Baby Loveys – What are They and What are Their Benefits?
Baby loveys, also known as security blankets, transitional objects or comfort objects, play an important role in your little one’s life.
Loveys can present themselves as pretty much anything under the sun, from teddy bears and blankies to barbie dolls and figurines.
Sometimes it can be a little more obscure, depending on what your little one has chosen, but regardless of the object, a lovey can be your baby’s best friend (and sometimes yours too!)
What Role do Baby Loveys Play in Your Child’s Life?
There is often some misunderstanding that surrounds the concept of a comfort object; many mothers feel that these objects can create attachment or dependency issues.
However, loveys have the opposite function when introduced and used properly; they provide comfort, security and self-awareness to babies and young children.
Security blankets or comfort objects act as a tool to improve a child’s confidence and self-value as it facilitates their ability to self-soothe and navigate their emotions independently.
This is especially important during difficult times like when the child will be away from the parent or guardian for a few hours, or during sleep regression and other developmental phases.
Loveys provide support during those teary emotional moments (which are totally normal, by the way – your little one is learning about feelings).
They also act as a pillar of strength during transitional phases like sleep-training, going to granny and grandpa for the first time, first day of school or moving to a new house.
Loveys are there to remind your little ones that it’s safe to take small risks and explore their environment until they are confident enough to do it entirely on their own, even without the lovey in hand.
The bottom line is that loveys can help your child figure out how to get through a tough moment without you – a vital skill which fosters fundamental emotional and social growth as well as development of healthy coping skills.
How to Choose a Lovey for Your Baby
As with every other part of parenting, there is no one single approach that can be applied to choosing a lovey for your child.
In fact, you may not even have much of a say in the matter at all – it’s whatever makes your little angel feel safe, no matter how obscure.
In addition, your child may not even have the need for a lovey, which is also totally normal. Remember, we are all unique!
Having said that, there are a few important things to consider when settling for a lovey:
- Most importantly, the lovey must not be a choking hazard, so avoid letting your little one bond with a small toy or object. Also make sure there are no parts that can come loose such as googly eyes or buttons
- Make sure that it is made from non-toxic material which won’t cause harm if baby puts it into the mouth (which is inevitable)
- The lovey should be easy to hold and carry around so it should be relatively small and lightweight
- Soft and cuddly objects generally make the best loveys – think stuffed toys, blankies or even a combination of both
Check out our adorable bunny loveys which tick all the boxes for your little one’s very first best friend and confidant.
When to Introduce a Lovey
Once again, there is no one size fits all approach here. As a parent, you were given the gift of natural instinct when it comes to knowing what your little one needs – follow it!
However, there are some simple guidelines to help you along because we all know that navigating parenthood is not as easy as it sounds:
- Some children or babies will form a bond with their chosen lovey from a fairly early age, your job is to identify that and make sure you support their choice in a safe and loving way
- It is unlikely for new born babies to form a bond with an object. During this phase, it’s important that babies bond with their parents first before anything else
- If you are hesitant about when or how to introduce a lovey, speak to your paediatrician and ask for some advice
What About the Future?
As children grow up, they will start to learn how to develop relationships and bonds with their peers and, with this, the need for a lovey will begin to dwindle.
Each child is unique, so there really is no time limit as to when your child should stop turning to their lovey for comfort.
It’s crucial that you avoid trying to separate your child from their lovey before they are ready to do so, as this is what will ultimately cause attachment issues and separation anxiety.
Your child will soon realise that there is more value in real friendships with real children and they will make the choice to leave their lovey at home – when that happens is entirely up to them!
Aiden & Ava Baby Boutique – Online Baby Boutique
To be a parent is both a wonderful gift and a full-time job. But knowing what tools are available to help you and your little one through the not-so-perfect stages of life is key to raising a well-rounded, confident child with whom you have a trusting relationship.
As a mother of two, I realised that I needed all the help I could get and so the Aiden & Ava Baby Boutique was born.
Here you can find a gorgeous collection of heirloom quality baby clothing, swaddles and wraps, cot sheets, loveys and more – everything you need to make raising your angel as easy (and beautiful) as possible.
For more information about our products, or if you would like to see something stocked that is not yet listed on our site, please don’t hesitate to get in touch, we would love to hear from you!