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There are so many kids in this world who go to sleep with teddy bears and dolls. It seems like they need these toys to go off to Dreamland.

I just recently realised this because my own child, about 5 yrs. old, told me he couldn't go to sleep without it. Does a teddy bear really help a person sleep better?

Are there any studies on this showing that a child actually sleeps better with a teddy bear?

What about adults? Does this affect them?

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    This seems like a reasonable and interesting question which I expect to yield some answers that at least touch on child psychology; I suggest adding "psychology" and "sleep" tags to this question. I'm voting up for this question despite the big -4 that I see on it now.
    – Randolf Richardson
    Commented Jun 6, 2011 at 1:16
  • I also think this also worth looking at. Do children really get comfort from stuffed toys? I vote to reopen. This is a lot better than some of the other questions I've seen in the past week.
    – going
    Commented Jun 6, 2011 at 1:41
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    I think we really ought to reopen this..
    – Thursagen
    Commented Jun 6, 2011 at 5:03
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    @ChrisW-- all of those objects fall under the category of 'transference object' in psychiatry and psychoanalysis. This magazine from 20+ years ago covers some theories about it: pep-web.org/… But essentially, these objects are thought to be parental standins when parents aren't present. I don't have the expertise to really delve into it, but it's a subject of real study.
    – mmr
    Commented Jun 6, 2011 at 14:01
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    Mr Bean needs his teddy bear to sleep, the television series shows that quite clearly :)
    – jwenting
    Commented Jun 7, 2011 at 5:45

1 Answer 1

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This phenomenon is described under co-sleeping in psychology. Its based on childs being used to lying beside mother/father. In the transition phase to sleeping alone the teddy is compensation.

If a adult is affected by not having a teddy, should look for a good therapist ;)

source

source

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    I need my bear to go to sleep, so do I need a good therapist?
    – Thursagen
    Commented Jul 1, 2011 at 12:21
  • 5
    If a adult is affected by not having a teddy, should look for a good therapist Or a loving life partner?
    – Aquarius_Girl
    Commented Jan 21, 2012 at 15:49
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    What if the "loving life partner" is a "bear" named Teddy?
    – o0'.
    Commented Mar 22, 2012 at 10:13

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