed in hospital without them. But they are comforting and soothing during distress and can help contain my little, but yeah, alsorts of people do alsorts of things to self soothe.

Whatever works for you.

[Amaranth]

I tend to use different lotions, I like experimenting with the different smells, but I always have a strawberry one 'in stock' so that I know I have a familiar smelling fall back if I feel I need it.

I like the Johnsons bedtime lotion, I used to use it on my son as a baby and I carried on using it myself for a while after I'd stopped using it for him. If you want to use it then go ahead, it's not just for babies :-)

[Arienette]

teddies. teddies and more teddies.

[Snow White.]

Teddies too!

But any scent that I enjoy, I also burn candles that are scented.
No need to judge your choice of what you want! Doesn't matter if it's for babies it can have lots of different purposes.

[Bear]

I use baby bubble bath and lotion. I use baby powder after a shower. There's no shame in it, my mum uses baby products and she's in her sixties! Xxx