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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?

ckittel
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Thursagen
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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 Jun 06 '11 at 01:16
  • 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 Jun 06 '11 at 01:41
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    I think we really ought to reopen this.. – Thursagen Jun 06 '11 at 05:03
  • Is this question about teddy bears? Plush toys? Dolls? Favourite blankets, too? How about familiar surroundings in general, and/or routine bed-time rituals? Sleeping companions? Toys as companion substitutes? – ChrisW Jun 06 '11 at 12:07
  • FWIW I voted to close it as of-topic because it's not (and here I'm quoting words from the FAQ) a public, pseudo-scientific claim made in the media. – ChrisW Jun 06 '11 at 12:13
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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: http://www.pep-web.org/toc.php?journal=mpsa&volume=13&PHPSESSID=engaq09vptifd8dljd5d7n4dv0#66 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 Jun 06 '11 at 14:01
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    Mr Bean needs his teddy bear to sleep, the television series shows that quite clearly :) – jwenting Jun 07 '11 at 05:45
  • Mine sure works for me. I have a regular teddy and a backup teddy. ;-> – Moab Aug 08 '11 at 03:08

1 Answers1

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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

Werner Schmitt
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