Q&A Forum

4/1/21

Anna

Hello, my 11 month old is about to start daycare. Usually she's breastfed to sleep and again during the night if she isn't able to settle herself. Am I able to have a small teddy sleep in her cot with her? Looking for something to be in the cot she can use as a comfort to get back to sleep if she needs it. She has never taken a bottle or dummy and not looking to introduce either. Doesn't currently have a comforter or favourite toy to sleep with. Is in a sleeping bag for night sleeps and nothing else in the cot with her. Unsure if teddy is a safe option. Thanks in advance.

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Posted a response on 5/1/21

Red Nose Education

Red Nose recommends withholding any soft toys or comforters for babies less than 7 months of age, as they may increase the risk of suffocation.

Keep soft toys out of the sleeping environment for babies under seven months of age because they may cover the nose and mouth and interfere with breathing.
The risk posed by suffocation by the presence of soft objects in the baby’s sleeping environment outweighs any benefit to the baby from a soft toy. It is therefore advised not place soft toys and other soft objects in the cot for babies under seven months of age.
Seven month old babies are more likely to explore objects in their sleeping environments than younger babies. Some babies over seven months of age may appreciate a small object such as a soft toy to provide comfort and connection (transitional object1) during times of separation from their parent.
https://rednose.org.au/article/soft-toys-in-the-cot

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