Infants love clinging on to a lovey blanket. You may be wondering, “What is a lovey blanket?” A lovey is anything a baby has a strong liking towards to make them feel secure. In this case, it refers to blankets tailored for a baby’s comfort. Think of it as a security blanket for your little one.
Everything You Need To Know About Lovey Blankets
Loveys in a nutshell
Before we talk about the blanket your child may hold onto for most of their early years, let’s discuss the concept of loveys.
Have you ever had a particular object that you couldn’t go anywhere without during your childhood? The term for these objects is “lovey.”
Loveys are, in a sense, “good luck charms” that babies or young children randomly carry around, but that’s not all there is to them. They can help a young child feel more secure when faced with unfamiliarity.
Infants, for instance, are still adapting to the wide world around them and can have a hard time adjusting to anything that changes their familiar environment or routine.
If your little one has a lovey with them, they can cling to it to ease some discomfort they have when something new comes along.
For example, it’s time for the child to shift from a crib to a bed, or the child has to go to daycare for the first time. A lovey on hand will make transitions easier for both the child and their family.
For this reason, loveys are also called “transitional objects.”
What is a lovey blanket?
The first thought that pops up when you say “lovey” might be a stuffed animal, but lovey blankets are also a popular choice. Said blankets are small and usually have something like a soft ball – commonly designed as an animal head – attached, which serves as a handle when carrying it around.
In short, they double as both a blanket and stuffed toy that your little one can use when sleeping and carrying around.
Since lovey blankets are more functional around bedtime, they can foster independence when sleeping. At early stages, the child may need more hands-on support from the parents, so once they age a bit more, they can cling on to their lovey blanket in place of their parents’ presence.
How To Utilize Lovey Blankets?
Sleeping routines
Your child may want to bring their lovey blanket around with them once they’ve accustomed themselves to it, but it’s better to reserve the lovey blanket for sleeping.
Doing this will let the child associate it with sleep and make designated nap times easier for you and your child.
You may also use it for flights, for example. If you need to fly somewhere with your child, you can use their lovey to help them sleep in the airplane seats.
Replacements
It’s best to expect your child may lose the lovey blanket. Be prepared to go shopping for a replacement, especially when your child has a solid attachment to the lost lovey blanket.
The possibility of losing the lovey blanket isn’t the only reason to get a replacement. The lovey will need to be cleaned or need some stitching at some point.
When the child is attached to it, they may not handle having to wait for it very well. A replacement can soothe the child while you have the first lovey blanket washed or repaired.
Patience
If you purchase a lovey for the first time, it’ll take some time for your child to get used to it.
Before you start changing their environment or routine where their lovey blanket might comfort them, allow them to get accustomed to it first so they can associate it with a sense of familiarity and security.
It may take a few weeks, and in some cases, they may not form a bond with the lovey blanket. If they don’t grow fond of it after an extended period, don’t worry.
Each child will have their way of adapting to unfamiliar situations, and sometimes a lovey blanket won’t work.
At what age can a baby sleep with a lovey blanket?
While a lovey is an excellent idea for a child, you shouldn’t give your child a lovey blanket before their first birthday.
During the first few months, a child’s mobility is limited. Because of this, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that an infant less than a year old should not have anything in their cribs other than a firm mattress.
Anything else like toys, pillows, blankets, among others, could put your child at risk for suffocation.
Around the first birthday, the child can move more freely in their cribs, so the suffocation risk is minimal. At this point, you can already pick out a lovey blanket for your little one.
Conclusion
Lovey blankets are always a great idea for giving your children one a sense of comfort. That said, you don’t necessarily need to get a lovey blanket for your child, but you can look into getting one to appease them in new situations.
A question new or expecting parents might ask is, “What is a lovey blanket?” Now that you know, you can check out your local stores for a lovey that could suit your child.