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Children and young people who require long-term ventilation (LTV) rely on medical devices such as CPAP machines for survival and safety. While the physical benefits of this technology are well-established, psychological considerations, particularly the relationship that can develop between children and medical devices, remains under-researched.Drawing on Bowlby’s (1969) and Ainsworth’s (1978) attachment theory, this abstract invites reflection on how medical devices may act as attachment figures, offering emotional regulation and perceived safety amid the uncertainty of chronic illness. Devices may symbolise predictability and control, especially in the context of hospital admissions, invasive procedures, or separation from caregivers. As transitional objects (Winnicott 1953) they may take on emotional significance akin to that of a caregiver.Our clinical observations have highlighted the emotional responses (including anxiety, distress, and identity-related challenges) that may arise during weaning or withdrawal of CPAP. This is especially evident when children have relied on devices from infancy, where the device becomes entwined with their identity. Weaning ventilation, even when this is due to physical improvements, can provoke feelings of loss, grief or vulnerability.Parents/caregivers may also resist withdrawal due to anxiety of their own attachment to the devices as a source of reassurance. Such resistance can delay clinical decision-making, increased distress and contribute to tension between families and professionals.Recognising attachment to medical devices and viewing them as transitional objects, may help clinicians approach weaning ventilation in a psychologically informed way. This abstract invites reflection about the role of psychology in LTV services, advocating for collaborative approaches that consider both the physical and emotional needs of children who grow up dependent on medical devices.References Ainsworth MDS, et al. (1978). Patterns of attachment. Erlbaum.Bowlby J. (1969). Attachment and loss: Vol. 1. Basic Books.Winnicott DW. Int. J. Psycho-Analysis 1953;34:89–97.