What Kind of Lovey Is Safe for Baby
"Lovey". Have you heard that term before? We at The Baby Sleep Site® use the term lovey to hateful whatsoever comfort object that a infant or toddler brings to bed, and which provides comfort and soothing. Some people also call them 'comfort objects', or 'transitional objects'. While non every infant or toddler attaches to a lovey, many do – and every bit many parents have found (maybe you're one of them!), loveys tin exist great, every bit they provide children with a physical object that they can use to comfort themselves.
Baby Lovey – What Is It?
Really, a lovey can exist annihilation that'due south safe for a baby or toddler to accept at sleep time. Most loveys are what you'd think of equally "normal" condolement items – blankets, or stuffed animals. However, in our work with parents over the years, we've heard of some very foreign loveys indeed! We've had parents tell us their babies used the following items as loveys:
- throw pillows
- pacifiers (or soothers, or binkies, or dummies – depends on your name for it!
- toothbrushes
- board books
- spoons
- washcloths and hand towels
- puzzle pieces (big ones)
And of course, at that place's my personal favorite – a hair extension!!
Baby Lovey Rubber
We are big believers in promoting safe sleep, and in sticking with the rules of creating a safe slumber infinite. For that reason, information technology'southward key to call back that if your baby is under a twelvemonth sometime, you should avoid putting whatever items in the crib that may be a SIDS risk. Not sure if a detail lovey is condom for your baby? We e'er recommend checking with your baby's healthcare provider.
You lot'll likewise need to think most choking hazards – no loveys that accept small, detachable pieces, or even pieces that are sewn on but could potentially detach (think stuffed animals with small, plastic eyes sewn on).
Babe Lovey – Why Have I At All?
Some of you may be wondering why yous even need to offer a lovely in the first place. Well, the truth is, some of you won't – your babies will be able to self-soothe without any objects (maybe by sucking their thumbs, or stroking their faces or hair, etc.) Not every kid needs a lovey.
But if your are sleep training, or working on helping your baby or toddler learn to cocky-soothe independently, without you lot in the room, a lovey can be a lifesaver. A lovey becomes a comfortable, familiar object that can serve to instantly soothe your baby or toddler. This is especially great when you're out and nigh, or when you're traveling – but bring the lovey along, and it'll become a long style towards helping your baby sleep!
What's more, a lovey tin can actually help during sleep regressions – during those times, your infant is going through so many concrete and developmental changes. And speaking of changes, loveys can really help your baby navigate whatsoever big life changes – like moving to a new firm, the nascency of a new sibling, etc.
Basically, a lovey is a positive sleep association that tin can aid soothe and comfort your baby, and help them to relax and autumn sleep. And who doesn't desire that? 😉
Infant Lovey – When & How Should You Introduce Ane?
Equally for when to introduce a lovey, the short respond is that it depends on your baby. Some babies will naturally have to having a lovey at a fairly immature historic period, and will develop an attachment to some object fairly early one. If and then – then your chore is done!
For others, though, the process may wait different. And then when should y'all innovate a lovey? Well, don't worry about offering a lovey during the newborn stage – your baby doesn't yet accept the ability to class an attachment to an object, so a lovey won't matter at this point.
Beyond the newborn stage, the suggestions of when to innovate a lovely vary. Some pediatricians say it'due south fine at 4 months, while other circumspection to expect until 9 months or even a year. Again – if y'all're hesitant nigh when to introduce the lovey, and what kind of lovey to use, talk to your healthcare provider.
As for how exactly to introduce the lovey – there are a series of steps we typical recommend to consultation clients that are designed to assistance introduce the lovely gently, and to assistance ensure that baby accepts it and bonds with it. Desire to read these steps? We lay them out in one of our members-just articles, The Baby Sleep Site®'s v Step System To Introduce A Baby Lovey, in our The Baby Sleep Site® Members Area.
Baby Loveys We Love
When it comes to loveys, at that place are loads to choose from! Hither are two of our favorites:
This organic security coating from Gerber is so adorable.
Have lovey tips of your own? Share them with your fellow parents!
What Kind of Lovey Is Safe for Baby
Source: https://www.babysleepsite.com/sleep-training/baby-lovey-how-when-why/