A baby comforter, also called a security blanket or lovey, can become the most important object in your child's world. Here is how to choose a safe one, when to introduce it, how to use it as a settling tool and what to do when the inevitable happens and it goes missing.
Designed and made for little ones, shipped from Melbourne.
Quick answer
When can my baby sleep with a comforter? Red Nose Australia recommends keeping soft items out of the sleep space until at least 7 months (corrected for prematurity) and ideally until 12 months. Before that, comforters are wonderful for supervised cuddles, feeding and settling routines. Always follow current Red Nose safe sleep guidance.
Step 1 · Safe sleep
Comforters and Safe Sleep
The safe sleep rules are simple and worth knowing before anything else.
Clear sleep space for the first 12 months
Red Nose Australia advises a clear, flat sleep surface with no soft items for the first year of life. A comforter in the cot with a young baby can cover the face and increase the risk of suffocation.
7 months as a minimum
Red Nose recommends waiting until at least 7 months corrected age before allowing a comforter in the sleep space, and only when your baby can reliably roll and move their head independently.
Supervised use from birth
You can absolutely use a comforter from birth, during feeds, cuddles and supervised play. The key is to remove it before putting bub down to sleep unattended.
The scent trick: Tuck the comforter inside your clothing for a few hours before introducing it to bub. Your scent on the comforter is a powerful early settling tool, even before it is allowed in the cot.
Step 2 · Choosing
How to Choose a Baby Comforter
A comforter is going to be handled, chewed, washed a hundred times and possibly dragged along a footpath. Here is what actually matters when choosing one.
| Feature | What to look for | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Fabric | Soft, breathable cotton | Gentle on sensitive skin and safe for little mouths |
| Size | Small and light | Easier for small hands to grip and less risky if it shifts in the cot |
| Attachments | No loose buttons, beads or long ribbons | Choking hazard risk with any detachable part |
| Washability | Machine washable and quick-drying | It will need washing regularly and often urgently |
| Availability | Easy to replace or buy a spare | Every parent learns this one the hard way |
Step 3 · Introducing
How to Introduce a Comforter
The earlier you start building an association between the comforter and comfort, the faster bub bonds with it. The scent method is the most effective first step.
1. Add your scent
Wear or sleep with the comforter for a few hours before giving it to your baby. Your scent signals safety and familiarity to a very young baby long before they can attach to the object itself.
2. Use it during feeds
Hold the comforter between you and bub during breastfeeding or bottle feeding. The association between the comforter and the comfort of feeding builds quickly.
3. Include it in the settling routine
Offer the comforter consistently as part of the wind-down routine, during the dark, quiet, feed-before-sleep sequence. Consistency is what builds the bond.
4. Buy a spare immediately
The moment bub bonds with a comforter, buy a second one. Rotate both so they wear and wash equally, and the spare will have the same familiar feel when the original is in the wash or (please no) lost.
Step 4 · Care
Washing and Caring for a Comforter
Machine wash cold, gentle cycle
Cold water protects the fabric and any embroidery. A gentle cycle stops pilling on soft cotton over time.
Line dry or lay flat
A tumble dryer can shrink and harden the fabric that makes the comforter so appealing. Line or flat drying in the shade keeps it soft.
No bleach
Bleach damages the fibres and leaves a residue that can irritate sensitive skin. A pre-soak in cold water and a little nappy soaker does the job safely.
Why Sommerfugl Kids
Australian-designed comforters, headbands, bows and smocks made for little ones and shipped from Melbourne. Soft cotton that washes beautifully and characters bub will love for years.
Shop Baby Comforters Shop Headbands & BowsFrequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a comforter, a security blanket and a lovey?
They are all names for the same thing: a small, soft object, often with a little animal head or character, that helps babies feel safe and settle. Australians tend to say comforter or security blanket. Lovey is used widely in the US and UK. Whatever you call it, it becomes bub's first best friend.
When can a baby sleep with a comforter?
Red Nose Australia recommends a clear sleep space for the first 12 months, with a minimum of 7 months corrected age before introducing a soft item into the sleep space. Always follow the most current Red Nose safe sleep guidance.
Can I use a comforter from birth?
Yes, as part of a supervised routine. From birth you can cuddle the comforter during feeds and settling, then remove it before bub goes down to sleep unattended. The earlier you start building the association, the stronger the bond.
Why do I need to buy a spare comforter?
Because the day bub bonds with it is the day you need a second one. Rotate both from the start so they wear and smell the same, and you will be very grateful for the spare when the original is in the wash, left at daycare or quietly disappears at the shops.
Are comforters a good baby gift?
One of the best. Practical, keepsake-worthy and genuinely used for years. Pair with a matching headband or bow for a complete new baby gift that will be remembered.
Do you ship Australia-wide?
Yes. Free Australia-wide shipping on all orders over $70, with quick dispatch from Melbourne.
