4/11/2023 0 Comments Animal age blanket for baby![]() ![]() “Often kids haven’t learned to self-soothe or put themselves back to sleep without a stuffed animal, so it’s not uncommon for it to become a habit or even ritual in order to sleep,” she says. Trachtenberg notes that, in many cases, kids haven’t honed the skill of falling - and staying - asleep without a stuffed animal, so having one can be key in getting a good night’s rest. Improved functioning throughout the day.Here are some of the benefits, according to Sutton: Sleeping with a stuffed animal can be helpful for kids for a variety of reasons, regardless of age. “By holding the stuffed animal, tweens and teens are experiencing a feeling of comfort and calm and are able to self-soothe.” Benefits of sleeping with a teddy bear (or stuffed animal) “Perhaps the stuffed animal was given to them from a significant loved one or it represents a positive memory from their childhood? Either way, stuffed animals can be a helpful tool in decreasing feelings of anxiety,” Sutton explains. While young children are often given stuffed animals to sleep with, as it helps soothe them and aid with the transition to bedtime (more on this shortly), older kids continue to sleep with them for a number of reasons. ![]() “The idea of a teen using a stuffed animal as a self-soothing skill is a completely acceptable, safe and appropriate response to dealing with life’s stressors, with no known, long-term negative effects.” - MEGHAN SUTTON, MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPIST Why do children sleep with stuffed animals? “The idea of a teen using a stuffed animal as a self-soothing skill is a completely acceptable, safe and appropriate response to dealing with life’s stressors, with no known, long-term negative effects.” “While we typically think of younger children using stuffed animals as a self-soothing practice during bedtime, it is not out of the ordinary for older children and teens to continue with this behavior,” Sutton continues. Coping skills are self-soothing activities that can help in the healthy management of emotions when life feels tough.” “Teaching teens coping skills is critical for building resilience. “Research shows that anxiety is on the rise for the teen population,” explains Meghan Sutton, a marriage and family therapist at Howard Phillips Center for Children and Families at Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children. Not only is it considered normal for teens to sleep with a stuffed animal, there are even benefits to sleeping with a teddy bear at 16 or so. “There is no age when kids should stop sleeping with stuffed animals.” - LAUREN SCHAPIRO, PSYCHOTHERAPIST Is it normal for a teenager to sleep with a stuffed animal? Regardless of the reason, it is completely normal.” Others may use them as a coping strategy when dealing with life stressors. Some use stuffed animals to connect them to important relationships or past events in their life. “Stuffed animals serve many different purposes for children and even adults. “There is no age when kids should stop sleeping with stuffed animals,” she explains. Lauren Schapiro, a psychotherapist at Liz Morrison Therapy in New York City, agrees. JEN TRACHTENBERG, PEDIATRICIAN Is sleeping with stuffed animals normal?Īccording to Erin Hawks, a child and adolescent psychologist at the Oklahoma University College of Medicine, it’s safe for children to start sleeping with a stuffed animal after the age of 1 (not before, as it poses safety risks) and from then on, sleeping with stuffed toys is “perfectly normal,” even into teenagehood. “Tweens and teens often continue to sleep with a stuffed animal or favorite childhood blanket, as it brings comfort and helps relax them to sleep as it did in younger years.” - DR. Here’s what the experts have to say about older kids and stuffed animals. “Tweens and teens often continue to sleep with a stuffed animal or favorite childhood blanket, as it brings comfort and helps relax them to sleep as it did in younger years.”Ĭoncerned that your child is too old to be sleeping with stuffed animals? Don’t be. Jen Trachtenberg, a board-certified pediatrician in New York City. ![]() “There is no specific age when a child must stop sleeping with a stuffed animal,” says Dr. Here’s a snuggly secret, though: It’s totally OK. However, when the child is older - and still sleeping with stuffed animals - some parents find the idea more confusing than sweet. Few things are more precious than seeing a little one snuggled up with a teddy bear. ![]()
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