Hi. My son is 15.5 months old (14 months old corrected age). He’s never slept with anything in his cot and has always been in a sleeping bag. I feel as though introducing something for him to cuddle will help his sleep, eg a comforter. Is this safe for his age? I have a teddy bear lovey blanket that he’s been given that I’m thinning of using, but only if it’s safe! Thank you.

Hi Corey,

Thank you for contacting Red Nose with your question “Hi. My son is 15.5 months old (14 months old corrected age). He’s never slept with anything in his cot and has always been in a sleeping bag. I feel as though introducing something for him to cuddle will help his sleep, eg a comforter. Is this safe for his age? I have a teddy bear lovey blanket that he’s been given that I’m thinning of using, but only if it’s safe! Thank you.”

Red Nose recommends to 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. Red Nose understands that babies over the age of 7 months, just like your son 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 object) during times of separation from their parent. By this stage most babies are able to lift their heads up and turn their face to the side, having developed the strength in their neck, shoulders, arms, and core to do so. If you are concerned your baby is unable to move their face away from the comforter chosen then Red Nose would recommend removing the comforter and discontinuing its use immediately. It is important that if you do choose to have a toy in your 14 month old babies bed that you keep the cot free of large soft toys, pillows, bumpers, activity centres and anything else that could be ‘stacked’ to assist a young child/toddler to climb out of the cot. Check the toy for loose buttons, batteries, ribbons, anything that a child could potentially choke on or accidently strangle themselves with. For more information please see our information statement: https://rednose.org.au/article/soft-toys-in-the-cot