How to Introduce a Lovey Blanket to Your Baby

Quick answer

Introduce a baby lovey blanket around 6 months of age, when your baby can roll over and move objects away from their face. Start by placing the lovey with you during feedings or naps so it picks up your scent, then gradually let your baby explore it during supervised awake time.

Steps to introduce a lovey blanket to your baby

1. Step 1: Wait until your baby is at least 6 months old: Before 6 months, babies lack the motor skills to move a lovey away from their face. Wait until your baby can roll over both ways and sit with support. This reduces the risk of suffocation. Check with your pediatrician if your baby was born prematurely or has any developmental delays.
2. Step 2: Let the lovey absorb your scent: Tuck the lovey into your clothing or hold it against your skin for a few hours before giving it to your baby. Your familiar scent will make the lovey feel safe and comforting. Avoid using strong perfumes or fabric softeners that may irritate your baby's skin or mask your natural scent.
3. Step 3: Introduce the lovey during calm, supervised moments: Place the lovey near your baby during tummy time, story time, or while you cuddle. Let your baby touch, grab, and explore the lovey while you are watching. Do not leave the lovey in the crib during unsupervised sleep until your baby is older (typically after 12 months). If your baby shows no interest, try again in a few days. Some babies take longer to bond with a lovey.
4. Step 4: Use the lovey to create a sleep association: Once your baby is familiar with the lovey, offer it during the bedtime routine—for example, hold it while reading a book or singing a lullaby. Eventually, your baby will associate the lovey with sleep and comfort. Always remove the lovey from the crib once your baby falls asleep until they are developmentally ready to sleep with it safely.
5. Step 5: Wash the lovey regularly: Follow the manufacturer's care instructions. Most loveys can be machine washed in a gentle cycle and air dried. Washing removes germs and keeps the lovey fresh, but it will also fade your scent—reintroduce the lovey to your skin after washing. Buy a second identical lovey so you can rotate them while one is being washed. This also gives you a backup if the original is lost.

Lovey blankets we recommend

• Pearhead Elephant Baby Lovey Blanket: The Pearhead Elephant Baby Lovey Blanket is a gender-neutral gray elephant snuggle blanket with a soft polyester exterior and silky lining. The silky lining provides a soothing texture that helps babies self-soothe, while the compact size makes it easy for little hands to hold.

  

• Mary Meyer Puttling Whale: The Mary Meyer Puttling Whale features super soft etched fabric in slate blue with a wide corduroy underside and embroidered sleepy eyes. The combination of two different textures (soft fabric and corduroy) gives your baby sensory variety, which can be calming and engaging during play or sleep.