“MOM!! Where’s my Baba?”. And so begins our nightly search for my four year old boy’s lovie, otherwise known as “Daddy Baba”. He did have a “Mommy Baba”, but she got left at Fantasyland hotel last year and we think he may finally be over it. So now he’s left with one who we search for every night prior to our bedtime routine. He is usually under the couch or at the back door, tossed in a corner because as my boy grows, his need for “baba” in the day is less important. But when 6:30 pm rolls around, he needs it for all to be well in his world.
Why?
He slept with me from the day he was born until he was five months old. When I decided to transition him to his crib I introduced a lovie, something he could have for security in his crib every time he slept. This may seem young for a baby to care about an object, but I would find him snuggled with it under his arm most nights. In fact, I still do.
A crib should be a space for sleep. I don’t recommend tonnes of stuffies, toys, or a mobile. These are distracting and distraction is not conducive to encouraging babies to roll from one sleep cycle into the next independently. It is also a safety issue. Too many toys or blankets can possibly pose a risk for suffocation.
Lots of parents ask how to introduce a lovie to their baby who seems too small to care much about one. I recommend they choose a small stuffed animal or blanket, free of any small parts, buttons or eyes that could be removed by the baby and a choking hazard. Then have your baby hold it every time she feeds or snuggles with you. Doing so teaches her to associate the loving secure feeling with her lovie and an attachment is formed. Start putting her to sleep with it for every nap and nighttime sleep.
A really cool product that I wasn’t aware of when I had my boys is the Bitta Kidda sleep sack. It has a lovie attached right to it so that it’s always available to the baby in the crib. This is especially helpful for young babies that may put a small blanket over their face or move their lovie out of reach and are unable to get it independently. It is always attached to the front of their sleep sack, available for comfort. It is also great for daycare naps. Often, due to policy, baby’s lovies are not allowed in the crib at daycare due to the risk of injury. The Bitta Kidda sleep sack solves this dilemma as it is attached to the sleep sack and can provide comfort safely and keeps things consistent with the baby’s nighttime sleep. Bitta Kidda also has daytime lovies. They are identical to the ones attached to the sleep sack but are handy for the baby’s who like to have it close throughout the day, without having to carry their sleep sack around.
“Daddy Baba” is worn and has seen better days. He’s been found in puddles and in the aisle of Walmart. But he is worth every search as I hear my boy tell him about his day at bedtime and sleep soundly with him tucked under his arm. The pressure is on not to lose him as this model has long since been discontinued and he is so loved by my boy.
Does your baby have a lovie? Have you had any close calls leaving it behind somewhere?
Sleep well,
Carrie Bruno RN, IBCLC
We are early to the world of lovies but my 5 month old daughter has recently started to (seem) attached to a little stuffy with a small blanket attached. She LOVES to rub it on her face and even puts in on her face to fall asleep. I love the idea of the sleep sack for travelling as well as the attachable one!
This would be perfect for my little man who loves his bunny and his sleep sack!
My daughters still have their “blankie’s”! They no longer “need” to sleep with them, but they still pull them out now and then and Ican tell they still get comfort from them. Thanks for the article Carrie
Although my daughter isn’t quite old enough for this just yet, what a great idea. My daughter is a pretty active baby (even when she is sleeping) so I really like how I wouldn’t have to worry about trying to find the lovie if she wakes herself up at night because it will be attached to her.
Getting a Lovey for Asher was one of the best decisions we made. It helped comfort him instead of nursing to sleep!
My little 3 year old has a blue teddy/dog (Mister Bear) that one of my favorite co-workers gave her when she was born. The special thing to me is that my co-worker/soul sister knew I was pregnant before I did and she actually bought me the pregnancy test that turned out positive…and now the present she gave has become the most priceless possession for my baby girl! It warms my heart to see her connected to her lovie! He brings her comfort when I cannot be there, like at the dayhome and he brings her comfort when we are snuggling together! He is seriously our little melt-down-saver, and I can relate to searching for him daily (most days, multiple times) and not wanting to lose him because he is no longer at costco! (But I HAVE been tempted to post a fb post asking if anyone has a twin kicking around)! Thank goodness for Lovies, especially the well loved ones!!!
Would love to try your products out!
At this point I will try anything!
We have one for our son he is attached to his stagi (his donator stuffy). There was one time he spent the weekend at his nana and papas house and it was forgot there we had to try to distract him from realizing it for an entire week till my mom could get it back to us.
And our daughter (5 months) she is attached to her glow worm it’s one of the only things to get her calm when she is having a moment. So far we haven’t forgotten that one lol praying we never do…
It would be great for my daugther !! ☺
My little guy loves his sleep sac. And I know that he loves to hold things when he sleeps so this would be perfect for my 7 month old.