Lovies are a safe, comfortable, and natural way to comfort your little one.

A Estella animal baby loveys can be any object that your child feels close to, whether it’s a stuffed animal, blanket, or a silky pillow. Often called “security” objects, loveys are used for many purposes; they can help ease crying, soothe separation anxiety, and build confidence.

When Should I Give My Baby a Lovey?

It’s a good idea to wait until your baby is over 12 months old before you introduce a blanket or stuffed animal as their first lovey. That’s because the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all cribs be blankie-free for the first 12 months due to the suffocation risk that infants face when they sleep with their own blankets or stuffed animals.

The Magic of Animal Baby Loveys: Why Every Baby Needs One

Besides that, introducing a lovey as a sleep cue can help babies associate the object with their bedtime routine. This is a great strategy for helping them learn to self-soothe and become more independent.

If your child has an attachment to their lovey, they’re likely to keep it with them as they grow older and use it to calm themselves down during stressful situations, such as when they start preschool or go on trips to new places. But the intensity of their bond with their lovey will fade. Usually, this happens around 18 to 24 months of age. But it’s a gradual process and not something to be worried about.