Small children often form special bonds with specific objects, which give them comfort and safety. Such comfortable or transitional objects are called loveys. So, should you introduce a lovey to your child? Read on to learn more about love, whether they’re safe, how to introduce them, and how to choose one.
What Is A Lovey?
Lovey is a transitional object, similar to a safety blanket, a hybrid of the blanket and stuffed animal. Most baby lovey consists of an animal head attached to a small blanket.
What is lovey for babies? Love can provide comfort and security for young children, especially at bedtime or when they are nervous in a new environment.
Why Parents Give Baby a Lovey?
The reason for offering lovey is that it provides comfort and safety for your child.
It can be a “buddy” to help her through tough times like separation anxiety, teething, mom returning to work, or learning to sleep alone.
It’s called a “transition object” because it helps your child transition from dependence to independence in the first few years of life.
Your child goes through a lot of changes during this time, but the lovey remains the same.
Many parents who are ready to make changes to their baby’s sleeping habits (such as starting sleep training or transitioning from bed-sharing) like to provide a soft, cuddly friend to snuggle with while their baby sleeps.
They want the lovey to provide comfort and comfort at bedtime and at night, as parents slowly stop providing actual support. Essentially, lovey replaces them.
When To Start Using A Baby Lovey?
When babies are awake from birth, they can receive any form of lovey. However, you cannot put your baby to sleep with a lovey until the baby is at least 12 months old. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, toys, pillows, blankets, and any other objects placed in an infant’s sleeping area may increase the risk of choking. It may ultimately increase the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
When your baby is over 12 months old, you can offer small gifts like stuffed toys at bedtime. This is the age at which sleep-related restrictions are usually relaxed for most infants. For example, a 12-month-old baby does not need to lie on his back.
You can wait until your baby is 24 months old to buy a larger pillow or blanket for him to sleep with. Older babies can easily slide over the baby’s face, making it easy to choke. Most babies have considerable physical abilities by the age of two, including the ability to move or throw objects. As a result, two-year-olds were more likely to push away a lovey who accidentally slipped across their face in their sleep.
Are Loveys Safe For Babies?
Most lovers are safe for babies of all ages if used while the baby is awake. Parents must also use loveys with care and follow the directions for maximum safety. You can stay safe by keeping a few things in mind when choosing a lovey.
How To Choose A Lovey?
When choosing and using lovey, please keep the following safety precautions in mind.
Babies under six months prefer small, soft Valentines like soft toys. If a lovey falls on the baby, the baby is less likely to be hurt.
Choose stuffed toys that don’t have any little bows, buttons, removable items, or hanging decorative items. These trinkets can fall off the toy, increasing the risk of ingestion and accidental suffocation.
Don’t pick anything with long ribbons or beaded loops, as these could wrap around the baby.
You can choose a soft toy that is small enough to easily grasp the baby’s hand. You may also prefer toys that are safe for babies, as young babies tend to pick things up and put them in their mouths.
Babies under 12 months can also use a pacifier. The act of sucking can calm some babies. Make sure you only use a pacifier when your baby is over four weeks old, the established age for breastfeeding or bottle feeding.
For added safety, it is best to supervise the use of loveys on infants under 6 months of age.
Do not give any lovey during sleep until the baby is 12 months old.
When your baby is 12 months old, give your baby a small gift at bedtimes, such as a small stuffed animal or a softcover book. Avoid pillows and blankets.
Babies over 24 months can get any gift at bedtime, including pillows, blankets, and books.
If the lovey is a blanket, tuck the corners tightly under the mattress.
If you’re not sure about a lovey’s safety, ask your pediatrician for advice.
What Are The Uses Of A Baby Lovey?
The use of lovey may vary depending on the age of the child.
Birth to six months: Babies may cry at this stage if play stops. If you or a caregiver can’t play with your baby, you can use lovey to keep them calm and busy. A pacifier lover can soothe your baby at bedtime because it is safe to let your baby sleep with a pacifier in his mouth.
6 months to 12 months: This is the stage where separation anxiety begins. You can use your lover to provide a sense of security when you’re not around. If your baby is showing separation anxiety at bedtime, you can place the lovey in the baby’s line of sight and some distance from the crib. Strengthening the “protection” provided by your lovey can help your baby feel at peace when they are around.
12 months to 24 months: By 12 months, babies tend to have a favorite toy or object. If you introduced a lover early on, chances are the baby already has a favorite lover. If not, you can introduce a cute soft toy and reinforce its use as a love for your little one to attach to it. During this stage, the lover can act as an intimate partner or companion. Separation anxiety tends to peak at this stage, and the lovey can make a very beneficial impression.
24 months and older: Lovey can be used to calm the child before bed. Using a blanket as a lover can help your baby associate it with sleep and bedtime. A blanket or pillow can also be carried on rides or air travel when babies are often showing signs of boredom and paranoia. In this case, you can use a lover to distract your baby and calm them down.
How To Introduce a Lovey
It’s best to introduce a lover like Blanche or Sweet Stuffed Bear when your child is 6 months old. You don’t put your lover in the crib until your child’s first birthday, but introduce him at 6 months and your child will soon recognize him as your friend. Here are some tips to help your little one develop a bond with their lovey:
- Make it smell like a loved one. Parents should wear or hold it for at least an hour before giving it to their baby. The smell can soothe your child, it creates the illusion that their parents are there.
- Keep your lovey by your side all day. Make your baby’s lovey a full-fledged member of the family! Take it with you for walks, put it on the dressing table, and put it in your arms so your child starts to recognize it and associate it with comfort and safety.
Final Words
If your child is old enough to use lovey and is struggling with sleep degradation or even separation anxiety, lovey may be a great tool. This may help provide your child with comfort items to help them feel safe.
