The 7 Best Loveys of 2023
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- A lovey is a transitional object designed to help children feel safe and secure.
- Many parents use loveys to help with separation anxiety in toddlers at night.
- It’s best to wait until your baby is at least one year to let them sleep with a lovey in their crib.
When I was pregnant with my first child, I was bombarded with parenting tips on what to avoid. There was so much advice surrounding how to avoid my baby becoming reliant on things. I know these parents had good intentions, but it left me wondering how to get my baby to sleep without a swaddle, pacifier, breast, or security blanket.
Even with this advice, I trusted my instincts. My four children have all had items that helped them self-soothe at bedtime. A lovey is one of my favorite items to ease separation anxiety at bedtime.
Baby loveys can be found just about anywhere baby products are sold. They are so common many children’s shows and movies feature characters that carry one around. Don’t we all remember Linus and his security blanket?
If you’re looking for a lovey that your little one will hold dear for years to come, look no further. We’ve found the 7 best loveys that your baby is sure to love.
Our Choice: Crevent Cozy Plush Baby Security Blanket
- MATERIAL: Grey faux fur front + minky back.
- SIZE: 34X34cm / 14″X14″
- GIFTABLE: Great gift for newborn baby boys / infants / toddlers / pets / dogs / cats etc. Christmas / Birthday / New Year / Receiving Gift.
- Easy maintenance, machine washable and dry.
The Crevent Cozy Plush Baby Security Blanket is one we will purchase over and over again. Here’s why we love it:
- Price: This lovey comes at a great price. This is important as you might have to replace loveys along the way.
- Quality: My toddler has tested the durability of this lovey and it has held up nicely. It’s nice to find such a high-quality product for that price point.
- Softness: We can’t get enough of the furry blanket with the minky underside. It’s so soft, even my older children like to hold it.
- Easy to Clean: I can’t say it enough—a lovey blanket just has to be machine washable. It will likely end up covered in drool, dropped in the dirt, or grabbed with sticky fingers.
For these reasons, I’ll be recommending this lovey to other moms in search of the perfect lovey.
Best Toy: Itzy Ritzy – Itzy Lovey Including Teether
- SNUGGLY SOFTNESS FOR ALL AGES: Our Itzy Ritzy lovey with teether isn’t just a toy—it’s like having a snuggly buddy for your little one! Crafted from the softest sherpa fabric and plush minky material, it’s all about comfort and fun. Perfect for babies aged 0 months and up, it’s a must-have for their early years of exploration and play.
- TEETHING RELIEF: Say goodbye to teething troubles! Our lovey includes a textured silicone teether, providing soothing relief for sore gums and helping your baby navigate through those teething days with a smile.
- TOUCH & EXPLORE: With textured ribbons to touch and play with, our baby plush toy lovey encourages your baby’s sense of touch and promotes sensory exploration. It’s perfect for keeping those little hands busy and engaged.
- FUN CRINKLE TOY FOR BABY: Watch your baby’s eyes light up as they discover the hidden crinkle material in the arms and feet of our lovey. It adds an extra layer of fun to playtime and helps develop their auditory senses.
Pros:
- Great for sensory development
- Includes a teething toy
- Machine Washable
Cons:
- Might get worn quickly
Loveys are great for security, but they can also be used as toys. The Itzy Ritzy – Itzy Lovey Including Teether is a teething toy and baby lovey all in one.
Perfect for ages 0 and up, this is one of the cutest loveys for little teethers available in a bunny, koala, sloth, and more. The animal body is made of sherpa and minky fabric. It’s sure to be super soft against your baby’s skin.
My babies always loved toys that crinkle, and I was pleased to see that this baby lovey includes crinkle arms and feet for sensory development. The understuffed body resembles a small blanket rather than a stuffed animal body. There are also ribbons attached to the side of the body for little ones to grab.
Since there’s an attached silicone teether, you’ll be just as pleased as I was to learn that you can throw this into the wash on the gentle cycle. However, daily use as a teether will likely cause this lovey to wear down quickly.
Material: Silicone | Dimensions: 6″L x 2.25″W x 9.75″H
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Best Organic: Burt’s Bees Baby – Lovey Plush, Hold Me Bee Soother Security Blanket
- Organic Material: Our baby essential blanket plushies are made from a 100% organic velour shell with polyester filling, making this lovey gentle on your baby’s delicate skin. Cuddle during bedtime, playtime, tummy time, or during trips.
- Cuddly Design: The 12″” x 12″” x 3″” inches comfort toy makes it perfect for little hands to hold and snuggle day and night. Baby boys and girls can easily snuggle this adorable baby essential or add it to a stroller or car seat when traveling.
- Easy Care and Durability: Our comfort toy retains its shape, softness, color, and quality wash after wash. These baby toys are a durable and reliable companion for your little bee and make an excellent neutral-gender baby shower gift.
- Adorable Bee Accent: The cute bee lovey is in sunshine yellow, adding an extra touch of sweetness. Add as an accent to your baby nursery or add to top off a sweet baby gift!
Pros:
- Chemical free
- Soft materials
- Gender neutral
Cons:
- No variety of choices
If your baby is going to put their lovey in their mouth, it may be important to some parents to find organic materials. The Burt’s Bees Baby – Lovey Plush, Hold Me Bee Soother Security Blanket promises to use only organic cotton in their products.
This plush, sweet bumble bee lovey is made with 100% certified organic cotton and filled with polyester. The cotton is durable and will hold up even with multiple washes. This is a feature I can not live without in a lovey, as they often get dirty.
Though I would have liked more choices, I appreciate that Burt’s Bees made the colors gender-neutral. It makes a great gift for girls or boys. The design is fairly simple and doesn’t include any rattles or teethers, but the adorable bee makes it perfect for a toddler to cuddle.
Overall, this chemical-free baby lovey gets a thumbs up from me as a simple lovey that’s sure to please parents looking for natural options.
Material: Cotton & Polyester Fill | Dimensions: 12″L x 3″W
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Best Blanket: Aden + Anais Essentials Issie Security Blankets
- PREMIUM – 2 Identical Pre-washed super soft 100% cotton muslin blankets with satin trim; One for the wash and for snuggling; 16″ x 16″ (40.5cm x 40.5cm) perfect for infants; babies and toddlers
- COMFORTABLE & STYLISH – Breathable and comfortable cozy muslin fabric; Open weave allows for airflow; Choose from a variety of signature prints and color schemes for girls and boys or unisex
- VERSATILE – Perfect blanket from naptime and cuddling; Perfect to take everywhere you go and use as a playtime/surface blanket; stroller cover and more
- EASY CARE – Stays soft wash after wash
Pros:
- Reputable brand
- Soft muslin material
- Includes backup blanket
Cons:
- Only 2 pattern choices
Many parents are familiar with the brand Aden + Anais. They are one of the most popular brands for receiving blankets and swaddles. The Aden + Anais Essentials Issie Security Blankets will leave Aden + Anais fans just as pleased as ever.
This set comes with 2 security blankets. Haven’t we all wished we had an extra security blanket on hand when one is in the wash or goes missing? This machine washable lovey is made with 100% cotton muslin and features a silky satin trim.
This soft blanket set comes in 2 patterns, either a pink animal print or a white safari animal print. Even though the choices are extensive, you’ll have options for either boy or a girl.
It was a wise choice for Aden + Anais to create a security blanket from their popular muslin blankets. I’ve seen many toddlers tote around their muslin receiving blankets like a lovey anyways. The smaller size of these blankets makes them a better option for taking on the go.
Material: Cotton | Dimensions: 8.2″L x 8.2″W x 1″H
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Most Adorable: Minky Animal Snuggler Lovey Blanket for Kids
- REVERSIBLE DEER LOVEY FOR BABIES: Printed super soft touch deer lovey security blanket soothes babies, infants, and toddlers
- STUFFED ANIMAL FRIENDS: Wrap your little lamb in XOs (hugs & kisses), or hold tight to an un-bear-ably cute snowcap scene bear, lovable sayings elephant companion, or patchy puppy pal!
- MACHINE WASHABLE: If your animal blanket buddy gets soiled, don’t worry! Send him/her for a swim in the washer, & follow the easy care instruction on the tag
- MINKY MATERIAL: What is it? Luxurious & silky, it resembles mink to the touch, but is 100% vegan friendly (no animals involved in making these animals!) Soft like cashmere, minky is the ultimate fabric for making baby blankets!
Pros:
- Cute animal designs
- Soft minky material
- Machine washable
Cons:
- Smaller than others
I appreciate it when stuffed animal loveys are extra cute and cuddly since I often give them away as gifts. The Minky Animal Snuggler Lovey Blanket for Kids comes in some adorable animal designs that are fun for babies and toddlers.
While I was immediately drawn to the freckled fawn, there are several other cute animals including a puppy and a bear. The blanket is made from a super soft minky material that infants and toddlers will both enjoy. When this baby lovey gets dirty, just throw it in the wash for an easy clean.
The blanket is fairly small, only 12 inches on each side. However, I’ll still be grabbing some of these for future baby showers. The super soft design and cute animals just make this an easy win for me.
Material: Polyester | Dimensions: 12″L x 6″W
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Softest: Crevent Cozy Plush Baby Security Blanket
- MATERIAL: Grey faux fur front + minky back.
- SIZE: 34X34cm / 14″X14″
- GIFTABLE: Great gift for newborn baby boys / infants / toddlers / pets / dogs / cats etc. Christmas / Birthday / New Year / Receiving Gift.
- Easy maintenance, machine washable and dry.
Pros:
- Silky soft
- Adorable animals
- Great price
Cons:
- Eyes hide behind fur
My toddler loves extra soft stuffed animals. So when I was searching for a lovey for her, I wanted something that felt like cashmere. The Crevent Cozy Plush Baby Security Blanket did not disappoint.
We chose the grey bunny design but there were plenty of other choices including a dog, elephant, unicorn, and fox. The animal heads are attached to a small minky blanket with faux fur. As soon as I took it out of the box, I couldn’t help but cuddle it myself.
The size of this lovey is perfect for little hands. My toddler carries this around the house all day. I was so thankful to know that it’s machine washable, especially after seeing how much love it receives in our home.
I do wish the eyes were able to be seen better under the fur. However, I’m still thrilled with this sweet little lovey, and will likely buy another as a backup.
Material: Polyester | Dimensions: 14″L x 14″W
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Most Popular: Hudson Baby Unisex Baby Security Blanket
- Cozy, comfortable soft security blanket with animal face
- Made with 100% cozy plush fabric / Sized 14×14 inches
- Soft and gentle on baby’s skin
- Optimal for everyday use
Pros:
- Cute designs
- Machine Washable
- Secure stitching
Cons:
- Not as soft as others
After seeing the thousands of reviews on Amazon, I had to try this popular lovey. The Hudson Baby Unisex Baby Security Blanket has raving reviews from parents all over.
Hudson Baby offers a wide selection of sweet designs to choose from. We ordered the pink cloud option. It is just as cute in person as it is online.
My toddler immediately snuggled this soft polyester lovey. The little cloud is the perfect size for her hands to grab. I was worried that the cloud might come off, but it seems to be very securely attached.
This lovey is also machine washable like many of the others. My only complaint is that the blanket is not as soft as a minky blanket. However, it’s still very comfortable and my toddler still found it to be cuddly.
Material: Polyester | Dimensions: 14″L x 14″W
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Best Oversized: Large Lovey Baby Security Blanket for Girls by Everyday Kids
- BIG BABY GIRL SECURITY BLANKET: At 30 x 30 inches, this oversized baby crib blanket is perfect for snuggling or tummy time! Fully wrap your baby or toddler in the pure comfort of this super soft and warm baby blanket!
- FUZZY AND CUDDLY BABY GIRL BLANKET: The luxurious pink fleece bottom and furry top side are wonderfully tactile and feel amazing on baby’s supple skin. Gently wrap your baby girl in the softness and warmth! An adorable kitty cat head secured firmly to the blanket: Enjoy your baby’s squeals of delight as you play hide-and-seek with the kitten’s face popping out to greet her! And, the cat’s arms and ears will provide gentle relief to aching gums.
- BABY ESSENTIAL AND CUTE NEWBORN GIFT: Surprise new parents with the best baby shower gift of an infant blanket they will love! Loveys for babies encourage self-soothing during naptime and stimulation during playtime. Add it to your baby gift basket!
- PRECIOUS BABY NURSERY DÉCOR AND DURABLE QUALITY: Arrange this cute-as-can-be pink cat nursery blanket on your baby’s dresser, shelf or changing table for a beautiful pop of color! This baby nursery bedding is exceptionally crafted for your child to enjoy for years! Machine wash and dry.
Pros:
- Soft materials
- Large, plush animals
- Great for sleeping
Cons:
- Might get dirty easily
If you’ve got a little one like Linus from Charlie Brown, you might want a bigger lovey that’s also a blanket. The Large Lovey Baby Security Blanket is the perfect choice for an oversized lovey.
Lovey blankets often come in sizes around 12 to 16 inches on all sides. This blanket measures 30 by 30 inches. This is the perfect size for a toddler to sleep with or a baby to use for tummy time.
I love that this lovey comes with a larger animal head. The large overstuffed animal makes it even easier to cuddle. The arms of the animal are the perfect size for little teethers.
The blanket itself is super soft and made from polyester. Since this large blanket will likely get dragged around the house, parents will love that the whole blanket is machine washable.
Material: Polyester | Dimensions: 40″L x 30″W
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Recommended Accessories
In addition to a lovey, these items might help your baby sleep more soundly as well as ease separation anxiety:
- White Noise Machine
- Calming Essential Oils
- Receiving Blanket or Swaddle for Infants
- Baby Sleep Sack
- Baby Crib Mobile
Why Should You Get Your Baby a Lovey?
Many parents are hesitant to purchase an item that their child might become overly reliant on. However, you should know that helping your child learn to self-soothe is a good thing.
Before you purchase a baby lovey, here are a couple of things to know:
What is a lovey?
A lovey is a transitional object designed to help children feel safe and secure. They are often soft, small items perfect for little hands to hold and cuddle. Some loveys include a stuffed animal while others are just a blanket.
Many parents use loveys to help with separation anxiety in toddlers at night. You’ll find loveys in a variety of styles and under different names including:
- Lovey Blanket
- Tag Blanket
- Lovey Snuggle Toy
- Baby Security Blanket
At what age can a baby have a lovey?
This is an important detail to know about loveys. In the updated safe sleep recommendations by the American Academy of Pediatrics, Rachel Moon, MD, FAAP, states, “babies should always sleep in a crib or bassinet, on their back, without soft toys, pillows, blankets or other bedding.” Their recommendations apply to babies up to one year old.
It’s best to wait until your baby is at least one year to let them sleep with a lovey. Instead, only allow your infant to use a lovey while they’re awake.
How to Choose the Best Loveys for Your Baby
When shopping for the best loveys for babies or toddlers, you’ll find many options. Here’s a quick guide to finding the right lovey for your baby:
Safety
Ensure that the lovey is free of items that might come loose in your baby’s mouth and become a choking hazard. This includes any beads, small chew toys, or buttons.
Durability
The best baby security blankets will likely be—shall we say, well-loved? So you want to be sure the one you choose can stand up to the task. Look for parent reviews that back up the quality and double-check that it’s machine washable.
Softness
No little one wants to cuddle with something that’s hard or scratchy. The materials used should be plush and smooth. Minky and polyester are two popular materials used.
FAQs
When is a child too old for a lovey?
There’s no specific cutoff age for a child using a lovey. Loveys make a great sensory activity for infants, but they are also useful for older children. Many parents use them to help a child transition to preschool, daycare, or other places that might cause fear or stress.
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