Ask an Australian what a baby comforter is and you will get a floppy-eared bunny. Ask an American and you will get a quilt. Same word, two very different objects, and only one of them belongs anywhere near a baby. Here is the difference.
Australian owned, shipped from Melbourne.
Quick answer
What is a baby comforter? In Australia, a baby comforter is a small, soft lovey: usually a little animal head on a muslin or knitted body that bub cuddles for comfort. In the US, "comforter" means a quilt or duvet. Quilts and doonas do not belong in a baby's cot, and Red Nose recommends keeping soft toys, comforters included, out of the cot until at least 7 months.
The two meanings
Lovey or Quilt?
| Australian comforter (lovey) | American comforter (quilt) | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A small soft toy, often an animal head on a muslin body | A thick quilt or duvet |
| Also called | Lovey, security blanket, blankie, snuggle | Doona, duvet, quilt |
| In the cot? | Not before 7 months | No, not for babies |
| What we sell | Yes. Bunnies and a lion | No |
Cot quilts sold in Australia are often labelled as not recommended for children 2 years and under. So if a search, an overseas blog or an AI chatbot tells you a "comforter" is fine in the cot, check which comforter they mean.
Safe sleep
What Red Nose Says
Red Nose recommends a cot with no doonas, quilts, pillows, bumpers, lambswool or soft toys, with baby on their back and their head and face uncovered. For the lovey kind of comforter, Red Nose advises keeping soft toys out of the sleep space until at least 7 months, because they can cover the nose and mouth.
Before then, a comforter is a daytime companion: feeds, cuddles, the pram, the car. More on timing in when can baby sleep with a comforter.
Choosing one
What Makes a Good Lovey
- Small and light, sized for little hands
- Breathable outer, like cotton muslin. Ours pair a cotton muslin outer with a soft polyester fill
- No loose parts: stitched faces, no buttons or beads
- Machine washable, because it will need it
- Easy to replace, so you can buy the spare before you need it
Our comforter range covers the Thumper, Benni and Twitch bunnies and Leo the Lion, each in a few colours. The full checklist is in our baby comforter buying guide.
Keep reading: Baby comforter buying guide · When can baby sleep with a comforter? · Lost the comforter?
Why Sommerfugl Kids
Comforters from an Australian owned shop, shipped from Melbourne. Cotton muslin outers, soft fill, and characters bub will drag everywhere for years.
Shop Baby Comforters Shop Headbands & BowsFrequently Asked Questions
What is a baby comforter in Australia?
A small soft lovey, often an animal head on a muslin body, that babies cuddle for comfort. In the US the word usually means a quilt or duvet instead.
Is a comforter the same as a lovey?
In Australia, yes. Comforter, lovey, security blanket and blankie all describe the same small comfort object.
Can a baby sleep with a comforter?
Not before 7 months. Red Nose recommends keeping soft toys, comforters included, out of the cot until at least 7 months.
Can my baby have a quilt or doona in the cot?
No. Red Nose recommends no doonas, quilts, pillows, bumpers or lambswool in a baby's cot.