Whether it’s a velvety blankie or a well-loved teddy with one eye missing, comfort objects hold a special place in a child’s world. They travel to childcare, get tucked in at nap time, and somehow always need to be found before the family can leave the house. For parents, it can raise plenty of questions: Is this normal? Is it healthy? And when, if ever, should a child give it up?
\nThe answer is reassuring. Comfort objects have a special way of supporting babies and children as they rest, play, and grow, and over time these well-loved items become part of the family. Here’s what parents should know about how these bonds form, why they matter, and how to manage them well.
"}},"contents":{"json":{"nodeType":"document","data":{},"content":[{"nodeType":"embedded-asset-block","data":{"target":{"metadata":{"tags":[],"concepts":[]},"sys":{"space":{"sys":{"type":"Link","linkType":"Space","id":"xf6mqlbz6glx","contentful_id":"xf6mqlbz6glx"}},"id":"c7JusCjhFe55TXYic5Bsjoc","type":"Asset","createdAt":"2026-10-14T17:07:38.588Z","updatedAt":"2026-10-14T17:07:38.588Z","environment":{"sys":{"id":"master","type":"Link","linkType":"Environment","contentful_id":"master"}},"publishedVersion":4,"revision":1,"contentful_id":"7JusCjhFe55TXYic5Bsjoc"},"fields":{"title":"Little biracial toddler baby playing at home stock photo","description":"1224568079","file":{"url":"//images.ctfassets.net/xf6mqlbz6glx/7JusCjhFe55TXYic5Bsjoc/23eee6348d7c217b12b38f3e1c2769dd/iStock-1224568079.jpg","details":{"size":10072431,"image":{"width":6389,"height":4260}},"fileName":"iStock-1224568079.jpg","contentType":"image/jpeg"}}}},"content":[]},{"nodeType":"heading-2","data":{},"content":[{"nodeType":"text","value":"What Are Comfort Objects?","marks":[],"data":{}}]},{"nodeType":"paragraph","data":{},"content":[{"nodeType":"text","value":"As the name suggests, comfort objects are items that provide comfort to infants and children to help them feel calm and secure. They’re usually snuggled at bedtime but can soothe kids during the day as well.","marks":[],"data":{}}]},{"nodeType":"paragraph","data":{},"content":[{"nodeType":"text","value":"These objects are also known as “loveys,” because children form a close connection with them. They are also “transitional objects” because they can help children move from being dependent babies to independent older children.","marks":[],"data":{}}]},{"nodeType":"paragraph","data":{},"content":[{"nodeType":"text","value":"Although different children find comfort in different objects, loveys are usually soft, cuddly, and nice to touch. Common types include:","marks":[],"data":{}}]},{"nodeType":"unordered-list","data":{},"content":[{"nodeType":"list-item","data":{},"content":[{"nodeType":"paragraph","data":{},"content":[{"nodeType":"text","value":"Soft toys","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"data":{}},{"nodeType":"text","value":", such as a teddy bear or plushie","marks":[],"data":{}}]}]},{"nodeType":"list-item","data":{},"content":[{"nodeType":"paragraph","data":{},"content":[{"nodeType":"text","value":"Blankets","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"data":{}},{"nodeType":"text","value":", like a swaddle blanket or fluffy blankie","marks":[],"data":{}}]}]},{"nodeType":"list-item","data":{},"content":[{"nodeType":"paragraph","data":{},"content":[{"nodeType":"text","value":"A piece of a parent’s clothing","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"data":{}},{"nodeType":"text","value":",","marks":[],"data":{}},{"nodeType":"text","value":" ","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"data":{}},{"nodeType":"text","value":"such as a silky tie or the belt of a robe","marks":[],"data":{}}]}]},{"nodeType":"list-item","data":{},"content":[{"nodeType":"paragraph","data":{},"content":[{"nodeType":"text","value":"Muslin cloths or burp cloths","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"data":{}},{"nodeType":"text","value":" that carry a familiar scent","marks":[],"data":{}}]}]}]},{"nodeType":"paragraph","data":{},"content":[{"nodeType":"text","value":"Most children settle on their favorite between 8 and 12 months of age, though the attachment often deepens through toddlerhood.","marks":[],"data":{}}]},{"nodeType":"heading-2","data":{},"content":[{"nodeType":"text","value":"Why Do Children Get So Attached to Them?","marks":[],"data":{}}]},{"nodeType":"paragraph","data":{},"content":[{"nodeType":"text","value":"There’s a real reason children stay loyal to one exact blanket, even when an identical one is offered instead. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, security objects are part of the emotional support system every child needs in their early years.","marks":[],"data":{}}]},{"nodeType":"paragraph","data":{},"content":[{"nodeType":"text","value":"As babies grow, they begin to understand that they’re separate people from their parents, and that realization can feel a little unsettling. A child’s love for their comfort object comes from this wider developmental need. Transitional objects provide the predictability that children need as they separate from their parents at bedtime or take steps towards their independence.","marks":[],"data":{}}]},{"nodeType":"paragraph","data":{},"content":[{"nodeType":"text","value":"It’s not just about how soft or cozy something feels, either. Many children believe, in their own way, that their favorite toy or blanket is one of a kind, almost like it has its own little spirit inside it. Even though children know these objects aren’t alive, they still treat them like they are.","marks":[],"data":{}}]},{"nodeType":"paragraph","data":{},"content":[{"nodeType":"text","value":"Scent plays a role in this too: A child’s sense of smell is highly developed early on, and an item that has absorbed a parent’s scent or the child’s own feels irreplaceable in a way a look-alike never will.","marks":[],"data":{}}]},{"nodeType":"paragraph","data":{},"content":[{"nodeType":"text","value":"Attachment to a comfort object is also shaped by culture and daily life. Children in full-day childcare can be much more likely to form an attachment to a comfort object than children in half-day care. This is likely because the lovey acts as a familiar anchor during longer stretches away from home.","marks":[],"data":{}}]},{"nodeType":"heading-2","data":{},"content":[{"nodeType":"text","value":"When Are Comfort Objects Helpful?","marks":[],"data":{}}]},{"nodeType":"paragraph","data":{},"content":[{"nodeType":"text","value":"For most children, a comfort object is doing real developmental work, not just providing a cuddle. They can:","marks":[],"data":{}}]},{"nodeType":"unordered-list","data":{},"content":[{"nodeType":"list-item","data":{},"content":[{"nodeType":"paragraph","data":{},"content":[{"nodeType":"text","value":"Help children manage new experiences","marks":[],"data":{}}]}]},{"nodeType":"list-item","data":{},"content":[{"nodeType":"paragraph","data":{},"content":[{"nodeType":"text","value":"Help children relax and fall asleep","marks":[],"data":{}}]}]},{"nodeType":"list-item","data":{},"content":[{"nodeType":"paragraph","data":{},"content":[{"nodeType":"text","value":"Act as companions that children can talk to, sleep next to, and share experiences with","marks":[],"data":{}}]}]},{"nodeType":"list-item","data":{},"content":[{"nodeType":"paragraph","data":{},"content":[{"nodeType":"text","value":"Provide reassurance when children are separated from their parents, such as at bedtime or childcare","marks":[],"data":{}}]}]},{"nodeType":"list-item","data":{},"content":[{"nodeType":"paragraph","data":{},"content":[{"nodeType":"text","value":"Offer comfort when children are scared or upset","marks":[],"data":{}}]}]},{"nodeType":"list-item","data":{},"content":[{"nodeType":"paragraph","data":{},"content":[{"nodeType":"text","value":"Help children feel secure in unfamiliar environments by linking a new situation to the comfort of home","marks":[],"data":{}}]}]}]},{"nodeType":"paragraph","data":{},"content":[{"nodeType":"text","value":"Children with strong bonds to comfort objects might have stronger attachments to a parent and are happier than those without a lovey. These items are a sign of security, not a substitute for it.","marks":[],"data":{}}]},{"nodeType":"paragraph","data":{},"content":[{"nodeType":"text","value":"Children with a comfort object also tend to show fewer signs of separation anxiety and are more likely to develop secure attachment styles. Using a comfort object regularly may also help children build coping skills they can lean on later in life.","marks":[],"data":{}}]},{"nodeType":"heading-3","data":{},"content":[{"nodeType":"text","value":"Bringing a Comfort Object to Childcare","marks":[],"data":{}}]},{"nodeType":"paragraph","data":{},"content":[{"nodeType":"text","value":"Many parents wonder whether it’s okay to take a lovey to daycare. It’s worth checking with your childcare service, since many centers have their own policies about which comfort items are allowed and how they’re stored during the day. If they are allowed, you can go with your gut on whether your child should bring theirs. For some kids, being away from their comfort object is really hard, so it’s okay to let them bring it. For others, you might be able to reason with your child and explain the item will be waiting at home.","marks":[],"data":{}}]},{"nodeType":"paragraph","data":{},"content":[{"nodeType":"text","value":"If your child does bring their item along, it’s reasonable to treat it differently from other toys. While sharing is an important skill to practice, a child doesn’t have to hand over their comfort object to anyone else if they don’t want to.","marks":[],"data":{}}]},{"nodeType":"heading-2","data":{},"content":[{"nodeType":"text","value":"Tips for Safety and Cleanliness","marks":[],"data":{}}]},{"nodeType":"paragraph","data":{},"content":[{"nodeType":"text","value":"Comfort objects are wonderful during the day, but age and cleanliness matter, especially for babies.","marks":[],"data":{}}]},{"nodeType":"paragraph","data":{},"content":[{"nodeType":"text","value":"Wait until they’re 12 months old to sleep with a comfort item. ","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"data":{}},{"nodeType":"text","value":"Soft toys, blankets, and other comfort items should be kept out of the crib, since pillows, quilts, comforters, and stuffed toys can be a suffocation risk. After 12 months, these objects are much safer for healthy babies. Until then, comfort items are best used during supervised awake time, such as tummy time, cuddles, or feeding.","marks":[],"data":{}}]},{"nodeType":"paragraph","data":{},"content":[{"nodeType":"text","value":"Choose safe materials and sizes.","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"data":{}},{"nodeType":"text","value":" If choosing a comfort item for an older infant, make sure it meets recognized safety standards, it is small in size, it isn’t pillow-like, and it doesn’t have long fabric attachments, like unstuffed ears or legs, that a baby could fold into their mouth. Here’s a simple way to check for choking hazards on smaller toys: If the item fits completely into a toilet paper tube, or it can be pushed into one, it’s a choking risk for young children.","marks":[],"data":{}}]},{"nodeType":"paragraph","data":{},"content":[{"nodeType":"text","value":"Skip strings and ribbons. ","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"data":{}},{"nodeType":"text","value":"Avoid pacifiers or comfort items connected by strings or ribbons, as these can wrap around a child’s neck or cover their face and prevent breathing.","marks":[],"data":{}}]},{"nodeType":"paragraph","data":{},"content":[{"nodeType":"text","value":"Wash it regularly. ","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"data":{}},{"nodeType":"text","value":"Comfort objects go everywhere, like the car, the floor, childcare, and occasionally your pet’s mouth, so they pick up a lot of germs. A gentle, regular wash (check the care label first) keeps the item clean without erasing its familiar feel. Many parents wash a well-loved item on a warm, gentle cycle and air-dry it, then return it to the child as soon as it’s ready, since a change in texture or smell can sometimes unsettle a child more than expected.","marks":[],"data":{}}]},{"nodeType":"paragraph","data":{},"content":[{"nodeType":"text","value":"Have a backup, if you can. ","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"data":{}},{"nodeType":"text","value":"If your child has a single, irreplaceable comfort item, consider getting a duplicate or two early on, before a strong preference sets in. This makes it far easier to manage washing, loss, or wear and tear later. If a duplicate isn’t possible, it helps to know your child’s routine well enough to avoid last-minute scrambles (for example, doing a load of washing while the item is only briefly out of reach, such as during a bath).","marks":[],"data":{}}]},{"nodeType":"heading-2","data":{},"content":[{"nodeType":"text","value":"When to Gently Limit Use","marks":[],"data":{}}]},{"nodeType":"paragraph","data":{},"content":[{"nodeType":"text","value":"There’s no “normal” age for a child to move on from their comfort toy. Children grow out of the habit at different times, depending on the child, the family situation, the child’s temperament, and their experiences. Some 8-year-olds still have the bunny they had at 12 months old, and for other children the choice of object changes over time. Rather than setting an age at which comfort toys are seen as “abnormal,” it helps to normalize the wide range of timing involved.","marks":[],"data":{}}]},{"nodeType":"paragraph","data":{},"content":[{"nodeType":"text","value":"That said, there are moments where a gentle, thoughtful approach to limiting use can make sense:","marks":[],"data":{}}]},{"nodeType":"unordered-list","data":{},"content":[{"nodeType":"list-item","data":{},"content":[{"nodeType":"paragraph","data":{},"content":[{"nodeType":"text","value":"If the attachment seems to signal anxiety.","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"data":{}},{"nodeType":"text","value":" If an older child seems too attached to their comfort object, it’s worth considering whether the child is anxious about something else going on in their life, rather than focusing on the object itself.","marks":[],"data":{}}]}]},{"nodeType":"list-item","data":{},"content":[{"nodeType":"paragraph","data":{},"content":[{"nodeType":"text","value":"In the teenage years. ","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"data":{}},{"nodeType":"text","value":"The same research that found comfort objects linked to happiness and secure attachment also found that teenagers who need their comfort object daily may show poorer mental health. If daily reliance at that age comes with other signs of stress, it’s worth a gentle conversation, or a check-in with a pediatrician or counselor.","marks":[],"data":{}}]}]},{"nodeType":"list-item","data":{},"content":[{"nodeType":"paragraph","data":{},"content":[{"nodeType":"text","value":"Before starting a new environment. ","marks":[{"type":"bold"}],"data":{}},{"nodeType":"text","value":"Some families find it helpful to introduce set times when the comfort object stays home, such as at preschool drop-off, while still allowing full access at bedtime or during rest time. This can gradually expand the moments a child can feel secure without it.","marks":[],"data":{}}]}]}]},{"nodeType":"paragraph","data":{},"content":[{"nodeType":"text","value":"The healthiest approach is not to set a fixed age or force a sudden goodbye. Forcing a child to part with their cherished item prematurely can cause unnecessary distress. Letting a child set their own pace, with a little gentle encouragement over time, tends to work far better.","marks":[],"data":{}}]},{"nodeType":"heading-2","data":{},"content":[{"nodeType":"text","value":"The Bottom Line","marks":[],"data":{}}]},{"nodeType":"paragraph","data":{},"content":[{"nodeType":"text","value":"A comfort object isn’t a problem to be managed or a habit to be broken on a schedule. For many children, it’s a normal, healthy tool that helps them feel secure, manage change, and grow more independent in their own time. That worn teddy, however scruffy it looks, is doing genuinely important work. With a few simple safety and hygiene habits in place, parents can feel confident letting the bond run its natural course.","marks":[],"data":{}}]}]}},"author":{"name":"First 5 California","image":{"file":{"url":"//images.ctfassets.net/xf6mqlbz6glx/4pO9QBIn13KrsiJXdYwN16/a89042a9f8c029e5e5694d4fbdd0877f/first-5-california-logo.png"}}},"sources":{"json":{"data":{},"content":[{"data":{},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"","nodeType":"text"},{"data":{"uri":"http://CareforKids.com.au"},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"Care for Kids Group","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"hyperlink"},{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"paragraph"},{"data":{},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"","nodeType":"text"},{"data":{"uri":"https://childrens-choice.com.au/understanding-comfort-objects-in-childcare/"},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"Children's Choice","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"hyperlink"},{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"paragraph"},{"data":{},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"","nodeType":"text"},{"data":{"uri":"https://theparentingpro.com/comfort-objects-in-child-development/"},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"The Parenting Pro","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"hyperlink"},{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"paragraph"},{"data":{},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"","nodeType":"text"},{"data":{"uri":"https://publications.aap.org/patiented/article/doi/10.1542/peo_document088/79989/Safe-Sleep-and-Your-Baby-How-Parents-Can-Reduce"},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"American Academy of Pediatrics","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"hyperlink"},{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"paragraph"},{"data":{},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"","nodeType":"text"},{"data":{"uri":"https://rednose.org.au/safe-sleep-and-safer-pregnancy/newborn-to-1-year/soft-toys-and-comforters/"},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"Red Nose Australia","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"hyperlink"},{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"paragraph"},{"data":{},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"","nodeType":"text"},{"data":{"uri":"https://ocfs.ny.gov/publications/Pub5035/"},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"New York State Office of Children and Family Services","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"hyperlink"},{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"paragraph"},{"data":{},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"","nodeType":"text"},{"data":{"uri":"https://littleunicorn.com/blogs/the-feed/why-does-your-child-need-comfort-items-and-how-to-choose-the-right-one"},"content":[{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"Little Unicorn","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"hyperlink"},{"data":{},"marks":[],"value":"","nodeType":"text"}],"nodeType":"paragraph"}],"nodeType":"document"}},"bookImage":null,"bookDescription":null,"bookDownload":null,"bookLink":null,"youtubeVideoId":null,"showFeaturedVideo":null,"showFeaturedActivities":null},"sidebarContent":{"pageFeaturedDownloadLabel":null,"pageFeaturedDownloadTitle":null,"pageFeaturedDownloadImage":null,"pageFeaturedDownloadAsset":null,"pageFeaturedDownloadLink":null,"pageFeaturedDownloadCta":null,"pageFeaturedVideo":null,"pageFeaturedService":null,"pageFeaturedActivities":null,"pageFeaturedQuote":null}},"pageContext":{"id":"3024e9d0-2b78-5e7a-8609-1f9bbffc7f00","contentful_id":"40iCmexScSqeQCBmfoe3LI","locale":"en-US","section":"topics"}},"staticQueryHashes":["1119012108","1697936219","179512363","179512363","179512363","2544526753","2864971689","2920524551","526850764","526850764","526850764","576933679","984081858"]}