Parents often wonder if providing a "sleeping companion" to their babies and toddlers can help them sleep more comfortably. These sleeping companions can include small pillows, dolls, or blankets. The question is, do babies really need a sleeping companion?
According to psychologists, babies find it difficult to fall asleep by themselves. This is in contrast to adults who can generally sleep independently, although we sometimes require a specific environment, such as a calm atmosphere or soft and comfortable pillows.
It should be noted that babies aged 1 to 18 months need 15 to 18 hours of sleep every day. Adequate sleep can support brain development and prepare the baby's fitness to receive stimulation when he wakes up.
However, babies still need help to fall asleep even when they are already sleepy. That is, the role of parents is quite large in helping babies sleep. There are babies who need to be rocked first, or heard a song, and there are those who feel comfortable sleeping with a bedmate.
This bedmate can be a doll, bolster or soft pillow that the baby can hug while sleeping. The bedmate will help the baby when he grows up and begins to learn to rely on himself to overcome anxiety when sleeping alone.
This anxiety can be a fear of the dark or the sound of rain outside the house. However, parents need to make sure that this sleeping partner does not harm the little one. For this reason, it is necessary to avoid objects that are too large or wide, such as blankets that are too heavy or have strings.
