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Can I give my baby a comfort object to soothe herself?

⚡ Short answer: The common pediatric view is that around **12 months** is the earliest appropriate age to offer babies a safe attachment object.

Anonymous

bir anne · Sleep

Is it okay to give my baby a stuffed animal or blanket so she can soothe herself and fall asleep? At what age should I start?

Maiyko AI ADVISOR

The real reply from the in-app AI advisor

The common pediatric view is that around 12 months is the earliest appropriate age to offer babies a safe attachment object. Before 12 months, especially before this age, soft objects like stuffed animals, blankets, or pillows in the crib are not recommended because they increase the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and suffocation.

After 12 months, the risk drops significantly because your baby can now lie on her stomach and turn her head freely, and can grab and pull away foreign objects. At this stage, you can introduce a washable, small, and hard-parts-free stuffed animal or small square blanket in a monitored way. Most children develop emotional attachment to a comfort object between 18-24 months; this is completely normal and helps with self-soothing ability.

⚕️ Health note: This answer is for general information only; it is not medical advice. Every baby is different — for decisions about your baby's health, consult your pediatrician.

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