Loveys

A cherished lovey (think: a cozy blankie or a soft teddy bear) can give little kids much-needed comfort, confidence, and security. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) even attests that every child “needs” a comfort object in their early years for emotional support. And, the best part, loveys are available day or night…even when Mom or Dad might not be nearby.

What’s a lovey?

A lovey, also called a comfort object or transitional object, is any object that a baby or toddler bonds with in order to feel comforted and secure. We all remember Linus from Peanuts dragging his beloved blankie behind him. And then there’s Calvin who had Hobbes the tiger…and Christopher Robin had Winnie the Pooh, of course. 

Loveys can be anything your child connects with. The only real lovey rules: Keep it out of the bassinet of babies for the first year of life and make sure it doesn’t have any little pieces, like button eyes or beads in the stuffing that can be a choking risk…or get stuck up your kiddo’s nose. No matter what your little one gravitates to, the universal truth is this: Kids love their loveys! And a cozy, cuddly lovey is a great sleep cue for older babies and toddlers.

How should parents introduce a lovey to help Baby sleep?

The best time to introduce a lovey like a blankie or sweet stuffed bear is when your little one is around 6 months old. You won’t leave the lovey in your child’s crib before their first birthday, but by introducing the lovey at 6 months, your little one will soon start to recognize it as a friend. Here are a couple of tips to help your little baby bond with their lovey:

  • Make it smell like a loved one. Parents should wear or hold the lovey for at least an hour prior to handing it to Baby. Scent can be soothing for your child, and it creates the illusion that their parent is right there.

  • Keep the lovey around all day long. Make your baby’s lovey a regular member of the family! Bring it on walks, have it on the changing table, in your arms, so your little one begins to recognize it and connect it with comfort and security.

For the first 12 months of Baby’s life, the safest sleepytime “loveys” are pacifiers and anything that makes white noise, aka the “teddy bear of sound.” But once your little one has passed the one-year mark, you can—and should—introduce a handkerchief-sized silky blanket or cuddly stuffed animal during naps and nights.

These cuddly friends are a wonderful sleep aid, they help babies and toddlers build confidence and security, and they work wonders for easing separation anxiety, too. Loveys are also especially comforting amid times of stress, like during travel, an illness, or a parent’s absence—and for babies and toddlers with cautious, sensitive temperaments. The AAP even notes that loveys help children make the emotional transition from dependence to independence. And your tot’s favorite lovey is available anytime—day or night. So, a lovey is a first friend….and a very, very good habit.