Is it normal for a 17 year old to sleep with a stuffed animal?

The act of sleeping with a teddy bear or a childhood blanket is generally considered to be perfectly acceptable (they can have negative connotations if they’re associated with childhood trauma or were an emotional stand-in for a parent).

What does it mean when a teenager still sleeps with a stuffed animal?

Doctors refer to stuffed animals, blankets, and the like as “transitional objects.” They’re something that young children curl up with to feel safe and secure, especially when they’re away from a parent or caregiver. Stuffed animals also help kids transition from dependence to independence, hence the name.

Is it okay to have stuffed animals as an adult?

Stuffed animals are often thought of as children’s toys that you discard once you’re older. When an adult does admit to having one, they’re often shamed for it, but it’s not something to be ashamed of—far from it. As it turns out, stuffed animals can actually help adults live healthier and happier lives.

Why does my child like to smell me?

“It’s all about association, and kids often sniff things that conjure up pleasant memories that they find comforting.” These soothing smells can simply help a child feel more safe and secure—or relaxed enough to facilitate sleep.

Why do kids love stuffed animals?

They’re something that young children curl up with to feel safe and secure, especially when they’re away from a parent or caregiver. Stuffed animals also help kids transition from dependence to independence, hence the name. Once a connection to the object is made, kids learn to turn to it to help them cope with their anxieties.

Do you still sleep with your stuffed animals?

As a child, chances are you slept with a stuffed animal or fuzzy blanket that you loved. But if you’re years into adulthood and still find yourself snuggling up to your childhood teddy bear, it turns out you’re not alone.

Do you still sleep with your teddy bear as an adult?

But if you’re years into adulthood and still find yourself snuggling up to your childhood teddy bear, it turns out you’re not alone. Forty percent of adults admit to still sleeping with a stuffed animal or blanket from their childhood, according to a survey commissioned by Build-A-Bear Workshop.

Is it normal to cuddle with your stuffed dog every night?

Here’s the good news: Experts say it’s totally normal to cuddle with your beloved stuffed dog every night—even if you no longer sleep in your childhood bed. “It’s nothing unusual,” Stanley Goldstein, child clinical psychologist, tells the Chicago Tribune.