WHEN TO BUY A STUFFED ANIMAL FOR A BABY?

Baby can be offered his first comforter at 5 or 6 months , but not all soft toys are equal at this age. If you decide to buy one for your child at this time of his life, it must have one primary quality: softness . The material and texture of the soft toy can change with the age of the baby. Which model should you choose over the months and years? Which soft toy is suitable for your child's development? Follow the guide.

1. The soft toy for babies from 5 months :

This is the age of the first cuddles with his very first comforter . This must be chosen in the right size above all. But how do you recognize the right dimensions? Pay attention to the thickness, height and width of the comforter. It must represent approximately the size of the baby when he is sitting. It is important that he can surround it well with his arms and hug it .

The feeling of softness that baby's first comforter embodies is due to its rather soft character, but not too much. Psychomotor therapists do not recommend comforters that are too soft , which sag too quickly and cannot serve as a real companion to baby in this case in his motor development.

At 5 or 6 months, baby may tend to favor certain parts of his stuffed animal over others. For example, he may become attached to one of the bear's ears, to his paw and even to the label. There is no need to panic, this is a completely normal phenomenon. Baby seeks to reassure himself by becoming attached to these parts of his comforter .

2. The ideal soft toy for babies from 8 months :

Around 8 or 9 months, babies understand that they are a person in their own right and separate from their mother. This is a bit like the period of their first separation anxiety. They can then reassure themselves through a "transition" object like a comforter . It is at this age that their stuffed animal really begins to be familiar to them.

If baby has not yet had a comforter with this period, the choice of the ideal soft toy must also be made according to its size. We base ourselves on the same principle of a dimension more or less equal to the size of the baby when he is sitting. However, one or two soft toys are enough to reassure baby at this age. It is not recommended to overload his room or his bed with too many soft toys , baby must be able to distinguish the one that can become his best friend for a long time.

Choose a few models that you also like, because stuffed animals are likely to become full-fledged members of your family for several months, even several years. It is also at the age of 8 or 9 months that baby generally chooses his comforter, the lucky chosen one of his heart who will become his confidant and companion.

Around 8 or 9 months, baby begins to use his hands and fingers a lot to pinch and grab his stuffed animal. His comforter must therefore be chosen very firm, but still light so that he can carry it everywhere. In addition, slightly firmer comforters can be placed on the floor. Baby will therefore be able to crawl well to grab it. You can also choose a multi-colored stuffed animal to help your child in his awakening and in the development of his visual perceptions .

3. The right soft toy for your 12 month old baby :

One year is the age when baby wants to awaken his curiosity. He likes to discover things, touch everything and explore places in the house other than his room. At this age baby must be able to move around very easily with his comforter , even if he does not walk yet.

Choose one that is small and not bulky. He should be able to grab it easily whether he is crawling or starting to stand up by holding on. Activity soft toys are well suited to a 12-month-old baby. A rattle comforter, for example, is an ideal choice. Some models of soft toys also have a small mirror, small press buttons and can play educational music. A 12-month-old child appreciates comforters with the image of animals or cartoon characters . For example, give him a reversible Spiderman soft toy .

4. The ideal companion for a 2-year-old baby :

His comforter gradually becomes his playmate at 2 years old . It is his best friend with whom he plays and his "baby" that he walks. The child begins to appreciate the different imaginative games at this age. It is with his comforter that he will reproduce his daily habits. He can feed him for example. Often the comforter simply stays at the child's side while he plays or eats, to reassure him more by its presence .

At 2 years old, baby has much more strength. You can offer him a slightly heavier stuffed animal of about forty centimeters that he can already lift. 2 years old is also the age when the child likes to collect stuffed animals . He makes friends with them to sleep alone in his room for example. They also become real supports for him when he experiences a few small worries, after a small fall or sorrows. The stuffed animals then become a sort of den for him, an attachment and a guarantee of security .

Musical stuffed animals also interest him more. The shapes and colors are for all tastes. In addition, the music activation handle on the stuffed animal must be clearly visible, accessible and easy to operate. Generally for 2-year-old babies, this can be a large, brightly colored button located on the belly of a teddy bear, for example.

5. The giant plush toy from 3 years old :

Opt for this concentrate of tenderness and love in a large format! A giant plush toy is a reassuring companion, especially because of its size and dimensions which exceed the classic versions of what is available on the market. A plush toy can be described as giant when its size exceeds 70 centimeters. But manufacturers go even further by offering models that can go up to 350 centimeters.

To choose the right size for your child's giant stuffed animal , it is best to take into account the dimensions of their room. Indeed, there is no point in buying a model that will only clutter up a small space.

XXL soft toys also come in different shapes, including the timeless bear that all children love. The unicorn plush toy or the rabbit plush toy are other classic shapes that also interest 3-year-olds. Apart from their size, giant plush toys also embody a real companion side that is even more accentuated compared to small plush toys . The child feels like they are with a "real" life-size companion who can, for example, reassure them and whom they will cuddle in the absence of their parents. Giant plush toys do indeed look a little more realistic.

When buying a giant stuffed animal, you need to be extra vigilant about its quality. A hypoallergenic model is ideal here too. The stuffed animal must be shock and friction resistant and all its added external parts - eyes, clothing buttons, etc. - must be well fixed to avoid any risk for the child to swallow them for example.

The best giant stuffed toy to buy for your child is also one that meets strict European safety standards. According to the Directorate General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control (DGCCRF), a well-secured stuffed toy must:

 - be free of any external element which can be removed very easily at the slightest manipulation or pressure by the child.

- be wrapped in a strong material with strong seams as well. The stuffing elements must be well contained by the envelope. If the plush toy contains other elements inside its body, such as a bell among others, the envelope must also have the capacity to hold them.

- be designed with non-flammable materials.

6. Other advantages of the giant plush toy :

The big teddy bear ensures an unconditional presence , we know that. But it is also a play accessory for the child. For example, he can climb on it to jump in the presence of an adult, or ride on its back.

The giant stuffed animal is also a very important lever for socialization for the child. It is with his big comforter that your little one learns the concept of playing in pairs or in a group.

The giant plush toy is also a timeless game , because it never goes out of fashion. It is therefore a good investment, because it is profitable. In addition to the actual advantages of this type of plush toy, it also remains a decorative element for the child's room .

7. The different forms of stuffed animals for children :

The plush toy can take the form of any animal. The teddy bear has remained the favorite cuddly toy of children for a long time. It is plump with its little belly which gives it an even more reassuring air for little ones.

In addition to this most common model on the market, the plush toy can also represent a rabbit , a dog , a monkey or a cat . Large African animals such as the giraffe, the lion or the panther are other shapes that are also in high demand.

8. The ideal material for your baby's stuffed animal :

There are two main types of materials used to make children's soft toys : synthetic materials and natural materials . Synthetic materials are increasingly being abandoned in favor of natural materials, which have the advantage of being more resistant and meeting all European acceptance criteria for quality. Natural materials do not fade easily, even after washing. The two main natural materials are cotton and wool .

- Cotton is found almost everywhere in the home. It is especially appreciated for its softness , perfect for stuffed animals or children's comforters. Cotton resists friction, heat and frequent washing in the washing machine for much longer. The color does not fade too quickly.

- Wool has been used for centuries to make various fabric accessories, including clothing. Wool has many qualities that other materials do not have. It keeps you warm in winter, it is insulating and also has great resistance to time. It is an ideal material for choosing a baby's soft toy or comforter.

9. Caring for your baby's stuffed animal :

The stuffed animal is carried everywhere, indoors when the child is small and outdoors when he will be thirsty for discoveries, especially from the moment he walks. His comforter is dusty and retains germs easily. It must therefore be washed regularly, at least once a month, and again, it depends on its color and material. There are several ways to wash the stuffed animal . But you must follow the instructions and especially check if the stuffed animal can be cleaned with water.

- Wash the plush toy by hand

Simply pour a few drops of your shampoo into a basin half-filled with water. Then immerse the cuddly toy in it and scrub the stains with a toothbrush. Rinse thoroughly under running water. The traces of shampoo should disappear. Then air dry.

- Machine wash or dry clean the plush toy

Before putting the cuddly toy in the machine, it should be covered with a pillowcase for example or a net to protect it from too much friction. It is always advisable to wash it at 30 ° C and with a light spin program. Simply hang it on a line in the open air to dry it. Dry cleaning can be done at home with baking soda, mixed with a little flour. Pour the mixture into a bag, and put the cuddly toy in it. Close the bag and let it rest for 4 to 5 hours before removing it and shaking it to remove the white marks.