Should you give your baby a cuddly toy?
This is a recurring question among new parents. And it’s a natural question to ask, because we often hear that this object is essential for our baby, that it’s a stimulating toy and that it helps him to fall asleep better at night.
All true! The fact remains that not all children have had one. And yet they do just as well as those who have never had one.
So, in the end, should you give it to your baby or not?
In our opinion, that’s not the real question! Instead, we should be focusing on the benefits that a cuddly toy brings to a baby. Why is it so important to your little one? Why does he need it?
That’s the question we’re going to answer in this blog post. But before we get to the heart of the matter, we think it’s a good idea to first define what a baby comforter is.
So, what is a cuddly toy?
A cuddly toy is something that can’t be defined exactly. It varies so much from one baby to another. Most of the time, it’s a toy or cuddly toy. But it can also be a T-shirt, a bib, a quilt, a simple piece of fabric..
In short, a baby blanket can be anything! The only thing they have in common is that baby attaches particular importance to them. It’s their favourite object. He never gets rid of it. He follows it everywhere. Whether it’s going to bed, to the nursery, to the park… his little companion accompanies him.
In simple terms, that’s how you can define a child’s cuddly toy: an object that baby becomes attached to from an early age.
Good to know: psychologists also call it a “transitional object”. Admittedly, the name doesn’t sound very poetic! But it does have a very specific meaning, which we’ll explain in the next paragraph.
What is the purpose of a baby blanket?
If you’ve come this far to read this article, it’s likely that you’ve already heard somewhere that :
- a cuddly toy gives baby comfort and reassurance ;
- they give baby a sense of security;
- cuddly toys help baby to grow up more independent;
- they make it easier for baby to cope with new and difficult situations;
- it helps baby to fall asleep properly;
- it helps baby cope better with separation from parents.
Well, it’s all true! And they’re all good reasons to give your child a cuddly toy.
In fact, if your little one has so much trouble separating from this object, it’s because it’s important to him. And why is that?
Firstly, because your toddler will need comfort when he begins to understand that he is not one with his mum. This distinction is usually made around the age of 6 months. He begins to realise that his mum is in fact a different person from him, and that he is an individual in his own right.
Naturally, this process of detachment is not easy for your baby. He will feel frustrated and will need comfort and consolation. And it’s your baby’s cuddly toy that will help give them all that.
Whatever it is, it will offer reassurance, soothing and gentleness. Hugging it or playing with it will give them a feeling of security, as if their parents or the elements that surround them every day are always by their side.
The cuddly toy as a transitional object
In a way, this toy makes the transition easier. And that’s why it’s called a “transitional object”.
This transitional object will keep your little one company when you’re away. It will compensate for your absence and help him to develop more independence.
So don’t hesitate to take your little one to the crèche or the park with his faithful friend. Also, give it to him when he asks for it. Don’t deprive him of it, especially when he goes to sleep, when he’s sad or when he’s been hurt somewhere. He’ll need his friend to comfort him!
What cuddly toy should you give your baby?
Your baby has just been born. Birth presents will be flooding in. And for the most part, your nearest and dearest will be offering cuddly toys and toys as usual. Perhaps one of them will be your newborn baby’ s future cuddly toy. But you don’t know yet!
In any case, there’s no point in rushing to buy this or that object! When the time comes, baby will choose his own cuddly toy. And when they do, you owe it to them to respect their choice.
But don’t worry! Baby won’t choose an object that could hurt him. In general, children prefer something soft and pleasant. Something they can cuddle and caress.
So, when you ask the question “which cuddly toy should I choose”, the answer is that the choice is not yours to make. It’s up to your child to choose the one that will become their faithful companion. And whatever they choose, you shouldn’t argue with them. After all, there’s no such thing as a good or bad cuddly toy. As long as it fulfils its role as a transitional object, it will be good for your little one.
It’s also good to know that every child’s comforter is unique. It’s irreplaceable. From the moment your baby designates it as his cuddly toy, it will remain so forever.
Over time, the object will acquire a smell and texture that will enable baby to distinguish it from any other object, even one that is perfectly identical. He’ll get used to the smell, which will give him a feeling of comfort and security.
For all these reasons, don’t expect your baby to separate easily from his cuddly toy. There are some easy ways of doing this, and we’re going to tell you about them in the following paragraphs.
When should you separate your baby from his cuddly toy?
Your baby is getting on in years and you’re now planning to separate him from his cuddly toy. Well, you really shouldn’t do this, because it’s a bad idea! Why, you ask? We’ll explain it to you straight away!
Remember, your little darling adopted his cuddly toy when he felt he needed it. Well, he’ll naturally part with it when he no longer feels the need for it. And when exactly will that be?
It’s hard to say! But in general, a child will let go of his lifelong friend between the ages of 3 and 5. But that doesn’t mean you should force him to give it up if he refuses to do so even at the age of 6. No !
You need to give your child time to separate himself from his favourite object. If they can’t do without it, it’s because they still need it. The cuddly toy could still be useful in stressful situations. So don’t force his hand.
Otherwise, here are a number of reasons why children may abandon their blankets:
- Most of the time, it’s when he’s starting to get to grips with words and can now express himself in a completely different way.
- Babies will also let go of their cuddly toys as they become more independent. When this happens, he’ll be able to cope with stressful situations and changes on his own.
- Your child starts to make friends and take part in activities outside the home. They’ll feel less alone and won’t need as much comfort and companionship as before. They will gradually give up their cuddly toy.
Finally, when your child gradually distances himself from his baby blanket, it’s a sign that he’s grown up and moved on. But don’t be surprised if he comes back to ask for it. He may be going through a difficult situation and needs his cuddly toy to comfort him. But don’t panic! He’s not likely to become as attached to it as before.
How do you separate a child from their cuddly toy to wash them?
When the time comes, your child will never want to be separated from his baby blanket. However, at some point you will have to take it away to wash it. This is essential to remove all the dirt that has accumulated on the cuddly toy and prevent baby getting sick. (To find out more about caring for a cuddly toy, we invite you to read our article on how to wash a cuddly toy
So how do you go about it?
First of all, we don’t advise you to take it away suddenly or by force. Your baby certainly won’t appreciate it! It’s best to proceed tactfully. Here are a few tips that might work. You should be aware, however, that they will be most effective if your child’s cuddly toy is a soft toy, which is usually the case.
- When buying a cuddly toy for your baby, buy two identical models. That way, when you go to wash one, you can give him the other and vice versa. If you do this regularly, your baby will see nothing but fire. But be careful, the two cuddly toys must have the same smells. If not, it may not work!
- Is your child already going to nursery? Then it’s the perfect time to wash your baby’s c uddly toy. Having said that, you’ll need to check the drying time carefully so that your baby’s cuddly toy is ready in time for your child’s return. He could have a crying fit if he doesn’t see it when he gets home from nursery.
- You can also clean the comforter at the same time as you bathe your little one. This will help him understand that his companion needs a bath too.
Conclusion: why is a cuddly toy important for a child?
A cuddly toy is important for many reasons. For your baby, it’s a source of comfort and security. He likes to have it near him when you’re away or when he’s facing a stressful situation. A cuddly toy compensates for your absence by providing softness, tenderness and a sense of security. So it’s vital to give them to your child when you spend less time together.
Although it often comes in the form of a cuddly toy, a baby blanket can be another object that your baby has close at hand and loves. You don’t have to choose it for him. Baby will choose it for himself when the time comes.
Finally, although it’s possible to help your child to separate from his soft toy, it’s essential to let him get rid of it at his own pace. They will eventually abandon it when they no longer feel the need to hold on to it.
That’s about all you need to know about the importance of a soft toy for a child. This transitional object will be beneficial to them. But always remember that every child is different. While some have a strong need to have a cuddly toy by their side, others can do without one without worry.