However, as the baby grows up and ages, having toys for cribs is a great way to comfort them and help them sleep better. Crib toys to help baby sleep are becoming increasingly common for parents to buy for their babies, nowadays. However, the question still exists: what age can my baby sleep with a stuffed animal?
It is well known that young children, especially babies, don’t sleep very well. This can make them upset. Luckily, having baby stuffed animals around them to comfort them may help to ease their distress.
Why To Let Baby Sleep with a Stuffed Animal
Sleeping with a stuffed animal can help your baby to sleep better. However, this is only relevant when your baby is old enough to have a stuffed animal to sleep with.
Sudden infant death syndrome is a very real risk for babies who have a stuffed toy in their cot with them while they sleep. Indeed, it is said that the rate for SIDS has doubled since the turn of the century!
As such, young babies should not be given toys to sleep with due to the risks associated with these. Only older babies should be given safe crib toys to help them relax. But when do they reach this age?
When Can my Child Sleep with a Stuffed Animal?
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that parents keep their babies’ cribs free of anything that might block their breathing (e.g., blankets, pillows, quilts, comforters, stuffed animals) for at least the first 12 months. Such items increase the risk of suffocation and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), which is the leading cause of death of babies age 1 month to 1 year. Blankets, stuffed animals, and other fluffy items like crib bumpers may also collect dust, which can lead to sinus congestion and breathing problems for your baby.
After your baby’s first birthday, the risk of SIDS drops dramatically. Still, many experts suggest that parents wait until at least their child’s second birthday before introducing soft materials, such as stuffed animals, into their child’s sleep space. When you do decide to place a stuffed animal in your child’s bed, select one without buttons, ribbons, hard eyes, and other removable parts.
The Best Stuffed Animal for Baby to Sleep With
When it comes to choosing the best-stuffed animal for your baby’s bear cribs, you should consider numerous factors. To decide on the right stuffed animal doesn’t need to be hard!
The most important thing when you are going to pick a stuffed animal is the size. Giant stuffed animal beds are not suitable for babies and toddlers, due to the risk of suffocation. Toys that are too big can easily fall on and smother your baby. Select a smaller toy instead that won’t put your baby at risk of suffocation.
This can seem a little strange for parents of toddlers. People do not entirely understand what a 3 year old should know educationally. This means that they wrongly assume that their toddlers will be able to get away from a large toy that falls on them. Sadly, this is sometimes not the case. It only takes a toddler to panic when their toy falls on them for them to get smothered.
Choosing the best-stuffed toy for your baby is easy. You just need to consider a few simple factors. The best-stuffed toys for babies will be small and lightweight. This will allow your baby to move away from it easily if the toy happens to fall.
Similarly, baby toys should have no sharp materials; the best ones are made from soft materials such as fabrics. The easiest way to check if the toy you have chosen is right is to look at the packaging. Soft toys should have a recommended age on them. Picking a toy within the recommended age for your baby will help you to keep your baby safe with his new stuffed toys.
