Soother x comforter - the difference

[srbecka]

Reading D.W.Winnicott I came accross these two words: comforter and soother. It is very important for me to know the difference between them in English - (D.W.W. was great English child psychoanalyst) in the common use. So far I know only the similar meaning. There is a problem translating it to Czech and not blur the difference. Could any native English speaker help me - emphasize such aspects of these words that are not applicable in special situations?

 

[apricot2]

I think a comforter is a blanket or piece of fabric which some children like to hold whilst a soother is a dummy with a teat on which the child can suck.  Any other answers?

[wonky]

same as above me thinks!!

[Ouisch]

Just to add my two cents, what they call a "soother" in Canada and the UK, we call a "pacifier" in the US.

[georgit79]

A comforter is a blanket thing, a soother is a dummy or pacifier..from the answers here, I think it is soother in Canada, pacifier in the US and dummy in the UK! Phew!