How to Know If a Baby Can Sleep With a Stuffed Toy

If you're like many excited parents-to-be, you installed the cute bumper, lined up the stuffed toys from your baby shower and carefully spread out grandma's handmade blanket only to find out they're not safe to use in the crib. In the U.S., sudden infant death syndrome claims approximately 2,600 lives each year, according to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Along with putting your baby on her back to sleep and making your home a smoke-free environment, what you put in her crib while she sleeps can lower her risk of SIDS.

Instructions

    • 1

      Use your baby's age as a guide to help you decide when to allow her to sleep with a stuffed toy. While no magic age exists, the American Academy of Pediatrics states that the risk of SIDS from such toys is minimal after 12 months. However, some babies are ready for stuffed toys that are no larger than their heads at age 6 months.

    • 2

      Keep track of your baby's milestones. He must be able to sit up, roll over and push objects from his face before introducing a stuffed animal into his crib. Otherwise, he is less likely to rid himself of the stuffed toy if it covers his mouth.

    • 3

      Assess how well your child goes to sleep and stays asleep at night. According to the University of Missouri, a stuffed toy can help a child who is 1 to 3 years old feel secure and safe. Your little one might not need a stuffed toy if he's already a good sleeper. If he seems scared and needs some extra comfort at night, a stuffed toy might be useful.

    2. Previous:

    Next:

    • Old Cribs & Safety
      Choosing a crib is one of the most important decisions a parent can make. A baby spends a great deal of time in the crib, and each year 26 babies die and 11,500 are hospitalized in crib accidents. Most of those tragedies occur in older or used cribs.
    • What Size of Diamond Studs Are for a Baby?
      If you’re looking to add some sparkly bling to your precious one’s ears, a pair of diamond studs will definitely do the trick. You don’t want to over-do it or make it uncomfortable for your baby by buying studs that are too large, s
    • How to Give a Baby Medicine
      The thought of trying to get a spoonful of medicine into a childs less-than-cooperative mouth could put off any parent. Try a variety of methods, and maybe you wont dread the task so much. Dr. Tanya Remer Altmann, author of "Mommy Calls," a