When Can a Baby Sleep With a Lovey?

One of the biggest gifts a parent can give their child is the ability to self-soothe. That's why lovies have become integral transitional objects in many households. These safe, simple toys could help your baby help get through their first morning at daycare or fall asleep alone at night.

The lovey will play the biggest role as your baby gets a little older and has to spend more time away from you or other members of your family. Babies can start sleeping with lovies once they're 12 months old. For babies up to a year old, the American Academy of Pediatricians has strict guidelines: Babies should sleep in a crib, on a firm matter covered by a tight-fitting bedsheet. There should not be any other objects in the crib.

If you've already received some lovies as a gift or you're thinking ahead, this post is for you! After reading it, you'll know everything you need to know about introducing a lovey to your baby.

Table Of Contents

1. Benefits of Using a Lovey in Baby's Sleep
2. At What Age Can a Baby Sleep with Lovey?
3. What is the Best Lovey for a Baby?

Benefits of Using a Lovey in Baby's Sleep

Your baby's lovey could play a part in a few important developmental milestones. It's also known as a transitional object or attachment object, and it becomes a tool that ushers your baby through some difficult aspects of growing up.

• Self-soothing: A lovey is fundamentally an object of comfort. It's designed to be one of the first objects your child attaches to. Because your child creates positive associations with it, it can help them self-soothe during difficult times.
• Connection to parent: When introduced during bonding time, the lovey can be something your baby associates with you and your scent. This means that the lovey can act as a comforting proxy when you're separated.
• Engagement: The shape, feel, color, and smell of the lovey all create just enough sensorial stimulation to engage your baby without overwhelming them.
• Learning to hold: A lovey can contribute to physical development milestones such as learning to grip.

When it comes to your baby's bedtime, you can safely introduce a lovey at the 12-month mark. Your baby's first birthday is the perfect age to start letting them fall asleep with the comforting toy.

That said, you can introduce the lovey before that. Your baby can start playing with a lovey when they're as young as 6 months old, as long as it's outside of sleep time. You can introduce the lovey even sooner by simply rubbing it against your baby's cheeks during feeding or cuddle times. As your baby starts reaching and grabbing, it could be the first item they learn to hold.

A lovey could become a very important object in your child's life, so here are a few things you want to consider when choosing one.

• Safe: Babies often suck or chew on their comfort objects, so make sure your lovey is made of safety-rated fabrics made of natural materials like linen or cotton. The WildBird Lovies are made with an OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100-certified fabric that is guaranteed safe from potentially harmful chemicals.
• Durable: A durable lovey will last for years, and is also a safer option as there is a lower risk of it ripping and becoming a choking hazard.
• Cute: While babies could attach to any number of objects, whatever you choose for them might as well be cute and aesthetically elegant - after all, the lovey can still hold meaning even once your child becomes an adult.
• Consider getting multiples: Many parents buy a few of the same lovey, so they can switch them out between washing periods and avoid heartbreak should the lovey get lost.

The WildBird Baby Lovey Blankets are safe and cozy lovies that are simple enough to engage your baby from an early stage. They're made of a machine washable linen-cotton blend that is certified free of harmful chemicals.

They come in various elegant, soothing color options, with kitten, bunny, or bear designs. No matter which creature you choose, our soft yet durable lovies could be your child's cherished companion for the years to come.

1. How to introduce a lovey?

   Introduce the lovey during playtime or when having skin-to-skin contact with your baby. Hold the lovey and sing songs to your baby, and let them reach for it and eventually hold it.

   Later on, you can introduce several lovies or similar objects, and let your baby choose their favorite during tummy time. You can also make cuddling with the lovey a part of the bedtime ritual. Just make sure not to leave the lovey with your baby in the crib if they're under a year old.

2. How to phase out a lovey?

   Most experts do not recommend actively phasing out the lovey. Your child will stop relying on the lovey or other comfort objects naturally, usually by age 5 or 6.

   That said, you can foster healthier attachment earlier on by creating rituals around washing the lovey or leaving it at home. You make a special bed for the lovey to “sleep” in times when your child may need to put it away.

3. Can my baby sleep with a lovey before 12 months?

   Doctors recommend you don't let your baby sleep with any other objects in the crib before 12 months. Consult with your child's pediatrician for individualized advice.

4. How long do babies use lovies?

   Babies usually start using lovies between the ages of 6 months to a year, and they can remain a cherished toy for the next 4-5 years. Keep in mind that each child is different. It's also common for babies to move on to new objects every few months or even from day to day!